After reams of trips to Thailand, I have experienced that Thai food is all about marrying complexity with harmony. I always love the nuanced flavors that the cuisine surprises me with. However, when back in Bombay, I crave for Thai food, I realize the dearth of good Thai restaurants in the city. So when Nara at BKC basked in its one-year anniversary, it was the right time for me to put it to test.
Housed in BKC, you’ll enter the space to find large windows dressed with embellished lamps, walls lined with ornate wood carvings, purple orchids, and silk cushions. In addition to the main dining area, there is also a private dining room for intimate gatherings and special celebrations; and an al fresco courtyard dappled in shade and landscaped with Thai orchids. Think mauve side plates and deep sofas with burgundy upholstery.
As soon as I enter, the staff immediately comes in to greet me and talk me through my preferences. Another thing that hits the right note is the menu, with each dish accompanied by a photograph which makes ordering easy. I start with the Rak Bow Tod, lotus stem with Thai herbs. It’s crispy like it claims and really addictive.
Next is the silky, aromatic Tom Ka Soup- a comforting, spicy coconut and galangal soup with chicken. I also loved the Pla Neung Ma Nao, steamed John Dory with spicy chili lime sauce which such a medley of beautiful flavors that it’s still imprinted in my palate. For the mains, I opted for the Massaman Curry. The gorgeous curry sauce seemed like a mixture of curry paste, coconut milk, a strong flavor of peanuts, and a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon. Alongside chicken, a few chunks of potatoes had delightfully soaked up the coconut milk like a sponge. And I savored every bit of the deliciousness with glee.
The showstopper of my meal was Nara’s signature butterfly pea rice with Thai herbs. The blue beauty has a delightful chewiness to it and is something you’ll definitely return back for! For desserts, my pick is the Mixed Berry Crepe Cake which was a twelve layered goodness of crepes is stacked on top of each other. With layers of whipped cream and mixed berry sauce, it is made pancake-style with the base of berry compote. The tower is topped with a complementing deep strawberry sauce over the lilac layered cake enhancing its signature Nara colors to the decadent South-East Asian dessert that this one is. One bite of the indulgence and it was safe to remark that Nara served me enough reasons to return back.
Contact: 022 61378080
WHERE: Nara Thai
Ground Floor, Raheja Towers, Opposite SIDBI,
Bandra-Kurla Complex, Mumbai 400051
Website: www.narathai.in
Meal for two: Approx INR 2000/- (for two plus taxes)
Note: The critic was invited by the restaurant but all the opinions expressed herewith are her own
