This small cozy restaurant is a sister of Tessa, a European bistro on Thonglor Soi 23. From the outside, it looks like a chic interpretation of a French café’s terrasse thanks to earth-toned tables and white umbrellas. Inside, only a handful of tables fill the space, which is done in very earthy green and brown hues. A small corner is dedicated to the gift shop, where aprons and cute kitchen utensils are available. Since it is set in the same complex as a wedding studio and chic boutiques, you can imagine the kind of crowd that hangs out here—well-off families and ladies-who-lunch. The menu follows the first Tessa’s formula for success by serving up tried-and-true homemade European fare like smoked ox tongue salad and spaghetti with shredded corn beef. For diners who want to drop in and eat without a fuss, the small-yet-satisfying menu hits the spot. There are seven starters and pastas and a dozen “Thai Flavors.” All items are whipped up with weight-conscious lady diners in mind as the ingredients claim to hail from organic farms and royal projects and the portions are relatively small. This is especially noticeable in the spinach lasagna: cheese lovers should avoid this spinach-packed pasta, but your nutritionist would certainly approve. Recipes are not only healthy, they really do have a home style feel. (The owner claims to have passed down recipes from generation to generation.) Pumpkin soup, if it’s the soup of the day when you visit, is a joy to slurp up. It is served topped with croutons and a pinch of oregano but its rich velvety texture more than makes up for the no-frills presentation. The kitchen does an equally good job with Thai fare. Crisp roti with chicken green curry substituted roti with crispy nacho chips that went surprising well with the rich flavor-packed green curry. Mee krob got an even funkier treatment; it was served cube shaped and topped with shrimp. The taste wasn’t that authentic but the crispy noodles were pleasantly addictive. Unfortunately for a restaurant that serves crepes, waffles and pancakes for breakfast, Tessa Terrace’s desserts don’t score as high as the rest. The peach crepe came with thick dough and not enough filling. Despite its luscious appearance, the Trifle (layers of sponge cake, jelly and strawberries topped with vanilla sauce) was far from to-die-for. You can also take your chances with homemade ice cream and sorbets. Fresh coconut and santol sorbet were average but the dark chocolate was sinfully rich. Though it’s not distinctive enough to be a culinary destination, with competent unpretentious cooking, friendly service and a homey setting, Tessa Terrace makes a pleasant neighborhood bistro.
