Guilty dining at Anantara Bophut Koh Samui
There is one thing you don’t want to miss out on when you stay at Anantara Bophut and that is sampling the food offer. We are however missing breakfast due to a very early flight from Koh Samui Airport (just 15 15-minute drive) to Bangkok, but luckily for us, we’re not in the slightest bit peckish because the night before we got to try out the resort’s latest destination restaurant Guilty.
Arriving for a very quick (on reflection ‘too’ quick) one-night stopover at Anantara’s Koh Samui resort we arrived to check out what is becoming a foodie destination for both guests of the hotel and visitors to the island.
Opened in December GUILTY offers South American dining and drinking that combines Peruvian plates with Japanese influence.
The restaurant sits almost centre stage of the resort. Past the reception, through the lily pad-laden ponds and the lush green landscaping, it is housed on a platform where decorated monkey masks (what are they called) invite guests to navigate up the stairs and into the semi-open aired building.
We sat in the centre of the restaurant with a view of the pool below and the Gulf of Thailand beyond. The staff, who all look so lovely in their jade green tops and pretty asymmetric floral skirts, give us their suggestions on what we should try.
Unfortunately, that early start plays heavy on our minds so we (very reluctantly – but knew we’d be grateful in the morning) decline the delicious-sounding Mango Loco cocktail, but we do take the suggestion of the Holy Guacamole starter. Guacamole and crispy tortillas might not sound too exciting but we are intrigued by the description that not only is it a signature starter, but it is also made in front of the diners table side.
“A unique South American dining and drinking experience from tantalising Peruvian plates with Nikkei influences, to spicy tacos and cocktails inspired by the continent. A home for hedonists and pleasure-seekers, where there is no shame in a good time”.
Our waiter comes prepared with pestle and mortar, prepped ingredients, extra chilly and lime and the biggest pepper grinder we’ve ever seen. It takes him less than three minutes to deconstruct the avocado and its accompaniments into a smooth paste, which he then asks us to taste to ensure it is to our liking (it is) and then we’re left to enjoy.
There are some great choices on the ‘bites’ menu including Crab Croquettes, Salted Padron Peppers and Barbecued Prawns, and the ceviche and sashimi selections look tempting too. For meat lovers, there are T-Bone and Wagyu steaks or marinated Pork belly.
After two weeks of delicious Thai food, we’re not quite ready to go spice-free, and as we’re opposite the sea, we opt for the Seabass Chimichurri in Banana Leaf and the Red Snapper Pescada ‘A La Plancha’ which comes in a warming Red Aji Limo sauce.
We’ve hardly eaten anything green either so get an additional side portion of sprouting broccolini in chilli-Garlic Butter and sesame seeds and a portion of the Cartagenera Rice.
Dinner is delicious and because we’ve cleared out plates we can’t even manage to share a dessert – although the El Dorado Chocolate Sphere with Tonka Bean, Chocolate Mousse and Mango Jelly is discussed at length. We’d overheard a couple chatting to a member of staff about how they had specifically wanted to come to the hotel to check out Guilty after a Trip Advisor search of things to do in Koh Samui. They gush about the cocktails and the food, and we’re inclined to agree (well about the food at least).
If we didn’t have that early start we definitely would have dived into the Guilty Bebidas cocktail selection which includes pineapple, mango, Mezcal and Rum based concoctions, and of course a nice glass of the Ruby Port Wine but there are some things you just have to sacrifice.
Back in our second-floor Garden View Suite, we enjoyed the fact that we have plenty of space to re-jig our suitcases. It’s the most traditionally Thai-style room we’ve stayed in and our two balcony spaces were great for a mid-afternoon coffee early in the day. The room has that type of cosy home feel with neutral plush furnishings, occasional chairs and decorative touches. There’s also a huge bath that we certainly won’t have time to indulge in.
It might have been a quick stop for a stay but we enjoyed the beach bar (OK there might have been a lemongrass Gin & Tonic consumed earlier – we’ve not that virtuous), we didn’t quite get the opportunity to sit around the pool, but as the bar is so close to it it still felt like we had. Importantly we’ve also managed to get some great photo opportunities around the resort at dusk as the lights and lanterns were lit up which makes it look beautiful.
We’re keen to bed down early and the resort is so calm and relaxing that we don’t hear a thing until the 4.30am alarm. With a car picking us up at 5am the front-of-house staff have freshly brewed coffee, pastries, fruit, bircher muesli and yoghurt ready for us to take on our journey. And it is touches like that which not only make the early start easier, it also makes our choice to visit more Anantara resorts keasier too.
Great for: Dining with a difference.
Perfect if: You want some peace and quiet while being close to busy areas of the island.
Ideal for: Couples.
Guilty is open for lunch from 12noon to 5pm and dinner from 5pm to 10.30pm.
Rooms at Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort start from THB6,000++ per room per night based on 2 sharing. Includes breakfast. You can find out more here
