#this meal consists of a burger fries chicken strips and a drink

[2pen2wildfire]

Does being transneutral and FtM make sense to y'all? Cuz that's how I'm feeling about my gender right now

[seokjinsonlyone]

if bts were american and ate our fast food, where do u think they would eat at

i love this question so much it is just out of the box enough for me omg mind u i'm an east coast girlie so ion know nun bout dat in and out or whatever else they got on the west side

haters gon say it's fake but jimin would 100% main popeyes like catch him getting a 3pc chicken combo dark meat only 🤪 and he'd drizzle honey and hot sauce on the chicken either that or the 5 pc strips with the sweet heat sauce if he's feeling a sense of childlike wonder every other month he goes through a weeklong spicy chicken sandwich phase always drinks sweet tea exclusively

jin would swear by chickfila and i can't blame him! like the consistency is always there in the food and the service and that's just what he needs in life like my man has high standards and they just don't disappoint when it comes to the food i can see him getting the grilled chicken club sandwich with a side salad as his go to meal, the regular deluxe sandwich when he's feeling indulgent, and the 30ct nugget when he's feeling ravenous. whenever there's a seasonal shake he has to try it at least once otherwise it's him and the diet lemonade against the world

joonie is giving cookout like there's just so much variety if he want a burger they got it, barbecue they got it, chicken quesadilla, hot dog, corn dog, chili cheese fries, just.... all his wants and needs would be at cookout and when he's feeling a sweet treat??? boom they got the best milkshakes in town. i think his go to meal would be a big double burger tray with a chicken wrap and onion rings for the sides and he got to have cheerwine for the drink mhm iktr

it pains me to say it but i can really see tae up at 2am getting a deluxe cravings box from taco bell like i personally can't stand taco bell it just ain't for me like don't get me wrong there's been times when i worked overnight and it was bought for me so i ate it but i wouldn't choose it but i think tae would 😭🙏 like it's more convenient than chipotle bc it's open later and has a drive through so it's conducive with his lifestyle so that's where he's at in the parking lot at 2:30 with a crunchwrap supreme a doritos locos taco and a baja blast sigh

jungkook would LOVE wawa like i don't think you understand how many times i've imagined going to wawa with jk especially after seeing his camping vlog and there was one point where he was eating a sandwich and he was like if he could eat any food for the rest of his life it'd be a sandwich and it was at that moment that i knew me him and wawa would be written in the stars like catch us at 11pm getting an italian sub some takis and a blueberry pomegranate smoothie

suga would def be at wendy's like i don't think y'all understand how much i love the wendy's app like she has never steered me wrong she is there for me when it's midnight and me and my friends have no place to go we be in dat parking lot fr 😭🤞 and bc yoongi is my twin flame my best friend he would feel the same like it's better than mcdonald's and the way you can rack up rewards points like nobody's business like it's an economical choice it just makes sense i can see him getting the double stack biggie bag with spicy chicken nuggets and a diet coke to drink

i had to think hard for hobi bc i'm like he so boujee these days with his steak and truffles that i couldn't imagine him getting trash food with the commoners but with a little brainpower i placed him directly in zaxby's like you cannot tell me he wouldn't love him some zaxby's sweet teriyaki boneless wings with some fries and that slice of bread they put in the box on the side with a sprite to drink of course yeah that would do it for him every time

i really don't think you understand how much i loved this question like imma be thinking about this scenario for the rest of the week sodfjakjdl

[lovemesomesurveys]

do you like candy corn? I do. I can’t wait until I’m able to eat normally again cause I have a bag of Funfetti candy corn waiting for me.  favorite halloween candy? My normal faves like Reese’s, KitKats, M&Ms, etc but Halloween themed, ha. And candy corn, obvs.  do you like pickled vegetables? I like pickles.  favorite fruit? least favorite fruit? Bananas are my favorite and pretty much the only one I ever eat. I don’t like oranges or tangerines at all.  what is the strangest food combination you like? I eat my scrambled eggs with ranch and Pizza Rolls with mustard. I like tater tots with mustard, too. 

