LOCATIONTen minutes’ drive from the city, five minutes’ drive from UNSW.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIASet in a courtyard located directly opposite the Coogee Bay Hotel, Maejo Thai Cuisine is a darling little restaurant serving up tasty Thai to locals and tourists – many who’ve yet to fall in love with the tantalising taste sensations of Asia. With fairy lights adorning the trees and green shrubbery bordering the outdoor dining area, the overall effect is really quite endearing. The lights of the neighbouring internet cafe beam fondly over diners while inside is brightened up with a shock of colour ranging from fluoro yellow to deep purple. And why not when the flavours that come out of the kitchen could paint a rainbow on your tongue?
The menu scales a list of Western favourites through to more traditional dishes; however, each dish is lovingly presented and served. King prawn fritters tossed in coconut, and pork mince and chestnut dim sums are delicious morsels to warm up the tastebuds. For some interestingly fresh flavours try the banana flower salad with kaffir lime, mint, chilli, lemongrass and coconut chicken, or the young mango and crabmeat salad with chilli, garlic, mint, kaffir lime and lime juice. Plump up the table with some familiar dishes of pad Thai noodles and a rich panang curry, or perhaps share some barbecued octopus marinated in coriander and sesame. These lip-smacking dishes plus plenty more ensure that Maejo Thai satisfies any Thai craving while also providing a terrific introduction to those not so familiar to zesty South East Asian flavours.
Annabel Wise, February 2009