Throughout September at basil, Chef Kesinee Wanta invites lovers of Thai cuisine to experience her menu of exquisite dishes inspired by the culinary traditions of Issan.

From 1 – 30 September, the extraordinarily gifted Chef Kesinee will showcase an exceptional menu of new and exciting dishes from Thailand’s northeast. The selection of appetizers includes her personal favorite, somtam pla kai, a deliciously spicy papaya salad with crispy Willow Leaf fish, and koy pla tuna, an Issan-style tartar made using fresh tuna, and the flavorful nahm tok moo, spicy grilled pork salad with fresh mint, Thai parsley, spring onions and roasted rice powder.

Chef Kesinee’s mains include two outstanding curries; gaeng hed ruam pla neua sai, wild mushroom and dory fish roulade in a spicy green broth, and gaeng aom, a tasty Issan curry of assorted herbs and vegetables with a choice of chicken, beef or pork. Other options include moo yang samun prai, grilled pork marinated in a lemongrass and galangal paste and served with sticky rice. The ideal accompaniment to her delightful main dishes or equally delicious on its own is the comforting tom seab neua, a classic and spicy and sour Issan soup of braised beef flavored with fragrant lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime leaves.

No Thai meal is complete without a traditional dessert, and here Chef Kesinee excels. The personal discovery of Issan flavors at basil ends with wan yen khao pod klook, a parfait of sweetcorn with shredded young coconut, and teang Thai nahm krati gab woon med mangrak, a refreshing dish of Thai melon snow ice with basil seed jelly.

Acknowledged as a prodigious talent, Chef Kesinee has ensured that basil is regarded as one of the finest Thai restaurants in Bangkok. Join her for cuisine inspired by Issan from 1 – 30 September 2012.

basil is located on level 1 of Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. Decorated in contemporary Thai style, an interesting feature of the restaurant is a large communal table just inside the main entrance where guests can sit and enjoy a quick plate of noodles or a light one-dish meal. The restaurant’s main area and three private air-conditioned rooms are ideal for enjoying the à la carte selection with friends, family and business colleagues.

basil is open for lunch Monday to Friday from 12.00 – 14.30 hrs., and for dinner from 18.30 - 22.30 hrs., Monday – Sunday.

Dining privileges apply for The Grande Club and Starwood Privilege Thailand members.