An Eastern delight down by the Creek

LONG HERALDED AS an excellent brunch institution, Thai Kitchen is one of those places that appears to enjoy universal acclaim. The free flowing Friday event draws a hefty crowd to its relaxed dining atmosphere with its a la carte brunch set up, which leaves patrons full, merry and always eager for more the following week.
But what is it like during the evening? Does a similar atmosphere pervade? In short, yes. The fantastic outdoor seating area Thai Kitchen possesses means it's always going to be a popular destination, especially when surrounded by the beautiful Tunisian-esque Park Hyatt and the moonlit creek.
However, it is more likely the food you're interested in and at this restaurant you can order up a decent representation of Thai cuisine with no hassle at all when you go for the set menu.
A set menu can sometimes be fraught with middle-of-the-road, pre-prepared filler. Too often havewe been caught out with the quantity over quality offer, usually too hungry to make an informed choice, and we're also seduced by the reasonable prices. When it comes to Thai Kitchen's set menu however, there is nothing to worry about. For Dhs230 per person for a minimum of two people sharing, the first set menu is all you need for a wonderful evening's dining. The second set menu for Dhs250 adds a little more variety, so we went for that.
Specialties include spicy minced chicken salad, hot and sour bass fillet, spicy pomelo salad, fish cakes and shrimp toast to start. Being a sucker for anything deep fried the fish cakes and toast won out for me, although we appreciated the minced chicken salad's delicate textures and seasoning.
Next up came braised duck noodles, pad Thai, a green chicken curry, grilled chicken, steamed yellow wonton and grilled shrimp. Although these dishes may have the air of 'international Thai' rather than the real thing, the preparation is perfectly authentic. Most of the staff hail from Thailand including the chefs and, after a few words, it was clear to see the reason they appreciate plying their trade at the Thai Kitchen is a result of the freedom given to go all out with the ingredients and create the recipes with as much attention to detail as possible.
Although it may sound like the table was creaking under the sheer weight of the food delivered, actually the portion sizes are just right. You get a decent test of each dish without a particular one filling you up.
The best dessert was without doubt the sticky mango rice, although the seasonal fruit on ice was also welcome.
Call: 04 317 2223

Thai Kitchen’s outdoor dining is a big draw