The buzz: After more than 10 years in the game, the stunningly beautiful Thai restaurant Mahanaga just revamped itself and changed its name to The Myth of Mahanaga. Boasting a new bar and a relaxing al fresco area, the menu sees Chef Christopher Pier integrating some Western ingredients and modern techniques, with a new Thai chef now taking over.
The décor: It’s still all about mixing Moroccan and Thai styles—and, yes, the place is still gorgeous. The main old house is for private functions only, while the biggest changes are the outdoor seating and the dark and handsome bar—think the elegant but understated decor of Parata Diamond or Little Beast. Lush and charming, the place has all the feel of one of Sukhumvit’s best-kept secrets and would work well for a drink and a date.
The food: The whole menu is new and promises authentic Thai flavors with a modern presentation. A common lunch dish like khana moo krob (B320) is elevated by 15-hour slow cooked pork belly and Hong Kong kale, brown bean sauce and chili. The pla grapong dang tomyam (pan-fried red snapper with tomyam spices, B360) is also transformed; with the tomyam soup coming in the form of a jelly (sound familiar?). Another recommendation is the masaman gai (seared chicken breast with curry, lotus root and onion, B300), which has been prepared sous-vide. End your meal with an unusual dessert, kalamare tart (B150), which uses brown sticky rice sourced from Surat Thani.
The drinks: Fittingly, the new bar presents new cocktails, with recommendations being Passion in Love (rum, passion fruit juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice and peach liquor, B270). Wine by the glass starts from B240 and beers are Singha (B150) and Asahi (B170).
The crowds: Tour groups dropping by for dinner before being carted off elsewhere, and some couples in the know. Pieng-or Mongkolkumnuankhet
