The buzz: Thai Chef Kittichet “Eiam” Thirapongpattana, who graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Sydney in Australia, serves up inventive and artfully presented food in a casual but busy space. Situated in the same soi as The Oyster Bar near Oakwood Residence, this restaurant is proving popular with local expats, particularly for its breakfast menu.
The décor: Located in the largely empty new community mall Raffles, which oddly looks like a tacky Thai-Chinese uncle’s house—think Roman pillars and an all-white color scheme—the restaurant, too, is different from what you usually get in Thonglor or Ari. The first floor features simple tile flooring, a few small tables and a wine cellar on one side, while things get more confused on the second floor where you’ll find maroon-colored cushioned walls, mismatched pillows and a plain glass window panel.
The food: With a distinct focus on classic French dishes, Chef Eiam incorporates imported meats, lots of jellies, purees and colorful ingredients to reproduce complex dishes inspired by a few Michelin-starred chefs he’s had experience working with. These include the roasted Murraylands lamb rack, which is surrounded with a pepper crust meant to imitate soil, confit lamb loin, potato puree, greens and rosemary jus (B690), and the pan-fried Hokkaido scallops with black gnocchi and miso vinaigrette hidden in rolls of carrot slices (B590). Desserts are very photogenic, like the tubes of yoghurt yuzu with cream served with matcha puree and mandarin ice cream (B190) or, if you really like things sweet, the vanilla panna cotta served underneath slices of gelatin stuffed with lychee and strawberry (B190). Most of the dishes come in pretty big portions so you might want to wear some loose pants. Breakfast, on the other hand, is way less fussy—great for those in a rush for work. Expect all the obvious options ranging from eggs benedict with English muffin, bacon, sautéed spinach and hollandaise (B200) to Spanish omelet with black olives and anchovy (B190).
The drinks: The wine list is pretty standard with bottles ranging from B920-B3,900. The brief list of beers includes Singha (B90), Hoegaarden (B190) and Corona Extra (B249), while classic cocktails start from B220.
The crowds: Casually dressed expats and Thai neighbors who want fancy-looking dishes in a low-key atmosphere.
