december-2011

038
THE
ISLAND
Phuket, Thailand’s
most popular holiday
destination and party
town, is ever ready
to serve up a slice of
sophisticated nightlife
WORDS SIMON OSTHEIMER
PHOTOGRAPHY SUKSAN SAMRANRIT
JOE’S DOWNSTAIRS,
KALIM
Located above the rocks at the
northern end of busy Patong
beach, Joe’s Downstairs is a
glowing beacon of white on the
shoreline, with stunning sunset
views to match its remarkable
location. Like almost all of
Phuket’s best cocktail lounges,
this is a place you come for dinner
beforehand. The contemporary
menu comes courtesy of Oregonborn
executive chef Aaron Hooper,
who was honoured at the 2008
Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards
(HAPA) as Top Chef in Thailand.
Using fresh ingredients, he
produces a tapas-style menu with
an emphasis on seafood — which
is only natural considering the
BEAT
Sit on the balcony area at Joe’s
Downstairs for the best views
location. Accordingly, the wine list features
an array of New World wines that refl ect the
chef’s taste, which, along with an equally
extensive menu of cocktails and spirits,
draws crowds nightly to sit at the long stone
bar, recline on the silk pillows, or curl up on
the seaside deck with the waves crashing
just metres below. Can’t decide where to
sit? Patron Sam Murphy off ers some useful
advice: “Tables right on the ocean front
could be a little too dark at night, though
they do provide mini torches in order to
read the menu, but the seating up on the
balcony area is just great.”
Sip a cocktail at
Opus One
Crowds are
drawn to the
stone bar, and
seaside deck
with waves
crashing below