Trying New Food - At Chilli Banana

Last night was a fund raising night for my sister-in-law and her colleagues who are going on a trek along the Great Wall of China. I've mentioned them at great length before, but if you want more information you can follow them on Twitter, like them on Facebook or sponsor them on JustGiving.

We went for a banquet at the Chilli Banana on Lark Lane in Liverpool, and the following is the stunning delights that awaiting us:

 To Start

Satay Ga I - marinated skewers of chicken, served with peanut sauce and fresh cucumber pickle
Po Pia Tod - Thai spring rolls with savory filling and sweet chilli dipping sauce
Tod Man Pla - Spicy Thai fish cakes with cucumber, red onion and peanut ajat
Pla Song Kreuang - Tempura Catfish strips with fresh sour mango salad
Si Krong Moo Tod - Spare ribs marinated in ginger, garlic and coriander

I tried all of these, even the catfish, and honestly it was all gorgeous. It turns out, the best way to eat fish it to cover it in so much spice, it doesn't taste like fish anymore. Winner!

To follow

Gaeng Keowan Gai - Thai green chicken coconut milk curry
Gai Pad Met Mammuang - stir fried chicken with cashew nuts and dry chilli
Nua Sawan - 'Heavenly Lancashire beef' topped with crispy basil leaves
Gung Kratiem - King Prawns stir fried with garlic and black pepper
Pla Neung Menow - Steamed sea bass fillets with lime juice and chilli

To be honest, I was less taken with the main courses. The curry was totally overpowered with coconut, and I really cannot stand that stuff.  The stir fried chicken and the beef were both lovely, but the prawns and seabass were left untouched. In fact, the seabass looked like it have been untouched by a chef as well. It basically had it's head and arse cut off, it's guts ripped out and a fucktonne of spices dumped on top. Maybe next year my challenge could be to write a cookery book?

For desert there was Eaton Mess. I'm not sure it that is a traditional Thai pudding, but it certainly hit the spot.

The was also a rigged raffle (No, I didn't win anything, why do you ask?) and a quiz at which I was utterly useless. We were only saved from utter humiliation by Alex's Rain Man-esque Dingbat skills.

All around it was a fantastic night. Great food, great company and a great cause.