Benjarong, the Thai restaurant in South City Mall, brings the ‘A-harn Chao Wang’ or the Royal Thai Food Festival to Calcutta.

Making it special is chef Tharee Charupas, who has come all the way from the Land of Smiles to host the festival in India. After Chennai and Bangalore, it’s now Calcutta’s turn to taste some scrumptious Thai food! “This is a time of celebration in Thailand because it’s the week of our queen’s birthday. I’m glad this festival is being held in Calcutta now,” said Tharee, 69.

On till August 19, the festival will feature about 50 to 60 dishes each day.

Starters include Tung Tong (crispy golden wontons stuffed with vegetables and water chestnuts, served with a sweet chilli sauce), Kai Yad Sai (omelette stuffed with minced chicken and onion) and Goong Sarong (crispy prawn spring rolls served with plum sauce).

For the main course, you can try Mee Kati Phak. It’s rice noodles cooked in a rich coconut milk gravy with choice of vegetables or meat. Or Pla Pahd Prik Khing — fish fillets cooked in red curry paste with long beans and ginger. Vegetarians can go for the Hed Tohu Pahd Baigraprou (bean curd and mushroom cooked in chilli and basil sauce). Wrap up your meal with desserts like the Kluay Churm (stewed bananas in sugar served with coconut cream sauce).

A meal for two would cost around Rs 1,600 (plus taxes).

Aryann Bhandari

Picture by Rashbehari Das

SUGAR RUSH: A pastry kiosk has opened at Fortune Select Loudon, 21B Loudon Street. Choose from cakes, pastries, muffins, banana bread, cookies and chocolates in mint and orange flavours. They also have a selection of breads — ciabatta, whole-wheat bread, cheese-onion and garlic.

You can place orders for customised cakes — pineapple to Black Forest. “We make them according to individual preferences. For instance, you can choose the fruits you want in your Fresh Fruit Cake,” said master chef Ajay Markan. They also custom-bake bread, incorporating any herb you request “as long as it’s available”. “The order should be placed 12 hours before the time of delivery,” said Markan.

Drop in any time between 9.30am and 11pm. Prices start at Rs 25.

Shubhi Tandon