what is your favorite snack? Chips and dip.  what did you have for lunch today? Nothing, yet, it’s only 12:29AM.  do you usually eat breakfast? I got in a good habit of that for most of this year until I had the breathing tube put in and could no longer eat. I can finally eat some things, one of them being Cream of Wheat, so I’ll be having that now.  favorite dipping sauce for chicken strips? Ranch usually, but it depends on the place. Like, if I go to Chick-Fil-A I get Chick-Fil-A sauce and if I go to Raising Cane’s I’ll have their dipping sauce.  do you like sweet potato fries? I do.  least favorite vegetable? Most of them to be honest. The only veggies I eat is spinach, potatoes, green onions, broccoli, green beans, and corn.  favorite vegetable? The ones I listed above.  do you like chocolate and mint together? Mmm, yes.  have you ever dipped fries in a milkshake? Yep.  favorite flavor of gum? Mint. what was your favorite food as a kid? Pizza and chicken nuggets.  favorite fast food place? Jack in the Box, Taco Bell, Chick-Fil-A, Raising Cane’s, Carl’s Jr.  favorite soda? Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, and various flavors of each.  least favorite soda? Root Beer.  do you like sweet or unsweet tea? I like to add a little sugar to mine.  how do you like your coffee? (or do you drink coffee at all?)) Hot, with either flavored creamer or cream and sugar.  do you like bubble tea? I like milk tea, but not the boba.  do you like curry? I can’t eat spicy food.  favorite type of cuisine? Italian.  favorite sandwich? Turkey or bologna with provolone or Colby Jack cheese, mayo, mustard, spinach, and sandwich oil with a pickle on the side. favorite cheese? I love a variety of cheeses.  have you ever been vegan or vegetarian? No.  

favorite breakfast cereal? All the sugary ones, basically. what do you eat when you're sick? Not much honestly, but I try to make myself have some toast and soup.  favorite thanksgiving dish? I love the main meal, which for us consists of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, and rolls, but honestly the appetizers are probably my favorite. We put out like a charcuterie board, chips and a few different dips, sourdough bread with a few spreads, and deviled eggs.  favorite salad dressing? Ranch and balsamic vinaigrette.  what are you currently craving? I can’t wait until I’m able to have my Wingstop again.  Snickers or Milk Way? I like both.  have you ever had chocolate covered gummy bears? Yes.  pulp or no pulp orange juice? Blech, neither.  beans or no beans in your chili? Beans.  favorite burger condiments? Ranch, mayo, mustard, BBQ sauce, olive oil, pesto, balsamic vinaigrette, black pepper... there’s likely more but yeah. I’m a total condiments/dips/sauce kinda gal.  do you like peanut butter? Yes.  what flavor of jelly/jam is your favorite? Grape.  favorite flavor of potato chips? Original, sour cream and onion, cheddar and sour cream, BBQ.  how do you like your eggs cooked? Just about every way to be honest, but I have scrambled eggs and over-easy eggs most often.  favorite kind of soup? Ramen, French onion, and broccoli and cheddar.  do you like cold pizza? I did when I was younger, but not so much anymore.  do you like sour candy? No. what food do you absolutely refuse to eat? Seafood. 

[babbletop]

