The complete dining experience at Rock Salt

A fantastic view is always a welcome addition to any great dining experience, something my partner and I enjoyed to the full at our recent lunch at Rock Salt, Naiharn Beach.

Greeted by a picturesque view across the beach, we took our seats and wasted no time getting stuck into the menu. For appetisers we ordered the Tomato Burrata and the Hot Prawn Cocktail and what a delight they were!

The tiger prawns were perfectly cooked and accompanied with an incredible tomato relish, while slicing open the creamy burrata to fuse with a bed of gorgeous baby tomatoes made for an exquisite taste sensation. Head Chef Mark Jones soon joined us to explain that leaving the tomatoes at room temperature to preserve their flavour enhances the dish, while the prawns are cooked just under then left to fully cook themselves, he informs us. Adding a slight drizzle of orange juice mixed with the prawn’s natural residue, once plated, ensures a unique tang to the dish that is truly memorable.

Onto main courses, we order the Ranger Valley Sirloin Steak, with café de Paris butter, and local favourite Piri Piri Chicken. Both portions are extremely generous and accompanied by sumptuous fresh salads and French fries. The steak is sliced and cooked to perfection, melting in the mouth. The butter adds an altogether elevated dimension to the taste, a secret recipe that Mark explains contains a wide variety of ingredients. The chicken is succulent and moist, perfectly charred with the delectable Piri Piri sauce, spicy without going overboard, and such a generous portion that it could easily be shared between two people.

Being a dessert fanatic, I always ensure I leave room for my favourite dish and I absolutely wasn’t disappointed on this occasion. The Rock Salt Rum and Raisin Brownie is a genuine delight, with chunks of moist brownie surrounded by a combination of fresh cream and sweet rum and raisin ice cream, served in a beautiful half glass bottle. Chef Mark explains how they order in bottles of rum from Chalong Bay Rum Distillery that, once used, are specially crafted into serving bowls for the dessert – a wonderful touch. My partner claims her Panna Cotta is among the finest desserts she has ever experienced in Phuket, a decadent serving sitting in a bowl of delicious berry coulis.

The exceptional food aside, it was the attention of the knowledgeable, capable and very friendly staff – and the time Chef Mark took to explain the dishes – that truly made for a wonderful experience. Many of the dishes may appear relatively straightforward at first glance, he explains, but there is a considerable amount of time and heartfelt effort that goes into each and every one to create a unique taste sensation, an ethos that is clearly evident throughout our lunch. He tells us how they strive to use fresh and organic produce as often as possible to support local farmers and businesses and that such quality produce doesn’t need to be overdone as it carries such fine natural flavour.

It is clear that the staff at Rock Salt genuinely care, which, when backed up with such delicious food, makes for an exceptional and truly memorable experience. Oh, and the view isn’t bad either!