Cool food for hot weather
Summer has arrived and with it the annual profusion of mangoes.
Sweet yellow mango and tart green mango find their way into many Thai dishes, both sweet and savoury, and yellow mango served with sweet sticky rice soaked in coconut milk is a favourite dessert with both locals and visitors. Another hot season special in Khao Chae, rice in iced water served with condiments.
Below are some of the places to sample one or both of these seasonal delights.
Simply V Dine & Wine Restaurant in Bangkok’s Suan Luang district is making the most of the fruit with a “Mango Delight Festival” offering classic Thai cuisine and American BBQ from now until April 16. Dishes include are chicken wings with mango sauce, smoked pork spicy salad, spicy shrimp salad with green mango, hot and spicy grilled pork salad, fried seabass with mango salad, seabass soup with ginger and mango, mango chilli paste, mango creamy sorbet ice cream and, of course, mango with sticky rice. Book a table at (02) 041 2016. 
Zest Bar & Terrace is another eatery that’s creating a magnificent medley of mango-fortified sweet and savoury morsels arranged into juicy “Afternoon High Tea” sets for two, which are available until the end of April daily from noon to 6pm. The delectable indulgence is priced at only Bt813 net per set and includes Tandoori Chicken Tikka Wrap with Mango Chutney, Avocado and Mango Sandwiches, Fresh Ripe Mango, Mango Coconut Macadamia Scones, and Mango White Chocolate Ganache Macarons. Call (02) 207 8000.
Energy Kitchen, a brand new nutritious lunch delivery service, introduces new concept of healthy meals with Thai and international gourmet lunch options that include such seasonal favourites as Grilled Cajun Chicken with Mango Salsa & Quinoa Salad. What’s more, to celebrate its launch, Energy Kitchen is offering a 10-per-cent discount to all first-time customers using discount code “promo10”, The promotion is valid from now until March 31 at www.energykitchenbkk.com.
Greenhouse Restaurant at The Landmark Bangkok, is offering Khao Chae accompanied by shrimp balls, stuffed shallots and shredded sweetened pork or beef for only Bt280 and sweet mango with sticky rice and coconut milk for only Bt180 ++. It is available until April 30. Call (02) 254 0404 extension 7777.
Miss Siam restaurant at the Hua Chang Heritage Hotel also serves Khao Chae with deep-fried shrimp paste balls, fried salted egg yolk, stir-fried dry turnip, stuffed sweet peppers, stuffed shallots, shredded sweet pork and fried pork with salted Spanish mackerel. To end the feast there’s freshly made pastry with a variety of home-made Thai desserts. It’s priced at Bt450 net and on offer until April 30. Call (02) 217 0777.
