The Krabi restaurant guide - December 2005

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This month, where to eat, drink and make merry over the festive period

FOR most of the Thai population, Christmas is just a day like any other, which is perfect if you have come abroad to escape the excesses of turkey and mince pies and James Bond on the TV again. The vast majority of local tour companies and activity centres will be operating a normal schedule, so you can, if you wish, choose to spend your Christmas Day diving, kayaking, rock-climbing or simply pick-nicking on your favourite island without the spectre of Santa Claus looming on the horizon. Shops and banks will also be open for business as usual.

On the other hand, if you do wish to celebrate as if you were at home (minus the freezing weather), it is also possible to do so. Most hotels’ attempts to stage festivities for guests are pretty lacklustre affairs, simply because their heart isn’t in it - although there are exceptions (see below). Unfortunately, you are usually tied in to your hotel’s Christmas dinner when you book during this period, but you are of course free to go elsewhere. And there are many alternatives. Here, we list some of them.

All restaurants, unless stated, are in Ao Nang.

ON CHRISTMAS EVE
Café Europa (Krabi Town)
Food: cold Swedish / Danish Christmas buffet, with 13 different dishes from Scandinavia.
Time: 7pm (also on Dec. 25)
Price: 499B, excluding drinks.
Reservation: not later than December 23, Tel: 075-620407.
Seats: 100
Why go? For an authentic Scandinavian Christmas, with Santa Claus too.

Bernie’s Place
Food: Roast turkey, whole roast pork, red cabbage, rice pudding, fruits etc. - all on the buffet
Time: 7pm
Price: 550B, excluding drinks, 150B under 10s
Reservation: recommended, at Bernie’s Place
Seats: 70
Why go? All guests must bring a present worth not more than 100 B, so that everyone can give and receive a gift.

Divers’ Inn
Food: Western Christmas buffet and barbecue (with a German flavour)
Time: 7pm
Price: 285 Baht, children under 10, 100 Baht
Reservation: contact restaurant, opposite Vogue Phra Nang Bay Resort
Why go? Family fun Christmas

Absolut
Food: Swedish set menu, with cold plate (herring, Janssen’s Temptation, caviar etc. and hot plate (ribs, meatballs, ham)
Time: from 7pm, also on 25th and 26th
Price: 700B, including Snapps.
Reservation: Recommended. Contact restaurant, opposite 7-11 near McDonald’s
Seats: around 50
Why go? Real flavours of Sweden

Gecko’s Restaurant (Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort in Klong Muang)
Food: Lavish six-course menu, set over five hours, with entertainment.
Time: from 6pm
Price 2500B ++, including a glass of bubbly
Reservation: Essential. Contact the Sheraton on 075-628000
Seats: around 100
Why go? Festive dinner with entertainment, including Santa.

Carnivore
Food: 4-course set menu, from this excellent kitchen, featuring smoked salmon, lobster soup, and a platter of roast-beef, lamb and ostrich as a main course.
Time: 7 for 7.30pm
Price: 995B, including two glasses of wine a la carte.
Reservation: Essential. Contact restaurant, opposite Thai Village Resort
Seats: around 50
Why go? Excellent food, many locals will ensure a convivial atmosphere.

ON CHRISTMAS DAY
The Irish Rover
Food: Roast turkey, with all the trimmings
Time: from 4pm, also on 24th and 26th
Price: 350 B, excluding drinks
Reservation: required, 075 637607
Why go? Cheap, very popular British Christmas dinner

Mr Bean’s (Klong Nin Beach, Ko Lanta)
Food: Traditional English Christmas spread
Time: 3pm
Price: tbc
Reservation: at the restaurant
Seats: 30
Why go? Mr Bean’s is well-known for its brilliant roasts.

ON NEW YEAR'S EVE
Café 154
Food: sumptuous 4-course French set menu (choice of main course), based around the famous steaks.
Time: 7pm
Price: 800 Baht
Reservation: required, tel: 05-2145796
Seats: around 30
Why go? Excellent food and service

Set menus will also be available this night in Absolut; Bernie’s Place (350B, including champagne at midnight) and Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort. See above for restaurant details.