Andy Yang, a Thailand-born star chef who soaked up a Michelin star in New York for his restaurant Rong Tiam in 2010, is now opening a new restaurant at Siam Discovery. The new venture is named Pi Kun and will focus on Isaan food, using pork as the star ingredient in a nose-to-tail concept that tries to reduce waste. The opening is also happening alongside the reopening of Table 38, the uber-fine-dining restaurant from Andy that was once housed on Sukhumvit 38 and won a Michelin star in 2020. If you show up with a party of four, you get a free tam koh maha saap (papaya salad with crispy dough). Regardless, other highlight dishes include the signature kao pikun (smoked-coconut milk rice with grilled pork and a special jaew sauce from Chef Andy), kao moo tod makhwaen (fried pork with smoked-coconut milk rice and Thai herbs), and leng zaab (hot and spicy pork bone).

The interior is a colorful mishmash of Isaan inspired tapestries, dark wood chairs with floral silk patterns, sturdy wooden tables and hardwood floors. There is also a brightly back-lit bar, covered in more decorations in between bottles, where the bar team can be seen strolling back and forth whipping up drinks. 

For more information, visit Siam Discovery’s social channels (FB: siamdiscovery, IG:  @siamdiscovery)

VIE Hotel Bangkok is revamping its dining options with a new heavyweight in the French fine-dining scene called Signature Bangkok. Sitting on the 11th floor of VIE, the restaurant is led by former two-Michelin-star chef Thierry Drapeau and focuses on something called “floral cuisine”. Described as “cuisine of the soil”, the menu leans heavily on delicate flowers and herbs to accent the fresh seasonal ingredients used to make up the rest of the menu. It also follows what’s called a jus-based approach, which basically means many of the poetry, meat, and fish are seasoned or served alongside light gravies.

One interesting aspect of this restaurant apart from other French venues is a move away from heavy butters and spices. In fact, that is the main rationale behind the flowers and herbs, as they help to increase flavor dimensions without making the dishes excessively unhealthy. All menus include canâpes, mise en bouche (think of it like a smaller amuse-bouche), mignardises (a dessert served at the end of the meal), and a signature gift to take home.

Each evening’s menu is introduced with a title, setting the stage for what diners can expect next. For instance, the five-course “Le Grande Bouquet: Discovery & Heritage by Thierry Drapeau” menu introduces Bangkok epicureans to “The King of Vendee”, a classic French Burgaud duck roasted presented with creamed cacao, pumpkin, and Nasturtium flowers. The menus come in two sizes, three- and five-courses, and come with wine pairing options (the venue has a nice selection of biodynamic wines handpicked from boutique wineries). If you do go the wine-pairing route, Head Sommelier Théo Lavergne, formerly the sommelier at the two-Michelin star Le Clarence restaurant in Paris, will be there to guide you through the pairings and share stories of the vineyards the wines come from.

Some more highlights include Blue lobster from Brittany subtly flavored with oxalis flowers, grilled Normandy scallops with fennel, capers, and anise, and, for a touch of sweetness, Calamansi citrus with almonds and marigold. 

In a big boon for the plant-based movement here, Signature Bangkok offers a full-on organic vegan menu. Available as a standard nightly option, the organic vegan menu follows the same rigor in preparation and presentation. An on-site organic kitchen garden provides fresh, seasonal flowers and herbs.

The restaurant has recently expanded its offering to include lunch. It’s not just a watered-down version of the dinner menu, either, it’s an all-new, 3-course menu (B990/person) crafted by Chef Drapeau and focusing on the venue’s signature style of floral cuisine. You get your choice of starter, main, and dessert, plus espresso or tea if you fancy.

Advanced reservation is recommended. You can do that via the website at https://signaturebangkok.com/book-a-table/ or by adding the restaurant on Line through https://bit.ly/3ql8Jyn

For more information, visit:

Web: www.signaturebangkok.com
IG: https://bit.ly/2Jpoxiy
FB: https://bit.ly/3lupvYd
Line: https://bit.ly/3ql8Jyn

Signature Bangkok, 11/F, VIE Hotel Bangkok, Phayathai Rd, Ratchathewi BTS Station. Open Thu-Sun 12-3pm, 6-9pm.