Paddy I been there too, I think. I live in France ,and their speciality is Steak- French Fries and Béarnaise. I love Thai food, but after 2 weeks I wanted a juicy steak!
Well I was dissapointed, the Thai cook couldn't make it, the way it should!
For Thai restaurants, i have a few reasonable places in Karon. Every time (ok, a few exceptions) I tried a "fancy" place, I was very dissapointed!!!
Not only was the food in "mama's kitchen" much better (main course 80 bath), but in some fancy places I was really frawned upon as an old man with a young Thai girl!
Baan Rim Pa, I always wanted to try it, but the stories I heard about this place are so different! To some, this is very original food, to others, dissapointing! The view may be nice, but I go for the food!
Really special, very expensive food I had 2 times. Mom's tree Kitchen in Kata and 15 years ago in the Thai restaurant on the Lagoon in Dusit.
All the rest was touristic, without any special flavour! No, the small restaurants, sometimes even touristic, can be much better. In general i try the ones not too big!
Worse meal in Phuket: the Mexican in front of seapearl!
Btw, if anybody knows a good Mexican, let me know!