The popularity of Thai cuisine is unrivalled, especially in Singapore. This is quite a task considering our multi-cultural roots, but its distinct yet diversified flavours has drawn many to spend a weekend or more drowning in its strong aroma. Even at our doorstep, we have numerous fine dining restaurants to hawker centres working hard to satisfy our cravings for everything from the famous Tom Yam Gong to a cup of iced Thai Milk Tea.
Those looking for an authentic experience without the hustle and bustle of a flight, can make their way down to Escape Restaurant & Lounge at One Farrer Hotel & Spa (right outside Farrer Park MRT) from the 2nd to 16th April 2015. There, you will find an exciting collaboration with current Board of Director with the Thailand Culinary Academy, Chef Aek Charttrakul, and his team from the academy offering the best flavours their country has to offer – all on one buffet table.
Fans of Som Tam, a.k.a. Papaya Salad, will be happy to know that you will be able to get that real road-side experience at the comfort of the restaurant. The slightly tart papaya, combines with the flavours of the spicy Bird’s Eye chilli, savoury fish sauce and, even, a sweetness unique to the palm sugar to give us a refreshing and crunchy starter confirmed to open up your appetite.
The buffet spread includes many other Thai street favourites as starters. There is the Kao Tang Na Tang (Crispy Rice Crackers with Chicken Dip), Mieng Khum (Traditional Betel Lead-wrapped Snack), Hor Mak (Thai version of Otah) and a sweet-and-sour Mee Krob (Crispy Vermicelli), just to name a few.
The menu also includes the heatwarming Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Galagal Soup); a contender to the favourite Tom Yam Gong. It is silky and aromatic (mildly herbal thanks to the galagal) soup that would be perfect with bowl of steaming white rice.
Many of Chef Aek’s signatures make an appearance as we move onto the mains. The Poo Pad Pong Karee (Stir Fried Crab with Egg and Yellow Curry), Pla Tod Nam Makham (Fried Snapper with Tamarind Sauce) and Kalum Plee Pad Nam Pla (Stir-Fried Green Cabbage with Fish Sauce) are all perfect with a side of my favourite Pineapple Fried Rice.
Notably, he also introduced the Southern Thai Massaman Nua (Massaman Curry with Beef) into the menu. This is a dish that came about thanks to the influence of the nearby Malay culture; it combines the spices we are all familiar with in our local curry, with Thai ingredients like lemongrass and, of course, galangal.
Even the desert table gets a Thai treatment with the vibrant, and meticulously crafted Look Choob (Mung Bean Dumplings) and the all-time favourite Kao Naew Mamuang (Coconut Sticky Rice with Mango). You can even add a scoop of the restaurant’s home-made ice cream to the latter for an even better desert.
To top that off, diners will stand a chance to win attractive prices in their lucky draw, featuring a return trip to Bangkok, Thailand with 5-star accommodation for two persons as the top prize – all while feasting on Chef Aek’s dishes and the plethora of fresh sashimi and regular Asian hot mains of the restaurant at S$45++ (Lunch; 1200 to 1400 hours) and S$60++ (Dinner; 1800 to 2230 hours).
Escape Restaurant & Lounge at One Farrer Hotel & Spa is located at 1 Farrer Park Station Road, Singapore 217562.
About the Writer
Jessica is a young lady of many obsessions. She gets herself into everything ranging from the latest in the monochrome fashion world (she only wears black, and sometimes, white) to convincing the masses that Community is the best TV series ever made.
Currently, she enjoys looking like Sailor Mercury had a baby with Wednesday Addams.
