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The
most striking impressions of Da Maurizio, as you glide down
the stairs towards the door, are the sounds and aromas emanating
from this beachside retreat. The wooden stairs, painted a patriotic
red, pass above pools and fountains filled with darting fish. The
smell of garlic and herbs mingles with the sounds of cooking and
chatter, as if in welcome.
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Once inside the air- conditioned
bar and dining area, the pure Italian feel is evident. The bar
area, with high wooden chairs, is stocked with every aperitif,
wine and liqueur imaginable, all served in style by some of the
best trained bar staff in Phuket.
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The talk around the bar tends to be quiet and intimate. Décor
is warm and distinctly European, with paintings of myriad ladies
adorning the walls (testament to Maurizio’s romantic past,
it is rumored.)
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The bar is separated from
the sea by French windows, a terrace and the beach. Sunset is the
best time to sample the scenery, as the sun turns into an orange
globe, slowly Wsinking over the horizon. A cocktail in hand, music
in the background and the smells of the culinary delights to come,
make Da Maurizio one of the most romantic restaurants in
Phuket.
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Most diners take time to relax
on the terrace, slowly browsing the extensive menu before making
their choices . . . some even walk down onto the beach to take photographs
of the views or of the restaurant and their dining companions. Time
is never hurried here.
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The menu is wide ranging,
from a light mixed salad (Insalata mista) and mussels in a spicy
tomato sauce (Cozze al pomodoro) to soups, pasta, seafood, veal
and beef. As with all excellent restaurants, the wine list at Da
Maurizio has been compiled with the menu in mind. The heart of this
wine list are the wines from the major wine producing areas of Italy.
From humble country reds and whites to the award winning “Super
Tuscans” Maurizio’s cellar has the best collection of
Italian wines in Phuket. For celebrations, Da Maurizio carries
a wide selection of champagne, including Dom Perignon and Cristal,
as well as a selection of sparkling wines.
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As the evening progresses
and chatter becomes livelier, Maurizio makes his way from table
to table to ensure everyone’s satisfaction. Some guests come
out from the bar and sit around the grand piano, discussing the
day’s events and enjoying the view. Others relax around their
table, deciding whether they have enough appetite left for a slice
of Tiramisu or cheese plate, coffee and liqueurs. As the evening
draws to its conclusion and candles are extin happy guests contemplate
the stroll back up the wooden staircase.
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Da Maurizio
has received a number of awards and accolades from international
gourmet magazines. The most recent, from Thaisouth, honors Da Maurizio
with its “Best Non-Thai Restaurant” award. They say:
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“The food would be considered excellent, even in a high-class
restaurant in Italy. To eat there, or even only to sit there with
a drink, watching the sea, can be an experience to remember.”
Praise indeed, but well earned.
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