Page 80 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 2 | December 2023 - January 2024
P. 80
EKKA Grill & Bar is a hidden gem in the ne of the many beautiful things about Bangkok is the
Indian cuisine scene of Bangkok. pleasant surprises in culinary corners. EKKA Grill & Bar,
located at 56 Surawong Road in Bang Rak, is as an ideal
B Y MAHMOOD HO S S AIN example. The challenge for restaurants that specialise in Indian cuisine
is that there is often very little wiggle room that sets them apart from
the multiple Indian restaurants around town. Within various price
ranges, these establishments must excel in particular aspects of the
culinary and service fields. Some focus more on the quality of their
menus, while others highly emphasise their ambience or exceptional
service. But once a restaurant strikes a fine balance between all the
essential ingredients (pun intended), without sacrificing quality and
comfort, or becoming too focused on a single component, the overall
experience is worth the wait.
EKKA Grill & Bar provides the staples of Indian cuisine in its most
authentic form, comparable to what Indians would taste and feel coming
out of their own kitchens. But just as South Asians would appreciate
such fine dining, this should also appeal to the expat community. EKKA
Grill & Bar seems to effortlessly cater to both crowds, of which I was
part of the former. Although it becomes increasingly difficult to impress
customers who frequently indulge in Indian cuisine, sometimes, all it
takes are the basics, combined with wonderful service, that makes the
biggest difference. It’ll fulfil your appetite and deliver the right amount
of joy, and EKKA Grill & Bar does this gracefully.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Unassuming from the outside, this Indian restaurant has a splash of
interesting design choices, split between its traditional dining section
to the left and its bar area situated to the right. There is also outdoor
seating for those who want to stay closer to the city’s action. Inside is
a collection of provoking wall art amidst comfy and casual seating,
accompanied by a playlist of global chart poppers and Bollywood hits.
My colleague and I were, what the kids say nowadays, ‘vibing’.
The restaurant’s dining area, filled with burnt-orange booths and
mid-century-inspired netted-wicker chairs with olive-green cushions,
surrounds a see-through kitchen, giving patrons a peek into the cooking
brilliance behind the veil. Suspended above are multiple caged bottles
of liquor, tempting guests to indulge in the establishment’s cocktails
only a few feet away. There is something strangely familiar and homely
about Ekka Grill & Bar’s interior. To me, it was the blend of traditional
furnishing complementing the theme of gold on earthy tones throughout
the restaurant.
