The buzz: Boasting an elegant, resort-like property behind Siam Paragon, Siam Kempinski has just opened Sra Bua, the sister restaurant of Michelin-starred Thai restaurant, Kiin Kiin, in Denmark. But if pricey Thai food isn’t your thing, their other restaurant, Brasserie Europa, offers pan-European dishes in ambient surroundings. The nostalgic, comfort food concept is reminiscent of the Hyatt’s Tables, without tableside cooking and at half the price.
The décor: The vertical lines of this well-lit, high ceilinged space is enhanced by monochromatic floor-to-ceiling wood and stone columns, with simple red chairs acting as accents and large yellow cloth cubes hanging from the ceiling, bathing the room in a soft, warm light. The overall vibe is airy yet elegant, without being old-fashioned.
The food: While the concept is pan-European, the menu veers a great deal towards the West and the Mediterranean with dishes like the hearty homemade tagliatelle with porcini ragout and the duck leg confit. Still, expect some central European classics like wiener schnitzel and plenty of berner roesti as sides. Less prepared options include the charcuterie platter and the herb-marinated blue fin tuna with avocado and citrus salad. An interesting item on their dessert menu is a kind of deconstructed mango millefeuille, with intense mango ice cream layered with crisp, coconut-flavored sheets of carmelized sugar and a dollop of lychee sherbet on the side.
The drinks: Other than Lavazza coffee and Ronnenfeldt teas, there is an extensive wine list covering white, red, rose, sparkling and sweet wines from the Old and New Worlds. Several wines also come by the glass, ranging from B210 to B640.
The crowd: Quiet for now, but we expect mostly hotels guests, whose particulars will probably change depending on the time of year, as well as a few hi-so shoppers from nearby Paragon and the occasional business diners.
Corkage B1000++.
