Review

Ambling along Surawong Road, one cannot miss neon signs announcing Ekka Grill. Diners may choose a comfortable bar area, the adjoining restaurant with an open kitchen, or the sought-after covered outdoor seating, with a view over the bustling Patpong market. Recently arrived restaurant manager Ankit Srivastava brings a wealth of Bangkok restaurant experience, and chef Mohsin Ali helms the kitchen. Begin with complimentary poppadum’s and a trio of standout dips, mulberry, tamarind, and punchy mint. Try salmon tikka with kasundi mustard and tandoori spices and continue with chicken tikka and a tasty hummus dip. Or Amritsari fish fingers served with radish salad, desi tartar sauce and mint chutney. For potato lovers, heeng jeera aloo, new potatoes smoky-grilled, crushed and then tossed with aromatic seeds and green herbs, is stellar. Staples of butter chicken or mutton rogan josh for the main, are both perfectly presented, as is chef recommendation mutton beli ram, a Punjabi-style curry. Side dishes of daal ekka, black lentils simmered overnight with tomatoes and garlic and finished with churned butter and warm garlic naan or a piquant olive version are faultless. A dessert of roti with vanilla ice cream will undoubtedly conjure up memories, or try a daring saffron phirni brûlée. Drinks include a carefully compiled wine list, cocktails, mocktails and beers.