Hotel chain Minor Hotels secured the win as the Dining Concept of the Year at the sought-after TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2024 – Thailand for its modern Thai restaurant Dara Cuisine Phuket that offers a singular experience blending fine dining, mixology, cooking classes, and stargazing.
Dara Cuisine Phuket is a unique concept located within Anantara Layan Phuket Resort. It offers guests a variety experiences all in one place. Its dining room overlooks Andaman Sea while antique mirrors and black burnt wood are used to create a night sky-like atmosphere.
Phuket’s ruggedness is celebrated through weather-worn woods, seashells and local clay. Woven textiles from Thailand, rattan baskets and wooden sculptures are all part of the cultural legacy. The ground-floor show kitchen offers a peek into the heart and soul of the restaurant at dinner time, while also hosting cooking classes with Dara chefs in the day.
Dara Cuisine Phuket is Thailand’s first sky observatory and dining restaurant. It features a Stargazing Guru, an Observatory Deck, a custom-built Ash Dome, and the most powerful telescope in Phuket. This feature transforms the venue to a destination for celestial exploring, and allows guests the opportunity to learn from an expert storyteller about the wonders that the night sky has to offer.
In addition to the carefully curated atmosphere for stargazing that includes a specialised telescopic, the cocktails were inspired by constellations. The concept of Celestial Mixology introduces craft cocktail based on celestial theme, using local Thai spirits and other ingredients such as coconut, pandan and jasmine. This creative mixology complements the fine-dining aspect and offers guests an immersive experience.
The restaurant is also home to a fermentation kitchen, a barrel aged fish sauce cellar and an herb-garden, all of which demonstrate a commitment towards innovative culinary techniques and sustainability.
Dara Cuisine Phuket is a popular destination for both locals, as well as guests from around the world. This is due to its unique concept of combining fine dining with stargazing. The educational sessions enrich guests’ experience by combining culinary expertise with cultural and celestial exploring.
Anantara’s partnership with eco conscious local farms and fishing fleets demonstrates its commitment to sustainability. This is in line with Anantara’s desire to preserve the beautiful location of the resort and its surrounding communities. The on-site herb garden and fermentation room reinforce the brand’s commitment towards sustainable and responsible practices.
“There is nothing more powerful than a direct look at the night sky to make you aware of your place in the universe.”
“This intimate experience leaves an impression on guests and fosters a deeper appreciation of our planet and universe,” Minor Hotels stated.
