While Aree has never been short of cute house bars and cafes, this casual-but-chic restaurant is definitely trying to think out of the box. Clothing designer Tanya Tansaringkan joined forces with young, hip chef Nokveedz to design a creative fusion menu and expanded her small, townhouse coffee shop into a two-story restaurant with a clothing store on the third floor selling her designs. Too bad the whole concept is let down by sloppy service and poor produce. On our last visit, dishes arrived one by one, so slowly that diners we able to finish them in turn. They did notice, knocked 10% off the bill and threw in one dessert for the four of us—a rare move in this town. But even a bad night can’t account for the generally clueless waiters or the crazy waving one must engage in to attract their attention. Every main we ordered followed the same pattern: interesting, at times delicious sides and sad, over-cooked meat. The driest, flattest piece of chicken breast is doused in an oily cream with the faintest trace of gorgonzola (gorgonzola chicken, B180) and a heap of pasta. A tired, even gamey, piece of lamb is accompanied by an excellent ratatouille (B350). A gray, chewy and overcooked chunk of tenderloin comes with a wholewheat breakfast muffin topped with chopped shallots (B350). Apps, such as the oily pomme frites basket (B150) or the pleasant but watery gazpacho (B120), are hardly more successful but there are also Japanese and Thai noodles to be explored. With its exposed brick, high ceilings and long black leather couches under dangling globe lamps inside, and cool night garden vibe outside, we’re not completely ruling out going back. They only charge a 10% service charge and no VAT. They do several wines by the glass (B120-300), if you’re looking to get sloshed, but keep your food expectations in check.
