Sunday Brunch at Maya Restaurant and Bar is a thrilling, gourmet feast.
By Tom McLean
On Sukhumvit Soi 22, on the 29th floor of Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit, lies one of the most refined Indian banquets available in the city. A culturally authentic and gastronomically sophisticated buffet experience, the Sunday Brunch at Maya Restaurant and Bar is a must-try for fans of fine Indian cooking.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
With a classically adorned interior that provides both comfortable seating and bespoke elegance, Maya offers a dreamy place to settle and relax into an indulgent afternoon. From the moment we entered the restaurant, we were welcomed by tantalising live cooking stations and lavish spreads of mouthwatering delicacies, stimulating the senses with appetising sights and smells. The jaw-dropping skyline view of the 29th floor lends an additional, grandiose flourish to the dining experience and truly made our meal feel like a special occasion.
Food and Drink
With an incredible variety of Indian fare and live cooking counters, including a fresh Dosa stand, Chaat bar, and Rumali stall, Chef Uday and his team have successfully elevated Indian buffet dining to a whole new level. Almost like a theme park with the flabbergasting amount of attractions and epicurean entertainments on display, Maya’s Sunday Brunch is a riveting expedition across the diverse flavours of India.
From freshly made Pani puri to Anda aur kheema at their egg cooking kiosk, Maya provides both a nostalgic trip down memory lane for those who grew up with classic Indian street food, and an exciting, novel experience for newcomers.
Upon arrival, we were treated to a welcome drink of Tempered buttermilk. The buttermilk features ginger, green chillies, turmeric, and lime leaves, and serves as a non-alcoholic aperitif to help get the taste buds going. Guests are also provided with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine – the perfect start to an easy-going day of food and fun.
After whetting our appetites on delicious tamarind-filled Pani puri and freshly made Rumali topped with truffle oil, we sampled Maya’s incredible Sunday brunch curry offerings. First up was their tangy and indulgent Laal kathal. This Rajasthan inspired curry is perfect for vegetarians who are in the mood for something nourishing and fiery, with tender pieces of marinated jackfruit beautifully enriched with a clove and nutmeg gravy. Gorgeous and moreish, the piquant jackfruit melted in the mouth.
Next we tried their exemplary Paneer Jalfrezi. This Goa-inspired dish was cooked to perfection, with the firm, buttery consistency of the paneer perfected with expertly balanced garlic, pepper, and tomato.
The final vegetarian course we sampled was their Aloo Udaigiri, a highly palatable potato dish that utilizes the traditional spices of Udaipur. For a curry with very simple ingredients, Maya’s incredible commitment to ensuring flawless flavour was evident in this dish; the perfect balance of spices, pepper, and curry leaves truly showcased the culinary team’s cultivated expertise.
For a more carnivorous choice, their outstanding Kosha mangsho was a decadent, lip-smacking triumph, pairing the flavours of Bengal with slow-cooked, Kadai-roasted lamb. This selection was perfectly complemented by their Singara aur sultana pulao, a sublime rice side dish featuring water chestnuts and raisins. The sweet notes of the rice perfectly matched the luxurious lamb gravy.
Besides their delectable curries, the Sunday Brunch also features a plethora of additional entrees and appetisers including fresh oysters, prawns and mussels, Lebanese-style hummus and flatbreads, and fresh salads, altogether ensuring that there’s a dish to fit all palates.
Furthermore, the Sunday brunch boasts a wide assortment of dessert choices. Our favourite was their superb Crème brulee which had innovative Thai-Indian ingredients, including pandan and other pioneering flavour infusions.
Masala Recommends:
The Pani Puri live counter. This classic Indian snack can be difficulty to find in Bangkok and Maya’s version is exquisitely fresh and filled with a variety of tangy sauces. They serve as the perfect appetizer before indulging in Maya’s extraordinary curries.
MAYA RESTAURANT AND BAR
1 Sukhumvit Soi 22, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toey, Bangkok 10110
Price: THB 990 per person; children under 6 years eat free
Time: Every Sunday, from noon to 3pm
Tel: 02 683 4888
Website: www.bangkoksukhumvit.holidayinn.com/maya-sunday-brunch
Facebook: @mayarestaurantandbar
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