Page 81 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 2 | December 2023 - January 2024

FOOD & DRINKS

I’ve had several visits to eateries around town that offered
their version of pani puri shots. At Ekka Grill & Bar,
they were plated in the form of Dahi puri & pani puri
shooters (THB 200), providing a stinging tangy jab to
every morsel. If you’re having a meal there, this dish
could serve as a solid kickstarter. In the same vein, the
Avocado papdi chaat (THB 280) is a crispy and delightful
alternative. Additionally, in the list of appetisers, the
Aloo moti tikki (THB 200) offers spiced potatoes and
sago pearl patties that pack the right amount of spice,
paired with tamarind chutney.

It’s not too common for Indian restaurants to highlight
an item like EKKA’s Seafood kebab set (THB 1,000).
Served on a shovel’s rounded blade (the head of a shovel;
yes, you read that correctly), the
tandoori tiger prawns, salmon
tikka, gunpowder calamari, and
Amritsari fish fingers, provide a
combination of seafood in tandoor
you never knew you needed. Yet another dish
freshly flamed out of the tandoor oven is the
Paneer Peshawari tikka (THB 360), cottage
cheese marinated with ajwain (carom) seeds,
yoghurt and yellow chilli, which was soft
to the touch and elevated by the various
available chutneys to dip it in.

Heading toward the heftier options, we were
spoiled with the Mutton beli ram (THB
480) – Punjabi style mutton curry, Paneer
ki khurchan (THB 380) – a North Indian
specialty made with paneer in an onion-tomato-capsicum sauce,
and Daal ekka (THB 300) – black lentils simmered overnight with
tomatoes and garlic, finished with churned butter. We dove into
these with both the paratha and garlic naan for that finger-licking
good experience. To top it off, and trying our best not to burst at
the seams, was the Chettinad prawn biryani (THB 700). Cooked
to absolute perfection.

My colleague and I realised that ‘surprise’ was undoubtedly the
theme of our visit to EKKA Grill & Bar. Across the dining space and MASALA RECOMMENDS
into the bar, their signature cocktails (all for THB 300), brilliantly
prepared by the bartender, were yet another ace in the restaurant’s As time progresses, I feel all-
proverbial sleeves. Whether it was the Reposado fashion, Negro veg dishes have started to steal
mojito, Bitchy berry, or the other tempting drinks on the menu, the show, regardless of the type
we were delighted to have beverages that had the right amount of cuisine or restaurant. The
of alcohol mixed with delicious ingredients to create balanced Paneer makhanwala (THB
cocktails. It’s comforting to know that EKKA Grill & Bar not only 380), cottage cheese curry in
provides a proper dining experience, but also an appropriate setting a fenugreek-flavoured tomato curry, is no exception to our
for drinks and a conversation in the evening. recent culinary excursions. It’s the simplicity and balance of
flavours that provide the taste of home and fulfilment. We’d
give this dish a standing ovation if our bellies hadn’t induced
our bodies into a food coma.

EKKA GRILL & BAR
VIEW VIDEO:
56 Thanon Surawong, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok
Open on Mondays to Sundays
from 11.30am to 11.30pm
Tel: 090 927 9494
Facebook & Instagram : @ekkabkk
www.ekkabkk.com

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