Telephone: 076 356239 081 9798258

Open: Monday-Wednesday 11am-6pm Thursday-Saturday 11am-11pm Closed on Sunday

Address: 20 Thalang Road, Phuket City 83000

Style: Thai/European

Price range: Tourist prices. Full breakfast (190 baht-250 baht) pancakes (150 baht-220 baht) chicken wings stuffed with herbs (290 baht) deep fried prawns with local noodles (290 baht) deep fried prawn cake (250 baht) prawn salad (250 baht) tom yaam gung (220 baht) stir fried pumpkin with mushroom, garlic, chilis and basil (120 baht) massaman curry (250 baht-290 baht) red duck curry (290 baht) vegetarian selection including mushroom curry with tofu and mixed vegetables (250 baht) stir fried pumpkin (150 baht) garlic bread (150 baht) french frieds (120 baht) duck breast salad with mango (390 baht) fried rice with pork (190 baht) tomato and mozzarella sandwich (320 baht) chicken sandwich (250 baht) spaghetti or penne with meat sauce (290 baht) mixed fruit (190 baht) sticky rice and mango (150 baht) small singha (80 baht) cocktails (190 baht) orange juice (105 baht) pineapple juice (120 baht) mango smoothie (120 baht) coffee (70 baht) house herbal fresh tea pot (90 baht).

Specialty: Phuket Town ambience in a cool historic Chinese house

The Chinese knew how to live in old Phuket Town. Their houses are cool and inviting, shutting the outside firmly out, locking everything worthwhile within, trapping light and cool breezes. This gem was restored and opened in 2004, and its commitment to style shows in the textiles, pottery and antiques for sale on the way through to the dining courtyard. We have the kid with us. He has been toilet trained, but not restaurant trained. Small toeprints soon appear on a wall and paper napkins zip across the polished wooden table. It's raining for lunch, yet the atmosphere, under a cool veranda looking out on a wall dripping with every shade of foliage, is extremely pleasant. The service is casual yet professional: it is always a relief to be asked whether you wish to have Thai-style spicy or something more bland. In the massaman, the potato pieces are carved as heart shapes and the spring rolls are long fingers of delight, served upright like bread sticks. The dishes come in white squares, circles, oblongs, and whatever that shape is when it could be either a square or a circle. Full marks for style, setting and presentation. The helpings, however, seem a little on the small side, something that cannot be said about the prices. This is not to say quantity is more important than taste. But our prime quest is for good value. Plenty of visitors are coming and going this lunchtime, clearly enjoying the experience. China Inn certainly deserves to be considered for that alone. Six out of 10 for value, though. Look for the kids' size 12 footprints on the courtyard wall.

How to find it: In Thalang Road, between Yaowarat Road and Phuket Road.

Parking: Street parking. Generally only a short walk required.

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