Everyone loves beachside dining. The sand, the sea, the ocean breeze, the calm waves lapping at the shore and, if you are lucky and go at the right time, the chance to see a beautiful sunset all combine to create what many would consider the perfect dining atmosphere. There is definitely something special to eating near the water. Instead of having to look at other diners or still pictures on the wall, a living, breathing and constantly changing scene plays out in front of you as you consume what is hopefully a delicious meal. And if you are lucky enough to share this experience with a good friend or a cherished family member then the experience is takes on an even higher level of meaning.

Of course there are many (and I do mean many) places to enjoy beachside dining on Koh Samui. Small quaint restaurants with rickety bamboo tables set right into the sand, restaurants set upon ocean cliffs and multi-million baht resorts with absolutely stunningly designed eateries built into and on their little section of the beach. This is what the Coral Bay Resort and Spa has done with their newly opened Coco Rock Beachside Fine Dining Restaurant. The place sits on a beach that is a combination of beautiful sand and rocky outcrops. You can see sandbars far out into the sea, and the little island known as Koh Matlang is just off the beach a few meters, and it makes the mind race with ideas of what one could do with their own island. The little island can be accessed on foot or one of the nearby longtails will get you there.

The rock outcroppings are laid out (naturally of course) that create a miniature bay just for Coral Bay Resort, hence the name. This protected area gives the water such a calm effect that it acts and looks more like a fresh water lake than part of a vast ocean. The water is very tranquil and thus very relaxing and hypnotic to watch while enjoying what will for sure be an excellent meal. There is also a very good chance that, during the evening before sunset, that you can watch Thai fishermen wading the placid waters with their fishing nets, and if you stay long enough you can see them harvest the fruits of their labor.

All of the above is laid out for visitors to the Coco Rock Beachside Fine Dining Restaurant for no extra charge. The scene immediately puts guests into a relaxed and unhurried state as the people are in no hurry to leave such a beautiful surrounding. The restaurant’s friendly staff will seat you at a table of your choosing, but all offer a seaside view.

The restaurants menu offers more Thai delicacies than Western food, but it either choice is the right one as the very experienced kitchen staff know the dishes very well. Food presentation is very important at this restaurant too. Every dish is spruced up with fresh flowers, fresh herbs and is presented in ways that are very pleasing to the eyes.

The tuna tartar (Bt260) is a great way to start the meal.  You get a tower of Maguro tuna tartar with wasabi olive oil and horseradish mousse.  You second starter should be the beef carpaccio (Bt260) that is served with capers, extra virgin olive oil, parmesan cheese and rocket salad leaves. Not only is each dish dolled up with native flowers for an eye catching dish, but each plate comes with healthy amounts of vegetables. In fact, they have one dish named tempura of tropical flowers (Bt150). This dish is made up of edible flowers that have been dipped in tempura batter, deep friend and then served with a sweat and sour sauce. They are serious about getting your daily recommended portions of fruits and vegetables at this restaurant.

Other veggie dishes include their feta cheese salad (Bt260) and their Caesar salad with chicken (Bt220). And on the Thai side of the salad menu there is: chicken and mint salad (Bt195), beef tenderloin salad (Bt295) and pakarang seafood salad (Bt292). This dish has selected seafood, tomatoes, onions, coriander, green onions and cashew nuts in a spicy lime sauce with crispy prawn crackers.

A must have is their tom kha gai (coconut cream soup with chicken). This very delicious soup is made with light coconut cream with chicken, coconut meat, mushrooms, gaiangal, lemongrass, tomatoes and roasted chilies. This creamy soup is perfect, and is only 180 baht.

For pasta lovers, they have linguini alfredo (Bt250) and linguini di mare (Bt280), which is selected seafood in tomato sauce with Italian basil. Lasagna (Bt250) is available too.

Many different types of chicken, beef and duck curries are available that are all priced 250 baht. The honey roasted duck breast slices in a creamy red curry with fresh fruit is highly recommended for duck or curry lovers. And if you are a duck and curry lover, well then you hit the jackpot.

Tuna, snapper, prawns, crabs and many other types of seafood, prepared both Western style or Thai style are on the menu.  When a Thai dish is ordered, the guest is asked if they want it mild, medium or hot thereby greatly reducing the chance of getting an overly spicy dish. Some people, who do not know better, think they will go be brave or try to impress their friends and say “spicy please”, but they are in for a world of hurt unless they really know what they are getting. You have been warned!

The restaurant’s “Thai In House Specialties” section of the menu is just that. It contains ten or so uniquely designed Thai dishes, and all are under Bt300. Different types of rice, pad Thai, curries, stir-fries, etc. are available. For those seeking Thai food, it is most definitely here.

Coco Rock Beachside Fine Dining Restaurant also offers kantokes on their menu. These are basically sample platters. Their ‘meat kantoke’ offers: beef tenderloin salad, chicken sate, coconut cream soup with chicken, roasted duck curry, garlic and pepper pork and jasmine rice.  All of this for Bt1,500 for two people.  They also have a fish and seafood kantoke for the same price.
Lobster if available for Bt250 per gram. A seafood platter with BBQ’d king prawns, whole crabs, whole fish and squid and served with a spicy seafood tarter sauce can be had for Bt1,950.

For you vegetarians out there, the restaurant offers over ten dishes that are completely meat free that range in price from Bt140 for the bruschetta pomodoro to Bt260 for the feta cheese salad. I always say that leaves more meat for the rest of us!
For some reason, on the night of this tasting, the only dessert available was their crème brulee a l’orange. All of the other desserts were marked out. However, it was very good and was a perfect closer to a wonderful night.

If you can arrive at Coco Rock Beachside Fine Dining Restaurant about one hour before sunset, and be sure not have anything to do later in the evening that will cause you to rush your meal, you will witness a beautiful scene unfold before your very eyes. As the excellent food excites your taste buds and the gorgeous scenery electrifies and enlivens your mind you just might find a little piece of nirvana that you can rest in and thoroughly enjoy for a while and remind yourself that the world is truly a beautiful and wonderful place.