Sa'Moana Samoa

On the south side of Upolo island only about 30 minutes from Faeolo International Airport lies the resort of Sa'Moana. Whilst the South Pacific has an abundance of fresh foods available all year round, tourists often find the cooking lacks much enthusiasm or skill.

Thus it it with great pleasure that we finally find a chef who made dining a delight. Locals drive from the capital, Apia, just for dinner. A round trip of over an hour avoiding pigs and cattle on mostly country-lane style roads.

When Drew and his delightful partner leave at the end of 2007 they will be sorely missed, and management have a tall task at hand to replace him. Whilst his manner can appear a little short, the food is certainly not. A moist and rich chocolate cake to take with you on a morning surf ( a first on any surf resort I have been to ) makes the pain of bouncing of the reef worthwhile.
Whilst the kids are pretty happy with the usual burgers, chicken and chips, adults have a selection of favourites from your local high quality cafe. Lunches can seem basic and full of standard fare, but it took me a week to get through the menu, and I wish I had found some of the standouts earlier. Typically - a crispy skin-on fried chicken breast on top of a Ceaser salad with warm and perfectly done egg ensconced in a creamy but subtle sauce.

All in all, a very good dining experience in a potentially difficult environment, in a fine resort. Compare this to the much vaunted Aggie Greys 4 star hotel - supposed to be the 4th best in Samoa, could offer us only a soggy pizza and one of the worst salads i have ever had. Most of it left behind and without a comment from the staff, who then disappeared when we wanted to pay ( of course ) and offered us barely a grunt prior to the meal. Example " Do you have any ginger beer ? " answered by " Don't know " and standing there looking at us, waiting for.... something?

Sa'Moana gets 8.5 for food and service and 10 for atmosphere! ( cant describe the setting - you just have to be there ! )