The natural hues of The Thai Table – 789 have a way of luring one in. The Thai culture’s numbers 7, 8 and 9 have subtly been incorporated, with its design speaking to the numbers’ resemblance of progress, prosperity, wealth and a long life. The restaurant’s luxe location at Oxford Parks in Johannesburg’s vibey Rosebank is, of course, another reason to visit and naturally, its cuisine speaks for itself. This relatively new Thai-inspired eatery invites foodies to feast on favourites like Tom Yum, Papaya Salads and Coconut Curries while dimmed lights and beautiful décor set the scene for an enticing dining experience.
Setting the Scene at The Thai Table – 789
With wines from various well-known wine regions in the Cape, including Constantia, Robertson, Elgin, the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Stellenbosch and Swartland (among others), choosing the perfect glass of wine to kick the evening off with can either be easy or daunting. They do, however, offer a few wines by the glass, which makes choosing a little easier.
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An Oak Valley Chardonnay was our go-to for the evening and as we made ourselves comfortable beneath the impressive lamp heater, we watched patrons arriving for a winter dinner of note, ordering their drinks of choice and acclimatising to a restaurant that claims to have taken its inspiration from Thailand’s communal dining culture. Soon, cocktails from a limited list of all the favourite classics and a choice of five signature cocktails started doing the rounds as guests enjoyed the atmosphere of The Thai Table.
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Colourful Flavours Inspired by Thailand
Known for essential flavours like fresh lime, tamarind paste, fish sauce, coconut milk and chili, Thailand’s cuisine is unique and colourful. They mix herbs and aromatics in a way that feels fresh, with favourites including lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, coriander, mint and Thai basil. At The Thai Table – 789 we were convinced to try the Som Tam (Papaya Salad) and Gai Satay (Chicken Satay) for starters – both deliciously fresh with a hint of spice. The papaya salad came with a blend of lime, chili and fish sauce; a drizzle of peanuts serving as the ultimate final touch to the dish. A delicious peanut sauce also accompanied the marinated chicken skewers on a colourful plate. Both these dishes could have easily been served as a main, considering the portion size.
The Joburg restaurant’s menu offers an array of main dishes too, served with your choice of Thai fried rice, fragrant jasmine rice, pineapple fried rice, or rice noodles. The Grilled Queen Prawns with a Thai sauce is a safe bet for those sensitive to spicy food. Wonderfully light and beautifully plated, it is an easy choice for a not too heavy meal. I opted for a Gaeng Keow Wan – an aromatic green curry with prawn, coconut milk, Thai herbs, vegetables and steamed Thai rice. This too was a fantastically flavourful dish, perfect for a cold winter night.
A very small selection of desserts had us contemplating if we should even have dessert at all, especially since one of the desserts was out of stock. Still, we opted for Honey & Silk from the Orient, which the menu described as a light, creamy and naturally sweet dessert comprising of honey drizzle, fresh berries, grapes and a crunch of nuts. Although light and fresh, at R185, this dessert – essentially an elevated serving of Greek yoghurt and fruit – did not do its description justice. Other dessert options at The Thai Table – 789 included a Golden Chocolate Banana Delight (berries and banana chocolate ice cream), Amaretto Eleganza (an almond cake), Thai Silk (chocolate mousse) and as their menu states: Cream Brulee.
Dishes That Inspire At-Home Cooking
A post-dessert coffee whilst indulging in the Thai eatery’s warm atmosphere ended off the evening beautifully, though, proving that even the simplest menu items can make an experience memorable when done right. As we stepped outside and the crisp winter air brushed across our cheeks, we appreciated being all warmed up from the inside with beautiful Thai flavours that certainly inspired our at-home cooking for the following weeks.
The Thai Table – 789 is conveniently located and offers a beautiful dining space perfect for date nights and corporate lunches alike. Whilst perhaps not so strong on its dessert offering, the rest certainly makes up for it – whether it’s through pretty plating, the perfect wine pairing, or simply the warm atmosphere.
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