Beachfront location of InterContinental Phuket Resort
Feel the sand between your toes. Drink in dazzling sunset views. Sip on specially crafted beverages and savour delectable bites at Pine, our breezy beachside bar and lounge.
Open time: 8am-12 midnight
Food menu: 12pm-10pm
(last order at 9.30pm)
Resevation: +66 (0)76 629 999
phuket.intercontinental.com/dining/pineIt’s what we come to Phuket for: toes in the sand, laid-back ambience, quality food, enticing drinks and top-notch service. Pine Beach Bar, at Kamala's Intercontinental Phuket Resort, ticks every one of those boxes – in rare style.
Led to our table on the beach, we were introduced to our server 'Matty', who combined relaxed charm with discretion – always there when we had a question, mystically disappearing when we didn't need his assistance.
Our timing was perfect. Just as our sundowners – chosen from a wide (and carefully curated) selection of both zero% and adult beverages – were served, the sun began its majestic descent to the horizon. This is one of the best spots on the island for spectacular, uninterrupted sunset views away from the crowds.
Although Pine Beach Bar is the perfect place to just relax over a few early evening drinks before moving on, we were there to explore and enjoy what the kitchen had to offer as well; it was time to begin.
We started with Seabass Ceviche, freshly caught local fish, lemon juice, chili, herbs and an inspired coriander mango salsa, which provided a perfect contrast with the sour, spicy tones of the lemon and chili. The ceviche was, unexpectedly, served in hard taco shells and accompanied by a crispy salad. A presentation and a combination that worked; I could have devoured several portions!
Matty informed us that, despite the extensive menu (it includes both Western and Thai dishes), Pine Beach Bar's speciality is their pizzas. Knowing that a whole pizza each would likely finish us off, when there was still so much to explore, we wondered whether the kitchen could whip up half-half pizza. The answer was an enthusiastic "yes", so we ordered half a Truffle Pizza (mozzarella, dry porcini, black truffle paste and Parmesan) and half a 'Pizza of the Day' (this day it was mozzarella, fresh tomato sauce, succulent Coppa ham – known as Capocollo in Italy, Parmesan and local rocket lettuce).
There’s no doubt that Pine Beach Bar's chef knows his pizzas. Being used to 'so-so' pizza offerings – and generally avoiding them – I was pleasantly surprised to find both ‘halves’ extraordinarily scrumptious, although the Truffle Pizza won first prize, as you’d expect. We had clearly made a mistake in ordering only half!
But all was not lost. Returning to the menu we settled on the Local Catch of the Day (Snapper) to share.
The fish was caught off Sarasin Beach, testament to the chef's penchant for using local ingredients whenever possible.
De-boned whole and stuffed with locally-grown roasted roots and a lemon wedge, it was served on a rich tomato-based sauce. With its firm texture and sweet, nutty flavour complemented by the mixed roots and perfectly balanced by the rich sauce, this dish was my favourite of the evening.
But there was still more to go. Eschewing the doubtful charm of a Nutella Pizza, I played safe with a Coconut Panna Cotta, served with strawberry, mixed berries, Yuzu soup, orange syrup and crispy Parmesan – the latter providing a unique twist to this staple of many a dessert menu. A fine ending to a superb meal. My dining partner found the prospect of Mark Rin (Thai) Chocolate Tart with House-Made Coconut Gelato irresistible. She chose well. It was divine.
Aside from the magical location, the excellent service and the sumptuous food, Pine Beach Bar offers entertainment in the form of a duo band, a saxophonist, a DJ or a fire show depending on the day – all perfectly pitched to enhance the relaxed beachside ambience.
If you haven’t been here yet, put it on your ‘must go’ list. You can be sure that you’ll be back again.
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