On such a beautiful island as Phuket many people will tell you their house or restaurant has a view worth a million dollars. On a recent visit to this restaurant on the eastern coast of Phuket we had a view that was actually worth a million dollars, in fact it was probably worth 2 million.

?A view like this helps us save on wallpaper? said Stuart from Watermark as we looked across the Phuket Boat Lagoon at the luxury yachts ? both sail and motor - with appreciation and not a little bit of envy.

Joined by Scott Flaxman, the Executive Chef, we were there to discuss what the Watermark is about and what it has to offer, as well as sample some of the excellent fare for which it has an excellent reputation. Watermark is more than just a restaurant, it is a meeting place, a place of entertainment, and on Friday nights THE place to be seen.

Most of the people visiting the restaurant are repeat visitors, often local ex-pats working in the area or visiting yachtsman stopping off in Phuket.

Originally Watermark had 2 separate menus for lunch and dinner but in a move to help clients have the best of both worlds they merged the two and you can have what you want when you want it. You can also have any dish as an appetizer or a main course, in fact some people have 3 or 4 appetizers to give them variety and to share rather than stick to a single dish.

There is always a lunchtime special at under 200 B for the person looking for a light lunch, and what choices ? Snapper with green salad, mango salsa and coriander rice. Tempura king prawns, and on a Saturday lunchtime Fish and chips English style, complete with newspaper to wrap them in.

Executive Chef Scott was once personal Chef to Bryan Adams and is well used to catering for those exclusive guests, which include amongst others President Putin of Russia. Born in Zimbabwe and trained in the UK Scott has traveled the world garnering snippets of culinary excellence that he has put together to create his own unique international style. His style cannot be pigeon-holed but suffice to say Watermark is a better place for it.

Scott only uses the freshest ingredients of prime quality most of which are produced locally and make up the uniqueness of his dishes ? such as beef in Indian curry leaf and the innovative? Tequila Margarita Jelly Wedges with Lime Cheese Cake, which are a must try for everyone.

The other major force in the Watermark on the food front is Stuart who had a very different background. Born in the UK in Gt.Yarmouth on the East Coast Stuart learnt his early trade flipping burgers as a youngster and moved on to cooking on offshore rigs before moving to Australia as a chef. He came to Thailand in 2000, originally managing a bakery (which they still operate to this day and supplies all fresh baked breads and desserts to Watermark), and in 2002 he opened Watermark.

Watermark offers not just excellent food and ambience it also provides superb outside catering from weddings and parties to the recent Johnny Walker Classic Golf tournament here in Phuket. Fancy a wedding on a tropical island and the reception at the Watermark? Then these are the guys to contact.

Lastly but not least Watermark is also about entertainment ? from the comedy nights to the Friday night music nights and the now famous Friday Happy Hours. Watermark is all about pushing the boundaries and let?s hope that they will soon be opening other outlets around the island with the Watermark seal of authenticity and excellence.

Stuart even mentioned that one day they would like to have an orchestra playing on a pontoon in the Boat Lagoon to guests seated in the Watermark enjoying a splendid dinner ? book my space now?.. I just wonder what they will play? (Handel or Mendelssohn I suppose!!) Whatever it is you?ll be sure to feel a million dollars, if not two.


Watermark is a member of the Privileges Corporate Rewards Program and offers discounts on its standard menus, including alcohol, to holders of VIP Passports. For more information on how to obtain your VIP Passport visit phuket-post.com or www.phuketprivileges.com

Watermark
22/1 Moo 2 Thepkasattri Road
Muang. Phuket
Tel: 076 239730
Fax: 076 273390
Please confirm by reservation
www.watermarkphuket.com.