Etna - A Hidden Gem in The Heart of Phuket

Great restaurants are not only about the food, but about the setting, the atmosphere and the feeling that the venue provides to its diners.

Etna is one such place.

Upon entering, we were whisked away from tropical Phuket to an oasis near New York City’s Central Park. The atrium is the centerpiece of this culinary trip, with spectacular chandeliers overhead and natural lighting pouring in through the floor-to-ceiling windows for beautiful daytime meals. Green accents from the plants and trees act as the buffer between the atrium and the open kitchen, a delight for foodies who love to see the magic within.

While the atrium seats well over 100 guests, the dining room on the other side is punctuated by wooden accents for a more casual dining experience. Lakeside seating is also available, for those who want to enjoy the fresh Phuket air with their gastronomic experience. Walking through the space, one can’t help but hear the toasts of weddings past, present and future, or the clink of glasses at special large events that can easily inhabit the luxurious and spacious venue.

Architecturally stunning is an understatement.

This is before the menu is even provided, which transports you to other corners of the world. The dining options offer a tour around Europe with a brief stop in Latin America. Familiar dishes, elevated with special elegant twists, are on offer: pasta, pizza, grilled favourites, burgers, salads, tacos and desserts.

We started with the Salmon Tartare, which was citrusy but not overpowering. A delightfully light mouthfeel that is savoury, but with notes of sweetness. The Scallop Ceviche, served in a conch shell, was not only a wonderful representation of a Peruvian classic, but had new twists, including caviar for ‘umami’ and mango for sweetness. Just don’t lose the mango at the bottom of the shell!

A memorable beginning if there ever was one.

The first main course, Gnocchi with Beef Brisket, continued the evening’s remarkable culinary journey. Ordering beef in Phuket is no small commitment, but I was elated with my choice, as the brisket was fork tender and smoked to perfection which I was pleased had also gone over the gnocchi to impart the flavour throughout the dish. The presentation was also stunning, as they lifted the lid on the dish for an added ‘wow’ factor!

The Beef Stroganoff with Porcini Mushrooms, our second main course, was served on a bed of mashed potatoes with a dollop of sour cream and roasted cherry tomatoes. The flavour was not only incredible, but the sour cream elevated the whole dish and brought a nostalgic note that was somehow also new to my palate.

A wonderful meal is nothing without dessert, and while the gold leaf-topped Pistachio Napoleon was delicious, it was the Mango that really caught our eye. The photo on the menu looks innocuous enough, but once you realise it is tempered chocolate hiding mango purée and cream, it becomes a delectable talking point!

A bit of sweet whimsy to cap off a spectacularly beautiful evening at one of Phuket’s true hidden gems – Etna.