Review

Tusky Bar & Grill may be new, but it's already drawing attention, and not only because of its vibrant signage and attractive location in the heart of Phuket's historical Old Town. It's the Euro-Asian cuisine and truly creative cocktails that have people talking. Blending modern European with Japanese and Thai, the menu has been honed and polished as the restaurant has moved through its soft launch. Currently on offer are charcoal-grilled meats and seafood, a raw bar of scallops and beef, roti chanai tacos and generously portioned rice bowls. The carefully thought-out omakase tasting menus and skewer sets are incredible value for money, the former allowing diners to sample from their curated cocktail list alongside small bites, the latter combining a choice of Thai-style skewers with cocktails or craft beers. Stand-out individual dishes, include the succulent roasted pork belly from Chiang Mai artisan butcher Sloane's and the tender Rangers Valley black Angus steak, both enhanced by accompanying sides and sauces. Tusky was purposefully designed to emulate the traditional hole-in-the-walleateries of Yaowarat Road, achieving this with a street-facing kitchen, casual seating, and an overall rather intimate feel. The vivid neon lighting running throughout the restaurant gives it a cool and almost cyberpunk flourish.