A new Indian restaurant has just opened up on the “dark side” on the edge of the Mabprachan Reservoir (AKA Mabprachan Lake or Mabprachan Dam). It is the brainchild of Bobby Grover, a lady who really does have Indian roots, and those roots are in Pattaya City.
The venue is easy to find. Go along Siam Country Club Road for quite a way and then turn left to wind around the reservoir. The restaurant will appear on your right at the intersection where the road comes from Bangkok to meet the reservoir road. Sounds complicated, but it isn’t.
Bobby Grover is a lady who really does have Indian roots.
There is a large car park in front of the building, whilst behind the building is a grassy area with children’s entertainment items such as swings and a trampoline. This is also an opportunity to look into the kitchen with its temperature controlled tandoori oven and the cooks working under chef Rajah’s eyes. Many of the recipes came from Bobby’s grandfather, and she proudly mixes the spices herself.
The restaurant itself is air-conditioned. Along the back wall is a cocktail/bar area. Along one side you look out towards the car park. The tables are covered with red tablecloths with bright orange throw-overs and napery. Indian embroidered cushions are everywhere. It is certainly colorful, and the Indian background music makes sure you remembered you were looking at and listening to Bobby’s Indian roots.
The menu is not as extensive as some I have read, but you can have any Indian item you would like if it is not there by just asking, including Vindaloo’s and Korma’s for example.
Beverages include local beers (B. 75-95), soft drinks (B. 25-55) and house wines are only B. 100.
The menu proper begins with Starters including Onion Bhaji (B. 120), Tandoori Paneer (B. 310), Tandoori chicken half (B. 250) and full chicken B. 440, and a Mutton tikka is B. 345.
Mains include the perennial favorite Butter Chicken (B. 290), Balti chicken Madras (B. 245), Lamb Rogan Josh (B. 345) and seafood items such as a tomato fish curry (B. 345) and a Prawn Masala (B. 345).
There are also vegetarian main dishes on offer generally (B. 170-300).
As you would expect, there are several types of rice on offer and seven different breads (including Garlic Naan B. 95).
There are also some Indian desserts with Kulfi ice cream (B. 120) and Gulab Jamun (B. 150).
The Dining Out team included two pre-teen children who spent most of the time we were there playing in the trampoline, only coming back in for their dinner choices and then going outside again. The senior team members relaxed during the lazy afternoon’s dining.
We began with an Onion Bhaji and a Mutton Tikka, both of which were full of flavor, and not drowned in chilli spice. Being partial to Garlic Naan, we had the first of those brought to the table as well.
We continued at our own pace, with the children suitably occupied outside, selecting the Butter Chicken as the next dish. Again this was a dish notable by the excellent flavor, and eaten with another plate of Garlic Naan (the cook in charge of the tandoor was kept busy)! This was followed by a Prawn Masala, and they were certainly well-fed plump large prawns. This became our most popular dish, with again good flavor from the home-made spices.
The junior testers returned for the Indian ice cream, and gave it the thumbs up as well.
All the dishes we tried were excellent, the combination of chef Rajah’s talents and Bobby’s spices has produced very good Indian items.
This is an ideal venue for those with kids. Much more than “kid-friendly”, Indian Roots actually caters for kids with the enclosed grassy play area with its trampoline and swings. For those on the “dark side” this will become a favored Indian restaurant, without a doubt, and for those on the other side of Sukhumvit – it is worth the trip, especially if you have children. Highly recommended.
Indian Roots, Mabprachan Reservoir, open every day, 11 a.m. until 11 p.m., secure parking within the grounds, telephone 081 761 3310.
