As restaurants around the city are opening up fully, chefs are bustling with various endeavours. Much-anticipated restaurant openings. New delivery options adapted to changing lifestyles. And, of course, inventive menus conceived during lockdown and now ready for their debut.
Here are the latest updates so that you can be among the first to check them out.
Indigo’s new look
This French restaurant, a favourite among locals and visitors alike looking for an easy-going Gallic atmosphere, took advantage of its temporary closure for a makeover. What does Indigo look like? Stop by for a classic French meal with a breezy atmosphere in Soi Convent to find out.
Location: 6 Convent Road, Si Lom, Bangkok, 10500. For reservations or more information call +66 2235 3268.
Chefs from Sühring and Gaggan Anand open a lifestyle coffee shop
After a long break at home cooking up barbeques and pasta with their families, twin brothers Chefs Thomas and Mathias Sühring of Sühring (two MICHELIN Stars) joined Chef Gaggan Anand of MICHELIN-listed Gaggan Anand to open a lifestyle coffee shop. What does that mean? The trio partnered with Thai street apparel and footwear brand Carnival to create CDGRE. In the coffee zone, Gaggan reveals his love of the bean as he pours his premium discoveries from around the world into a cup. The chef twins share their modern takes on childhood faves from Germany, including savouries like Brotzeit Picnic (Bread Time Picnic) and Crispy Pork Knuckle or such sweets as Crème Brulée Berliner or Sneakers Strietzel. Drop by the Ground Floor of Siam Paragon Shopping Centre for a nibble and taste.
Location: G15, G Floor, Siam Paragon, 991 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330. For reservations or more information, call +66 6 1269 6711.
Chef Tassanakajohn puts a grandchild’s spin on grandma’s recipes
Chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn of Le Du (one MICHELIN Star), Baan, and Nusara, all recognised in MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2021, continues without stopping to pioneer Thai cuisine. Fresh from opening the boat noodle shop ThepNakorn at King Power Rangnam, Chef Tassanakajohn takes his grandmother’s traditional Thai recipes featured at Nusara, located in the old city, and puts his modern inventive twist on them. She would definitely raise an eyebrow if she saw what he is doing at Baan Turtle in Soi Suan Plu.
Lahnyai Nusara evokes a classic je ne sais quoi as it presents the next evolution of Thai cuisine, combined with Chef Tassanakajohn’s expert French culinary techniques and enhanced with ingredients popular in western dishes. Think big-ticket items like Hokkaido scallops, caviar from Hua Hin, and white truffles from Alba. Lahnyai is led by Chef Nongnuch “Nuch” Sae-eiw, well experienced in Thai cuisine from Paste. Standout dishes include dried fish and watermelon jelly with dashi and orange zest topped with red caviar pickled in sweet fish sauce. The intense kaeng nang loi features whole legs of free-range duck confited before being smoked in sugarcane until fragrant and tender. Then there are the desserts like cho pakakrong with coconut milk that you can have topped with Alba white truffles if you want to splurge. Or pair your meal with wines selected by Chaisiri “Tam” Tassanakajohn, the chef’s little brother and sommelier. Make a reservation for the 14-course tasting menu, starting at 3,950 THB.
Location: 31 Suan Phlu 2 Alley, Sathon, Bangkok. For reservations or more information, call +66 6 2242 5966.
Blue by Alain Ducasse is back
Chef Wilfrid Hocquet and his team at the one MICHELIN Starred French restaurant Blue by Alain Ducasse are ready to welcome everyone back to their gorgeous location along the Chao Phraya River just in time for the festive season. Anyone who missed exquisitely presented contemporary French cuisine should make a reservation today.
Location: L101, 1st Floor, 299 Soi Charoen Nakhon 5, Charoen Nakhon Road, Khlong Ton Sai, Klong San, Bangkok. For reservations or more information, call +66 2005 9412 or email enquiries@blue-alainducasse.com.
The new chapter of Le Normandie led by Alain Roux
After following in the footsteps of his father, Michel Roux OBE, Alain Roux shepherded the Waterside Inn in Berkshire, England, which has received three MICHELIN Star awards for over 25 years (the only restaurant outside France to do so). Now Chef Roux the younger is joining the two MICHELIN Starred Le Normandie, fulfilling a 20-year dream shared with his father, who had worked with the renowned French restaurant since his first visit in 1985.
Following fellow chef Arnaud Dunand-Sauthier, who is venturing out with his own French restaurant Maison Dunand, Chef Alain Roux will add his own touch to Bangkok’s legendary eatery. He shared with us that he intended to incorporate traditional French dishes with recipes from his famous culinary family. He also wanted to bring the English riverfront dining experience of the Waterside Inn to Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River. And so came Le Normandie by Alain Roux. Head chef Phil Hickman, restaurant manager Federico de Luca, and the restaurant team opened the doors to welcome everyone back on 1 December 2021. Diners can now enjoy such classics as Challandais Duck, served tableside, and Brittany oysters, as well as carts of assorted cheeses and desserts such as soufflés creations handed down from his father.
Location: 5th Floor, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Bangkok, Bang Rak, Bangkok. For reservations and more information, call +66 2659 9000.
