Chedi, a new Thai restaurant that opened recently at 38 Elgin Street, has replaced Shang-Hi! This is the first restaurant venture for owner and entreprenueur Bill Condon. The Irishman has been in Hong Kong for more than three years and says he decided to open a Thai restaurant because it is a country people here are familiar with. Referring to the high failure rate in the food and beverage industry, he says he plans on 'bringing regular business principles into the restaurant. I want to make sure the authenticity and standards are as high as I would expect in any other business.'
The menu includes such classic Thai dishes as the hard-to-find mieng kham, a snack made from peanuts, chillies, shallots, lemongrass, coconut and dried shrimp wrapped in betel leaves ($58). Other dishes include green papaya salad (available with dried shrimp and fresh prawns, $58, or in a vegetarian version, $56), deep-fried soft-shell crabs ($98), whole steamed sea bass with lemongrass, fresh lime and crushed chilli ($168), tamarind duck (grilled duck breast with homemade sweet and sour tamarind sauce, $118), black pepper scallops ($148) and seared medium-rare tuna with spicy Thai sauce ($138).
There is also an extensive wine list. For bookings, call 2868 4445.