High Season is finally here. Skies are blue again, and the water looks just magnificent. The Post Dining Out team took advantage of an exceptionally gorgeous day to set off to Rawai, and there's nothing like the first glimpse of the High-Season sea to make you very grateful for the incredibly beautiful island we live on.

Rawai has to be the most underestimated of all the beaches on the island. Granted, the beach isn't very long and there are not many opportunities for sun-bathing or surfing, but this is exactly what makes it the quiet haven it can be. The view is mesmerizing; the rich seasonal blue of the water provides some spectacular gazing terrain, and a very soothing afternoon can be spent doing very little.

With some really good food on offer in restaurants lined along the road, eating should be a lot of that very little you do, and accordingly, we tried Panoi Seafood

The restaurant has a nice, open feel and the thatching on the walls make for a charming village-feel.

The real measure of Thai food is of course, what locals think of it and this one got a definite Thumbs Up from our Thai staff. The Som-Tam disappeared almost as quickly as it came to our table, and the restaurant even does a “farang” version of the salad, minus the 200 or so chillies. Very tangy, very appetizing.

The Paad-Thai Goong, at a very reasonable 60 baht was delicious, with just the right combination of the many ingredients that make this one up. The flavours were subtle, and the shrimp super fresh.

The restaurant offers a staggering selection of Thai dishes, ranging from 50 to 250 baht, the seafood looks especially tempting. We tried the Kao Pad (fried rice) with seafood and this has to be one of the best we have ever had on the island. Amazing how a dish so simple can be so delicious. That the seafood was extremely fresh can't have hurt, and if you do enjoy your rice, we would recommend this most heartily.

The relaxed feel of the beach seems to reach over across the beach and pervade the little restaurant in good measure. With a lovely view of the sea, Panoi Seafood is a great little place to spend a very tasty afternoon.