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Guests were welcomed by
Karl Steppe
and his team drawn in from Blue Elephant restaurant all over
the world. The group
started its first restaurant in Brussels in 1981
and there are now fifteen
spread around the world plus one for Moscow on the cards.
The group has become known
not only for hospitality and the enthusiasm of the staff
but
also attention to detail such that it has
its own Sommelier
and resident expert to ensure
the very best.
The wines chosen for this occasion started
with a Chateau de Roques 2003 Bordeaux
and
a slightly sharper 2002 Rovereto Gavi,
Michele
Chiarlo, from Piemonte.
The starters led off with
a Guava Salad with
smoked Duck with red curry dressing that was
full of subtle summer taste; Poo Jaa steamed
crab meat in a soft shell that needed to
accompanying chilli sauce; Salmon Yaang
Takri with a spicy mint sauce that were very
acceptable; Bag of Gold Foie Gras ‘Des
Landes’ and our first taste of Emerald Crocodile
marinated in Thai whisky which was very
enjoyable and tastes like – you guessed it
chicken.
The wines for the main
course switched to
a lovely 2000 Pinot Noir, E&J Gallo, Sonoma
County California, full bodied and perfect for
the food and a 1999/2542 Chatemp Rouge from
Siam Winery, the only floating vineyard that we
know of. The dishes were a wonderful mix of
Scallop with Mangoteen Salad; Samui Rock
Lobster with crushed chilles and garlic in
a lime dressing; very lightly cooked Lamb
Chop Kapraow; Phad Pak Waan and Black
Leg Chicken Green Curry. The dessert was
masterpiece – Mango Tatin and upside down Thai baked mango
tart served with ice cream
in a basket and washed down with glass of Grand Marnier.
This was cutting edge
Thai food and certain to draw diners in their
droves to Blue Elephant in August. |