List of the top 10 discontinued fast food items we miss the most. The fast food on this list were once discontinued but some were brought back by popular demand thank to you. ➡️ SUBSCRIBE to BabbleTop! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX--mGSg0UwDjl7MDL8H5Jg?sub_confirmation=1 Don’t you hate it when the foods you love the most just vanish into thin air? Sometimes these items return to us from the depths of the fast-food past. So we can never really know when a food is actually discontinued. Either way, we must acknowledge the truly fabulous fast-food items that do not have a fixed place on menus. We miss these items and we love these items. Here are 10 Discontinued Fast-Food Items We Miss The Most. We rounded up 10 fast food items that were taken off of menus, and that are certainly missed but not forgotten. Comment: #fastfood #discontinued #nostalgia TIMESTAMPS: 0:33 Taco Bell Volcano Burrito 1:45 Wendy's Bacon and Blue Burger 2:39 Burger King Cheesy Tots 3:42 Little Caesars Pepperoni Crazy Bread 4:48 Dairy Queen MySTIRy Misty 6:08 Popeyes Big Easy Chicken Bowl 7:18 KFC Hot and Spicy Popcorn Chicken 8:34 Taco Bell Grilled Stuft Nacho 9:57 Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Nuggets 11:12 Burger King’s Angry Whopper SUMMARIES: - While everyone in the US and Canada mourn the loss of the Volcano Burrito, some parts of the world don't, as this tasty treat still exists. - Wendy's Bacon and Blue Burger is a high-end sandwich consisted of a quarter-pound beef patty piled high with strips of applewood smoked bacon, blue cheese crumbles, sauteed onions, steakhouse sauce and all of this was served on a perfectly toasted brioche bun. - The legendary Burger King Cheesy Tots were already a bit of a crowd-pleaser and had been for years, but they reached true cult status thanks to their cameo appearance in the movie Napoleon Dynamite. - Little Caesars wanted to give us something a bit different and special. They achieved this with their Pepperoni Crazy Bread. - Misty Slush which came in many tropical and fruity flavors, however, you didn't get the magic straw that made the drink change color before your very eyes. - Popeye’s Big Easy Chicken Bowl is an adaptation of the Popeyes Red Bean and Rice meal and the Popeyes Louisiana Cajun Poutine. - It looks like popcorn and it tastes like chicken. It must be the iconic KFC Hot and Spicy Popcorn Chicken. - The Grilled Stuft Nacho was triangle-shaped, which was also handheld for convenience, and was stuffed full of Tacho Bell goodness. - Wendy's decided to take these chicken nuggets off their menus. - The Angry Whopper consisted of a quarter-pound beef patty piled high with bacon, habanero or manchego cheese, crispy fried onion petals, jalapenos, mayo, and a spicy sauce. ➡️ SUBSCRIBE to BabbleTop! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX--mGSg0UwDjl7MDL8H5Jg?sub_confirmation=1 🥳 JOIN and become a BabbleTop member! https://www.youtube.com/babbletop/join 👕 Check out our MERCH! https://ift.tt/2xcFumO 🔥 Our Most Popular VIDEOS! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOvb3ZRIwh0&list=UUX--mGSg0UwDjl7MDL8H5Jg All clips used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes. See Hosseinzadeh v. Klein, 276 F.Supp.3d 34 (S.D.N.Y. 2017); Equals Three, LLC v. Jukin Media, Inc., 139 F. Supp. 3d 1094 (C.D. Cal. 2015).

[oselatra]

A Little Rock late-night eatery rundown

Nine for the nighttime.

The moon is high. The fridge is empty. You haven't had a bite since the early-bird lunch special and you're far too considerate a human being to waltz into a local eatery and order up your dinner 10 minutes before closing time. (Aren't you?) Lucky for you, the late-night dining game in Little Rock has gotten a whole lot stronger, and your options extend far past the realm of smothered-and-covered. Read on, night owl, and patronize some of the fine establishments offering up bar bites and couture fare into the wee hours. 

1. Pantry Crest 722 N. Palm St. 4 p.m.-midnight Mon.-Sat.

The fact that this Pantry Eateries kitchen stays open late is only the beginning. First things first: Happy hour lasts all evening on Mondays, a day when many area restaurants are shuttered. Choice pilsners and pinot noirs can be had at cut rates, along with a bevy of small plates perfect for sharing after a show or when your after-work meeting ran ridiculously late and you're ready to consume the first thing within sight that looks like a carbohydrate. There are the decadently Truffled Deviled Eggs; Pommes Frites; the silky House Made Ricotta, served in the center of a ring of charred bread slices; the house-made Liver Paté; the halved-and-charred Brussels Sprouts with Aioli; that apex of all German comfort foods, Cheese Spaetzle; and, maybe the best of all, the salty-sweet dualism of the Bacon Wrapped Dates on toothpick skewers. The Lasagna al Forno's damned near the stuff of legends; the rotating, one-pot Rustic Bowl is consistently creative; and the house-pressed Country Terrine is a must. (Think: Spam's erudite Parisian cousin.) Even better: It's a place you can comfortably go out for a meal with your friends even during the leanest of months; The Pantry's House-Made Sausage and Bratwurst, topped with mustard and your choice of vegetable lesco or sauerkraut and served on a Boulevard Bread hoagie, are $4.95.

2. Pantry West 11401 N. Rodney Parham Road 11 a.m.-midnight Mon.-Fri., 4 p.m.-midnight Sat.

The Pantry Eateries' first location, est. 2009, is so many things. It's the Zeus' head from which its Hillcrest offshoot sprung in 2014. It's a place to make you feel a little less plebeian after you've just spent an hour in Party City across Rodney Parham Road. It's a place whose dim lighting and internal architecture seem uniquely suited to intimacy; you could hide away in a corner gazing into your beloved's eyes for an entire evening without interruption. It is, in most other respects, similar to its Crest counterpart — a cozy Germanic hangout with consistently delightful small plates. It has a couple of major advantages over its off-Kavanaugh cousin: It serves lunch and is the exclusive spot for chef Tomas Bohm's signature paella, an outsized, jovial celebration of a dish that requires an eight-person minimum and one week's notice to serve.

