The March Into Merivale festival made another great return this year and included some really interesting events such as a series of Masterpiece Dinners which were held at various Merivale restaurants. I was intrigued to learn that there was one at Sailors Thai Ivy which would celebrate Thai street food. How could I resist?
Sailors Thai ivy is the third establishment for the Sailors Thai group. While they would normally serve chic Modern Thai food, this event was focused on the colours, taste and aromas of the millions of meals that are served daily from street vendors across the country. The Thai Street Food theme is a celebration of the simple pleasures of daily life in Thailand.
They really took the street food theme to heart.
Instead of table service, diners were given the menu and asked to walk up to the kitchen 'street food stall vendors' and order what they liked. The event was sold as a banquet ($70 per person including a flute of Chandon NV on arrival) but was more like an all-you-can-eat buffet! It's a shame I didn't come prepared with a looser-fit dress!
There were six dishes to choose from. I naturally tried them all and may or may not have had double servings of some ;)
The bamboo skewered pork were char-grilled on the spot. They featured lovely caramelised sweet and salty flavours and were so aromatic.
These Thai fish cakes were served with crisp fresh cucumbers, a surprisingly hot sweet chilli sauce and ground peanuts.
There's also a chicken fried rice with onions and tomatoes. The chunky cuts of onion are raw and hot :-\
I asked the chef why the rice was pink and he just said it was a special Thai sauce?
The rice noodles are deliciously wok tossed with beef and Chinese broccoli. I've eaten pad see ew many times before and have always loved the sweet dark soy sauce glaze.
Desserts are both coconut based and truly highlight the versatility of the fruit. I've been craving for more foods featuring coconut since!
First it is shredded and served with steamed sweet corn kernels and sesame seeds. This is such a simple combination but is textural and absolutely delightful.
Next it is used to create the most sublime coconut ice-cream. This is served with white sticky rice, roast peanuts, some shredded jackfruit and sprinkled with sesame seeds. The fragrant scent of the jackfruit is magical with the coconut ice-cream and the soft and chewy sticky rice. Yummo!
Overall I thought the concept was lots of fun and while it was an enjoyable night, the execution could have been better. I'd like to see the chefs talk about the dishes they were serving and maybe showcase more interesting Thai street food instead of just touching the brim of it with six pretty ordinary dishes.
March Into Merivale just seems to be bigger and better every year. I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with next!
Sailors Thai ivy
Level 2, 330 George Street, Sydney NSW
Phone: (02) 9240 3000
Web: http://www.merivale.com/#/ivy/sailorsthai
This event was held on Tuesday 12th April, 6.30pm.
March Into Merivale ran 21 Feb - 15 Apr 2011.
JENIUS & companion dined as guests of Stellar* Concepts Australia and Merivale Group
Sounded like a fun event. Sailors @ Ivy didn't make much of an impression on me when we were there but this looks impressive.
Oh, shame about the ordinariness, though all you can eat Thai desserts? ;) Yes please!
I like the idea of this event. Hopefull they'll do it again next year, but like you said, with more interesting street food. I'd like to hear explanations of the food too.
Sounds like a great concept, but pad see ew and fish cakes are pretty common dishes in many thai restaurants.
oh yum how good does all thislook im getting hungry all ive had is my protein shake for dinner lolz