Review

The Tree House sits at the Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas. A stylish wooden stairwell winds its way around an ancient Banyan Tree to a covered but open-to-the-elements circular dining space, elegantly furnished with an almost 360-degree view of the serene tropical surroundings. A centrally located open kitchen also offers counter seat dining, where diners can observe chef Thiraphat Buaain assembling nigiri sushi and sashimi. There are two omakase menus, twelve-course and eight-course. Dishes vary according to seasonality. The menu begins with a lightly piquant seabass carpaccio, followed by grilled eel, teriyaki. This precedes glisteningly fresh and generous slices of salmon sashimi, continuing with a wide array of nigiri sushi, moist quenelles of rice skillfully topped with light and buttery shima-aji or striped jack, brightly tinged kinmedai, golden eye snapper, and tuna. The main course can be grilled king mackerel with saikyo miso sauce, served with soft onsen egg and a palate-cleansing miso soup. A house specialty main course of meltingly tender Miyazaki A5 beef depends on availability. Milk tofu and matcha crème brulee conclude the meal. Drinks include sake, sparkling sake, ginjo, daiginjo, and umeshu, and a concise list of wines, a small number of which are offered by glass.