3. Midtown Billiards 1316 S. Main St. 3 p.m.-5 a.m. daily

Like a great Phoenix with grease-tipped wings and Camel Lights on its breath, Midtown Billiards has risen from the ashes again and again. Sometimes the ashes were metaphorical; the spot's revelry has been broken up by more than one booze-fueled brawl. Sometimes they were literal; the late-night dive and perennial Hub of Bad Decisions was forced to close and remodel after a particularly devastating fire in September 2016. And what were we robbed of in the subsequent months? For one thing, a dreadnought of a sandwich called the "Midtown Burger Challenge" that doubles as a gauntlet thrown at the most voraciously competitive of diners. Therein, challengers work their way through a stack of four beef patties, an entire can of Spam, and two fried eggs layered between buns and all the fixin's. If they do it in half an hour, the sandwich is free; otherwise, they pay $25 for the sandwich and its digestive aftermath. You need not go to such extremes, though, and most don't; Midtown's staple — the plain cheeseburger — will do quite nicely, seasoned with all the oily history of that time-honored flat grill and the sloppy romance of marathon drinking.

4. Dugan's Pub 401 E. Third St. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.

The Gaelic saying "Céad Míle Fáilte," literally meaning "a thousand welcomes," greets visitors above the doors at Dugan's Pub at the corner of Third and Rock streets in the River Market district. Named for owner Don Dugan, former owner of Markham Street Grill & Pub, the spacious Irish-inspired pub slings customary bar food, such as cheese dip, nachos, burgers and chicken strips, along with "traditional Irish fare" — shepherd's pie ($8.95), corned beef hash ($9.95) and bangers and mash ($8.95). A large drink menu welcomes patrons with cocktails, cocktail warmers, brews by the bottle and a rotating draft selection. The pub's small slice of covered outdoor patio space is often busy, weather permitting, and Dugan's also sometimes hosts live music. It regularly broadcasts professional and college football games. This corner of the River Market district is also home to Stratton's Market at Dugan's Pub, which offers groceries, specialty foods, produce, wine, beer and liquor, with an emphasis on local products. It's open 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

5. Waffle House Various locations. 24 hours daily

Waffle House, the pervasive diner chain that offers cakey waffles and hash browns served in a delightfully long list of ways — smothered, covered, chunked and, among many other options, the coyly phrased "all the way" style, which combines every option together for what must be a sight to behold — has a familiar appeal that's rooted in the fact that Waffle House is for everyone. Teens squeeze into the booths in the thrillingly empty hours between dinner at home and an 11 p.m. curfew; early risers and folks getting off their overnight shifts line the counter at 5 a.m.; hungover college kids stumble in around noon to slurp down coffee and strips of crispy, greasy bacon, of which the Waffle House website says it slings 341 rashers per minute. The chain is dependable. Waffle Houses are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so the warm, beckoning lights of each establishment, scattered like its hash browns across 25 states, are perpetually accessible for hungry, bored or weary travelers, drawn to those yellow block letters in the sky like moths to a flame.

6. Four Quarter Bar 415 Main St., North Little Rock 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-2 a.m. Sun.

Bar grub's come a long way in Little Rock in recent years, and Four Quarter — an offshoot of Maggie Hinson's Midtown Billiards family — is leading the charge in the Argenta Arts District. The shotgun dive smokes its own pork and serves the best veggie hash in town. Elevated fare, such as Chicken Cordon Bleu rillades, arrives unceremoniously in those red checkered paper trays you get from food trucks; a pool of otherwise elegantly plated chorizo shrimp cheese grits lands on the table in a styrofoam bowl. It's not unusual at all for the 4Q to smoke a pork belly to perfection, for example, and do something wild with it — batter it up like a corn dog, to pick a recent example. The food's so good it's almost a joke: a high-art-meets-low-art farce. Whatever it is, it translates on the paper plate to a barfly's sweetest dream and a tongue-in-cheek mashup of fine dining with a state fair/gas station nachos aesthetic.

