Benny's Cocktails & Grill — Restaurant in Choeng Thale

After a week long stay in Phuket, 10 of us went to Benny’s for dinner. A small, very clean restaurant with a large staff to cater to your growling stomach. We were inspired to eat here because of Syd Stewart’s review and the accompanying response from Benny. If you have not read this review do so and note Benny sticking up for his wife. The food was awesome. Our 6 adult and four 10 and under children group enjoyed the ribeye, lamb chops, ribs, and prime Aussie beef cheese burgers. Benny came over to our table a few times to ensure we were enjoying our meals. Oh, and the cocktails were wonderful as well - the bartender was definitely putting on a show in his area of expertise. Then the deserts came. Sorbet, ice cream, dark chocolate mousse, and creme brûlée which was prepared right in front of us and topped with a flaming splash of Captain Morgan. We also watched fish being deboned at the table and Benny masterfully removing the spine of a large sea bass. Nice touch items included cloth scented hand towels for drying hands in the bathroom and cold towels at the end of our meal. The prices were reasonable and well worth every baht. Oh, and Syd, all ten of our meals were hot, though I will concede our phones were not...

The first time we went to this restaurant (my wife, our son, and I), we had a great experience. We spent more then 10,000 TB ($300) on our meal and left a 2,000 ($60) tip, thinking this was a place worth visiting from time to time.

But the next time we tried to go, they wouldn’t let us in, saying that children weren’t allowed. This was surprising since we had already been there with our son before, and he behaved perfectly—he’s well-mannered and fully capable of dining in restaurants.

We live in California, USA, and honestly, this kind of policy is shocking to us. But okay, we’re in a different country, and we respect local rules. What really bothered us was how rudely they kicked us out, as if we had some kind of disease.

Imagine this—you’re excited for a nice evening out at a restaurant you’ve already been to with your child, so you expect no issues. You dress up, take a nice taxi, and arrive looking forward to a great night. But instead, you’re treated like an outcast and thrown out with zero respect.

That’s just low.

At least be honest in your advertising—put up a big sign saying: "We don’t like kids, and we won’t let you in. Parents, don’t bother." That would...

Having been coming to Benny’s for many years on our annual holiday and referred many friends to this restaurant I must express my sincere disappointment with the service standard tonight on a quiet Thursday evening. No welcome or hello or enquiry as to how our meal was . Instead The owner prefers to mix only with the regular expats that visit. We spent 2,500 baht but had the staff asked if we would like another drink or provided the desert menu when asked then we would have spent double. A rat was running around the restaurant ( not that bothered us) but it did concern some other guests- again this was ignored. We signed our credit card bill and got up expecting a thank you for visiting but received no acknowledgement of being there. The food is good but when paying for a fine dining experience some common courtesy and decency is not too much to ask. Never again will we visit this restaurant as it only wants to cater for regular expats. I have never written a bad review on any restaurant but the service was so appalling I feel obliged to let tourists know that you you may not be made to...