Anything’s possible. In this day and age of genetic engineering, scientists can produce the perfect vegetables and livestock. Giving us exactly what we want, such as pest-free tasty corn and succulent lean beef. So it comes as no surprise that restaurateurs are eventually getting the message that we want total perfection in our dining experiences, too, and are creating places that have every possible benefit and absolutely no negative aspects. And Dr. Frogs is a prime example.

Recently opened in May 2007, every conceivable thought went into its creation. And that includes everything, from the construction of the restaurant building itself, high up on the edge of one of the most scenic viewpoints on Samui, through to minute details, such as the subtle colour co-ordination of the staff uniforms with the décor.

Yes, nothing seems to have been overlooked here. It all feels just, well, perfect. Enter through the splendid teak doors with the olive green pillars on either side and you’re in an attractive air-conditioned lounge area, complete with huge comfy cushions on stylish water-hyacinth sofas. There’s a bar here, too, with subtle illumination coming from a variety of sources: hanging lanterns, bronze wall-lights and table candle-lamps. You won’t be finding any fluorescent tubes here!

And the cream and olive-green colour scheme alongside teakwood and bamboo features here and there help create the cool, calm and cozy atmosphere that prevails throughout.

Pass through the glass doors, and you’re outside in the spacious open-air dining area on the large covered terrace. There are just 25 tables out here, and from each of them you’ll have an uninterrupted view of the ocean and the whole of Chaweng Bay. And the view isn’t just out and across, it’s down, too. The area leading down through the rocks to the waves splashing down below has been landscaped, making the total scene hard to beat. Nothing has been overlooked at Dr. Frogs in creating a perfect dining environment.

And that goes for the food, too. Especially the food! The menu has been created, and the whole cooking operation is overseen, by an internationally-renowned chef who has come up with something special at Dr. Frogs. The cuisine is listed as Italian-Thai Fusion, although there are individual sections of the menu that are Italian, Thai, and international, too. And, knowing that visitors to an island like to enjoy fresh seafood, a lot of the dishes are also seafood-based. Another example of how this restaurant does everything to keep its diners happy.

Lunch is an unhurried affair, and finding a more scenic place to enjoy it on Samui would be hard. There’s a full lunch menu, including the normal snacks and sandwiches alongside some more substantial dishes, such as: Buttered Frogs’ Legs with garlic and parsley, and Grilled Lamb Chops with tomato conassee and peppermint jelly.

“… and finding a more scenic place to enjoy a meal
on Samui would be hard.”

And the dinner menu has some equally tempting dishes. For starters, there’s a wide variety of choices, including a delicious Blackened Seared Tuna Saku with crushed pepper and paprika, balsamic syrup, tomato salsa and a layer of crisp wanton. And the main course Pan-fried Salmon Fillet with grilled apsaragus, shitake mushrooms with a soya sauce reduction and wasabi mashed potatoes is, perhaps, the best example of the Italian-Thai Fusion cuisine served here.

But the Thai kitchen is equally impressive, with the Royal Massaman Chicken (or Beef) in a potato shell being particularly outstanding. And, whatever cuisine you decide to go with, there’s a fine selection of New and Old World wines to complement the culinary experience. Don’t miss their desserts, either. Especially the Lime Pudding Cake with fresh raspberry sauce and passionfruit sorbet!

Dr. Frogs is situated on the ring-road in Chaweng Noi, just 5 minutes’ drive south of busy Chaweng. It’s got the perfect location, comfortable furnishing, the most attentive staff, and excellent food. Not surprising really considering the fact that it’s been meticulously planned in every detail to provide total dining satisfaction. Satisfaction that’s good enough for the critics of leading magazine Thailand Tatler to include it as one of Thailand’s best restaurants for 2008!