Thai Temptations

The red, green and yellow of Southeast Asian cuisine at The Jack Tree

By Nizla Naizer

Red, yellow and green, no I’m not talking about the Rasta movement or the National Flag of Ghana, nor am I talking about traffic lights although you may want to get ready and ‘GO’ to the restaurant once I’m done. I’m referring to the three primary colours of Thai cuisine which represents all its diversity and flavour and brings a taste of a country as unique and as vibrant as the cuisine itself.
Walking into The Jack Tree restaurant, I was surrounded by the bright and strangely appetizing colours of yellow, red and green where the modern and contemporary design of the restaurant is the perfect backdrop to a traditional Thai meal. And since its inception in December, the restaurant which is centrally located in Park Road has already amassed fans of Thai food in Colombo. It’s chic and comfortable, convenient and colourful and as the name so implicitly implies, contains many jackfruit inspired dishes as well.
Thai food is known for its spicy flavours and tangy sensations, and The Jack Tree incorporates spice and tang in one dynamic combination. Trust me, I didn’t realize Red Curry could be so addictive until I tried the Gang Phed Gai (chicken in red curry). This gravy filled wonder is a plethora of flavours from the tangy lemon grass to the cherry aubergines (thibbatu) which I mistook for green peas until I bit into them and felt the juicy vegetable.

With three Thai chefs heading their kitchens, the authenticity of the meals is guaranteed and the wide variety included in the menu brings in all the essential flavours required for a Thai meal; sweet, spicy, sour and salty. “Thai cuisine is renowned for the use of fresh herbs,” The Jack Tree’s Manager of Operations, Pradeep Dodampahala told me. “And since many of these herbs like galangal (blue ginger) and kaffir lime leaves have medicinal properties as well, a Thai dish is a healthy meal.”
Tom Yums to Phad Thai
The traditional Tom Yum soup is a must have for fans of Thai food where the tangy coconut and kaffir lime flavoured soup is combined with goong (prawns), talay (seafood) or gai (chicken). Pair it up with a large choice of appetizers starting with Hed Samaka Sat where three types of mushroom, black, wild and button are fried with a light covering of batter or Batter fried prawns and cuttlefish which you eat with a customary dip called Nam Prik made of chili, garlic, ginger, celery and herbs all mashed into one spicy (consider yourselves warned) creation.
The Jack Tree is also popular for their Sum Tum Goong, where the traditional raw papaya salad (Sum Tum) is incorporated with deliciously fresh prawns to create a unique dish that the tang loving Sri Lankans adore along with Yumma, a spicy jackfruit and mango salad. “Thailand is a country of fresh fruits, so everything we serve is fresh,” Pradeep assures.
Move onto the main courses and the restaurant offers a range of Thai specialties ranging from the traditional Phad Thai (stir fried fat noodles) to pineapple rice or the traditional sticky rice which is the perfect accompaniment to the various curries. From the chili heavy red curry to the basil leaf intoned green curry and the turmeric infused yellow curry, the Thai curries are a must have at The Jack Tree. A comprehensive and separate selection of dishes offers the Vegetarian plenty of opportunity to indulge as well.
Tender coconut and sweet corn anyone?
One of the more unique flavours I came across in my meal at The Jack Tree was the sweet dessert dish Saku, where traditional sago is prepared with a mixture of tender coconut strips that melt in your mouth and sweetcorn added to bring out a taste at once refreshing and delicious. Of course, the land of fruit must live up to its name, and The Jack Tree has a range of fresh fruits to choose from as well, to nicely balance out that meal.
As a coffeeholic, I would be failing in my duty if I did not mention the Viennese Ice Coffee where pistachio crème and Brazilian coffee are blended to perfection and which has become a favourite at the restaurant. They also offer a range of tropical smoothies, vegetable blends, ice teas and juices to sooth the soul on a hot, tropical day.
So if you are in the mood for flavour and spice in an ambience ideal for a family night out, head to The Jack Tree at 200, Park Road, Colombo 5 or call 5747788 for more information. The restaurant is open from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm for lunch, and 7:00pm to 11:00pm for dinner.