Chef Chalong creates the ‘perfect’ lunch
By
Brian Baxter
Let’s
get one thing straight: the words directly above are my own,
they are not those of Khun Chalong who is undoubtedly far
too modest to use them. They are simply a perception or
opinion, not written in stone, but I would hope no less
valid for all that. Perfection – like beauty - has to be in
the mind and eye (or palate?) of the recipient. Rather like
Sinatra singing My Funny Valentine, if you get what I mean.
Of course, if your idea of a ‘good lunch’
is mulligatawny soup, followed by roast beef and all the
trimmings and rounded off by spotted dick and custard then
it might be better if you toddle off to the nearest version
of an English ‘pub’ where Max Bygraves discs provide the
background.
If on the other hand you fancy leaving
the most pleasant eating place in Chiang Mai, with your
appetite satisfied, your waist line unexpanded and your
wallet intact then I suggest you head on down to Moxie’s any
weekday lunchtime between noon and 2.30p.m. for their newly
created ‘innovative business lunch’. It’s a real treat,
offering top quality food, elegant but unfussy presentation,
excellent cooking and immaculate service – all at a fair
price.
It’s a relaxed event, so you can stay as
long as you like and eat as much as you wish. The ‘starters’,
soup and puddings are buffet- style with only the main
course cooked to order, with ad lib water, Ronnefeldt tea or
organic coffee served by the charming staff. Starters are
chosen from two areas, a generous salad bar offering produce
from the King’s Project, with selected dressings and a much
larger area with a moreish choice of ‘prepared’ salad and
other dishes, including bruschettas, salmon carpaccio, ripe
tomatoes with feta cheese and at least a dozen other dishes.
Plus a range of D2’s excellent breads. The temptation will
be to over indulge, but be warned there is also a soup of
the day if you wish and a choice of main course to follow.
There are four selections on the menu,
offered in sensibly modest portions. My companion,
photographer (and Editor!) went for the grilled chicken
breast, served with a creamy sauce and parley mashed
potatoes. There was also that excellent fish John Dory on
offer, pan fried with a sweet pea puree and a Pernod cream
sauce and for the more adventurous grilled marinated pork
accompanied by a spicy sauce and sticky rice. I opted for
the pasta dish but asked for it without the Chiang Mai
sausages and pork rind. It came steaming hot, with a
sensible portion of al dente spaghetti, lightly pan fried
with shitake mushrooms and tossed with hot basil leaves and
a shred or two of chili. Did I use the word perfect before?
There’s a selection of D2’s mini desserts
on offer, of which the very light chocolate mousse must be
the star, although there’s ample choice with little fruit
tarts, chocolate cake and fresh fruit among them. Shana
followed with a refreshing tea and I with a jolt of
espresso. A snip at 399 baht net.
For those who know Moxie’s, the above
will not be very surprising, Ditto for the readers of this
column who may have read my enthusiastic reviews of their
monthly International Buffets (with cooking stations) before
or of their normal menu, served in what must be among the
most stylish ‘spaces’ in the city, spacious but not
cavernous, colourful and bright but never gaudy.
By the way the next International event
is on Friday and Saturday 24 and 25 September. For the
second time the menu will be devoted to Peru and I can only
say that if it repeats the success of last year’s event it
will be both a sell out and an eye opening success. You will
find Moxie’s on the first floor of D2 at 100 Chang Klan Road,
very near the night bazaar. There is ample parking and the
telephone number is 053 999 999.
