THE Last Supper at Don's Mall on Saturday brought a big turnout as Don's disciples gathered for one final time to enjoy Phuket's most significant southern treat.
Other Phuket restaurants may think they are unique, but there truly was only one Don's. With a mix of home-style cooking, southern charm and Thai hospitality, Don's Cafe in the mall defined an era for the island.
Casual, convivial, never too serious . . . always tasty. Those were the hallmarks that made Don's a success while scores of other restaurants opened and closed, with their owners wondering what they did wrong.
Don's Mall is to make way for a housing project and Don Battles, at 76, is moving on to other innovations in his inimitable scientifically- minded style.
Last night there were plenty of families among the diners, and plenty of youngsters who will be able to tell their grandchildren one day: ''I dined at Don's.''
Beginning with a quirky restaurant deep in the heart of a Rawai that was once surrounded by jungle, the last stand at Don's Mall saw it finally surrounded and outgunned by the constantly sprawling Phuket Mall. That's progress.
Breaking News Don Battles, the NASA aerospace engineer who fell to earth on Phuket, is selling up and riding a rocket into the sunset. It's been an amazing adventure.
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Best wishes for the future Don, I'll miss the 'Guacamole King'. Just have to try and source it somewhere else now but it won't be the same.
Always a gentleman with a good word for everyone who visited. Not a bad job for a Rocket Scientist!
Posted by Mister Ree on March 15, 2010 11:35