7. JJ's Grill 12111 W. Markham St. 11 a.m.-midnight Mon.-Sat.

At the Rock Creek Square Plaza shopping center at Bowman Road and West Markham Street sits JJ's Grill, a bar/restaurant that could be described as a bizarre hybrid of Applebee's and Hooters. It has a few slogans, including "Do your mouth a favor" and "Boots, class and a lil' sass." In the "Meet Us" section of the restaurant's website, a short video features narration by Jody Thornton, owner of JJ's, as well as testimonials from customers and waitresses (whom Thornton and Andrew Locke, JJ's general manager, refer to as "the girls") about the live music, fresh food and friendly atmosphere. A menu of American bar food favorites is spiced up with some odd originals, such as the PB&J burger ($9.99), topped with grape jelly, bacon, peanut butter and Sriracha. Pricier "serious meals" on the menu include fish 'n' chips ($14.29) and JJ's salisbury steak ($12.59), and there are a variety of salads, tacos and wraps to round out the eatery's offerings. An addendum at the end of the menu asks "Date not hungry?" and lets customers know they can double an order of fries and add three onion rings for $3.29. This section also adds that while JJ's is a "true short-order grill," patrons will have to pay more for extra fixings because "if it costs me, it's gonna cost you." This Arkansas-only restaurant chain also has locations in Conway, Rogers, Bella Vista, Fort Smith, Springdale and Fayetteville.

8. Brewski's Pub & Grub 315 Main St. 11 a.m.-midnight Sun.-Wed., 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Thu.-Sat.

Fratty vibes notwithstanding, the service at this double-decker Main Street pub belies the usual sports-bar mediocrity: The servers and bartenders may not be hip to the ways in which that Brewski's logo was derived from a certain Boston bar of sitcom renown, but they still make you feel welcome to pull up a chair and order a tall one. Wall-filling flat screens surround diners. The beer is served killer cold and the wings piping hot. During some particularly long stints this summer staring (and OK, yelling) at a giant television in the cozy Brewski's basement during the 2018 College World Series, we appreciated the variety of spots to perch on or curl up in: tall stools, low couches, cozy booths or convivial tables. Don't sleep on those cheese curds, either.

9. Ciao Baci 605 N. Beechwood St. 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Mon.-Fri., 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Sat.

The cozy atmosphere of Ciao Baci, the Hillcrest bungalow-turned-eatery, welcomes guests to a friendly space that encourages conversation over its tapas-style small plates and appetizers, such as its rich, smokey sweet potato fries basket with chipotle honey ($8) or the utterly decadent baked pimento cheese, served with grilled pita and pepperoncini ($9). These "Ciao Baci Food Favorites," as the menu describes them, are available from 4 p.m. until midnight, while the larger entree plates, described on the restaurant's early fall 2018 menu as "Food Features," are available 5-10:30 p.m. They include an ambitious chef's tasting menu for $45, which, according to the menu, is a five-course progression of "what you should be eating." Other food features, such as the pan-roasted duck breast ($24) or the butternut squash tamale ($14), come paired with well-conceived, complementary side dishes for a satisfying, full-belly experience. Ciao Baci hosts happy hour from 4-6 p.m. daily, and for those in the mood for a cocktail or glass of wine to get through the midweek slump, select bottles of wine are only $20 on Tuesdays and it's happy hour all day on Wednesdays.

A Little Rock late-night eatery rundown

[viralhottopics]

Koh Samui Travel Guide

(CNN)Gazing on the developing island of today: Five-star hotels. Upmarket dining scene. Plentiful shopping.

While the isle’s built-up northern and eastern coasts increasingly cater to the tourists, in the south and west locals still stick to the simple life, and traditions that brought backpackers on rickety fishing boats from the mainland to this island paradise in the first place.

Sheraton Samui Resort

Dining

Barracuda

One of the most noticeable tenants of The Wharf — a 24,000-square-meter open-air mall opened in 2015 at the western end of Samui’s Bo Phut walking street — is Barracuda.

The stylish concrete and chrome restaurant sits close to the sand.

Run by German Ferdinand Dienst, it serves Mediterranean-influenced dishes using local ingredients — 80% of the seafood comes from the surrounding waters.

All its vegetables are locally and organically grown.

Barracuda’s concept is winningly simple: serve fresh, high quality product on a small menu that changes frequently, with service to match.

Another Thai paradise — Phuket: Insider Travel Guide

Chez Francois

It’s rare to come across a restaurant that earns universal acclaim, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone with a bad word to say about chef Francois Porte’s Chez Francois.

Guests enter on a street close to the Fisherman’s Village through a large, ornate door into a cozy space with black and white checkered floors, and a large wooden centerpiece table.

At the back is a small bar. The menu changes daily, depending on what Porte finds at the market. Reservations are a must.

