THE Thai New Year starts on Monday, April 13 and lasts for three days. Back in Thailand the Songkran Festival celebrations are spectacular (see above). In Manchester, the next best thing is to book the Thai Banquet Menu at North Manchester’s Vermilion – as spellbinding a restaurant space as you will find.
To mark the New Year the North Manchester restaurant’s head chef Chatchai Jamjang has created a four course dinner for £35 a head, to include an accompanying glass of Kung Fu Girl Riesling.
The banquet includes a ‘Songkran’ platter featuring prawn cake, crispy fish salad, deep-fried Thai-beef jerky and barbecued chicken skewer, followed by a choice of mains such as Massaman chicken curry and steamed sea bass fillet with chilli, lemon and garlic.
Songkran is a Thai word which means 'move' or 'change place' as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac. It is also known as the 'Water Festival' as people believe that water will wash away bad luck.
To make a reservation ring 0161 202 0055 or mail [email protected]
April 22 is the date for street food specialists Chaat Cart to take over Vermilion’s regular – the latest in their Guestaurant series.
Vermilion Restaurant & Cinnabar, Lord North Street/Hulme Hall Lane, Manchester, M40 8AD. 0161 202 0055. http://www.vermilion.uk.com
