The Krua Supanniga by Khun Yai is a unique dining venue in Khon Kaen. It is a restaurant that serves eastern Thai cuisine, and also features open garden space that showcases the art of local silk-making technique.

The garden space is excellent for pre-dinner cocktail reception with cultural performance, There is also some sort of prayer ceremony preceding the dinner. While it is definitely an experience for guests, it would have been better if the purpose and significance of the ceremony were explained. Guests do have to battle with the heat, humidity and mosquitoes while enjoying the drinks and canapes, though.

Thankfully, dinner is served indoors in an intimate, air-conditioned building with glass doors to allow full view of the lush greeneries outside. Although it is quite comfortable accommodating about 50 guests at any one time, the tables are quite narrow. Hence, it is rather odd that, on the night of this review, the dishes (shared among 6 in a table) were served in heavy, over-sized plates and bowls. It became quite a hassle to have to juggle these dishes from one end of the table to another, as well as serve rice and soup from hot metal pots, all without the help of any waiter. The restaurant may want to consider serving individual rather than shared portions when hosting international MICE customers.

Perhaps it was the great company and merry-making of that night, hence the so-called eastern Thai cuisine served in this restaurant does not seem very distinctive from the Thai food we are all familiar with. However, the restaurant did served a great house-specialty cocktail made of rum, vodka, lemongrass and other secret ingredients.

With some refinement in service and food presentation, Krua Supanniga can be a good theme dining venue for small groups of not more than 50 guests. For more information, visit:

http://www.supannigahome.com/krua.html