www.womanthismonth.com January 2016 61 LIFESTYLE | food review Whipping Up a Culinary Storm This iconic restaurant has offered islanders fine cuisine of the Orient for the past 14 years. Ankita Mamgain takes you through her experience at the eatery. Born and raised in India, I share a special bond with Monsoon. These winds swell up with moisture while travelling over the Arabian Sea and then hit the parched Asian soil as harbingers of life, respite, joy, enthusiasm and optimism. They have escorted the West into the Orient for centuries, so it’s only fitting that a restaurant that instantly transports you to a tropical pagoda, while still in the middle of the Kingdom, should be called Monsoon. I had a short escape to this exotic haven with a friend during my lunch break, and was left just as satisfied as, perhaps, the rains leave the thirsty soils. Located in the heart of Adliya, you will find yourself walking into a magnificent Balinese palace as you step through the restaurant’s heavily panelled wooden doors. Asian artefacts and Zen-like calmness dominate the ambience. It’s a tough call, deciding where to sit in this stunning restaurant. The dining hall comprises a spacious elevated platform surrounded by water on all sides, forming a narrow moat of sorts. You can also opt for the beautiful patio, which boasts soothing elements such as running water, lush foliage beautifully balanced medley of textures and tastes comprising of stir fried beef tenderloin with vegetables, fresh chilli garlic and spices. It was served with steamed rice. Thoroughly impressed by everything so far, we ordered desserts, which turned out to be the absolute winners of the afternoon. I ordered crème brûlée, a house speciality. Served with raspberry puree and strawberry, it is a unique take on the popular sweet. The other dessert, Pattani, is a new addition on the menu and is delicious as a dream. How does vanilla macaroon topped with hazelnut, caramelised apple served with vanilla ice cream and hot hazelnut and caramel sauce sound to you? Chef Niki, who has recently joined the restaurant, has breathed new life into the menu and is planning to introduce more dishes in January. With its eclectic menu, warm service and an exceptional ambience, Monsoon doesn’t just rain good times; it will brighten your day like a rainbow. and pebbles. We chose to stay indoors. I must also mention that it is one of the few Asian restaurants that plays good contemporary Asian music and even knows the right volume level. Opened in 2000, Monsoon pays tribute to the cultural wealth of the Orient. This respect extends beyond the ambience into the menu and service. Promoted as a destination for authentic cuisine from the Far East, Monsoon serves Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese food. The menu is diverse and eclectic. We ordered the mixed appetiser platter, which consists of shrimp toast, Thai spring roll, Toong Thong, which are minced shrimp and water-chestnut wrapped in Chinese pancake, and Vietnamese rice dumplings called Banh Coun Thit. Each preparation offered a profusion of flavours and was a delicious prelude to our main course. My fried salmon fillet topped with lemon grass and garlic sauce and served with steamed rice vermicelli was exquisite, laden with sharp flavours of garlic and lemon grass complemented beautifully by the perfectly cooked fish. My friend’s Nua Pad Prik Sod was a
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