That avid social climber F. Scott Fitzgerald famously remarked to Ernest Hemingway ?The rich really are different.?

?Yes,? replied Hemingway, a man famous for not wasting words, ?they have more money.?
Indeed they do, although one thing you realise when you spend any time in their hallowed company is that they are also very keen on value for money. They don?t exactly splash money around, which is perhaps one reason why they are members of their unique club in the first place.

The restaurateurs I spoke to for this article all pointed out that this affluent group was among the most difficult customers to please and high quality and good value were two of the most important ingredients.

Baan Rim Pa

It can be argued that legendary restaurateur Tom McNamara first predicted the need to entertain the exclusive market more than 20 years ago. Tom found a marvelous piece of cliff top property upon which to build what was originally his home, but quickly became established as Baan Rim Pa.

Despite the doubters who said this unlikely vantage point couldn?t be developed, Tom went ahead with building the luxurious wooden structure of the original restaurant. When complete, the building perched precariously upon the cliff top with the crashing waves of Kalim Bay beneath it, and verdantly explosive vegetation all around. And so Tom named his fabulous new palace of the senses Baan Rim Pa literally meaning ?House on the Cliff? in Thai.

Having found this perfect location Tom?s next priority was of course to serve unrivalled food. Here again he was as creative as ever. He decided upon a menu of Royal Thai Cuisine featuring the dishes and ingredients formerly found only in the Grand Palaces of Thailand and hitherto savoured exclusively by royalty. He tracked down the descendants of the chefs who had cooked for Thai Royalty and working closely with them developed a kitchen dedicated to serving the most authentic re-creation of Thai Royal Cuisine to be found anywhere.

Word quickly spread about Tom?s temple of gustatory delight and very soon Baan Rim Pa became the ?must do? experience for a savvy crowd of wealthy and often famous visiting jet setters and locals alike.

Success bred success and Tom?s empire expanded with the addition of two further fabulous restaurants cascading down this unlikely headland site linked by vertiginous outdoor wooden staircases.

Joe?s Downstairs Mediterranean restaurant is on the mid level of the site and Da Maurizio Italian Ristorante, in which Tom partnered with the legendary Italian restaurateur and Chef Maurizio Laureri, is situated on the lowest, beachside level.

In November 2008 Tom McNamara sadly passed away after a long battle with cancer. But Tom?s family and the highly skilled team of associates who have managed the group since its inception continue to build upon his legacy of continuing to run one of the very best restaurants in Thailand.


The White Box

As our hungry millionaires head north from Patong they will discover a growing phalanx of palaces of gustatory delight where the well-healed can enjoy great food. The White Box opened in 2006 across Kalim Bay from the Baan Rim Pa headland and is a lovely elegant white-washed beach restaurant set in a once famous waterside house commanding stunning views across the bay and back to the lights of Patong.

The cuisine is a cross-cultural adventure in east meeting west fusing the experience of a French restaurant with Thai favourites into a single evening of fine dining.

White Box takes full advantage of their culinary wealth and natural proximity to fresh ingredients like seafood, vegetables, spices and indigenous fruit? to create a sumptuous fine dining experience. Belgium Chef Jan Van De Voorde?s innovative use of ingredients, flavor, colour and texture together with creative and thoughtful presentation, give the discerning guests not only a great meal, but a memorable experience.

On top of the White Box, the trendy night owl can also discover one of the hottest bars Phuket has to offer. Guests enjoy the night views complemented with tasty cocktails created by professional bartenders. The ambience and music are seductive with specially invited DJ?s spinning chill-out rhythms at the weekends.

The White Box boasts an unbeatable combination of minimalist ambiance along with exquisite food and drinks to create a truly memorable aesthetic experience.


Acqua restaurant

There is no doubt that Italian born Chef Alessandro, former Executive Chef at the Sheraton Grande Laguna, is a true artist. His fabulously different recipes, attention to detail and design sensibility elevates Acqua to a new level of excellence.
Connoisseurs of fine cuisine are increasingly discovering this recent addition to Phuket dining and delighting in the freshest ingredients woven into superb traditional and contemporary Italian dishes.

Allesandro is continually innovating imaginative dishes that he has been working on over the duration of his career. Acqua restaurant is his vision of the perfect dining place; with an informal yet inspirational ambience that complements a culinary voyage that really is unique.

I was fortunate enough to enjoy Alessandro?s eight course degustation black truffle promotion the night we visited in June. Naturally, I had taken along a very sophisticated Italian friend, born in Venice, who had flown the world as a pilot and was now retired in Phuket.

His verdict was simply: ?Que Roba!?? ?One of the best meals I have ever eaten!?


IndoChine

At the northern end of our millionaire?s playground the newly opened IndoChine Resort and Villas are perched above the azure crescent of Santi Bay, blending cutting-edge style of Asian living with the welcoming warmth of Thailand. The resort sprawls over lush elevated terraces arrayed around a spectacular waterfall and two natural pools.

IndoChine?s Waterfront restaurant offers eclectic and authentic indoor and rooftop dining in a stylish and comfortable atmosphere with stunning views across the Andaman to Patong Bay.

The restaurant is the resort?s spectacular centerpiece with a four-storey, glass-walled structure and wrap-around Andaman Sea vistas. The modern design perfectly showcases the shimmering sea, spectacular sunsets and the lights of Patong reflecting off the bay.

IndoChine is best known for its many trendy nightclubs and restaurants in Europe and around parts of Asia. It?s no surprise therefore, that cool music provided by top DJ?s can be found on the second-floor Opium bar. Mixologists are also on hand to seduce you with their concoctions as the nightclub area warms up to welcome the late night party crowd.

The ground level features a deli/coffee shop outlet with enticing outdoor seating and a seductive pastry corner.

So, maybe the rich aren?t so different from us after all in their quest for style, quality and value and where such an august pack of trend-setters lead, the rest of us travelling on Phuket?s fashion omnibus can but follow.