Squires Loft Steakhouse

Squires Loft Steakhouse, already an iconic institution in ‘Oz’, has recently opened a restaurant in Phuket. Located in the heart of Patong, the elevated balcony looks out over the resort’s bustling street life, with panoramic views of the bay and the ocean a mere pebble’s throw away. If you prefer, you can dine inside in air-conditioned comfort.

The name ‘Squires’ is synonymous with superfine Australian meat, selected from top farms in the country that produce premium, grass-fed beef. Add to that careful basting with special ingredients during the extended cooking process on char-grills – and the result will be a unique and memorable dining experience.

We begin with a Caesar salad, one of six on offer. It is just right: crisp romaine lettuce with bacon and lashings of creamy dressing. For our main course, we go with the recommendations of enthusiastic boss Matt. We are not disappointed. My char-grilled Aberdeen Angus fillet is exquisite – gamey and succulent – the black pepper sauce a perfect accompaniment to the finely marbled meat. My partner opts for the ‘standard’ Eye fillet, which is equally tender and beautifully textured. It is accompanied by a large bowl of salad.

Since the restaurant is justly celebrated for its pork spare ribs, we indulge; they are predictably melt-in-the-mouth moist – the result of five hours patient cooking and basting. Avoiding the cloying sweetness of some conventional ribs, they successfully preserve the natural flavour of the meat.

Dessert is an authentic tiramisu, chosen from an appetizing list that includes such favourites as Chocolate brownies and Profiteroles.

All this rich, meaty fare is superbly complemented by a generous glass or two of Heartland Barossa Shiraz, one of many wines – mainly New World and Antipodean – available by the glass. The full list is impressively varied and competitively priced.

While steak rules the roost at Squires, with seven classic cuts available, including porterhouse and rump, there is plenty of other fare on the menu: surf and turf, chicken breast, Boerewors sausage, prawn skewers.  And there is an entrée platter for 3-4 diners, homemade dips, imported sauces, including blue cheese, and even kids’ meals such as Aussie beefburger and chips, or sausage and mash, that cater for the whole family. 

But if you have carnal inclinations, look no further: for steaks, Squires is up there with the best in town.