Special treats to celebrate the arrival of spring

Nothing signals the arrival of spring and warm weather better in Thailand than I-dtim mat phroa – sweet and refreshing coconut icecream – made with coconut milk, not cows milk.

In Bangkok mobile ice cream vendors can be found wheeling this special delicious treat around the city in ice cream karts, there are even floating ice cream vendors on the canals.

While there may not be mobile vendors wheeling around Upper Hutt, it will be possible to get this refreshing Thai treat. Long established Traditional Thai Restaurant is celebrating the new season by offering their special home made coconut ice cream as part of a changing list of weekly special ‘‘off menu’’ items.

‘‘We think we may be the only restaurant in the area offering this delicious cooling treat,’’ say chefs Chanya and Jiripan.

‘‘We plan on having a variety of changing treats, our coconut ice cream will be available some weeks, other delicious items, other weeks,’’ they say. ‘‘Book in and see what specials we have.’’

Traditional Thai owners Nareat and Chanya and their team pride themselves on offering an authentic Thai experience. Tasty food, cooked from Thai recipes by Thai chefs, decorative ornaments from Thailand, Thai music and impeccably dressed, knowledgeable wait staff.

Since the husband and wife team opened the restaurant in 2001, their focus has been on using fresh, high quality ingredients, to bring a taste of their home country to Upper Hutt. They are also happy to tailor dishes to customer preferences. This has resulted in the restaurant building up a large number of regulars, who come not only from Upper Hutt, but from far away, to enjoy the dining experience.

Conveniently located in the CBD, Traditional Thai Restaurant is open for lunch from Wednesday to Saturday from 11.30am to 2pm. Chefs are aware lunch time diners may need to be served quickly, so diners can order and enjoy a tasty lunch within a half hour lunch break. Prices are reasonable, with lunch dishes starting at just $13.50.

Appetisers are always popular. These start at $4 for Roti and $8 for other treats like Ka Ree Pub (Curry Puffs – minced chicken, sweet potato, onions with mild curry seasoning in puff pastry with a home made sweet and sour sauce) and Goong Hor Pha (Whole Prawn Wontons served with home made sweet and sour sauce). For those who can’t make up their minds between the different appetisers, a six piece mixed appetiser plate allows a delicious sampling of a variety.

Dinner mains start at around $20. Popular choices include the delicious and authentic Pad Thai (pan fried Thai thin noodles with chicken, shrimps, tofu, egg, bean sprouts and ground peanuts), Gang Mussaman (Coconut curry with onions and potatoes served with either tender beef or chicken) and Gang Keow (Green Curry in coconut milk and vegetables with selected meat seafood or vegetarian).

Vegetarians and Vegans are well catered for with 85 percent of dishes being able to be made vegetarian on request and many also able to be made vegan. Traditional Thai chefs are happy to cater to all dietary requirements ‘‘just ask,’’ they say.

The restaurant can cater for large and small parties for birthdays and special events with special banquet menus. ‘‘Bookings for Christmas functions always fill up fast so it is good to start thinking and planning now,’’ Nareat says. ‘‘We are already accepting bookings.’’

Traditional Thai Restaurant is at 237 Main Street Upper Hutt. It is fully licensed and customers can bring their own wine. Open for lunch Wednesday to Saturday from 11.30am-2pm and Dinner Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm. Bookings are not essential but as the restaurant is often very busy, so it pays to book to avoid a wait. Bookings can be made by phoning 5289878.

Takeaways are available from the counter or by phone order. These can be ready as quickly as within 10 minutes, although when the restaurant is very busy, may take a little longer. :But they will be worth the wait,’’ says Nareat.