Much of the fun of exploring Phuket lies in the discovery of the many wonderful restaurants tucked away from the major attractions.

Visitors who head down to the far southern tip of the island, for example, will find a sign welcoming travellers to Sunny's at the Nai Harn Beach Resort, a small establishment tucked away behind the lagoon that backs onto the beach.

Harry Kaufmann, a Bavarian, opened Sunny's in August of 2002. He brings with him 20 years experience in the restaurant industry, which began with his professional training at the Hotel School Lake Legernsee in southern Bavaria. He then worked in America, adapting his European cuisine to New World tastes. He spent a number of years working in the hospitality industry in Hawaii before returning to Bavaria, where he operated two restaurants for ten years. "My Thai wife also owned a successful Thai restaurant in Munich," says Harry, "but we decided to move to Thailand and open our own place, combining our skills with both Asian and international cuisine. We've put a menu together that will delight visitors from any country wanting a quiet and peaceful dinner in beautiful natural surroundings."

Sunny's is more than a place to eat. It makes the perfect place to relax, sip an exotic cocktail or even enjoy a traditional Thai massage after a day of exploring Phuket, or after simply enjoying a swim and sunbathing on beautiful Nai Harn Beach, just metres down the road. The restaurant features a formal dining area as well as a separate section with a sandy floor — a good place to have a drink — while the front side has traditional Thai pillows set on the floor where guests can kick back comfortably and have a massage.

"Our menu features a wide range of cuisine," says Kurt Meier, who heads up Sunny's management team, "from popular Isarn-style Thai foods to such Central European dishes as fondue Bourgignon and filet steaks imported from Australia. And all this wonderful five-star food is served in our open restaurant, where guests can relax with family and friends."

Sunny's has some of the most exotic cocktails and drinks on Phuket. Try the popular Brazilian Caipirinha, for example, or the Cuban Mojhito, Ernest Hemingway's favourite. Harry has won awards for his skill behind the bar and, in his spare time, he welcomes the opportunity to share his knowledge of mixing international cocktails.

Harry has put together a Western menu that reflects his central European heritage. It features wiener schitzel, Hungarian goulash, pork filet served with Dijon mustard, filet of duck and a full range of barbecued meats selected for their high quality. "But," Harry says, "we can prepare just about anything that a visitor from any part of the world requests."

Sunny's is part of the Nai Harn Beach Resort, a complex of 20 clean and comfortable bungalows that run between 600 and 1200 baht per night. This place is a wonderful getaway from the crowded beaches.

Sunny's Nai Harn Lounge is 1km back from Nai Harn Beach.