Checking out Sornthong Restaurant in Bangkok
A worthy wait for a surprising dinner in Bangkok.
When our friend Amy dela Cruz, who has been a long time resident of Bangkok, took Gino and me to this place, we were astounded by the groups of people waiting on the sidewalk for a table. Amy told us this was happening until 11pm because the restaurant seems to close over midnight. So we braved the queue and finally were led to our table where a regular menu was presented and a separate menu of recommended specials was listed.
Dinner started with a salad of Deep Fried fish maw (which was fluffed and very chicharon looking) in a dressing of chili, lime, fish sauce mix with slivered onions, lemon grass, mango, and Chinese parsley.
The texture was further highlighted by crispy squid flakes and flavors were softened by the sweetness of tomatoes that were ripened through to the inside.
Next came duck tongues that were stewed in a pot bursting aromatically with thick slices of ginger and mushrooms and highlighted with salt pork for a creamier and tastier richness.
We were given grilled cockles or bloodstone clams which are awfully difficult to prepare and cook since they excrete a bloody mucous type of fluid. These ones came out well cooked and perfect and were just at their peak of goodness in a dip of Nam prik chiew with a base of fish sauce, lemon grass, chili, cilantro, and sliced garlic.
The dish of the day was butter fish (pomfret) which turned out whole and steamed. The creamy flesh of this fish was further intensified by a topping of pork fat and belly mushrooms, ginger, leeks, lime juice, and dried plums to give it that fifth flavor dimsum.
For enders, a luxurious serving of crab rice looked simple enough as a filler but one could not call it that since it is a luxurious course in itself having huge white chunks of pristine mud crab (alimango) meat on the rice.
Overall, the long wait had been worth it and I wouldn’t mind coming back to this place to try what other surprises the menu has to offer. – Article courtesy of Manila Bulletin
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