Stacked

From the yellow-bricked open kitchen to the bare-light-bulb chandelier to the electric green neon surfboard sign, the design at Stacked is contemporary and comfortable.

The menu is full of classics like grilled Caesar salad, New England clam chowder and a selection of steaks.

But Stacked is most famous for its burgers.

For those that feel up to it, the Stacked Burger Challenge consists of four burgers and eight strips of bacon in a black sesame seed bun served with double fries and double slaw.

It’s free to anyone who can finish the monster in 20 minutes — otherwise it costs THB1,000 ($28).

The Larder

The expat duo behind this favorite “decided Samui was lacking a down-to-earth eatery where the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, without the food dropping in standard.”

They came up with The Larder, a pretension-free European gourmet restaurant — if you have a little beach sand on you, that’s cool.

Menu offerings include chicken breast and liver pate, Spanish chorizo and potato minestrone, and Serrano ham with soft-boiled quails eggs, glazed cauliflower and wild rocket.

Fine food, island vibe.

Tough to beat.

Cafe 69

When he quit his job at one of the island’s five-star resorts, chef Vivian opened his own restaurant, the cheekily named Cafe 69.

The interior is as colorful as the owner, with glittering silver tablecloths, turquoise walls and an oversized 69-shaped ceiling light, casting its glow on diners.

The food, perhaps best summed up as Thai with a twist, is similarly inventive.

Green curry pie with mango and fettuccine tom yum goong carbonara are solid examples.

The small space can fill up quickly, so booking ahead is recommended.

Closed on Sundays.

Krua Chao Baan

A best of Koh Samui beachfront feast for locals and visitors, this restaurant is a well-kept secret among lovers of fresh local seafood.

The vast menu includes interesting southern delicacies like gaeng som, a popular local sour curry, as well as a full list of Thai favorites.

The red snapper with chili and mango salad is a treat, as are tiger prawns in tamarind sauce, if available.

Everything goes well with coconut juice straight from the tree.

Diners needn’t worry about stuffing their face — they can always work off the calories by going for a post-meal paddle in the restaurant’s kayaks, offered free of charge.

Think

It’s hard to miss this funky little cafe.

Not just because of its location — in the middle of the west coast, a few kilometers south of Koh Samui’s capital of Nathon — but because it’s made from recycled shipping containers, refitted and daubed in bold yellow, red, blue and orange.

The fence of colorfully painted old tires is also an attention getter.

Like many establishments in the southern Thai islands, Think has adopted a hippie-beachcomber, ramshackle decor.

The collection of chairs and tables set in the sand at its covered entrance is the best place to watch the sunset with a drink in hand.

Rock Salt

British chef David Lloyd has worked at a number of Michelin-starred restaurants.

His own Rock Salt occupies a classic tropical beach-side restaurant setting, with bamboo ceiling, chunky wooden furnishings and bohemian decorations.

The food from a chef who has cooked for the likes of Tom Jones and Kate Moss is superb.

Immaculately presented dishes include wagyu hash with sous-vide poached eggs.

Starfish & Coffee

With its warm Mediterranean decor and beach-side terrace in the heart of Bophut Fisherman’s Village, Starfish, as it’s known, is always abuzz with vacationers.

An eclectic, occasionally quirky menu of Thai and Western dishes complements the restaurant’s fresh daily seafood offerings, the latter displayed on ice out front and cooked fresh to your taste.

A distinct French influence means there’s a good wine selection and desirably dangerous desserts, such as the ever-popular mango and sticky rice.

Named after a Prince song, the restaurant opens at noon so no chance of eating its butterscotch clouds and tangerines for breakfast.

Nightlife

9Gems

9Gems is part luxury villa, part upscale lounge.

There’s fusion food, tapas and cocktails, all served hillside, with great views over Chaweng Lake stretching to the beach.

“Miami Vice” meets Buddha Bar — this best of Koh Samui place offers the white linen brigade a sassy place to splash its cash.

Air Bar

High on the west coast, at the pinnacle of the InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Air Bar is consistently rated as the best place in Samui to watch the sunset.

It consists of a large open deck and stylish square, back-lit bar that juts out over the hillside, flanked by an array of sofas and armchairs all facing out to the vast ocean view.

Getting there around 5 p.m. helps secure a front row seat.

The cocktail menu is excellent, created by Bangkok-based mixologist Joseph Boroski.

Woo Bar

In the battle of scenic places from which to watch the sunset, Woo sets the bar high.

