9Gems : A Sanctuary for the Fabulous

Koh Samui’s most adored upscale restaurant and lounge, 9Gems, comes from the beautiful minds of Peter Krebs and Sathit “Lek” Muangprom. After operating businesses in Switzerland, the partners turned to this small, five-star island as a platform for the pair’s whimsical inspiration to create a boutique venue acting as both villa and as a luxury retreat for visitors to enjoy haute cuisine and the island’s best cocktails.

Situated on a sky-high mountainside overlooking Chaweng Lake, 9Gems is an oasis for the chic. Decked out in Phillip Starck furnishings, the venue boasts a minimalist aesthetic with the delicate element of zen, an attribute acquired with the integration of various Asian art pieces. Adjacent to the dining area and lounge freckled around the bar is an LED-lit white marble pool set to rotate the shades of the color wheel throughout the evening. With the property having been featured in ELLE Décor and highly acclaimed in all of its media mentions, Krebs and Muangprom’s uncanny sense of style and spatial optimization immediately establishes a tone of upscale comfort upon the ascension up 9Gem’s fluorescently lit clear tile entrance stairwell.

After seating, diners are presented with an amuse-bouche carefully placed onto the theoretical insole of a spoon crafted to appear as though it were a woman’s towering skinny-heeled stiletto; a completely unique piece of silverware, as Sathit “Lek” Muangprom designed the piece himself. “I think regardless of gender or orientation, everyone finds some parts of female fashions to be incredibly sexy,” explains Muangprom with a laugh, “I know I do.” In an environment where the décor makes all in its attendance immediately feel both sensual and chic, this particular detail could be viewed as the haute couture cherry on top of a fashion-forward sundae. Creations such as the stiletto spoon, also, allow for a level of insight on chef and owner, Muangprom, and his level of taste and interest in the cutting-edge.

While a native of Koh Samui, Sathit “Lek” Muangprom relocated to Switzerland at the tender age of 14 on a journey to discover the Western culinary scene. Throughout his travels within the country and on frequent globetrotting excursions, Muangprom acquired a variety of skills in the kitchen. From the Swiss influence of impeccable chocolates ever present on menu items such as a red wine chocolate sauce served alongside steak and the delicious, decadent chocolate truffle comprised of three high-quality cocoas to the affinity for boutique services. Traveling often required Muangprom visit a variety of venues; in this, the chef eventually realized the common denominator associated with the properties he enjoyed most – the locations were of the boutique range. “The level of service and attention received at a boutique location is what makes an experience so fabulous,” he states. “I knew 9Gems had to capture that. We keep seating limited and it will always be that way because our guests deserve to feel like VIPs.” Muangprom successfully manages to ensure just that. With an eager to please attentive staff of many, service quality is consistently at an all-time high at the venue. Even as a frequent visitor of the location, I find that I am always tended to attentively. The unwavering 9Gems trait of bespoke treatment can even be confirmed at my most recent visit to the restaurant when Muangprom asked when I desired my following course to arrive at the table. In what I thought to be a considerate gesture, I informed him the dishes could come whenever he saw fit – a comment that forced Muangprom to shake his head. “This isn’t about me,” he smiled. “It is about you, what you want and how you would like it.”

The saintly attention to detail is a characteristic trickled into the creation of 9Gem’s dishes. Featuring a relatively international menu of modern cuisine, diners can peruse a menu of yellow fin tuna tartar, rock lobster bisque, homemade pastas and sauce, canard carré, Zürcher Geschnetzeltes with Rösti, gourmet curry concoctions and much more while indulging in freshly homemade breads baked in-house by Muangprom. Without a doubt, each item available will prove to be insatiable and incredible. In terms of guidance, the chicken tandoori salad shines with its tender, slightly spicy bites of chicken complemented by the citrusy and sweet addition of fruits and vegetables; and, in a truly indulgent fashion, Muangprom serves consistently exquisite risotto – a result he attests to the use of Arborio rice imported directly from Italy. All guests should make a valiant effort to save room for Muangprom’s mouthwatering macaroon plate. With five pieces of the sweet treats in a variety of ever-changing flavors, such as rose, chocolate, raspberry, green tea, and more, the chef pledges his loyalty to the now-legendary Pierre Hermé approach to a macaroon: producing the confection with deep flavor and a smooth texture.

Cruising around Koh Samui will undoubtedly lead to viewing the 9Gems marketing materials – chic images accompanied by the property’s slogan: Be sweet. Be wild. Be 9Gems. For those unfamiliar with the Asian recognition of nine gems, the meaning may go unappreciated. Though proved to be untraceable in history, the nine gems are recognized as sacred and royal in a variety of Asian-based cultures, including Thailand. Known as Nopparat in Royal Thai and Nopparatana in standard Thai, the nine gems are a specific National and Royal symbol of His Majesty the King. In fact, it is a high award given by HM called Nopparat Rajavaraporn (the Ancient Auspicious of Nine Gems). The sacred nine gems are ruby for the sun, pearl for the moon, red coral for Mars, emerald for Mercury, yellow sapphire for Jupiter, diamond for Venus, blue sapphire for Saturn, Hessonite for the ascending node of the moon, and Cat’s Eye for the descending node of the moon. Required to be without flaw and of the finest quality, the gems act as a source of good luck. So, as the venue suggests, 9Gems is a haven to boundlessly relish in one’s sweetness, wild side, and great fortune with graceful ease.