Thai Corner, Manuka Wednesday 17 January 2013

Wine:

• A New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, of which the name escapes me but we have had it before.

• Jelka of Blewett Springs: Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Entrée

• Chicken satay
• Thai corner Almond prawns

Mains

• Stir fried deep fried duck with fresh ginger, shallots and mushrooms
• Crispy fish with green apple salad
• Green curry chicken
• Grilled marinated squid with salad and sweet chilli
• Spicy sour paw pay salad with green beans, tomato and cruched peanuts.
• Beef with oyster sauce and vegetables
• Stir fried eggplant fresh mushrooms  chilli and basil.

We were eight this time, even without Kim who is in New York, as Daniel and Lara joined us.  We chose the Thai Corner because we hadn’t been there for some time; it was a change from Kopi Tiam and just because Ron wanted to go there.

The prawns were fantasic, delicious, lightly fried with almonds.  We were not as impressed with the chicken satay.  The marinade had not penetrated or been absorbed, there was too much tumeric, “more flavour than colour” which gave the chicken a “more feeble flavour”.

Mains: 

• The fish was perfectly fried and the salad made a crispy contrast
• The chicken was normal, mild, plain and the coconut milk had curdled.
• The eggplant was delicious, robust.
• Beef: flavour lovely, they had got it just right
• The duck was smokey, with a rich sauce.  It was not overly fried (Karen had balked at the “stir fried deep fried description but we overcame her objections thank goodness).  It was voted our favourite for the night
• The squid had a very fishy flavour, and was a bit chewy.  It needed something else to contrast the squid flavour

The desserts were very Asian, I’ve forgotten exactly what they were, black sticky rice, something custard, coconut cream, palm sugar.  Delicious.

Overall, good meal.  Service quick, noise level not too great.  A perfect place for a casual meal, not really a place to settle in for a long evening's degustation, but what the heck.

Next fortnight we are going to try Burmese, the latest fad, at the Red Hill Tea House