You hear it at the cinemas. And every day on TV. Even in car showrooms. But it’s the first restaurant to be included in Samui Dining Guide – ‘By Popular Demand’!

Every month we get recommendations from diners who’ve particularly liked a restaurant they’ve visited on the island. Some turn out to be mediocre, to put it politely. Others are excellent, and are therefore included. But this one not only generated numerous emails, it also engendered much ‘snail mail’ too. So, with great pleasure, we proudly present, by popular demand – Zazen Restaurant !

Zazen Boutique Resort is on the borders of Bophut and Maenam. And whether you’re arriving via the ring-road, or along the beach, it’s very distinctive. The ring-road entrance has an attractive, gabled, terra-cotta archway. Go through this and simply follow the lane for a couple of hundred metres until you reach the car park and beautiful open-air lobby.

But do take your time wandering through this unique boutique resort. It really is exquisite, especially at night when hundreds of candles are lit to romantically guide you on your way. And as you pass its stunning Le Spa Zen, and then its boutique shop displaying a vast array of treasures from Chiang Mai, you’ll get an idea of what I mean.

Approaching from the beach is easy, too. And being at the far-western end of Bophut Bay, you can see the distinctive orangey-yellow beach wall from miles away. Especially at night when it acts as a beacon. Certainly one worth following.
 
Zazen Restaurant has always been one of the most attractive places to dine on Samui. And that’s the case even more since it was completely rebuilt and relaunched in May this year. It’s right on the water’s edge, raised up upon its own sea wall. It’s beautifully decorated. And it’s extremely comfortable.

Choose to sit in the magnificent open-sided 40-seater restaurant building with its classic interior, or under the stars on the outer terrace that caters for a further 30. There’re heavy wrought-iron chairs with ample padding; glass-topped tables; red Moroccan chandeliers; discreet spotlighting; white linen drapes, plus lots of plants. And set within the restaurant’s immaculate terra-cotta tiled flooring in the sofa seating area you’ll spot a 1 ½ by 2 metre arc panel of glass (it’s strong enough to walk on) giving you an intriguing glimpse into the traditional alcoved red-brick wine cellar below. And you’re welcome to go down there and select and taste your evening’s wine, with the help and guidance of European-trained sommeliers.

In addition to all the above features, there’s lovely soft jazz playing in the background. And, collectively, all these elements create a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Absolutely perfect for enjoying excellent food.

And that's courtesy of new arrival, leading international chef – Stefano Leone. Italian by birth he grew up in Canada where he learned his noble art before heading off to warmer climes and greater experience. And his travels took him to be the executive chef in many top hotels around the world, including the highly-acclaimed Inter-Continental Citystars in Cairo, Egypt. But now he's here at Zazen!

“… and it’s Cyrille’s exciting Zazen Lobster Menuthat’s proving the most popular. Mmm!”

He offers an excellent Thai cuisine menu, and also a ‘Thai Discovery’ menu offering a set-meal with a variety of dishes. But do try at least some of his international dishes whilst you’re here.

Both the Foie Gras au Torchon with a poppy seed brioche and young onion compote, and the Steamed Italian Chestnut and Shaved Fennel with a green apple salad, nut crusted goat's cheese and honey sauvignon blanc syrup are good examples of how great appetizers can be. Whilst for main course, I thoroughly recommend either the Sting Ray Wing seared unilateral with oven roasted cherry tomatoes on the vine, poached fingerling potatoes and roasted Jerusalem artichokes, or the Grass-fed Rack of Lamb with goat's cheese, tomato, Sicilian olives and pearl onion upside down tart –Anchoiade.

But it’s Cyrille’s exciting Zazen Lobster Menu, with its main course comprising a grilled Phuket lobster with an assortment of market vegetables with saffron fettuccini, that’s proving the most popular. Mmm!

And you can't fully enjoy a meal without a dessert, and at Zazen there are plenty of choices in this department, too, with both the Lemon Tart Brûlée with fresh thyme/basil sorbet, and the good old classic Rhubarb and Valrhona Chocolate Tart with rose water essence being prime examples.

Another lovely addition to Zazen is the fabulous tea bar, Le Salon de Ti, which incorporates the Chef's Table gourmet restaurant upstairs. But that's another story (which is on the next page).

And Now I know why this place generates so much mail!

Zazen Restaurant is open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 6:30 am, with last food orders at 10:30 pm. For reservations and further information, telephone 0 7742 5085.