Much Ado About Nothing
Chipo was leaving the country for good and we wanted to meet and catch up before she left for her flight the next day. She recommended Chilli Seasonss and since I hadn’t tried the place yet, I whole heartedly agreed. I’ve heard people say nice things about Chilli Seasonss and went there expecting a nice meal, hopefully hot, if the name was anything to go by. The interiors at Chilli Seasonss are nicely laid out, cramped at first look, but quite comfortable when you’re settled in. The waiting staff are friendly and have an ever ready smile. I thought we were in for a great experience.
Uh uh.
We ordered Crispy Okra and Potatoes with Mint (wasn’t crispy), Vietnamese Pork with Lemon Grass (forgetable), Lotus Stem with Honey and Chili (sugar-shock!), Aubergine with Mushrooms in Thai Sauce (unremarkable), Thai Green Curry with Rice and Braised Noodles with Pork. I specifically asked for my Braised Noodles with Pork to be extra chili hot, even flamboyantly gesturing with my hands to convey the extent of chili I desired.
I have heard people joyfully referring to the food here and have absolutely no idea why.
The Thai Green Curry was a bowl of syrupy thick, unpalatable gloop that not only didn’t have a shred of chili-heat, but also included overwhelming amounts of lemon grass and galangal. And oh, it was bright green in color – probably artificial food color. My noodles were overcooked and slightly spicier than water… served in a Borosil sort of transparent glass bowl. The waiter helplessly offered a weak smile and mumbled, ‘but I told them’ and had nothing else to say. It’s alright if the recipe cannot be modified – I need to be informed however.
A smile, it appears, is really all they have… and the folks at Chilli Seasonss charge 10% of the bill to flash it. Avoid, unless you enjoy artificially colored glop served with a smile.
- Sid
Ed: The photo on the front page is not of the food at Chilli Seasonss.
