Mexican-Indian Fantasy Cuisine?
Have you ever been to a restaurant that starts your night out by handing you a book?
It was really through my 30s that I really started loving food as much as I do. I mean, I’ve always loved eating, and I’ve always loved cooking. But getting to taste truly high end food made with excellent quality ingredients didn’t really happen until I was in my 30s. Or at the very least end of my 20s. But probably after 30. That’s when I started having enough money to facilitate such a love of food. And it definitely wasn’t until I started dating Justin that I got to do my first tasting menu. Now it’s become a bit of a tradition to do them for birthdays and anniversaries. And let me tell you, moving to Bangkok has not stopped this tradition one bit! (I mean, no big shock there. Bangkok is absolutely filthy with outstanding restaurants.)
Enter Ms. Maria and Mr. Singh. No, I don’t mean two rad expats I met the other day. I mean the incredible restaurant in Bangkok “inspired by a Mexican-Indian love story.” (This is where the book part comes in for those of you who were wondering.) The restaurant combines Mexican food and Indian food together - sometimes a little spicy, sometimes a little surprising, but always a lot good. (Yes, I should have been a marketing writer of some sort. I am absolutely that much of a cheeseball to mean these things I say.) Justin found this restaurant on the Michelin Guide and took me for my birthday. Turns out it’s also rated 33rd on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants last year.
The first time you go, they will start by handing you an adorable book to look through that tells the tale of a Mexican woman (Ms. Maria) and an Indian man (Mr. Singh) who get stuck in an airport one night, completely hit it off, fall in love, and end up married and opening a restaurant in Bangkok. After looking up the chef-owner, Gaggan Anand, I think this story is mostly fictitious and a cute way of demonstrating how two different countries’ foods can “fall in love” and work with one another beautifully. Then again, I also don’t know Nandy - that’s what he’s going to ask me to call him after we become besties; he’ll call me A-Cakes because I like to make cake - so maybe it was a true story.
Anyway, what’s Mexican-Indian fusion food like, you ask? I’m so glad you did. Check out this delectable selection from the tasting menu -
Then at the end of the night, just when I thought things couldn't get better, the entire restaurant started to sing happy birthday to me. They brought an extra dessert (a burnt caramel flan with yuzu sorbet) and a card that was signed by all the staff!! I mean, the singing and dessert was one thing, but to go the extra little bit and have a signed birthday card? Now that is something that really makes you feel special and want to celebrate something there again. It's a little thing, but it really sets them apart from other places.
