|
|
 |
Mr A.
Ahad's fabulous Jaipur in Milton Keynes has now amazingly been open
for 6 years and since that time has been considered, by many, as the
best Indian restaurant in the Midlands by far. There was always a
question of just what would be done with the first floor area
snuggled under the superb dome and last year we were given the answer
in the shape of The Orchid Lounge
Thai
restaurant.
This was our
first visit to the new restaurant since its opening and knowing Mr
Ahad's attention to detail, we were sure it would be of a high
standard but were not prepared for how high that standard was. As you
enter the first floor restaurant, past the elephant in the lobby and
up the winding staircase, you are greeted in the Thai fashion and
enter an open plan dining room for 140 diners, elegantly decorated
and resplendent with Thai artifacts. Close to the entrance sat a
beautiful Thai musician, cross legged in all her finery, who added to
the atmosphere with gentle Thai music. |
|
The menu gave
us plenty of choice but as time was limited we settled for the Set
Menu for £23.95. First to be delivered by the smiling waiter was
a selection of items such as satay, Thai salad, prawn toast, spring
rolls plus some well prepared crispy duck.
The main
course consisted of tasty Pak Choi, fragrant Jasmin rice, Thai
noodles, Thai green curry and, the piece de resistance, the best
breast of duck we have ever tasted. It had obviously been very gently
prepared and cooked and was presented sliced with a tasty, spiced
outer coating - completely mouth-watering. Such was the standard of
the food that we had to admit it rivaled anything most London Thai
restaurants had to offer. |
 |
|
The food is
prepared by a team of seven in a purpose-built kitchen that cost some
£40,000 to create and the entire restaurant shows that no
expenditure in time or money has been spared in order to get things
right. It will undoubtedly not be long before the people of Milton
Keynes and it surrounds realize what a jewel they have in their midst
and make Orchid Lounge as sought after as the Jaipur itself.
As for Mr
Ahad, he always says this will be his last venture but his eyes did
sparkle when we talked about other types of restaurant and he did
admit he was planning another floor to his building with rooms or
apartments. Also he let slip that next year he plans to take time to
write his biography, which should make an interesting read
|
