Namu

The views from W Retreat are amazing, but when you go through the short passageway into the lobby and come out the other side, you'll be completely knocked out by the simply stunning panoramic scene ahead. Looking across a huge circular 'lake' you'll have a view stretching across the whole of Maenam Bay on one side to Big Buddha Bay on the other with Koh Pha-Ngan straight ahead. And from up here you'll see Namu restaurant sitting serenely in the perfect position on the beach at the apex of both bays.

An electric buggy will take you on the short ride from the lobby to Namu with its huge square stepping stones and high walled individual entrance. Pass through and the area completely opens up with the expansive open-air Sip lounge and bar leading off to your right and Namu on your left with the bordering palm trees and ocean beyond.

As you'd expect from a top-notch Japanese restaurant, Namu's décor is minimalist with plenty of clean lines and stylish individual features, such as the textured ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out across the beach. Choose to sit outside at one of the four tables on the beachside terrace, at one of just six tables spaciously dotted about inside, or take your place on one of the six highly sought-after seats along the counter of the completely open kitchen.

What makes this Japanese restaurant particularly intriguing food-wise, is its totally original concept of offering - 'A taste of Asia's tomorrow - today'
The menu is in three sections, Ice - Action - Fire, which is more to do with the manner in which the dishes within each section are cooked than the order in which they should be eaten.

What with the unrivalled location, the super-innovative cuisine and the sense of fun and adventure created at Namu, this restaurant comes highly recommended and should be on any true food-lover's short-list of places to dine in style on Samui.