Thai food works really well with the Paleo and gluten free belly. Yes, rice is everything to Thai’s but I find myself enjoying meals just as much with out it while I’m here. I love love love me some authentic southern Thai eating the majority of the time, but when I saw the menu for a new fusion restaurant called Surf n Turf by Soul Kitchen which opened up last December, I knew I had to check it out immediately.
The restaurant is run by a German/Thai duo named Tom and Pang. What drew my attention to this place in particular was about 99 percent of the menu is either Paleo or gluten free. The other factor drawing me in was the gorgeous hand drawn murals that grace the walls of this intimate space. Great design in any eating space gets me every time! The other night I decided to take a break from the traditional Thai routine and head over. I feel slightly in betrayal of my beloved Thailand and it’s cusine, because this meal turned out to be one of my favorites so far on this visit!
Love the restaurants signage, which was designed by Partner, Pang, who is obviously a very talented visual artist.
What I presume to be more of Pang’s handy work, advertising Tom’s homemade German Sausage…which MUST be the only on this island!
A mural outside, how lovely is the lettering, and the message for that matter ?
What a Paleo dream! I was chomping at the bit to get inside and see if this menu stacked up to the adorably designed signage outside of the restaurant.
Like most of the businesses in Old Phuket town, Surf n Turf is located in an old converted Sino-Portugese shop house. The interior is warm and intimate with comfy bench seating along the wall and the most incredible hand drawn murals by Pang. Tom and one waitress were the only one’s there to greet us, and they did so warmly. As menus were brought out, I slipped into a bench spot to take a better look at the murals, all drawn with PEN! Carpal tunnel anyone?! Sheesh, and I thought all the hand lettering in my typography class tedious. Never bitching and moaning again!
As you can see from the menu, everything is protein and veg-centric. Aside from potatoes and risotto, this whole menu is basically Paleo…and certainly gluten free! I did mention this to the chef Tom, but I forgot to ask him if it was intentional or not. I highly doubt it though. I guess it just goes to show that one can think up delicious, inventive dishes with out tons of sugar, soy, beans, wheat etc etc.
Orders were placed, and Tom went to work in the open air kitchen, doing his thang!
Another cool hand-lettered mural. The good vibes are strong here, and I get the feeling that there’s a lot of “enjoying yourself” going on.
Whoops! I spy something non-gluten free! Some sort of puff pastry. Looks lovely though.
In the blink of an eye our dishes arrived. My diner mate ordered one of Tom’s homemade German sausages with fries.
And I ordered the Grilled Sea Bass with Oyster Beurre Blanc, Passion Fruit, Sesame Spinach and Wasabi Potato Puree.
Yeah, um, I made the right choice! Un. be. liev. a. ble. The plating was just so beautiful as well. (These photos can’t really do the food justice because the sun was setting and I was losing natural light quickly).
Living the last 15 years of my live in New York City, I’ve had my fare share of some pretty great meals at some swanky, highly-regarded restaurants. This one competes on that level, bar none. Everything about Tom and Pang’s space is just right up my alley, and I really hope to see it around, thriving for a long long time! Please do yourself a favor and check out Surf n Turf by Soul Kitchen, if you find yourself in Phuket! Your stomach with thank you.
115 Phang na Road
Phuket Town, Thailand
