Dubai Restaurant Week: what you’ll get at Pai Thai

With its finely balanced selection, Pai Thai is a fine option to conclude the final weekend of Dubai Restaurant Week.

Pai Thai Terrace, Al Qasr

When was the last time you took a boat to dinner?

The magic of Pai Thai begins way before the plates arrive. Once you are at the Dar Al Masyaf Hotel in Madinat Jumeirah, you need to descend one level below and walk outside to the dock.

In a few minutes a dhow will arrive to take you to the restaurant.

The venue is warm and welcoming. The wooden furniture and dim lighting conjures an intimate vibe - it’s a place to dine with your loved ones or a group of mates.

The Dubai Restaurant Week Menu comprises of Pai Thai’s signature dishes.

When it comes to the starters, it is the Som Tam Ye that wins. It is a green papaya salad with tomato, rose apple, cashew nuts and tamarind dressing. It is the latter you need to watch out for, it has a kick that warrants the spicy warning on the menu.

A bigger impression was made with Goong Gratiem Prik Thai. The main dish shook me up – in the best possible way.

There is nothing subtle here – just big, strong, flavours. The garlic and pepper prawn dish comes with a pungent sauce, courtesy of a liberal dose of coriander and green pepper. What saves it from being overwhelming is the size of the prawns. They perfectly absorb the spices and leave you wanting more. After those full bodied dishes, I cooled off with the dessert offering, the Sa Khy Ma Muang Suk.

It is a light and sweet pudding filled with tapioca pears, sweet mango, hone melon and, off course, coconut milk.

Pai Thai at Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf Hotel is one of 15 restaurants serving special menus for just Dh199 per person during Dubai Restaurant Week. There are two seatings nightly — 7.30pm and 9.30pm — through March 4. To book, visit www.roundmenu.com/dubai/restaurant-week