As Shakers director Olivier Lambert spoke about the history of the restaurant, one can’t help but notice the large menu and friendly descriptions. It was the culmination of 12 years of existence in Patong, a tourist haven, that made Lambert decide to move to the Rawai/Nai Harn area in October.
“I fell in love with this place,” the Belgian said, “it seemed like a good opportunity for me mainly because Rawai is much more expat-orientated. It’s pretty stable here.”
All-you-can-eat is what Shakers does best, given their daily specials usually take place from 7pm–11pm. Still, it’s the Sunday roast (also all-you-can-eat), a hangover cure if there ever was one, that has expats in southern Phuket rejoicing.
But it’s not the only attraction.
“More and more I get people walking in and eating my mussels. We do it all-you-can-eat every Friday. Originally I thought only Belgian and French people would like it. But it’s really taken off!” Lambert said.
Still, it’s the fondue that keeps people coming back. And Shakers’ descriptive menu makes it easy to understand for anyone new to cooking their food in hot oil.
Five styles of fondue are on the menu: cheese, bacchus (beef in red wine), bressane (chicken in egg yolk and bread crumbs, then dipped in oil), Chinese (beef cooked in beef broth which can also come served as a drink with the fondue), and three different types of bourguignone (traditional all-you-can-eat meat fondue).
We agreed to Lambert’s recommendation of the lamb, beef and duck breast fondue. In no time, a pot of hot oil and skewers were placed on the table, two salads and a bowl of frites (French fries). It only took a few minutes before my buddy remarked, “This meat cooks so fast!”.
It’s true, the meat barely needed a minute to cook, with the juices still locked inside and giving off a delectable, powerful taste. The lamb was clearly a hit at our table as it was the first to disappear into our stomachs.
Friendly staff could be seen speaking to customers in a laid back atmosphere. A mix of families and couples filled half of the 100-seat restaurant during our meal, many of which were there for the Thurday night all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet.
Shakers’ outdoor roaster entices hungry stomachs to the place, where they also have chicken and pig spitroast as well as an assortment of sandwiches, burgers, steaks, pastas, pizzas, and Thai food.
As my introduction to fondue came to a conclusion, a second trip for the chicken spitroast has already been planned.
Shakers Phuket is located at 98/18 Moo 1, Viset Road, Nai Harn Village, Rawai, Muang, Phuket 83130. Phone them at +66(0)76349912 or +66(0)81 891 4381. Email them at patongshakers@hotmail.com