There’s the infinity pool, with sunken, circular loungers, book-ended by a large white “W,” which reflects in the water.

The amazing views northward look toward Koh Phang An — particularly stunning as dusk falls and the lights come on.

A DJ is on hand nightly from 6-11 p.m.

Drinks promotions include Thursday’s “Mo-Hee-Toe Madness” — free flow of 10 signature cocktails for a small price (about $36) supplies lubricant for the evening.

Nikki Beach

Nikki Beach Samui is part of the legendary global network of beach clubs founded in Miami in 1997, with branches in St. Tropez, Marrakech, Ibiza, Bali and — until it closed in the summer of 2015 — Phuket.

The brand identity is glamor and indulgence,

Starched white umbrellas shelter wealthy patrons sipping on champagne while they listen to DJ beats.

Immaculately dressed guests, often head-to-toe in white linen, start to arrive around noon and occupy the plush daybeds until late.

Bees Knees Brewpub

The Bee’s Knees is, so far, the island’s only brewpub.

But it’s swiftly developed a great reputation for its beers.

These include Summer Bee, a pilsner-style lager and Wheaty Bee, made from German and Australian malts.

The owner is usually around to explain the brewing process, which takes place in massive tanks visible through a glass divider.

Green Mango Road

A few clubs in Chaweng manage to regularly fill their dance floors.

The best of Koh Samui nightlife in one area is Chaweng’s Green Mango Road, which has an aircraft hangar-like club of the same name.

Another top club to hit on the Green Mango strip is Solo, popular with the late-night crowd and known for bringing in a regular rotation of quality DJs from around the world.

Wellness

Samahita Retreat

This calming yoga and wellness retreat is located in the rural southern part of the island.

Meaning “balanced” in Sanskrit, Samahita offers a range of classical yoga practices and meditative techniques, as well as personalized detox and de-stress programs.

Guests vary from beginners to experienced, singles to families.

Located on the beach, the center is committed to environmentally friendly practices, including solar-powered hot water, rainwater harvesting and cultivating its own fruit trees and herb garden.

55/20-24 Moo 4 T. Namuang, Taling Ngam; +66 7792 0090; samahitaretreat.com

The Spa Samui Beach Resort

This beachfront resort has been selling Samui as a center of the wellness universe for more than 20 years.

Now with two locations — the other is in the hills overlooking Lamai Beach — the two decades since it opened have seen it attract people from all around the world for intriguing treatments that include hypnotherapy, Hawaiian healing and astrology.

The vibe is relaxed, with a convivial atmosphere that encourages guests to share their experiences and bond in a beautiful setting.

A shuttle runs regularly between the two locations.

171/2 Moo 3, Lamai Beach, +66 7723 0855; thesparesorts.net

The Sanctuary

Koh Samui may not be far enough removed from your daily grind.

If that’s the case, a slow ferry north to a little bay called Had Tien on the neighboring isle of Koh Phanga reveals a magical little oasis.

Be warned though, things here are rustic.

There’s no land line phone or permanent electricity, and it’s strictly cash only.

But that’s the attraction.

Along with yoga and detox treatments, there’s a fun lineup of weekly events, including “movies under the stars” on Tuesdays and open mic nights on Thursdays.

Koh Phangan, +66 81 271 3614; thesanctuarythailand.com

Beaches

Picking which strip of Samui sand to plop down on depends on whether you’re looking for white sands with no crowds or want to lay in front of a beach bar run by dudes who never seem to tire of listening to Bob Marley.

For action, the busiest strip of sand in town is Chaweng Beach.

It has the most concentrated accommodations and best nightlife.

Though crowded, it’s a nice beach with white sand and turquoise waters.

Second on the popularity scale is Lamai Beach.

Not as busy as Chaweng, but with plenty of hotel options and a lovely beach, it’s an alternative for traveling families who want to be in the thick of the action but without the wild nights.

Other good options include Choeng Mon, Bophut, Lipa Noi and Maenam.

If views of neighboring Ang Thong National Park are preferable to fine sand, there’s Taling Ngam, which sits in a remote corner of Koh Samui. Keep in mind, this one is really far from the action.

Adventure

Kiteboarding

Learning kiteboarding skills takes energy and commitment.

But vacationers can still nurse a hangover and give it a go.

Koh Samui is one of several Thailand beach destinations that attracts fans of the sport, thanks to the island’s optimal wind conditions.

