It promotes well being and consciousness of the body, mind and spirit. It has a deep impact and effect on our physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and sexual levels.
Santosa Detox and Wellness Centre in Kata offers a range of detox programmes, as well as exciting classes, and an exuberant and rejuvenating dining experience through modern vegan and raw foods.
The restaurant itself sits upon a hill, offering guests a beautiful view of the Andaman Sea as well as some of the most mesmerising sunsets – the perfect backdrop for tasty, healthy and refreshing food.
The food was something which, admittedly, I was quite hesitant to try. I expected to sit down and be served an unexciting selection of vegetables. Be that as it may, I was more than pleasantly surprised when I headed down there recently to sample out the menu.
First up was the starters. We were served an array of delicious salads: beetroot with a vegan mayonnaise dressing; leafy greens with carrots and veggie sausages; and an olive based salad. Each of them so individual, yet delightful.
Following this, we were offered four different soups which were served to us in pretty jam jars. The first two soups were cold: pineapple and spring onion, and a delicious sweet, thick tomato soup. The remaining two soups were warm: pumpkin, and lentil. They each had mouth-watering flavours, and were so different in their own way. The warm soups complimented the cold ones really well.
I was surprised when I was served a plate of pesto pasta. This, along with a zucchini style lasagne (all vegan of course); sushi style vegetables wrapped in seaweed, served with soy sauce; and delicious mouth-watering arancini balls. For a minute I forgot, that of course, all of these meals were still vegan. That’s how tasty they were. Some of the misconceptions about vegan food is that people don’t realise how much we already include it in our diet. And more importantly, how delicious the food can be.
Susanna Eduini is the Executive Chef at Santosa Wellness Centre. Originally from Italy, she explained that she was raised in a family where food was very important, and where there was a certain kind of knowledge, “we take our protein from meat, we need to drink cow milk, and so on.” It wasn’t until she got sick and discovered that “food” is actually what can make us more healthy, vibrant and energetic.
So she decided to become a vegetarian, then vegan and then finally, a “raw foodist”. A vegan raw foodist to be exact.
She explained how even some of the most guilty pleasures can be eaten healthily. And that’s where the desserts came in.
This was by far my favourite course. Alternatives of tiramisu; chocolate fudge sticks (made with cocoa powder); and a lemon cheesecake with a nutty base (with no cheese of course!). They were all beautifully made, and bursting with flavour, and should be tried by everyone.
Overall, each of the courses were extraordinary and have inspired me to try to include more vegan and raw food into my diet. The menu offers a selection of culinary delights that are pleasing to the most discerning of palates, with great nutritional benefits.
Many dishes on the menu can also be ordered either as starters or mains, giving you the chance to sample a variety of dishes in one sitting. Perfect for an after-workout meal.