บุญรัตน์ (ติ่มซำ) (Boon Rat)

I recently visited a Dim Sum restaurant in Phuket Town - as a late breakfast after my pop into Phuketique for a quick coffee - and we found that we did not know where to go - so we wipped out our Apps and our devices and...

So we asked a local where to go and were directed here - บญรตน ตมซำ - Boon Rat.

This was certainly a popular place for Dim Sum at about 10 am and after investigating a little further they do not keep open much later than 10 am or when the food runs out - they do open at 5:30 am.

Dim Sum refers to a style of Cantonese food prepared as small bite-sized or individual portions of food traditionally served in small steamer baskets or on small plates. Dim sum is also well known for the unique way it is served in some restaurants, whereby fully cooked and ready-to-serve dim sum dishes are carted around the restaurant for customers to choose their orders while seated at their tables. (wikipedia)

Dim Sum is not always a first choice for me and I was happy that I was taken here - although it is not for everyone!

There was an enormous choice and I really did not know where to start and there certainly was nothing on the wall to assist us in choosing what to eat - well never mind.

What I ate I enjoyed but there was some which I did not feel brave enough to try!

Then there was the greeting that we got from the people - from this small place in Phuket Town we did get the impression that they did not get many tourists in there - maybe they will...

But as I look at the name and location of the restaurant I am not so sure that I have the name right but the location is. On writing this post I did find out that there were three branches of this particular Dim Sum Restaurant and here is a full menu with pictures.

 

Website: http://www.boonratdimsum.com/branch.htm

Email: boonratdimsum@hotmail.com  

Facebook:  

Phone Number:  076 212 034

Approximate price: $$$$$ 

Address: 26/41 Bangkok Rd, Phuket Town

Hours: 5:30 - 10:00

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Phuket Old-Time Square

I feel a little odd writing this review because this was an opening night - but would I try it again - (but will it be there again because I see nothing more?) - yes - as my friend Willy indicated on his list of things to remember about visiting a restaurant - always try twice - so we will be returning.

The atmosphere was busy and we were greeted by women dressed in the Traditional dress of Phuket Old Town - Baba style.

On entering my daughter was immediately drawn towards the dancing which was going on in the corner - children dancing to Thai music has always been an attraction - whilst my wife purchased the food.

On swapping roles i was given a plate of satay and my wife had a traditional Thai dish.

It was then my turn and I immediately found that the square was like a traditional forecourt with food served around the edges.

In the middle was a small shop selling a collection of different items - but I was on a mission for food so I left swiftly. It was as I left that I noticed something which was also traditional - coupons. In the centre of the forecourt was a small booth with a multitude of different tickets - fabulous job here because I was confused with just mine. 

Above this shop and booth was a bar selling alcohol and a view of the aforementioned stage.

I left to search for the chicken nuggets that Jemma had requested - which were promptly cooked and were taken to Jemma. 

I left again to find another dish and was stuck with a choice but I chose Thai.

We left whilst the dancing continued and I was happy to find that there was a Traditional Thai Desert stand close to where we parked our car - ร้านขนมหวาน - but that's another story / post.

Website: http://www.phuketoldtimesquare.com/

Email: info@phuketoldtimesquare.com  

Facebook:  

Phone Number:  +66 92 265 0877

Approximate price: $$$$$ 

Address: Phuket Town - next to Old Bus station

Hours: 17:30 - 23:00

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Chaiyo Seafood (ไชโยซฟด)

Chaiyo Seafood is a local restaurant for us because we live maybe 15 minutes away.

This does mean that the clientele is predominantly Thai but over the Festive Season there has been an increase in tourists arriving. The attraction of Chaiyo Seafood starts immediately when you are in the carpark - there are two entrances.

One entrance is over a small wooden bridge which takes you to the first part of the restaurant it is well lit. The second entrance is more formal and takes you into an open area which is certainly interesting. The restaurant is on the edge of the river and the mangrove swamp - i understand that it is open for lunch but I have never visited this.

Chinese / Thai figurines

Wooden large turtles

Photographs of Old Phuket

This leads to a restaurant and then there is a second restaurant which is reached by wooden steps going down and seems to be floating and there are the pens where they keep the fresh fish.

The food was wonderful - in fact we had three sets of this delicious bua tod.

The tom yam goong was certainly spicy and the deep fried fish with chilli sauce was fabulous...

They even served us 'shaved ice' - a traditional Thai desert.

We would certainly visit here again - the level of English was not wonderful but it didn't matter.

   

Website: http://www.chaiyoseafood.com/ - but not working 2014

Phone Number: 076 393 101

Approximate price: $$$$$ 

Address: Bor Rae-Khao Kad Rd (on the road to / from Ao Yon).

Hours: 10:30 - 23:00

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Bake, Flame and Pasta @Sino (closed)

After being seduced by the Twin Palms outlet North of the island I was then very happy with the emergence of a Twin Palms outlet between Tesco and Phuket International Hospital, next to Crust.

This Twin Palms had so much more - Bake, Flame and Pasta.

On entering it was immediately clear that there was so much to choose from - I immediately went to the Bake corner and looked at their exquisitely crafted cakes and did not know what to choose....

I returned to my seat and was then amused that there was so much more to choose from - so I did choose.

I like gnocchi - so this is what i ordered and this is what i got.

Then Chuen ordered the salad which looked great but there was very little there.

But with so much more being squeezed into a corner, all was a bit too much personally for me.

I would prefer less to be done well than more being done but not as good would we return - yes for the coffee but not for anything else.

Website: http://www.twinpalms-group.com/

Email:  info@twinpalms-group.com

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Phone Number: 076 304 368

Approximate price: $$$$$ 

Address: 46/7 Moo 5, Wichitsongkhram Rd.

Hours: 8:00 - 23:00