DUBAI It’s that time of year when nearly half a million tourists flock to Thailand to soak up the festivities at the Songkran Water Festival which marks the beginning of the Thai New Year.
But you don’t have to despair if you are not one of them as you can experience the same fun (well, almost) right here in Dubai and that too without spending a fortune. The good people at the Sukhothai have transformed the popular Thai specialty restaurant into a Bangkok Night Bazaar, complete with folk dancers and musicians especially flown from Thailand to keep you entertained.
But more than anything, it’s the celebratory menu designed by award winning chef Chitlada Thanomsak that takes your breath away. Begin your gastronomic journey with salads like Lab Pla Yang (grilled fish fillet topped with shallots and mint leaves served with a lime sauce, and Sang wa Goong (prawn in mixed Thai herbs topped with crispy fish). For hot appetisers I recommend their Goong Thod Ta Khai (deep fried minced chicken and prawns, flavoured with lemon grass served with sweet and sour sauce) and Choe Morakot (steamed chicken dumplings). I particularly loved the dumplings as they had a distinct pandan flavour that left me craving for more.
The best part is the main course. With delicacies such as Goong OB woon sen (hot pot of glass noodles with prawn-flavoured soya sauce and celery), Ngub Pla (mild grilled fish curry wrapped in banana leaf) and the irresistible Panang Nuea Tun (tender beef chunks with creamy red curry sauce) I bet you will be utterly spoilt for choice.
In keeping with the standards of Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, the service is top notch without being intrusive.
The desserts, however, were a bit of a let-down but then expecting someone who has grown up on rasgollas and jalebis to appreciate the tastes of Tart Mamuang (sticky rice mango tart) and Kha nom chan (steamed rice layer cake) is asking too much. That said, enjoying a traditional feast featuring 50 Thai dishes for just Dh199 per person is still a steal deal.
DETAILS
Meal for two: Dh398
Location: Le Meridien Dubai, Hotel & Conference Centre Garhoud, Dubai
Timing: 7pm-11pm
For reservations: call 04-702 2455
We recommend: Wasabi prawns, Honey-glazed cod fish, Beef Foie Gras
