I ate for the first time at what seems to be a Dubai institution last week ! A bizarre Bangkok themed Thai restaurant off a road, off another road, down an alley near the big post office in Al Wasl road. Welcome to Smiling BKK a Thai restaurant near Satwa.
Smile You’re at BKK
Smiling BKK is billed as a Thai Seafood restaurant but it’s chosen a French icon, Mona Lisa as it’s pin up girl! She comes complete with graffitied moustache , beard and a felt tip scar ! The place is dark, really dark despite the number of coloured lanterns hanging from the ceiling. There is nothing dark about the food here though, thankfully it’s fresh, authentic and tasty. I loved my Thai Prawn Curry (floating pea aubergines in abundance and not too creamy) and appreciated the sensibly sized portion of real Morning Glory. Rice arriving in a heart shape perhaps reflects another reference to Paris, a bowl would have been fine, but then the place is bizarre! Call for service by banging on a long yellow tambourine (please leave me a comment if you know the proper name of this instrument) and contemplate buying Thai rainbow fish t shirts (read multi colours) while waiting for your food.
A surreal atmosphere is complemented by dishes named “The Million Dollar Man” maybe a nod to the fact we are in Dubai ? But in actual fact this rich man is a Deep Fried Whole Fish with garlic and pepper, Thai Name Pla Tod Gra Tiam ! Luckily you can have your Million Dollar Man super awesome, spicy, super spicy or just plain diet !
My advice? Try it, or if you really need to sit in a more sophisticated place, then go to their new branch in the swanky Al Wasl square side of town, but be prepared to wait for a table, Bizaare is popular right now. But if you are in the area and and the wait isn’t making you smile, then go for the still very good sushi at Chez Sushi a few doors down.
Click here for what you NEED TO KNOW about how to get to Smiling BKK in Dubai, do mention you heard about them via DoinDubai.
Keep Smiling and remember it’s nice to share ! Thanks for twittering, tumbling, FB ing etc, Monica
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