Chef Riley Sanders reveals his most exciting new menu at Canvas
After spending the lockdown creating artwork from ingredients for his Instagram, now Riley Sanders of Canvas (one MICHELIN Star) is more than excited for everyone to try his edible art in the latest tasting menu of 18 courses for 4,500 THB. This time, the Texan chef takes you on a festive journey of colourful cooking, expressing his vibrant imagination through ingredients from all over Thailand. There’s Pak Chong lamb from a small farm cooked until tender and juicy, boldly topped with poached bitter beans, paired with a six-ingredient sauce. Or a duck heart that looks like candy. Then mixed vegetables comprising 50 different seasonal vegetables from all over Thailand presenting a vibrant array with splashes of colourful sauces like a rainbow work of art befitting the restaurant’s name. Chef Sanders told us, “This menu is like my personal story because I created each plate with the same feeling as when I painted on canvas. It’s a fun experience for diners too. Watching people interacting with food and art makes me happy. It goes together like pairing wine with food. But for me, it’s food and art.”
Location: 1113/9-10 Soi Sukhumvit 55, Khlong Tan Nuea, Wattana, Bangkok. For reservations or more information, call +66 9 9614 1158.
Spanish brunch at Uno Mas
Indulge in spectacular Spanish flavours with such seafood as giant crab claws, lobster, tiger prawns, and assorted oysters and caviar. Eat all the Spanish favourites you want, served to your table. Everyone in the family can enjoy this brunch, at 3,955++ THB, which comes with a magnum (1.5L) of Champagne or unlimited wine selections. The first Sunday of every month from 11:30 to 14:30 at Uno Mas.
Location: 54th Floor, Centara Grand Hotel, Central World, 999/99 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok. For reservations or more information, call +66 2100 6255.
Saawaan is back with a brand new menu
The MICHELIN Guide Young Chef Award winner Chef Sujira ‘Aom’ Pongmorn and the talented pastry chef Arisara ‘Paper’ Chongphanitkul of one MICHELIN Starred Saawaan are back with their latest 8-course menu creations for 1,980++ THB, showcasing the finest of Thai ingredients and Thai cuisine. Enjoy a ride exploring the journey of kapi aka Thai shrimp paste. There’s also Chef Pongmorn’s highly-praised menu taken from the 2021 MICHELIN Star Revelation gala dinner, featuring a beautifully smoked Ibérico pork alongside a fusion of Northern and Southern curries from Chef Pongmorn’s travel last year. Chef Chongphanitkul’s sweet treats never disappoint diners with the likes of a special Thai tab tim krob, served with homemade smoked coconut ice cream and caramelised gelatinous coconut or her spin on khao niaw dam that you wouldn't want to miss. Diners can opt for their delicious juice pairing at 850++ THB.
Location: 39/19 Soi Suan Phlu, Sathon Road, Thung Mahamek, Bangkok. For reservations or more information, call +66 2679 3775
Ruay Mitr Khao Tom, the latest addition to Supanniga
Supanniga Group is known for their simple execution of delicious Thai food, such as can be found at Somtum Der and Supanniga Eating Room. And they are not done developing the best spots for easy yet tasty choices. Their latest offering, Ruay Mitr, features khao tom kui (rice porridge with sides) using the finest ingredients, served in a casual Thong Lo neighbourhood eatery. It’s currently a pop-up at the Supanniga Thong Lo branch. There are so many easily delivered Thai-Chinese dishes like stir-fried clams with roasted chilli paste, braised duck leg with vegetables and pickled lime, minced pork with Chinese olives, cabbage stir-fried in fish sauce and chillies, and much more. Choose a small set of three side dishes or pick a full serving to eat with steamed jasmine rice or jasmine rice porridge with pandan leaves. You can dine in or order from Grab Food as you prefer. More information can be found on Facebook.
Location: 160/11 Thong Lo Rd, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok. For reservations or more information, call +66 2714 7508.
Mia’s latest tasting menu in time for winter
After cooking up the storm with their laksa (spicy noodles) during lockdown, Chefs Top Russell and Michelle Goh of MICHELIN-recommended Mia are back with five-and seven-course winter tasting menus. The pair drew inspiration from nature’s vibrant colours, prepared with the culinary skills and techniques they cultivated at MICHELIN-Starred restaurants in Europe and Asia. The chefs present winter’s deliciousness with dishes like Hokkaido scallops with sour apple and dill sorbet, a Chef Goh signature, served with fragrant and refreshing yoghurt dressing, which you can choose to top with caviar. Those who missed the duck “brandy” soup from before will soon forget it with Chef Russell’s Pork 4 Ways, serving brandy from the pork soup. Choose from five courses for 2,850++ THB or seven courses for 3,550++ THB, with a three-glass wine pairing for an additional 990++ THB or an additional 1,890++ for five glasses.
Location: 30 Soi Athakravi 1, Rama 4 Road, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok. For reservations or more information, call +66 2080 0080 or +66 2258 6745.
Hero image of Alain Roux: © Anuwat Senivansa Na Ayudhya / MICHELIN Guide Thailand
