LOCATIONOn the corner of Norwood Parade and Queen Street – next to the Odeon Theatre and across from the Hoyts Cinema.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAAnyone familiar with the restaurant Amarin Thai 2 should be likewise with Chabaar’s owner, Suphattra Ibbotson. This is her new venture on the eat-street of Norwood Parade. It is aptly named (Chabaar is Thai for hibiscus) because the lovely lady is as pretty as the bloom herself. Her dining room is coloured with olive green and chilli red walls with gold embellishments. A timber bar, furniture and floorboards allow a casual feel, while windows all around this corner location make for great people-watching. Should you wish to join the buzz outside, a spacious undercover alfresco area gives you the best of both worlds – the bustle of Norwood Parade and a menu packed with energetic flavours.
“Sea stars” make for a delightfully sounding starter. They are in fact dumplings plumped with minced prawn, squid and chicken and sauced with mild spices. “Miang Chabaar” commands attention in the entree section also. Betel leaves serve as a vehicle for crispy snapper pieces in a mix of coriander, mint, lemongrass and cashews dressed with lime. A fillet of this fish can alternately be enjoyed as a main, cooked with house-made curry paste and even more flavoursome with the addition of crispy basil. “Herb garden barramundi” is grilled then served with ground rice and green mango sauce. Duck lovers must decide between the bird’s popular red curry preparation with lychees and pineapple or a salad of deboned duck mixed with chilli, shallots and assorted palate-zapping aromatics. A serve of pepper and garlic pork, squid, prawns or crab will soon have anyone with a savoury tooth in lip-smacking heaven. (Heck, go the salt and pepper bean curd too). Desserts finish up with sticky rice, coconut custard and coffee.
Roz Taylor