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- LATEST ISSUE OF OUR PRINTED MAGAZINE
- Thailand's Wetland Wonderland
- By Thom Henley
- In the southern Thai province of Phattalung lies a great national and natural treasure. Thale Noi, or “Little Lake” as it is commonly called,is home to one of the greatest diversities of waterfowl species in the world. Yet the delicate balance between humans and the environment may well be disrupted if nearby development can’t be controlled. Naturalist and conservationist Thom Henley describes the beauty of the wetlands and their inhabitants.
- The Elegant Art of Fruit Carving
- By Michael Moore
- It may be hard to believe, but that beautiful centerpiece is completely edible.
- Restaurant Review – La Cucina at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa
- Menu and food discussions spark romance for Derek Davies and companion.
Our reviewer, Michael Moore, discovers this eccentric Thai restaurant in Phuket Town.
According to my trusty Webster's, "funky" means unconventional, offbeat or eccentric. This makes it a good word to describe the Natural Restaurant in Phuket Town. Unconventional and offbeat the place is, but this doesn't mean the food is bad or the ambiance unpleasant. In fact, both are great, making it a popular place for those seeking an escape from the doldrums of the ordinary while dining in Phuket Town.
The Natural is a little difficult to find, but if you can locate the market on Ranong Road, simply proceed down the street a short way until you come to the Chinese temple. Hang a left on Soi Phutom and proceed about 300m down the road until you come to the funky-looking place on the left.
The Natural has been erected in the front yard of a house. Part of it lies at ground level, with the remainder perching on whimsically designed wooden terraces at varying heights. The open-air restaurant is filled with trees, plants and a bizarre collection of bric-a-brac. Many of the tables are made from cross-sections of a tree trunk attached to what were once treadle-operated sewing machines. A central pond is filled with interesting objects and gizmos, including a water-spouting frog. Of particular interest are the TV sets, the picture tubes of which have been replaced with aquariums and an unusual model train.
The menu comprises primarily Thai items, but a limited selection of Western dishes includes German-style sausage with sauerkraut for only 60 baht. The restaurant opens at 9am and is an excellent place to stop for a 70-baht American breakfast.
But it's the Thai food that stars on the restaurant's extensive menu. Numerous fish dishes, steamed, grilled or fried, are on offer. The steamed dishes are particularly good, emphasizing the fresh, light flavour of Phuket's fabulous fish. In my more than seven years of dining at the Natural, I've always enjoyed the yam nua (beef salad), Thai-style omelettes and numerous curries. Their tom kha gai is several cuts above what's typically served. The restaurant now also provides a modest selection of reasonably priced wines.
The garden setting and relaxed atmosphere make the Natural Restaurant a (sigh) natural place to stop for a cold beer while in Phuket Town. If you want a snack while you drink, they serve some of the best kwaytiao on the island. The tasty spring rolls and satay also make great accompaniments while enjoying a cold one.
Open every day except Monday from 9am-12 midnight, the Natural is a gem of place that consistently provides excellent food and drinks in a relaxing atmosphere with a difference. Try it once, and you'll find yourself returning again and again.
Natural (Tamachart) Restaurant
Tel. 076 224 287