Is perfection possible? Can impeccable customer service, hospitality and devine cuisine ever be achieved?
The answer to these questions is YES and your quest for Kamala's best kept dining secret lies at the Cradle Restaurant within the breathtaking Ayara Kamala Resort and Spa.
Despite the fact that we weren't staying at Ayara Kamala Resort and Spa we just had to return to sample the sumptious cuisine on offer at their signature restaurant, Cradle.
The resort itself is slightly out of the Kamala town centre and we were fortunate enough to be able to go back to the restaurant as we had our own method of transport. Parking is ample and as you enter the resort you know you are in for something special and for us it was like we had never left. We were lucky enough to stay at Ayara Kamala Resort and Spa back in 2014 for our 10th Wedding Anniversary in one of their large and luxuriously appointed pool villas boasting panoramic views of the Andaman Sea.
These same views greeted us again at the Cradle Restaurant. Whilst the resort boasts quite a number of pool villas all with excellent views and privacy, the resort also has a common pool which is situated alongside the restaurant. It is here you will find one of the most creative menus in the Kamala region.
The Ayara Kamala Resort and Spa is the brainchild of hospitality extrodinaire and Resort Manager Masha Siriwangsanti, together with her Food and Beverage Manager Surachai Samakkee and the staff at the resort and restaurant they have certainly perfected the art of service and traditional Thai hospitality.
Upon arrival you are seated at a table of your choice and have the option of either dining by the pool or inside the restaurant. With a cool and refreshing breeze blowing we chose to sit by the pool and soak up the atmosphere. You are then offered a refreshing and scented cold towelette and are presented with both the drinks and food menu for your selection.
Surachai Samakkee is not just the Food and Beverage Manager at Cradle and amongst the many other duties he diligently performs, he is also a master mixologist and will ensure that the cocktail of your choice is done to perfection or perhaps you might decide to let him choose to make you something refreshing whilst you relax, unwind and enjoy that breathtaking views.
The restaurant serves up a range of Thai, Western and house specialities which includes a must try Duck Curry and a delicious share platter of succulent chicken satays (marinated to perfection), prawns, springrolls and samosas all served with a trio of delightful sauces. The chefs pride themselves on presentation of all dishes and as you will see from the attached photos much hard work has been taken to source the materials for their "work of art".
The staff at the restaurant are attentive whilst allowing you the space to enjoy your meal and dining experience in a relaxed and chilled out atmosphere. Despite the fact that it had been nearly 2 years since we dined at Cradle and stayed at the resort, the attention to detail was very evident from start to finish and especially when our desserts arrived. My wife's favourite Thai snack, Khanom Khai Nok Kratha (Thai Sweet Potato Balls) served alongside a devine and delectable Durian Sticky Rice in Coconut Milk. It had been 2 years but they had remembered our anniversary dessert!
It was certainly a special and sentimental experience returning to Ayara Kamala Resort and Spa and to Cradle Restaurant. So if you are ever in Kamala looking for somewhere special to dine, my recommendation is Cradle Restaurant where it's about the full sensory dining experience!