Joakim Persson

Casa Boho Phuket review: Latin-American bars and restaurants is a trend at the moment, seen in the form of recent launches in various destinations from UAE to Southeast Asia. And now the resort island of Phuket has one too. Let’s say an interpretation of it – where all forms of creativity has flourished. Casa Boha welcomes to an experience with bohemian vibes, latin DJ beats and a world of gastronomic delights!

Trough direct contact with the creators of Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort’s Casa Boho restaurant and day club we are informed at Happy Hour Asia that much consideration and thought process has gone into the creation of this oceanfront, infinity pool-equipped venue. And the result will not let visitors down – provided one is looking for some differentiation and nuance. Here is a distinct venue, with an international benchmarking, and that also sets its own stage by taking its own path compared to the otherwise quite repetitive ‘beach club’ formula that guests have come to know as the norm in Phuket.

Casa Boha is part of the dining and drinking adventures at the Hyatt resort in Kamala beach, which is at walking distance along the ‘Millionaire’s Mile’ from the beach proper, and a destination in its own right. So this attraction is a bit off from the big beach crowds and has to be found to be discovered – and is therefore also discerning, adding to the fact it is situated within a five-star resort.

Hyatt has its own beach, which is part of the view from high up the hill where Casa Boho is perched, boasting a panorama ocean view, and also of the resort below. When the weather gods show mercy the afternoon and sunset sky can be truly stunning from here!

Casa Boho comprises and al fresco roof-covered restaurant, with The Pool Deck outside it, a rooftop above – The Roof Terrace (al fresco bar), and an indoor venue underneath – The Den. The Den is a private playground decked out with funky furniture, comfy sofas and armchairs, and a widescreen TV that is unrivalled by any other restaurant in Kamala. The Den is filled with numerous games, such as pool, foosball and table tennis – great fun especially when having some late evening partying with friends.

The action begins at noon daily, when sun worshippers can have their time in the sun, while sipping on drinks by the edge of the infinity pool, sitting on sunken bar stools within the water.

There is a soundtrack playing at background music volume, with a mix of afro-Latino beats, nu- disco tracks, as well as Latin and organic house music. Later in the afternoon a live DJ also entertains from the DJ booth at far end of the pool deck, with a white latticework as backdrop on which a neon sign reads: ‘Soothe Your Soul – Free Your Spirit’. Yes, this is the right place for doing just that!

On the restaurant level opt for the choice of seating you fancy – depending on the occasion: at dinner tables, at small tables outside or at the daybeds poolside. Are you coming for swimming and drinks while enjoying the afternoon in the sun, for lunch, or perhaps for a romantic dinner? It is all being catered for!

But before we come to the food and drinks, here are a few observations about the design of the place. Nothing has been added without utmost attention to detail in the conceptualisation of Casa Boho and its “ingredients”.

For someone who has never visited Latin America it is not possible compare with the characteristics that may be there, but of course one can be familiar with certain cuisine, spirits, fashion etc. coming from that geographical area.

And of course choosing to have ‘boho’ as part of the name sends signals and associations to visitors about their expectations – and where it is certainly possible to recognise elements of bohemian style and ethnic patterns. Other welcome keywords for things ‘boho’ are: free spirit, nonconformist and unconventional. It also matches with Casa Boho’s dominating colour scheme.

What one can take note of here is also some resemblance with design and architectural details from the Mediterranean countries, with the arched walls and openings and the whitewashed brick wall. But ‘freewheeling’ is certainly a fitting description, where an unconventional mindset enables picking up various associations to create something rather unique and international.

The design is quite striking and different in terms of colours and the interior. The tiled floor pattern and its hues lends a distinct character to the venue, made with square orange tiles; white, thin rectangular tiles; and smaller square dark orange tiles. This is enhanced further with what hangs from the ceiling in ropes, large round colourful decorations made of yarn in hues of blue, orange, yellow and red!

And looking further upwards the actual ceiling has an amazing colourful surface, most likely made of painted bamboo branches that are squeezed together.

The various seating choices go from proper dining inside (brownish wall sofas; designer chairs with natural materials; and place mats in brown and orange natural colours on white table tops) towards more leisure-style outside (peg chairs with blue cushions and a round dark wood table for two, facing the sea).

Some low-slung designer armchairs come in blonde wood made of wide wood planks and inside a thick creamy upholstering, or striped purple-blue. Eight bar stools each have a letter from the Casa Boho name in the form of a gold/black-and-white mosaic. The day beds with parasols and pillows outdoors come with a roast-red and marine blue colour scheme. The high and wide parasols lend necessary shade from the usually hot sun, and those day beds are definitely sought after.

