Grand Thai (Grand Hotel, NE).

Grand Thai is a new Thai restaurant in the basement of The Grand Hotel (Nuwara Eliya). Taking the experience as a whole, we were very impressed. Good food, beautiful interior and some impeccable service.

Ambience & Service

As far as restaurants go, Nuwara Eliya doesn’t change much. Oldies like the Grand Indian and King Prawn still holding strong. We actually came just walked by Grand Thai and were struck by how it looked. This is probably one of the best looking restaurants in N’Eliya, which is ironic since it used to be the just basement of The Grand Hotel not so long ago. All of it was very well thought through with soft lighting, blue-white ceramic vases, purple orchids and some tasteful art complemented by acoustic Thai music.

The service we experienced was also nothing short of outstanding. All the waiters were well trained and coordinated, with a good knowledge of the different dishes. The entire staff was relatively young, talkative and seemed genuinely enthusiastic, so you really don’t have any second thoughts when giving them a sizeable tip.

The Food

When it comes to food, Grand Thai offers mostly classic Thai dishes and preparations, some with a bit of a modern touch. One thing we very much appreciated was the fact that all the prices on the menu were inclusive of taxes and service charge, so you know exactly how much you’re paying. As if we didn’t have enough reasons to love them already, the prices are very reasonable with the total damage for five coming to just Rs. 4800. The portions are tentatively meant for two but we found it was easily enough for three.

For starters we had the green papaya salad (Rs. 350) which was quite different from the salads we’ve tried elsewhere. As expected with Thai cuisine, the flavour of peanuts and peanut oil is abundantly apparent. The papaya itself was shaved into thin strips, served with a tangy sauce which had hints of soy sauce and fish sauce, topped off with a large pan fried prawn. The flavours here well balanced and with fresh papaya and peanuts adding texture.

The pad thai koong (Rs. 700) is one of the most popular Thai dishes, but Grand Thai does a bit differently, opting for a thick flat noodle. While that does change the texture, the flavours were more in line with the classic preparation. It’s served with an omelette in the form of an egg net, prawns, peanuts and bean sprouts. While it lacks a bit of spice, the seasoning was on point so you won’t be disappointed.

The stir fried pork belly in garlic sauce (Rs. 600) was also quite nice overall and will probably make pork lovers happy. The pork belly itself was cut into small cubes and cooked slightly crispy with the fat rendered well. Most of the flavour comes from the garlic sauce here, which had a good balance of sweetness and spice with flavour of the garlic enhancng it further.

The kai takrai (Rs. 600) is another well known Thai dish which is a lemon grass grilled chicken. The preparation itself is quite similar to the Sri Lankanized Chinese dishes, so this is something that’ll appeal to most locals. The lemon grass flavour and aroma is also very prominent and complements chicken and the gravy quite nicely.

The best of dishes though was the beef massaman curry (Rs. 800) which was creamy and flavourful with plenty of added herbs and spices. In terms of heat, this was very mild with an emphasis on the coconut milk. The beef was also very tender, binding beautifully to the curry to really complete a great dish.

To wrap up, we tried the banana and pineapple fritters (Rs. 400) for dessert. Banana fritters are nothing new but the pineapple fritters were the real winner here. The batter is literally golden and glazed in syrup, we dove right in. The best part is that it isn’t overly sweet, so the taste of the fruits still come through well.

Conclusion

Grand Thai is easily one of the best restaurants in Nuwara Eliya. They give you everything you look for in a great restaurant- good food at affordable prices, excellent service and a setting to match.

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Iftar delights at The Banyan, Heritance Negombo

Iftar delights at The Banyan, Heritance Negombo Written by Fathima Rukaiya, Mad Dogs Bodega, Banyan

Highlights Kamu

Budget-friendly Iftar spots 2024

Written by Fathima Rukaiya, In our previous article, we highlighted some exquisite and upscale Iftar

Highlights Kamu

Iftar Buffet Round Up 2024

Written by Fathima Rukaiya As Ramadan arrives, a warm feeling of reflection and community fills

Highlights Kamu

Discovering Pasta Paradise: The Pasta Factory, Galle Fort

In the historic Galle Fort, The Pasta Factory brings a taste of Italy to Sri

Highlights Kamu

A Home for Desi Dreams – Bombay Nights by Radisson Colombo

As we stepped into the ‘Dine’ in Radisson Colombo, our senses were immediately tantalized by

Highlights Kamu

Steak Bar: A Grand Sunday Brunch at Kingsbury, Colombo

Written by Shamrina C Welcome to the ultimate brunch experience! Nestled in the heart of

Highlights Kamu Yamu Guide

Trending.

Experience the Elegance and Excitement of RTC Tourism Race Day in Nuwara Eliya

RTC Nuwara Eliya will hold its RTC Tourism Race Day on 30th March 2024 at

Trending

“85th Annual Mount Lavinia 2-Mile Sea Swim” by SLASU held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel Beach

The "85th Annual Mount Lavinia 2-Mile Sea Swim" organized by Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union

Trending

Sheraton Colombo Hotel celebrates International Women’s Day with empowering insights

Sheraton Colombo Hotel, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary brands, marked International

Trending

Anantara Kalutara Presents an Elevated Gastronomic Journey to Italy

Kalutara, Sri Lanka - March 14, 2024 - Anantara Kalutara Resort is delighted to announce

Trending

List of Party Venues 2024

By Fathima Rukaiya Finding the perfect place to host a party can be a hassle.

Highlights Trending

LCY Unveils Debut ‘LCY for Her’ Collection, Redefining Women’s Polo Wear with Strength, and Sophistication

Thursday, 14, March, 2024, Colombo: LCY, a brand synonymous with manufacturing high-quality men’s polos of

Trending

Yamu Guide.

Steak Bar: A Grand Sunday Brunch at Kingsbury, Colombo

Written by Shamrina C Welcome to the ultimate brunch experience! Nestled in the heart of

Highlights Kamu Yamu Guide

9 Special Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Him

By Fathima Rukaiya Are you trying to find the perfect way to show your special

Highlights Yamu Guide

9 Special Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Her

Written by Fathima Rukaiya The season of love is upon us once more, and opinions

Highlights Yamu Guide

Romantic Dinner and High Tea date spots for Valentine’s Day  2024

Written by Shamrina C 1. Via Torino Indulge in a fine dining exclusive 3-Course meal

Highlights Yamu Guide

BYOB Bliss: 16 Places to you can Bring Your Own Bottle!

Written by Shamrina C 1. Giovannis Indulge in Italian flavors, grooving music, pet friendly, and

Highlights Yamu Guide

Unveiling Ramada’s Festive Christmas High Tea Extravaganza!

Written by Shamrina C Mark your calendars for the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of December,

Highlights Yamu Guide