When it comes to Asian restaurants in the city, Oko at the Lalit Ashok has been a tried and tested choice. Now, Chef Tenzin Dolma has a new menu to change things. We visited the place to give it a try. The rooftop ambiance, along with Bengaluru’s sudden spell of rain, made for a delightful setting. It being a weeknight meant we had much of the place to ourselves. We were welcomed with a glass of crisp white wine and a sweet shiitake amuse bouche.
From the long appetisers section, we started with the Koong Nam Phrik Pao, or spicy basil prawns. The herb elevated the dish to another level. The Crispy fried vegetables were batter-fried to perfection. The Japanese section caught our eye next so we opted for the Canadian salmon rolls, Crunchy mixed veg maki and Mushroom inari roll. While not completely authentic, the rolls perfectly suited our palate.
After a quick stop with a comforting clear soup, we moved on to the mains. We tried the Nua Phad Phrik Thai Dam — beef with black pepper sauce. The succulent meat had just the right amount of spice to balance the glasses of wine we had finished by now. We also tried the Bocai Chao Yumi, a corn and spinach dish, which was crispy and tangy. But it was the Tub Tim Grob, a traditional Thai dessert, that sealed the deal for us. Made with freshly squeezed coconut milk with water chestnuts and crushed ice, it was delicate and refreshing. Visit Oko for a familiar and consistent experience.
Rs. 2,200 for two. At Kumara Krupa Road. Details: 30527777