Time moves on. Nothing stays in the past forever. And although it’s great going to a traditional restaurant, complete with classic surroundings, it’s also a marvelous alternative enjoying the very best cuisine in an exciting beachfront setting high above the rocks below. Especially when there’s a choice of locations and menus, too.

And a place that offers just that is the fabulous RockPool restaurant at Karma Samui. The bad news is that it’s not located in the middle of Chaweng, and the good news is that it’s not located in the middle of Chaweng! But those of you who don’t like traveling far at night, for whatever reason, don’t need to cross RockPool off your list too quickly, because it’s literally just five minutes’ drive away on the road leading from Chaweng to Choeng Mon.

Having arrived at the hotel lobby on the main road, you’re whisked down the steep hillside through the resort’s beautiful grounds in a golf-style electric buggy. And when you’re dropped off at the front of the restaurant, you’ll immediately realise that this is a ‘restaurant within a resort’, as opposed to being a ‘resort restaurant’. There is a difference, and it’s a BIG one.

The staff here are great. And from the moment you arrive till the moment you leave they’ll be attentive, helpful and, above all else, very friendly. Which is of paramount importance when it comes to having a special meal out.

To reach RockPool, you pass through Karma’s fine-dining ‘Asian Spice’ restaurant – Padma – with its high canopy ceiling, polished wooden flooring, discreet but ample lighting, and huge tables and chairs. The whole place is open-plan, with the show-kitchen at the back and the cocktail bar to the side.

And although Padma is also a great place to dine, this review is all about RockPool. So just take the few steps leading even further down and it’s there, set up high above the rocks on its own amazing promontory terrace with a stunning 360˚ view.

Here, there’s seating for just 22 diners, giving the whole affair an intimate and exclusive ambience. And with the sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks below, the spotlit views of the private bay and resort around you and the romantic twinkling of the bright stars above, locations for dining on Samui don’t come better than this. The food would have to be really special to match this – and it is!

“… and locations for dining on Samuidon’t come better than this.”

You can choose from the à la carte menu and its excellent ‘bistro’ dishes, such as the Moroccan Spiced Tuna ‘Nicoise’ with French green beans, potato-caper salad and balsamic vinaigrette; and the Picatta Milanese with its crumbed chicken, salad of wild rocket, tomato and red onion, or you can select from the ‘Tapas’ menu, for which RockPool is famed. And with such appetizing choices as the Watermelon Carpaccio with goat cheese bavarois, soft herbs and chili salt lavash; the Prawn Trio of tempura ponzu, grilled remoulade and chilled horseradish/tomato sauce; the Braised Pork Belly with lentils du poy, black truffle and apple; and the Grilled Octopus with roasted garlic, oregano and lemon, you’ll certainly understand why they have this enviable reputation.

Plus they like doing things in unconventional ways at RockPool, like finishing a meal with a soup. Mind you, that’s in name only, as it’s a Chilled Melon Soup containing a melon ‘trio’ of whole, coulis and sorbet. Then there’s the unforgettable Warm Valrhona Chocolate Soufflé with candied macadamia nut ice-cream for the sweet-tooths amongst you (and I’m one too!), and Tarragon Panna Cotta with its citrus cookie, orange confit, and passion-fruit sauce. And, with such mouth-watering desserts as these, it’s no surprise that the dessert menu is simply entitled – ‘Indulgence’.

Yes, with its terrific location, fabulous cuisine and perfect ambience, RockPool at Karma Samui is certainly one of the best dining experiences that Samui offers, and therefore comes highly recommended. Especially so as the prices are very reasonable and you get excellent value-for-money there too.

The restaurants are open from 7:00 am till midnight (kitchen closes at 11:00pm).
For reservations and further information,telephone 0 7723 4500 ext.71.