The buzz: After living in New York and trying his hand as a chef there, Prasong Kanhasura decided to bring back his love of retro Americana with his new café, The Wonka. A partner of the ultra-chic vintage store Wooden Submarine at the Cabochon Hotel and Made by Legacy, it’s no surprise The Wonka is also home to all sorts of knick-knacks and an art gallery.
The décor: Situated way out in far-flung Ratchapruek, you’ll be dining in the frontyard of a revamped old house. There’s no air-con in this pretty, communal dining space, just a white plastic ceiling with old light bulbs, rustic vintage chairs and a few wooden tables. To one side lies a large wooden cupboard filled with the owner’s handmade shirts and pants. The art gallery inside boasts a more vibrant décor with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and warm red walls lined with the featured exhibition’s paintings. In the future, the venue will also operate as a bed and breakfast for those wanting to spend more time admiring the owner’s vintage collection.
The food: Mostly classic American street food made using local ingredients. Almost everything is made from scratch with a few personal twists thrown in, as in the Uncle Willy Dog that comes with roasted onion, bacon and homemade beer cheese (B120) or The Beach Burger with pineapple, cucumber and onion (B180). Other simple options include the pulled pork banh mi (baguette with sliced pork, carrot and radish, B100) and beef over rice with corn chili remoulade, fried egg, collard green and clear soup (B180).
The drinks: There’s a wide selection of tea and coffee. Drip brew coffee ranges from B70-B100 using beans from Happy Espresso, a specialty coffee roaster based here in Bangkok. More refreshing option include the cardamom and green tea (B120), while a small bottle of Singha sets you back B80; Heineken, B100.
The crowds: Hordes of hipsters and people willing to travel a little further for their arty and vintage fix.
