Story by Carolyn Parker
Asking a restaurateur to choose their favourite dish is probably as perplexing as asking a parent to pick their favourite child. Simon Ruffell, Tuk Tuk Thai restaurateur, replied, ‘If I had to choose… it’s Massaman beef curry. Slow-braised beef cooked for eight hours; a rich, creamy dish’. This winter warmer marries its tender beef with potatoes, eschallots, and spiced peanuts in a densely flavoured manner that’s not to be missed. I dined in on this headline act but there’s takeaway service too, and Uber Eats home delivery commences shortly.
Simon launched Tuk Tuk Thai at Byron Bay Golf Club in April this year. He brought his catering team and executive chef Danny Trimarchi from Eat Drink Catering along with him for the ride.
Danny’s sharpened his culinary talents in kitchens across London, Rome, Berlin, hatted restaurants, and Sydney’s famous Icebergs. Simon’s a front-of-house specialist and creative force whose passion for fine food is palpable. His team are accustomed to wowing wedding parties, so their cheerful service is second nature to them.
When asked why he chose Thai cuisine for his new venture Simon replied, ‘I simply love Thai food. The climate here lends itself to it. The essence of Thai food is freshness with beautiful fresh herbs, lots of colour, and it pops on the tongue’.
The menu’s darlings include satay sticks, fish cakes, pad Thai, laksas, curry selections (vegan, prawn, chicken, and beef), creative salads, sharable finger food, and weekly specials that will ‘flex the team’s creative muscles’. Families will enjoy affordable prices, the club’s kid-friendly zone, and Thai cuisine that’s been lovingly crafted to embrace luscious flavours and aromas.
Simon and Danny have a symbiotic arrangement where they collaborate on each recipe down to the finest detail. Simon says, ‘Danny has the best palate of any chef I’ve ever worked with… and the intuition that goes with it’. Their collaboration fits together as perfectly as their Triple Belgium Chocolate Brownie pairs impeccably with hot chocolate sauce, berry coulis, and French vanilla ice-cream. Outrageously delicious.
Tuk Tuk Thai is freshly decorated with palms and bud lights twinkling above the deck, creating a warm ambience. Golden rays splash across the greens and reflect in the ponds at sunset, treating patrons to nature’s spectacle. Their expansive views across the golf course are unsurpassed, making Tuk Tuk Thai one of Byron’s most scenic restaurants.
Get on board. Tuck in to some tasty Tuk Tuk Thai.
Tuk Tuk Thai.
Open Thursday to Sunday from 5pm
snacks from 4pm
Byron Bay Golf Club, 62 Broken Head Rd, Byron Bay
Ph 0405 TUK TUK. [0405 885 885]
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