Getting high on Thai food at Phuket View restaurant
The restaurant has panoramic views of Phuket Town and the east coast of the island.
Phuket View restaurant, on two levels, is tucked into the east side of Rang Hill and surrounded by giant forest trees. Both levels are open to wide views, but the upper level has a roof, reducing the heat of the day and keeping the occasional shower from spoiling dinner.
The menu is extensive, with a variety of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes, curries and soups. There are even some Western items listed, though we wold not recommend these as highly as the Thai ones.
However, the restaurant’s version of Penang, a spicy red curry with pork or chicken, is highly recommended. Richly flavoured with a coconut milk base, it gets a lift from the addition of crushed peanuts, a speciality of the house.
Or try the Pla Dook Foo – catfish that is raked with a fork and then fried, resulting in a crunchy, frizzy dish, only slightly spicy but delicious.
Another recommendation is the Yam Tua Pu – wing-bean salad. Wing beans are about four inches long, and star-shaped in cross-section. Sliced up with shallots, mint, basil and a touch of chili, they make a delightfully refreshing dish. For soup, the tom kha gai is recommended, with its aroma of lemon grass and galangal.
Phuket View is a fine place for watching the sunset. Even though it’s on the east side of the island, the sky above catches the glow of the sunset. It’s also cooler at that time of day. Service is friendly and attentive; you’ll find it quite difficult to empty your glass before it is refilled.
At any time of day or night, the panorama is magnificent, with the southeast coast of the island spread out in front of you, from Koh Sirey on the left, to the Giant Buddha atop the Nakkerd Hills on the right.
In front is Cape Panwa, the calm waters of Chalong Bay, and Koh Lone. Closer by are the tightly clustered roofs of the century-old centre of Phuket City.
The restaurant is surrounded on both sides and above by old forest, and bordered in front by frangipani and bougainvillea, a stunning floral display during the winter season. Crickets and cicadas can get so loud at sunset as to almost drown out conversation, and during the day there is always birdsong. Definitely a place to linger, appreciating good food and tropical nature at the same time.
Phuket View is halfway up Rang Hill, next to the Channel 11 TV station. Take the small road up the hill from the lights next to Vachira Hospital, which is on Yaowarat Rd. The restaurant is large, so usually it’s necessary to book only on public holidays. Tel: 076-216865/222169.
