COVER STORY

Foodies, we have savoured six of Bangkok’s latest degustation menus and served them up for your reading pleasure.

THE MIND OF A CHEF:

“As India is a big country and I cannot have dishes from all over the country on one menu. However, I wanted to give diners a taste of India from different geographical aspects, along with their special produce, says executive chef Bharath Bhat, of his tasting menus. Though each dish on the tasting menus — non-vegetarian and vegetarian — represents a state in India, they are given a modern touch and incorporate chef Bhat’s Western culinary skills.

TEMPTATION ON A PLATE:

The best of Punjab Grill’s “Essence of India’ menu is the Raj Kachori representing the state I come from, Maharashtra, and is a contemporary take on my hometown classic. It represents Mumbai’s street food delight in a puffed flour crisp, filled with a tangy sweet yoghurt mousse, spicy nuts and chickpea vermi- celli. Yum! My other favourite was the Gosht Ki Boti aur Kumbh Ki Khichdi from Kashmir and it is lamb leg scented with fennel and star anise, served with mushroom kedgeree and blue cheese naan. Blue cheese in a naan, you say?! Incredulous, I know, but oh, so, so delightful! The dessert Aam Bhapa Dohi, which represents the Indian state West Bengal, is a modern take on Kolkata’s signature steamed yoghurt flavoured with local Naam Dok Mai mango and served with fresh berries. Of course, because it’s chef Bhat, it has to come with a molecular twist. No spoilers here!

THE TASTE OF MONEY:

The best mix of West and East at an incredible price of 1,490 baht for the non-vegetarian and 990 baht for the vegetarian tasting menu. A three wine pairings is an additional 760 baht. But this is the real deal here — all prices are nett. Shadup and take my money!