Review

At the Courtyard Marriott in the heart of Phuket’s old town and opened two years ago, Yue – meaning happiness- enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the island’s premier Cantonese restaurants. An imposing venue, with all-you-can-eat dim sum, its innovative menu, created by chef Lee Kuan Foo, features an array of classic Chinese dishes, including delicacies such as wok tossed fish maw, sea cucumber and braised abalone. Start with deep-fried shrimp with mayonnaise, or drunken chicken marinated in Chinese wine. Signature emerald soup with crab meat and egg white is sumptuous, as is a confection of honey-glazed shimeji mushrooms. Staple main courses celebrate duck, beef and pork in a range of styles, from traditional Chinese barbequed meats such as Peking duck, or roasted pork belly. For special occasions, the kitchen will prepare a suckling pig with a choice of garnishes. Grouper and sea bass come in classic styles. Heavyweights, Andaman sea king and Sichuan lobster weigh in. Highly recommended is a picture-perfect king prawn and luscious scallop presentation on a bed of young asparagus. Desserts include hot-mashed taro and tropical-tasting mango ice cream with pomelo sago. Cocktails come with names like clock hall and talad yai; a small careful selection of wine by the glass is available. Yue lives up to its name as happiness of the taste-buds is assured.