Zeke Asian-Latino Kitchen sits a little outside the city, but the distance feels intentional rather than inconvenient. The view alone explains much of the thinking behind the location, and the setting reinforces what the restaurant sets out to be: personal, considered, and distinct. The name itself—Zeke—is literal, borrowed from the owners’ son, and signals that this is not a concept built for scale but for meaning.
The restaurant took shape slowly. Months were spent finding the right space, followed by more months refining a menu that reflects the owners’ combined experiences and tastes. Every sauce is made in-house, and each dish carries a sense of authorship. The goal, as they explain it, was to create something authentic and unmistakably their own—food that exists only here.
That attention to detail extends beyond the plate. With years of experience in resorts and large-name restaurants, the kitchen’s standards for cleanliness and organisation are evident throughout the space. It contributes quietly but significantly to the overall experience.
The chef’s journey has been far-reaching. It began in Koh Samui with an internship in a resort kitchen, followed by time in New Orleans working with Western cuisine. The Maldives came next, with two resort roles alongside colleagues from around the world—Spanish, French, Indian, Japanese, British—each leaving an imprint. The path then led back to the United States, first to Washington, D.C., working in both Japanese and French restaurants, and later to Florida, where he met his wife and opened his first restaurant.
Zeke’s menu reflects that accumulated experience. A previous restaurant blended Thai and Japanese influences, but here Latin flavours enter the picture as well, inspired largely by time spent with his wife’s family and their cooking. Bringing those ingredients together in Thailand hasn’t been without challenges, particularly in sourcing, and the menu continues to evolve as more products become available. Specials play an important role, allowing the kitchen to explore ideas without compromise.
The meal begins strongly with the Monkey Brains—a dish that arrives with immediate impact. An avocado is stuffed with spicy crab and spicy tuna, then panko-crumbed and fried, finished with tempura flakes and house sauces. It’s indulgent without tipping into excess, and the balance between richness, heat, and texture is carefully managed. My dining partner summed it up simply: “That’s amazing.”
From there, we moved through what felt like a grand tour of the sushi and sashimi offering. Salmon, tuna, hamachi, and izumidai were all impeccably fresh. The Kiss of Fire roll stood out for its restraint: spicy tuna, kani, avocado, and cucumber inside, topped with avocado, barbecue eel, and eel sauce. Creamy, gently spicy, and composed, it never overwhelmed the palate. At this point in the meal, my dining partner remarked that he couldn’t find fault with anything that had been placed in front of him so far.
The creamy udon noodles shifted the meal in a different direction. Built on a house-made kimchi sauce enriched with cream and Parmesan, the dish is unapologetically fusion, yet coherent. The prawns are cooked just right, and the noodles carry the sauce well without becoming heavy.
The barbecue selection rounds things out with confidence. Cuts included buta rosu (pork loin) and misuji (oyster blade), served alongside a platter of vegetables. Cooking times are flexible, inviting diners to take control, whether they prefer a quick sear or something more well done. The quality of the meat stands on its own, needing little embellishment.
Service throughout is attentive and well-paced. The atmosphere is notably clean and organised, and Gabby, one of the owners, is both efficient and genuinely warm, striking a balance that keeps the experience relaxed without slipping into informality.
Zeke Asian-Latino Kitchen aims to become a staple—an essential stop for those visiting the area, and a regular place for locals. The ambition is grounded not in trends but in relationships: knowing customers by name, building familiarity, and creating a space where people return not just for the food, but for the connection. With its thoughtful cooking, careful execution, and striking location, Zeke makes a persuasive case for itself.