Restaurant of the Month

Sun, sea, sand and sunsets! Welcome to Samui Paradise Island. If you were after some hot weather on your vacation you have certainly come to the right place, Samui has an excellent all year round climate and summer is well and truly here! You can't fail to be enjoying our wonderful beaches and I am sure you will agree the sunsets are mind blowing. So you have the location, the fantastic weather and by now, no doubt the sun tan, so what is missing from the ingredients of a perfect holiday? Tropical Paradise BBQ! After eight years in the Gulf, in my opinion, when it comes to American Style BBQ there is only one place to go. The Shack in Bophut, for food that will exceed all of your expectations and earn its rightful place the folder marked The highlights of my holiday!

The Shack was opened over 3 years ago by Larry who is originally from New York. Larry was an instant hit with locals, ex-pats and visitors alike. With seemingly endless energy, a passion for good food and the perfect host to all of his guests, it's not surprising that these days the Shack is more commonly referred to as simply Larry's! When Larry first opened his doors to provide the village with sumptuous steaks, ribs, BBQ pork, chicken and the freshest seafood you will find anywhere on the island, the restaurant was a lot smaller than it is now. Recently Larry has had to expand to cater to the ever increasing market for his first, island renowned and now world renowned cuisine. Thankfully for us, and unusually for Samui, this expansion was sympathetic and the superb Shack ambiance of low level lighting, Jazz &Blues music and that 'je ne sais qua' that only Larry can inject, is just as it was before.

The Shack is a place where you can relax and really take your time to enjoy the gastronomic delights that Larry and his staff prepare on the BBQ. You only have to walk past Larry's and your mouth is watering, the smells of the freshest meat on the BBQ marinated in delicious sauces, using only the finest ingredients, pervade the air in the street set your taste buds alight.

The Menu here is vast and if there is something you would like that you can't see then all you have to do is ask. Larry is the most welcoming of hosts and nothing here is too much trouble. My suggestion is to have a glass of ice cold beer, or indulge in one of Larry's delectable selection of wines at the bar and really take your time in choosing. The portions are healthy to say the least and the starters are out of this world. What I love about the Shack experience is that you are given time in between courses, when food is this good I personally hate to be rushed.

So what is on the menu I hear you ask! Well here are a selection of my favourites, lets start with the starters! The shack ribs, tender and delicious, Mussels in Pernod sauce, Bacon wrapped in prawns with Pernod sauce, Butter garlic prawns and Seafood cocktail. It would be impossible to be disappointed with any selection but I have to say the garlic sauce is the best I have ever tasted! I highly recommend soaking it up with the fresh and light bread that is always served with your starters or if you really want to indulge your senses then order a portion of the garlic bread too! Salads include Mixed House, Greek, Caesar, Thai and Sauté mushroom and are all crunchy fresh and prepared to perfection.

Moving on to the main courses, which incidentally are generously accompanied by either Shack garlic mash, baked potato or fries as well as the vegetables of the night and an superb choice of sauces. Sliced Australian tenderloin fillet with red wine sauce and grilled asparagus. Australian prime rib eye steaks and tenderloin fillets, Australian T bone, New Zealand Lamb, Chicken breast, BBQ prawns, fish of the day and a selection of platters that encompass a selection of the above. There is even a Hungry man mixed grill platter for those of you with an above average appetite! Just let the friendly, well trained, excellent staff know how you would like your selection to be cooked and get ready to indulge yourself in culinary BBQ perfection! And all the steaks are Australian prime Angus/Hereford grain fed beef, flown in air-chilled, not frozen.

If you have an ounce of room left after your sumptuous feast then you will be equally delighted in the dessert menu. How does hot apple pie with ice cream and berries grab you? Or perhaps Almost New York cheesecake? Ice cream is available in many different flavours and there is always the Shack special of the day. If you can't quite manage a full dessert you can always opt for the fresh seasonal fruit plate or go for a Shack special coffee.

It is virtually impossible to want to leave the Shack, and with the new bar in the rear of the restaurant you don't have to! The shack has become quite the place to be in the village once the dining is done and a great place to meet new people and mull over what has to be one of the most delicious meals you have ever tasted! On a final note its worth mentioning that it is no surprise that Larry's is exceedingly popular, if you have a large group or want to ensure you have a table at a set time then please book in advance. You can make bookings in person or by calling 08 72646994 or 0 7724 6041.

All you have to do now is prepare yourself for a superb meal in one of the best restaurants on the island and enjoy the unique Shack ambiance and don't forget your camera, this is one experience you will want a permanent memory off to file under...'The highlights of my holiday! Enjoy.