One cannot drive up Al-Rawda Al-Sharifa from the Sonesta end as it is one-way. So we drove down St. Joseph Street as far as Medina Street. But this latter is barricaded for road works so we had to continue to Television Street, turn right and right again in order to come down Sharif Street in the correct direction. On passing Snobs, Paws and Claws, Secret Garden, etc., I knew we had gone too far. A 9-point turn outside Regal Lounge and we made it back to the corner of Medina Street where we spotted the restaurant advertising sign high on a blank wall. This would have been opposite "The Government Shop". The restaurant is a tiny lock-up just around the corner in a well-lit non-touristy area.
The chef prepares most of the food in advance and freezes it in single portion bags. These are then correctly defrosted in a microwave before being cooked on the grill or hob as appropriate. I have no problem with this modus operandi, and the results were excellent. The Gai Satay comprised 3 skewers of chicken pieces and a small bowl of peanut and chili sauce. One of my favourite starters anywhere. The Gaeng Massaman Gai is a wet dish of chicken, potato, peanuts and onion cooked in a mildly spiced coconut milk sauce. Initially it looks too runny, but there is a bowl of steamed rice to soak up all that wonderful sauce. Condiments include a pot of chili powder for extra heat if required. A small bottle of water (Le3!) completed my meal. At the present conversion rate my spend was £4.50. I will be returning whenever I have an excuse, although it is hard to justify taking the taxi round by the Luxor bridge just for one meal. Today my excuse was banking. It was impossible to get a better rate in the 'open' market than 18.50, so I properly visited a good ATM, Bank of Abu Dhabi, on the corner of Sharif Street opposite the Sonesta.
If I had re-heating facilities it would be tempting to order a take-away, but ...