Sawasdee to Thainess

MANILA, Philippines - The all-new Dusit Thani Manila in partnership with Thai Airways and the Royal Thai Embassy celebrates the Songkran Food Festival at Benjarong, the Royal Thai Restaurant during buffet lunch and dinner from April 13 to 18, for only P1,150+ per person.

The Benjarong Royal Thai Restaurant treats its guests to a grand presentation of Thailand’s rich cultural heritage. The showcase includes authentic mouthwatering Thai dishes by the rare combination of two connoisseurs with distinct cooking flair in the kitchen, the solemn ritual of pouring fragrant water over the hands of all its dining guests to steer in good fortune, Thai Bazaar at the mezzanine floor, daily live performances of the Nattaya-Silp Thai Dance Troupe, Thai string percussive instrument playing of the Kim Musician, the celebrated Thai fruit and vegetable carver and the must-try Thai frozen dessert i thim.

Thai chef Khun Phacharaporn Noinak with her guest, Khun Chalong Sakkapalangkul, will prepare authentic Thai best-sellers including tom yam gung (hot and sour prawn soup), phad Thai gung (stir-fried noodle with prawn, bean curd and bean sprout), yam sam o (pomelo salad), gung tord sauce Siam (deep fried prawns with Thai chili sauce), gaeng khieo wan gung (green prawn curry) and khao niao mamuang (sticky rice with ripe mango), among others.

Feast on the rich sweet coldness of flavored frozen ice whipped up a la minute. The traditional Thai ice cream or i thim is made in an extraordinary contraption fabricated from stainless steel. These iced lollies are made through tubes put into a rack that is fitted into a large container filled with ice and salt. The rack is shaken back and forth to promote freezing and a bamboo stick is inserted so that tubes of frozen ice can be enjoyed without ending up with sweet sticky hands.

There are also daily live performances of the Nattaya-Silp Dance Troupe flown all the way from Thailand courtesy of Thai Airways. Scheduled performances include “Fon Phu Thai,” a dance about a propitiatory ceremony performed by the Phu Thai tribe. Accompanied by typical instruments like the gong Ching (a tribal drum), along with other drums and pipes, which plays a fundamental part as it sets the rhythm for the dance. The “Blessing Dance” is a courting and a well-wishing dance that uses elements representing happiness and prosperity. The Manohra Dance, an elaborate dance-drama consisting of six scenes telling a story of fabled love Between ManoHra, a mythical being, half bird and half human, and Prince Suthon, heir to the throne of the kingdom of Pancala, will be performed.

The art of fruit and vegetable carving takes center stage as it showcases the multifaceted sculptures of Khun Laong Hertz, a celebrated fruit and vegetable carver.

 Other authentic Thai finds include a Thai bazaar reminiscent of the Thai night market featuring Thai handicrafts, delicacies, herbs and spices for sale at the mezzanine floor.

The Songkran Food Festival is held in cooperation with Dusit Chiang Mai, Devarana Spa, Siam Carving Institute, Thai Deli, Muang Thai Handicrafts and CM Oriental General Trading, Inc.

For inquiries and reservations, call the restaurant reservations desk at 867-3333 or e-mail dtmnfb@dusit.com.