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The name conjures images of the beautiful spy, Mata Hari. Even
though Wisa Khor, co-owner of Mata Hari is as beautiful as the renowned
spy, the name Mata Hari means'the light of the day' in Malay. In
other words, it means sunshine.
"I like sunshine and the sea. At Mata Hari, we have a casual,
friendly, cosy atmosphere " says her partner, Patt Khor, a
Chinese Malay with eighteen years of experience working for Club
Med in Indonesia, Malaysia, Tahiti, Florida, Haiti, the Bahamas,
Cancun (Mexico), Martinique, Italy, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Mauritius
and the Maldive Islands.
Their restaurant, the Mata Hari is the first one on the right hand
side approaching Nai Harn Beach. It is elevated above the road with
a magnificent view of the beach and outlying islands. "Service
is extremely important to us," says Patt. "Tourists come
to Phuket for the sun and sea. With the open-air concept of our
restaurant, they can enjoy both the sun and sea."
Mata Hari has an impressive collection of music from around the
world that Patt enjoys entertaining his customers with. But of course,
the most important aspect of a restaurant is the cuisine.
"We buy fresh seafood and produce everyday," says Wisa.
She goes to the Rawai pier every afternoon to buy live lobster,
live crab and fresh fish. The papaya salad is made from fresh papaya
from the plantation behind the restaurant.
At Mata Hari, the deep fried shrimp with crispy noodles is a wonderful
appetizer to begin a meal with. Whole steamed fish cooked Cantonese
style with fresh ginger, shallots, spring onion, carrots and cilantro
is as tasty as the presentation is beautiful. The menu features
succulent barbecued tiger prawns with Wisa's special concoction
of fresh, spicy dipping sauce. A cup of espresso topped with vanilla
ice-cream is a perfect finish for a wonderful meal.
Mata Hari is open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner with
a full menu of both Thai and international foods that will delight
as you sit and watch the colors of the Andaman Sea and the sky change.
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