Open: Noon-10.30pm (bar closes later).

Address: 117 Moo 3, Srisoonthorn Road, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket (next door to The Plaza, Surin.)

Telephone: 076 386598, 083 105 0008

Style: Phuket ''regional Mediterranean cuisine''

Price range: marinated olives with focaccia (130 baht) whole baked camenbert rustic bread and crudities (450 baht) garlic prawns with chorizo and chilli (200 baht) hummus, eggplant jam, tabhouli, dukkah and tzatziki (200 baht) poached duck egg, asparagus hollandaise and truffle oil (320 baht) traditional caesar salad (350 baht) prime beef burger (450 baht) ricotta gnocchi, roasted cherry tomatoes, artichoke and pesto (390 baht) grilled yellowfin tuna steak, nicoise salad (650 baht) Australian grass fed beef tenderloin, mushrooms, beef tomato and bearnaise (1150 baht) wood fired pizzas (300-410 baht) creme brulee with biscotti (250 baht) rich chocolate tart (280 baht) italian tiramisu (250 baht).

Specialties: urban location on a holiday island.

Perhaps it was partly our fault for turning up for lunch soon after 1pm, a bit early working on Phuket mediterranean time. There was no mango juice available, we were told when we asked for a glass, the truck hadn't yet made a delivery. So we asked for lemon juice instead, and were a little disappointed when the fizzy drink came soon after, straight from a can. An hour or more later, a companion who ordered tirimasu was disappointed to be told that it, too, was still on a truck. In between, another companion was also less than pleased to order poached duck egg, asparagus hollandaise and truffle oil to find it consisted of six asparagus spears, one egg and a dollop of sauce, all for 320 baht*. When a dish is listed as a ''Plate,'' perhaps it is up to a hungry diner to realise they are trying something a little different, not a full, satisfying course. However, at good restaurants all over the world, the way to avoid disappointment and confusion is to have the wait staff run through the menu with the diners. Tell them what's not available (blame the truck by all means) tell them what's special (the 320 baht asparagus spears and duck egg) and why it's special, and give them some genuine assistance. This is what Cudos needs to do to move to the level that the food indicates it deserves. The burger dripped with flavor and another companion raved about the ciabatta, but the edge had gone off our delight. The venue itself is a city galley style restaurant and bar with modern art on the walls and a clever concrete setting at the rear. It's difficult to know you're on Phuket. The space (and the lighting, we're told) seems ideal for a large gathering at night. The food is excellent, if pricey. At 2100 baht for three for lunch with one small Japanese beer the only alcohol, diners are entitled to high expectations. The wait staff are eager and obliging. For Cudos, proper explanations of the specialties of the menu and knowledge about deficiencies in advance would be a step towards unreserved praise.

How to find it: At The Plaza Surin, a strip of shops not far from Surin beach.

Parking: Turn in, parking close alongside the restaurant.


Management at Cudos have pointed out that the quoted 380 baht price of the Duck Egg dish was printed incorrectly on a copy of the Lunch Menu taken away by Phuketwan. The actual price is 320 baht. The management also says they do not use premixed
carbonated drinks. The lemon 'juice' was a mix of fresh lemon and soda water. Cudos adds: ''We have in fact now acted on your kind input regarding the ''Plate'' heading, and have now reclassified our lunch menu items into two categories in this menu section. The two new categories are ''Entree'' and ''Main'' with the Duck Egg now fitting into the ''Entree''
category.''

Phuketwan reviewers pay for their own meals. If we don't, we tell you.