In some family restaurants, kids have to stand in front of a measuring board to prove that they are under the maximum height restriction so that they may qualify to purchase the kid?s meal.

My heart goes out to the gangly eight-year-old whose only crime of growth spurts means that he can?t get his burger and chips with a little side serving of chicken nuggets for the same price as his schoolboy mates.

Sometimes we don?t give children as much credit as we should, being able to eat a little bit of everything is a great way to dine, in fact in the majority of Asian countries (as i?m sure you?re well aware) this is quite common. It is also quite common in Spain and with the ?tapas? style of eating.

The ?Taste? restaurant overlooking Surin beach, was originally conceived with this idea in mind and now serves not only a wide variety of ?tastes? (appetisers) but also full and half portions of sumptuous main courses.

Jade Lama who is the Maitre D? and co-owner of the restaurant along with her husband, Chef Martin said, ?We introduced this concept so that our guests may try a few different things. Our menu is very personal and tailored and adjusted and evolving all the time. The guests dictate the menu.?

The guests certainly have lots to choose from, the first ?taste? I was treated to was the Black Crab Ravioli (225 baht). It is served with a delicious white wine broth and chive mousse which softens the ravioli and makes it very soft and sweet.

Another ?taste? I was given was of the Maryland Crab Cakes (225 baht) with lemon dill aioli, the cakes are made from fresh handpicked black crab and are salty and light and a perfect way to waken the ?taste buds?.

?We actually had a customer from Maryland come here and she said that the crab cakes were perfect, so that?s quite and endorsement,? Jade said.

The main courses are split into; Big Salads, Pastas, Fresh Fish, and Meats. Decisions, decisions. Feeling the breeze on my face and smelling the sea air, I watched the stars jostle for prominence against the Phuket clouds and decided that to have anything other than fresh fish would be offensive to Jade who told me, ?Every morning we go to the fish market in Bangtao.?

They bring back only the freshest catch, which is one reason why new menus are printed every day. I ordered a half portion of Poached Salmon Fillet (395/ full portion 495 baht) with lobster-dill sauce white wine, which although is from Norway, still supports my point, I think. It comes with delicious poached shrimp and vegetables.

With so many restaurants to choose from in Phuket, or even just on the stretch in front of Surin beach why would anyone come to Taste restaurant? Jade replied with confidence, ?It?s really the best food, Martin is an exquisite chef. He has a real passion for cooking which really shows.?