9 hot new restaurants to check out in Bangkok this December
Argentinian fire-cooked meat, French haute cuisine and Kyoto-style kaiseki.
4 years ago
The Allium Bangkok
Helmed by Dutch national Roxanne Lange—one of the Marriott International’s youngest chefs de cuisine—this modern European opening replaces The Reflexions as part of The Athenee Hotel’s recent revamp. With a background working under Henk Savelberg in Holland and later as chef de cuisine at Savelberg Bangkok, chef Roxanne artfully prepares French haute cuisine in set menus, ranging from plant-based options (from B1,800 for six courses) and the seven-course Le Petit (B2,480) to the 10-course Memoirs of Home (B3,280). Dishes chart a colorful Chiang Mai tomato salad bursting with piquant flavor; creamy Thai mudcrab atop crunchy cucumber spaghetti; and rich French Moulard duck liver countered with sweet apple and crunchy nut crumble.
3/F, The Athenee Hotel, 61 Wireless Rd. See full details here
Caffè Olives
With its upscale deli vibe, Caffe Olives is part of newly-opened restaurant L’Oliva. Head here for Italian bites covering cold cuts and cheese, sandwiches like the Panino (B190)—loaded with truffle, mushroom and cheese—and pizza by the slice in everything from spicy Nduja Mushroom (B100) to the Bianca (B100), stuffed with mortadella then brushed with olive oil and Maldon salt. For something light, grab pastries like the honey bun (B75) or brioche cinnamon bun (B75), paired with a fancy rosemary caffe latte (B100) or refreshing organic lemonade (B120).
4 Napha Sap Soi 2. See full details here
Don Asado
This place is all about fire-cooked meat. In this case, that largely means premium cuts of beef slow-cooked over an Argentinian fire pit located within a spacious, stripped-down townhouse. Signatures include the fork-tender asado a la cruz, or four-hour slow-cooked short ribs (B1,500/kg), and the caramelized picanha (butt cheek) wagyu (B350/300g). Not into beef? Opt for the sought-after red Spanish carabineros prawns (B600/piece).
237 Yen Akart Soi 2. See full details here
Kinu by Takagi
Following a year-long renovation, the Mandarin Oriental’s seafood joint Lord Jim’s reopened with an unusual twist: it now shares space with a high-end, dinner-only Japanese restaurant. Kinu by Takagi is the latest project from chef Takagi Kazuo, the affable architect of two-Michelin-starred Kyoto Cuisine Takagi in Ashiya, Japan, who specializes in Kyoto-style kaiseki, or Kyo-ryori—elaborate, multi-course menus fueled by seasonality, premium ingredients and masterfully composed dishes. Ten-course dinners (B7,500/person) here always start with zensai, an appetizer featuring whatever is fresh—charcoal-grilled wagyu wrapped around spring onion, roasted Thai eggplant topped with uni, sesame tofu stuffed with Japanese persimmon and topped with ikura. Then expect sashimi (yellowtail, fatty tuna belly), a grilled dish, a steamed dish and more, plus whatever the chef chooses, like fresh oysters served with a ponzu sauce made with four kinds of citrus, including hand-squeezed kaffir lime juice.
48 Oriental Ave. See full details here
Little Donkey
Located in Thonglor's slick open-plan mall, 72 Courtyard, this opening comes from James Beard Award-winning chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette—the masterminds behind Boston restaurant landmarks Coppa, Toro and Little Donkey. Described as an international modern izakaya, Little Donkey Bangkok comprises a casual space with an open kitchen, counter seating and a covered terrace area, along with an eclectic Asian fusion menu dreamt up by Top Chef Thailand competitor Steve Doucakis. Expect everything from kimchi yakisoba (B380) served with beef tongue and soft cheese; fun munchies like scallop tartare nori wraps (B210) with chili mayo, puffed rice and shiso; and tender beef shortrib kanom jeen (B520) served with assorted veggies and a spicy naam ya sauce; to the all-American classic cheesy spinach dip (B250) with crispy pita chips. End your night on a sweet note with the house favorite oatmeal cookie cake (B150), covered in palm sugar butterscotch and topped with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.
2/F, 72 Courtyard, Sukhumvit Soi 55. See full details here
Samrub for Thai
After a short hiatus, chef Prin Polsuk has returned full force with this all-new private dining kitchen. Tucked away quietly in the back of Charoenkrung hotspot, 100 Mahaseth, the welcoming omakase-style kitchen is overlooked by an exclusive 10 seats. The monthly-changing tasting menus are packed with neoclassical Thai dishes, recipes dating back to the Rama VI period and hints of Chinese influence. Across the nine-courses (B3,200-B4,500), five are served sharing-style. Currently, you'll find Tenfold Fish Dumplings made with snakehead fish and topped with crispy garlic and mustard leaf; deep fried tofu sheet generously stuffed with pork, prawn and chicken; and fiery curry made with sweet banana, catfish, green peppercorn and sand ginger. Dessert features a soothing fresh-made ginger ice cream, served with patongo (fried dough) and coconut honey. For cocktails and drinks, you can rely on 100 Mahaseth’s trusty menu for the time being.
Stage
Former Robuchon chef Jay Sangsingkaew is behind Ekkamai’s new French and global-inspired restaurant. There are three choices for tasting menus: four-course (B1,900), six-course (B2,900) and the “Stage Experience” at eight courses (B3,900). The chefs will change the menu every two months according to the seasons. At the moment, the menus feature signatures like otoro sashimi with sesame paste and buttermilk curd; melt-in-your-mouth lobster served with a decadent beurre blanc and charred sucrine (cos lettuce); and a delicious pork sausage hot dog topped with fresh black truffle shavings and served with pickled winter melon. Desserts offer playful takes on nostalgic classics like baba au rhum, but the pièce de résistance might be the dessert trolley, which offers all sorts of sweet treats.
1/F, 359/2-3 Sukhumvit Soi 63. See full details here
Stax
Formerly at The Commons, Stax now has a permanent home just up the road in Thonglor’s new street food community mall, Saphan 55. With their thin, perfectly seared beef sandwiched in lightly toasted square buns, burgers here are more like sliders and are reminiscent of White Castle. Go for the best-selling Stax cheeseburger (B109), which comes with beef or pork, topped with grilled onions, dill pickles, mustard, ketchup and cheese. Their super affordable combos are surefire winners—Set A (B200) includes two classic burgers and fries. You’ll also find jalapeno poppers (B145/eight pieces) and crispy chicken nuggets (B50/four pieces) on the menu.
759 Sukhumvit Soi 55. See full details here
Wander
Run by the same team behind Lang Suan's (now closed) All Six to Twelve Cafe & Social Bar and Ari’s Baby Bar, Wander conjures a hip vibe with its low lighting, graffiti-covered accent wall and dark metal touches. Nightly live music draws a boisterous crowd of after-workers who dine on elevated, well-executed Thai dishes paired with cocktails that span the flavor spectrum—from fruity and floral, like the lychee- and elderflower-fueled Wanderer (B320) to spirit-forward, like the whiskey-, cocoa- and fernet branca-laced Hunter (B320).
64 Pan Rd. See full details here
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