Chef Ian Kittichai opens an elegant but homely Thai restaurant.
Koh at the InterContinental Marine Drive in Mumbai, started recently by Chef Pongtawat Chalermkittichai — or just Ian Kittichai — has a homely feel, and simple, elegant décor, which uses nothing overtly Thai like orchids.
He also runs the Restaurant Del Murmuri in Barcelona and the Hide & Seek Gastro bar in Bangkok. He will soon open an Asian American barbeque place in New York with Chef Todd English. Kittichai also consults and has hosted a cookery show on Thai Channel 5 for 10 years.
As a young man, he would accompany his mother to the wet market to select the meat, seafood and vegetables with which she would cook a dozen different curries. After school he would push a cart with these curry pots through the neighbourhood, shouting, “Khao geang ron ron ma leaw jaar!” (“Hot curry coming!”) “I still love those curries and serve them at all my outlets,” he says.
Kittichai worked his way to London and Sydney, and then spent some years in Paris.
He apprenticed at highly regarded hotels and restaurants in Bangkok, France, Spain and Japan.
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Indian food and culture is similar to Thai, he says, which is why he chose Mumbai. “Indians are so friendly, including my staff in the kitchen. Besides, Mumbai is closer to Bangkok and I plan to make it my second home.”
All Kittichai’s signature food items are served at Koh, such as lemon grass-speared chicken, hot stone garlic rice and the desserts jasmine pannacotta and guava crumble. Prices are reasonable at Rs 300-800 per dish, which is enough for two hungry people.