Ekkamai @ Damansara Heights

After satisfying our stomachs (or maybe bellies) with a very sumptuous dinner at Putien, my friends and I made arrangements to proceed to another venue for some after-dinner drinks and desserts.

I suggested Ekkamai Bar & Thai Kitchen @ Damansara Heights but, after our last not-so-wonderful experience at KGB Soul Food, we were weary that the same thing would happen again...and that the place would not be kid-friendly.  Then again, that was the sole reason why I suggested this place as I knew this very street is also home to Yellow Brick Road and Wicked Pancake Parlour where we can certainly adjourn to (as our back-up plan) for desserts if we weren't allowed into Ekkamai.

But our fears would soon be laid to rest as we were warmly welcomed...and we'd soon find out that their service is attentive, courteous and friendly.  Although we had to grab the last table available (which was an alfresco seating), it was nice and cool with ceiling fans in place outside and we didn't have to contend with mosquitoes and humidity this time (unlike at KGB Soul Food).
  

As we were seated outside with not a lot of lighting, kindly excuse the not-so-clear photos (actually it was worse initially...and the photos looked like this until a friend was kind enough to provide us some light with her iPhone...and it was slightly better).

Even though we were here for desserts and drinks, we felt that we could still down some small bites and went with the Play-Thaim Platter @ RM38 that theyumlist recommended as the perfect accompaniment to cocktails (please head over to theyumlist's blog if you want to see a better/clearer pic of this).  This sharing platter had all the usual Thai light bites of sesame prawn toast, Thai fish cakes, crispy fried lemongrass chicken, grilled chicken skewers, grilled beef balls, rice crackers with nam prik ong and caramelised noodles served with 3 dipping sauces.

Sesame prawn toast - nicely crisp, my favourite

Thai fish cakes & crispy fried lemongrass chicken - I like these too

Grilled chicken skewers & grilled beef balls (from their Josper oven)

Rice crackers with nam prik ong (a tomato-based chilli dip) & caramelised noodles.  We initially thought the noodles were just for decoration (like those we'd find in Chinese restaurants) but when we put some into our mouths, we realised they were rather yummy.  In fact, everything on the platter were decent.

the 3 dipping sauces


Thai Crispy Fried Eggs @ RM15 for the kids (and maybe some adults too) - slightly overdone though


cute leaf-shaped looking plates for our nibbles

We then got back on track and ordered the desserts we actually came here for.  We started with the favourite Thai dessert of Mango Sticky Rice @ RM18 featuring perfectly ripe and sweet fragrant Thai mangoes with softened glutinous rice and coconut cream (wouldn't mind a bit more coconut cream though).  It was topped with some surprising bits of (fried?) yellow-coloured sticky rice that brought a crunchy element to the dish (that one of us thought were bits of undercooked rice at first).

The other equally popular Thai dessert is the Red Ruby @ RM12 with crunchy water chestnut pearls, jackfruit slivers and coconut milk in shaved ice.  This one was refreshing and wasn't sweet at all although it needed a bit more coconut milk.

Our final sweet choice was a Thai-style Bubur Cha Cha @ RM12 with coconut flesh, yam, pumpkin, Thai pearls (made from coloured tapioca flour) and sago jellies.  Now, this one we have no complaints of not enough coconut milk as it was fragrant and oh-so-thick...yum, yum! ;D

All 3 Thai desserts were pleasant but my top pick would be the Thai Bubur Cha Cha

And, of course, we had to order some cocktails to go with our sharing platter.  As me and my friends aren't 'real' drinkers, I asked the server to recommend us some cocktails with the least amount of alcohol...and he brought us their mixologist (to our surprise)...that's service for you! ;D  One ordered the Kaffir Collins @ RM29 (made up of Broker's gin, soda & lemon) on his recommendation.

And another ordered the Thai Mojito @ RM26 featuring a blend of Chachaca rum, lime, mango, ginger ale & mint leaves (the mint leaf that was on top of the glass flew off in the wind!).

Two of us went with mocktails...she had the Virgin Margarita @ RM18 which arrived in a 'frozen' (ice blended) state for a cool, welcome relief.

While I opted for "Safe Sex on the Beach" @ RM18 (I swear that's the name of the drink!), a refreshing mixture of cranberry, peach & orange (the "naughty" names of drinks these places come up with these days...haha!) :D The last member had a Heineken Beer @ RM22.

Cheers everyone.....to a good year ahead...and may your glass never go empty :)

Later, a server walked past us bearing many cups of "we don't know what" in old-school enamel mugs. Intrigued...we had to find out and it turned out to be Thai coffee.

I decided to order a cup of Kaffe Thai Ron (Thai Hot White Coffee) @ RM6 just because I liked the enamel mug...hehe!

And also a glass of Kaffe Thai Yen (Thai Ice White Coffee) @ RM6 for sharing.  Sadly, it didn't live up to expectations as I've had better Thai coffee elsewhere.

My Personal Opinion

It's a great place for Thai food, though I didn't try that much, but the little I did try was enough to tell me that the food is worthy.

It's a place where you can sit down, relax and have some drinks with friends where children (babies included) are welcomed too.

I certainly wouldn't mind returning another day to sample more of what they have to offer.

Ekkamai Bar & Thai Kitchen
Lot 8-1 & 8-2 Jalan Batai
Damansara Heights
50490 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2095 2772