Top 5 Reasons You Need To Eat At Nara Thai in Mumbai

As far as trendy restaurant neighbourhoods go, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) is fast emerging as one. Between the tall glass building and corporate offices are a mix of some very interesting restaurants and the latest addition to this is Nara Thai. 

Thai cuisine is an exciting mix of aromatics, flavours, colours and textures and it's a cuisine that Indians have really taken a strong liking to. Thailand's popular restaurant is all set to excite Mumbai with its traditional home style Thai menu and we give you 5 solid reasons why you must visit!

1. Mocktail Cocktail Happiness - If you are more focused on a liquid diet then this restaurant is going to make you very happy! The barkeep has been busy concocting and apart from the usual suspects the restaurant has their own signature drinks which are distinctly Thai. For Vodka lovers, we suggest the Grand Palace, a tall drink with lemon grass and spicy Thai red chillies to give it that extra zing. For a more elegant drink, we like the true blue Thai inspired cocktail the Butterfly Pea Sour. It is a mix of pisco sour and Thailands signature butterfly pea flower. For folks that do not want any liquor there are some funky Thai ice teas and to really give you that Bangkok vibe, some Singha Thai beer too! 

2. Flavourful Thai food - Without a doubt, the main reason to visit this restaurant is for their beautiful Thai food. This is not some Indianised version of what Thai cuisine is but in fact the real deal. Plenty of choice, no fuss simple presentation but sharp flavours that will make you feel like you're in Thailand. Our favourites include the Pomelo Salad (Yum Som O), the Chicken in Pandan Lead (Gai Hor Bai Toel) and the Chicken in Holy Basil Stir Fry (Pad Krapow Gai).

3. Butterfly Pea Flower Bonanza - Butterfly Pea Flower is a purple Thai flower that seems to be a craze in Thailand. You will find it in everything from Ice tea to shampoo and is known for its health benefits. Nara Thai has embraced this flower and does some cool dishes with it like their cocktail the Butterfly Pea Sour or then the floral tasting signature dish Butterfly Pea Rice (Khao Pad Samunprai). The interesting thing about this flower is that it changes colour from a deep purple to a lighter shade, an almost blue like colour, the minute you squeeze in any lime, which makes for a fun trick along with your meal. It's also one of the only restaurants in the city that focuses so much on this ingredient.

4. Cozy Ambience - The decor at Nara Thai has a distinctly feminine touch. It is not surprising as Nara means a Thai woman in Sanskrit and the restaurant is run by a team of women. The elegant purple crockery along with plenty of orchids along with old silken covered fans that are commonly found in restaurants in Thailand are all elements that add to its charm. The space seems ideal for both, an intimate meal or even a family-style affair.

5. Veggie Mania - Due to its coastal nature, Thai cuisine tends to focus more on their seafood and meatier dishes. While we love our meat we certainly enjoy our share of vegetarian dishes as well. Apart from the known Vegetarian based Thai dishes, (sadly there are not many) the restaurant has gone the extra mile and curated a separate vegetarian menu that features nearly 50 different dishes so no one feels left out while dining here. Certainly spoilt for choice but a few of our favourites are the Larb Potatoes, Crispy Morning Glory with its tangy dressing as well as the Som Tam and Vegetable Green Thai Curry. 

Nara Thai launched on Monday 11th September in BKC and a meal for two is Rs. 2500 plus taxes.