The St. Regis Bangkok's Italian restaurant Jojo has welcomed a new face in the kitchen. Chef Stefano Merlo, formerly of Bangkok's Enoteca and Rossini's, presents new lunch and dinner menus that go for a blend of tradition and innovation, with a focus on slow food and biodynamic produce. 

Aside from lots of homemade pastas, the dinner menu's highlight Northern Italian dishes include coniglio e carote (rabbit leg and loin, baby carrots in four ways and licorice jus, B1,080), cappesante affumicate (Hokkaido scallops, green apple, zucchini and apple fume, B780) and vitello tonnato moderno (sliced cold veal eye-round, tuna mayonnaise sauce, pickled vegetables, B650).

Also, from Aug 1-5, the restaurant will play host to Merlo's mentor, chef Alfredo Russo, the lynchpin of the Michelin-starred Dolce Stil Novo in Turin, who previously also consulted at Rossini's. The guest chef will roll out a series of special tasting menus for lunch and dinner, featuring everything from oyster ice cream to roasted lamb loin with potatoes.

The four-course lunch starts at B2,500++, while the five, seven or nine-course dinner is B4,200++, B5,100++ or B6,000++, respectively. Wine pairing is also available.

G/F, The St. Regis Bangkok, 159 Rajadamri Rd., 02-207-7815. Open Open daily 12pm-3pm; 6pm-11pm. BTS Ratchadamri