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On an exclusive wine dinner, Dusit Thani Manila gives a glimpse of Benjarong Royal Thai’s revamped menu.
In its continued pursuit to bring the authentic flavours of Thailand to the Philippines, Dusit Thani Manila’s signature restaurant, Benjarong Royal Thai recently announces some changes that will transpire in the next couple of months—a new location at the charming ground floor of the hotel and a fabulous menu that will include old-time favourites as well as new, innovative dishes. To give a sneak preview, Dusit Thani Manila hosted an exclusive event entitled, One Thai Evening.
Esteemed guests were welcomed with overflowing rosé and wine by AWC Fine Wine, local distributor of Codorníu—a chateau in Spain that has been producing prestige wines for over 450 years. Then, everyone were led to the stunning dining room while soothing Thai music was played on background.
Moo Yang Bai Tong and Pla Yang Sa Mun Prai
The nine-course dinner featured a mélange of flavours from start to finish. The classic yum som o (pomelo salad), served in individual portions, and the tangy skewers: sai aua (northern Thai spicy sausage), gai yang (Thai grilled chicken), and moo yang (grilled pork belly), all gave a noteworthy start. Paired with Anna de Codorníu Blanc de Blancs NV and Anna de Codorníu Rosé NV, respectively, the starters alone brought an interesting prelude to a feast yet to unfold.
Por Pia Kraprao and Pla Duk Fu
Following shortly were two kinds of spring roll including pla duk fu (green mango and crispy catfish), por pia krapao (spicy chicken with basil), and crispy delights such as the som tam tord (crispy papaya salad) and yum gung krob (crispy shrimp salad), complemented by Viñas de Anna Blanc de Blancs 2014, an intense, fruity Chardonnay with notes of ripe tropical fruits.
A staple on the menu, Benjarong Royal Thai’s tom kha gai (spicy coconut chicken basil soup) never failed to tease the taste buds, without overpowering the rest of the savouries on the table, of course.
Codorníu wine selections, distributed by AWC Fine Wine
Taking centrestage were the main course. Hot off the grill were pla yang sa mun prai (fish wrapped in banana leaves) and moo yang bai tong (grilled pork) paired with smooth, full-bodied Scala Dei Garnatxa (Old Negre) 2013.
A Thai dinner is not complete without the traditional curries. On offer were panaeng nuea yang (red curry beef wrapped in banana leaf), massaman kae (massaman lamb curry), gaeng khiao wan gai (green curry chicken wing). Each forkful deserves a pour or two of Scala Dei Prior 2013.
Massaman Kae
Concluding the scrumptious dinner was the classic khao niew mamuang (mango sticky rice with coconut ice cream), a sweet treat from the original menu. And yes, it’s staying for good!
Khao Niew Mamuang
If these dishes somehow tickled your cravings for all things Thai, then watch out for the opening of the rehashed Benjaroing Royal Thai at Dusit Thani Manila. It’s worth the wait!
Benjarong Royal Thai, 1223 Epifanio de los Santos Ave, Makati City, +632.238.8888
Whether on assignment or not, Maritess is always on the lookout for off-the-beaten-path destinations as well as the yummiest finds in the Philippines and abroad. In 2020, she plunged into the black hole of Korean la la land. Follow her escapades at @matetreyes.
