Seafood platter dinner, at Thari restaurant, Noku Maldives

Came here before dinner time and asked about their seafood platter if it's good for 2 persons.  Got told that it's good for 2 and the plate was about 2 feet long.  Later on, when we returned 30 minutes later, we sat down and ordered the platter.  The waitress suggested us take some more orders as the platter wasn't enough for 2 persons.  We refused so as we didn't feel too hungry.

A bit odd to have 3 pieces for mussels, squid & prawns.  Yet, tuna is a popular fish in Maldives.  They missed it.  The prawn and the mussel were not fresh.  As the restaurant manager came to ask if everything was ok, I raised this issue.  Then they got us a complimentary dessert.  Next time I started not to raise any comments.

Portosino, Avista Grande MGallery Karon Beach, Phuket

This restaurant was quite inconsistent with their food quality.  Had a very nice lunch for a calzone pizza of mushroom, artichoke and bell pepper and a Pad Thai.  However, the breakfast and dinner weren't the same story.

Breakfast at Lime restaurant, Baros Maldives

In addition to the cold dish and bread stations, you can choose the hot meal choices.  The cold dishes and the bread were much better than the hot dishes.

Cayenne, the grill, Baros Maldives

We were quite lucky that the 2 nights we were put on an open area without cover and the weather was very nice and not too windy.  The following night when we were leaving, it was very stormy.

This grill place was supposed to be another highlight of this resort.  We ordered a seafood platter for 2, including scallops, tiger prawns, squid, fish filets and a mashed potato and green salad as sides.  The grill was quite nice and good enough for 2.  However, the green salad was a bit disappointing with some mud in it.  So as when the waiter asked how the food was, I simply pointed out the salad but didn't ask for a replace as we almost finished the meal.  Then almost the whole team showed up, from F&B manager, the General Manager, master chef & our butler...  I found it a bit too over-reacted.  So when they asked us for a complimentary dessert.  We just asked for a scoop of ice cream (normally I'd order 2-3) and a tiramisu.  Sadly the kitchen has the same mistake as Lighthouse's - the fridge wasn't cleaned enough that there was some odour in the tiramisu.  We couldn't further complain as that will be embarrassing for both sides.  

The Lighthouse, Baros Maldives

It's been quite some years I have had this resort on the travel list.  Heard of it from the first time I visited its sister resort Niyama (back then under the Universal resort group, but now it's under Minor group).  As when I chatted with the F&B manager of Carpe Diem that I would be visiting this resort after theirs, he highly recommended us to try this restaurant since he used to work here.

The place was very cozy standing out in the panoramic ocean view.  We chose their Lighthouse degustation menu (about 6-7 courses) at US$125++ per person (US$225 with wine pairing).  It might sound a bit expensive.  However, from the time we were greeted, and presented with each dish and until we left, the service was impeccable.  One waiter served for one table, and they wouldn't just stand near but very discerning to serve. The waiter even asked us to take photo of how the flame got on when the lobster bisque was cooked beside the table.  The lobster bisque was impressive that they used some very fine cognac.  I was a bit surprised that they had something quite Thai - Kung Sarong (deep fried prawns wrapped with vermicelli).  The starters were also very nice.  Had a tuna tartar, diced water melon & cucumber, salmon roes.  On the main, there's a crispy duck breast in foie gras foam.  The dessert was a mango raspberry sorbet pudding, followed by a coffee and tea.  The only flaw was the petit four.  It's quite a common mistake of many restaurant kitchens that they put the dessert in a fridge that they didn't clean well enough to get rid of the fridge odour.

The restaurant Coral Tree Villa, Hua Hin, Thailand