For lessons, there’s the Samui branch of Kiteboarding Asia.

Island hopping

Ang Thong Marine Park is reachable on a day trip, and deserted enough to offer unspoiled Crusoe charm.

“The Beach” may have been filmed elsewhere, but it was this 42-island archipelago that provided the inspiration — a truly stunning spot to snorkel, dive, lie on the beach or kayak.

One of the park’s islands, Maekoh, has its own emerald inland lake.

Most hotels and Koh Samui travel agencies offer a variety of Ang Thong tours.

Diving

Because Samui is essentially a sand island, the water just offshore can be murky.

In other words, the island’s dive options suck.

But there are inspiring snorkeling and dive trips that leave Samui daily for nearby islands like Koh Phangan and Koh Tao and Ang Thong Marine Park.

For snorkelers, the waters around the much-photographed islets at Koh Nang Yuan, off Koh Tao, are often fishbowl clear.

Sail Rock is a popular world-class dive site halfway between Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, one of the few places in the world where you can dive with whale sharks.

Sightings generally are present between March and August.

Koh Tao itself has more than 30 dive sites and considerably more schools and operators.

The 100 Degrees East Dive Team limits the number of divers/snorkelers per trip and heads for less-visited areas or gets to the popular ones early to avoid the crowds.

Ziplining

Not all the action in Samui takes place on the water.

There’s also flying through tropical treetops strapped into a harness while snatching glimpses of the glistening coast below.

The rides at Canopy Adventures, which claims to be Asia’s first cable ride, are set in one of Samui’s least spoiled patches of forest, near Mae Nam on the northwest coast.

Altogether there are 15 cable rides, with 21 treetop platforms, totaling some 2,000 meters.

A secret waterfall for a cool-off awaits along the way.

Golf

Koh Samui has two mountainside golf country clubs — Santiburi and the Royal Samui Golf — with above-par views from the tees.

At Santiburi, carts are mandatory and absolutely necessary. The course takes players up, down and around a wide area, offering fantastic views that challenge you to keep your mind on the game.

Magic Buddha Garden

Hidden in the mists of Koh Samui’s hillside jungle, the Magic Buddha Garden is a mystical anomaly created by local septuagenarian fruit farmer Nimm Thongsuk.

Along a mountain stream, Uncle Nimm built statues and sculptures that portray various deities and mythical creatures.

It’s an oddball, best of Koh Samui attractions that’s worth including on an island tour, in addition to the usual Big Buddha and Grandfather/Grandmother (penis/vagina) rock stops.

The final climb up to the garden can be a little steep.

Getting there

By air

As Samui International Airport is privately owned by Bangkok Airways, the only carriers flying in are the airline itself, plus some flights operated by Thai Airways and Silk Air.

However, international connections are easy via Bangkok.

Bangkok Airways flies direct to more than a dozen destinations throughout the region.

By ferry

A variety of fast and slow ferries connects mainland Surat Thani with Koh Samui, arriving and departing from piers at Nathon, Lipa Noi, Bang Rak and Mae Nam.

If you’re traveling through southern Thailand by car (which makes for a scenic road trip), regular car ferries run every hour from 5 a.m.-7 p.m.

Location transportation

Airport transfers

Most hotels provide airport transfers, but for a slightly cheaper option there’s an official airport taxi counter, where you pay the fare in advance.

Local cabs aren’t metered so, for example, it’s usually 400 baht ($11) for a 10-minute ride to Bophut.

It’s 100 baht ($3) in a shared mini-bus if you’re not on a tight schedule.

Car rentals

If you plan to do more than hang out on the beach, the easiest way to get around the island is by car.

The airport has several rental counters — Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar — each offering a fleet of sedans, SUVs, minivans and jeeps.

Local companies such as TA Car Rent usually have lower rates than the big brands and flexible drop-off and return locations.

Motorbikes

Motorbike rentals are about 150-250 baht ($4-7) per day depending on the bike’s condition.

Despite many people driving without them, Thai law requires wearing a helmet.

The island has one of the highest road fatality rates in the country. Legend has it the only activity that’s deadlier is sitting under a coconut tree.

Songthaew

A safe way to get around is to flag down a converted red pickup (songthaew), the island’s non-scheduled public transportation. Prices range from 30-80 baht per ride for short distances.

For longer distances, the rule of thumb is 100 baht ($3) per beach you want to travel to (for example, 300 baht from Chaweng to Bophut).

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from Koh Samui Travel Guide