It has been said many times we’re sure, but if you’ve been to Thailand and eaten at any of the roadside joints or casual places that you can find all over the country, Thai food anywhere else just doesn’t seem right.
One of the main criticisms of Thai food here, or anywhere else in the Western world for that matter, is it’s just so expensive by comparison. Of course rents, ingredients, salaries and loads more factors have to be taken into consideration before the food hits the table, so we try to keep an open mind.
We say this because Pachaylen is one of the more expensive Thai places in town, but it’s also probably the best. The dining room, service and food are excellent, and the little touches you find in Thailand are also present.
Take the betel leaves you’re presented with before you meal starts, for example. Load them up with lime, onion, chilli and more until you have the perfect mouthful. All the flavour profiles are there – spicy, salty, sour and sweet. It’s a brilliant introduction to the venue.
We move on to the chicken satay and papaya salad, both bursting with flavours and textures. Mains of beef red curry and stir-fried prawns follow, both are flawless. We get three kinds of rice, too – red, brown and white. There’s no danger of going hungry here.
Most dishes come in above the Dhs120 mark, so you’re looking at more than Dhs500 for a couple, all in. It’s probably not a place to come every week, but when you do, know that it’ll be a special occasion.