Over to the food, Casa Boho presents an assortment of cuisine, including a selection of tapas and tacos, ceviches, and uniquely conceptualised main courses.

‘Gambas Al Pil Pil’ is one of the tapas, consisting in Andaman sea tiger prawns cooked with a generous amount of garlic in extra virgin olive oil. It’s finished with Spanish sweet paprika, parsley, and Meyer lemon, and served with sourdough bread, Roma tomato and extra virgin olive oil. The garlic taste of the prawns is stunning!

Empanadas de Carne is another tapas dish, which brings South America onto the menu: Argentinian-style pies stuffed with slow-braised angus chuck roast with red capsicum, boiled hen eggs, castelvetrano olives and accompanied with a zesty chimichurri dip.

Or how about Cuban style Croquetas de Carne Assada filled with braised angus brisket, served with a spicy chipotle aioli!? The selection is really impressive and tempting.

De Pescado is Baja-style blackened salmon flour tacos topped with guacamole, white onion, pickled jalapenos, chipotle aioli shredded red cabbage, pineapple-cucumber salsa, served with lo macho salsa. The tacos are served open, and one can choose which preferred dip (s) to add, plus lime, before munching on them and washing down with a glass wine or cocktail. The sliced jalapenos lend awesome taste to these tacos!

Ceviches & Tiraditos include: Scallop & Prawn Ceviche (with Thai mango and Poblano – a Mexican chilli pepper), or Casa Boho Ceviche (Sea bass, leche de tigre, aji amarillo, jalapeno, seville orange, ruby grapefruit burnt avocado, green olives, red onion, breaded calamari).

For main course the choice falls on, Arroz con Marischio, which is in slow cooked seafood rice with scallop, shell mussels, prawn and blue crab in aji Amarillo and fragrant fish fumet finished with a dash of parmesan cheese. Crab legs sticks up from the risotto-looking dish.

Pulpo A La Gallega (Sherry braised and grilled Spanish Octopus with ancho chile sauce, aji amarillo aioli and potato-chorizo fritters) and Blackened Salmon with Papaya Mojo & Guacamole (Cajun-rubbed salmon fillet with yellow sweet potato puree, papaya, black turtle bean and sour orange salsa, served with guacamole, sweet potatoes and flour tortillas) are among the other intriguing main courses, making this into a rather unique food menu of gastronomic delights!

Tres Leche is a Latin American dessert in the form of a cake soaked in four types of milk and topped with whipped cream, strawberries, and cinnamon powder. It’s fabulous; a light, slightly sweet and fluffy cake!

When served to the day bed all food and drinks placed in round Latin American-inspired baskets (handicraft style).

Casa Boho’s cocktail menu offers ‘Daytime Classics’ and ‘Nighttime Signatures’ – where Happy Hour Asia tries the Jungle Bird (light rum, campari, pineapple, lime and sugar) and Red Velvet (gin, raspberry, lemon, sugar and sparkling wine) respectively.

A few other Daytime Classics picks are: Bramble (gin, lemon, sugar, Crème de Mure – a blackberry liqueur) Maid in Cuba (light rum, cucumber, mint, lime, sugar, soda and absinthe)

Then there are ‘Daytime Signatures’, such as Tidal Wave (rum, coconut, pineapple shrubs and Crème de Menthe) and the interesting Phuket Horchata which blends Thailand and Mexico with blanco tequila, lanna rice, vodka , coconut, cinnamon, vanilla and milk)

Served in the evening, other ’Nighttime Signatures include: ‘Passion & Sparkle’ (sparkling wine, passion fruit, lemon and elderflower) and Red Velvet (gin, raspberry, lemon, sugar, sparkling wine). Opting for the sparkling wine drink is really refreshing in the hot, tropical climate.

Talking of sparkling wine, the Chandon Brut (Australia) is served along with Zardetto, Prosecco Brut.

Aside whites and reds there ae also a few lovely rosé wines on the menu: Mont Grass Pink Sin (Colchagua Valley, Chile) and Whispering Angel *Chateaux d’Esclans from Provence).

It’s a comprehensive menu that has something to offer for the preferences of any taste buds really.

Last but not least, there are also attractive promotions on weekdays, such as Thursday’s ’La Chica’, from 4 pm until 8 pm, offering unlimited Margarita and nachos on the house for ladies only and ‘Weekdays Excepcional’ (with two drink packages) from noon until 4 pm.