Location itself is spectacular. Situated between the golden sands of Da Maurizio Italian Restaurant (which unfortunately will have to be completely re-built due to the recent Tsunami) and the promontory of the internationally acclaimed Baan Rim Pa Thai Restaurant, nestled on the cliff overlooking the sparkling waters of the Andaman sea is where you’ll find Otowa. Kalim Bay at the north end of Patong Beach offers host to Otowa Japanese Restaurant on Kalim Beach Road. Tom McNamara, one of Phukets most popular restaurant entrepreneurs, is the creator of Otowa, overlooking the Andaman Sea as he has a knack for offering customers superb quality food in an atmosphere that is both romantic and memorable.

We can argue whether to call this authentic Japanese, since Otowa has been well known in Phuket for its top quality authentic Japanese cuisine for the past eight years, however, Otowa has recently made the transition to Japanese French Fusion cuisine. The master chef from Tokyo has travelled to Phuket creating new culinary delights.

The black and white d?cor offers a mix of Japanese and French with crisp white table clothes, candle-lit tables and fresh flowers accompanied with the choice of cutlery or the traditional chopsticks. The experience is enhanced by the presence of friendly Japanese speaking staff. Otowa still offers traditional Japanese cuisine including Shabu Shabu, Robata BBQ, Sushi and Sashimi. Although it is recommended to try the new and exciting dishes from the extensive Japanese French Fusion menu which includes abalone in a bougonaise sauce, fresh crab spaghetti, fresh tuna carpaccio and new style sushi with tuna, salmon and foie gras. There is Sake by the glass or bottle and 7 types of beer & soft drinks while the menu offers tradional favorites, including 18 appetizers, 7 salads, 20 main dishes (shojinage-the vegetable tempura is very popular), a variety of sushi and sushi rolls, like the Tekkamaki (Tuna sushi roll) that was on our list of dishes plus there are rice and noodle dishes, robata bbq a variety of sushi and sashimi a la carte and more. We ordered the Phuket Lobster Sashimi and one of my two dining partners chose the Robata Chicken Set (also available with seafood or beef) that included 3 appetizers, miso soup and about 5 pcs of sushi and dessert. We also selected the Katsu Curry, a rice dish that has Japanese curry & pork cutlet topping rice with salad plus we ordered a noodle dish, Tempura Udon and then washed it down with "Sakurayu" a lovely cherry blossom Japanese teaand enjoyed the lovely taste of some Japanese lemon ice cream.

Our dining experience had an incomparable lustre as the restaurant became a Japanese Bistro after dinner where we were entertained by a superb jazz quartet. You are sure to be pleased with whatever entertainment is offered when you visit.All in all, a truly exciting dining experience at the heart of a tropical island with ocean views, spectacular sunsets and the sounds of the sea that gives Otowa the reputation of a restaurant not to be missed.

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