Emsphere has really kicked off its dining and drinking options in the first half of its inaugural year—yes, including bizarre viral phenomena like Butter Bear. One of the newest, and already most hyped, additions to the fifth floor F&B zone is Mami Rose - The Goodtime Restaurant, a restaurant with a swanky, globe-spanning menu and vibes reminiscent of 1980s Miami—think pastel colors, neon signage, palm trees, and a vaporwave aesthetic that is already making the rounds on social media. If you’ve played GTA “Vice City” or watched “Miami Vice” you’ll be familiar with the heavy retro influences of Central and Latin American style on the venue.

The heavy usage of bird motifs throughout the venue are both a nod to Florida and Latin America—specifically the classic flamingo imagery. Rattan chairs help create a cozy, breezy feel to the venue, and the neon signage around the bar along with the warm tinge from surrounding overhead lamps give the palace a unique-feeling ambiance that starts as a bustling casual dining spot early in the evening and slowly turns into a party as the night goes on. 

The best way to describe Mami Rose would be a “mixed use” kind of venue: quality food, elite-level drinks, and a party atmosphere with DJ events throughout the week. There is a little something for everyone here, whether that be a solid dinner or a fun night of drinks—or both of those. 

But don’t let that fool you, the food here is serious and exuberant. Head chef Kilian Fioretto, who also helms Pastel on Sukhumvit Soi 11, earned a Michelin star for his work at Les Montagnards - Le Sommet in his home country of Switzerland before moving to Bangkok. The menu at Mami Rose isn’t extreme fine-dining, but it certainly shoots for the loftier side of the quality scale. While the interior is largely inspired by 80s Miami tones and vibes, Fioretto’s menu is globe spanning, and often with a luxurious twist or two. 

Take the lobster mac and cheese (B2,380), which plants an entire steamed lobster on top of the classic English and American staple and places it on an elevated serving plate for one of the most lavish versions of the dish we have seen. Other items, like the entrecote cafe de Paris (a classic French dish with butter-based sauce and grilled beef, B2,060), features 400g of premium Black Angus ribeye, green cafe de paris sauce, homemade french fries, and salad. 

It’s not all heavy, hearty dishes, either. If you just want something to nibble on while you knock back some drinks, try the smoked tarama, a snack served with homemade codfish tarama with blinis (little Eastern European pancakes) and paprika oil (B390), classic guacamole (B350), or the cold cut selection (B570).

There are a few more signatures to keep your eyes on. First is the Mami signature burger (B530), which comes encircled in a closed bun of sorts with a wagyu patty, caramelized onions, cheese and homemade bacon mayonnaise. For seafood lovers, which let’s be honest is nearly everyone in Bangkok, there’s a raw bar menu: sea bass crudo, ponzu and truffle vinaigrette, fresh truffle and daikon radish. Oysters are also available in two varieties, Fine de Claire and Gillardeau. 

There are desserts, as you would expect, round off the meals nicely. Our pick is the Mami affogato, an espresso shot, salted caramel ice cream and candied hazelnut. But if you are one of those types that doesn’t want caffeine after a meal or late at night, the chocolate lava cake (B300), exotic American cheesecake (B350), and tasty ice cream and sorbets (B100/scoop) to keep you occupied and heading towards a food coma. 

But it would be sacrilege to head all the way to Mami Rose without trying a drink or two. Specialty cocktails, of which there are 12, really showcase the range of the bartenders, like “Miami Beach” (Jack Daniel’s, apple cider, grenadine syrup, lemon juice, honey, passion fruit, B440) and “Goodtime Only” (Bombay gin, blue Curaçao, egg white, yuzu, B320).

The drinks menu also includes a range of other classics, like four different kinds of margaritas, four versions of mojitos, and three mocktails in addition to a gargantuan list of wines, Champagnes and Proseccos. 

On the nightlife side of things, Mami Rose isn’t just dishing out drinks and calling it a day, the venue is making a real push to become a nightlife destination of sorts—either to kick off an evening or end one. The venue hosts regular DJ nights, which usually start as sets in the background until around 9-10pm when the dance party starts, and special weekly events like ladies nights every Wednesday, Mami Fridays (live DJ sets), and its weekly Décadence party on Saturday with live performers. The venue is also available for private bookings by request for birthdays, corporate events, or even weddings.

While Bangkok is full to the brim with new restaurants and concepts that come and go, it is unique to see a venue that actually comes at the competitive F&B market with a new angle—1980s Miami vibes and elite-level food and drinks to match the posh, well-heeled clientele that we see frequenting here.  

Check out Mami Rose via

Website: www.mamirosebangkok.com

IG: @mamirosebangkok

FB: mamirosebangkok

5F, Emsphere, 628 Sukhumvit Rd., 090-221-3535. Open Mon-Fri 5pm-late; Sat-Sun 11am-late.