WHY GO? While Da Maurizio, an established Phuket institution, still serves beautiful contemporary Italian cuisine, complemented by a glorious cellar and its ocean-side location, the pricing seems to shout for very special occasions only these days.

WHAT TO ORDER? Da Maurizio's strength has always been its top quality produce and in 2011, it began offering almost 90 percent organic fruit, vegetables, herbs and pasta ingredients. Antipasti of local baby clams sauteed in white wine, tomato and herbs or the mixed plate of classic Italian cold cuts are excellent starters. For the primi piatti, try fusilli carbonara-style with cured pig, egg sauce and black pepper, or fresh home-made ravioli filled with spinach, ricotta cheese, cream, tomato and parma ham. Wagyu beef tagliata-style on a porcini mushroom bed and grilled Australian lamb chops will not disappoint either. Local lobster cooked to your preference, or sea bass in white wine with capers, olives and tomato sauce also make good options too.

Da Maurizio has claimed Wine Spectator awards every year since 2002 for its fabulous 600-plus label list. The Old World classics and the New World innovations are admirably represented and the staff and sommelier are well-informed.