REVIEW: Sontaya at St. Regis Saadiyat Island.
Stunning Thai food, al fresco terrace dining, the soothing sound of waves crashing against the shore, a view of the ink-blue night sky.
Does it sound too good to be true? Maybe, but after a recent visit, Team Yalla can assure it is true and you can experience it at Sontaya at St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.
Nestled between the dunes and the sumptuous five-star St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Sontaya offers wonderful high-end Thai cuisine in an intimate and secluded setting.
The restaurant is approached from the lush grounds of the hotel along an enclosed wooden boardwalk, raised above an elegant water feature.
The architecture is wonderful – the restaurant sits in a single-storey modern glass pavilion with open sides (when the weather allows) and surrounded by shimmering pools.
Welcomed by the very friendly staff with special mention for Nan Khin, a charming and engaging waitress, begin with the Sontaya Selection, a mixed platter of spring roll, grilled Australian beef tenderloin satay, chicken pandan, fried curry fish cake, papaya salad, accompanied with pickled vegetables and sauces.
A great first course, the beef satay is wonderfully flavourful. Often restaurants will compromise on the quality of the beef used in satay dishes, but not here. The chicken thighs, encased in woven pandan leaves, are equally superb.
The menu offers a large and varied choice of dishes but for the main course tuck into stir-fried tiger prawn, fish, scallop and calamari with sweet basil and chili paste and beef tenderloin in garlic oyster sauce, bok choy, carrot, black pepper, coriander and confit garlic.
Bold, intense, full of flavour and packed with heat and spice, particularly the beef, this dish is truly delicious.
Finish with an indulgent pandan panna cotta dessert with coconut, ginger, hazelnut crumble and served with Chantilly cream, which is moreish with evey bite – the pandan gives it a wonderful and interesting grassy vanilla flavour.
For high-quality Thai food, a gorgeous setting and charming staff, this place is hard to beat.
To book your experience at Sontaya call 02 498 8888
