Reviving Thai heritage with a contemporary twist
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The newest F&B concept at the ultra-modern W Bangkok, The House on Sathorn is set in an elegant heritage building which dates back to 1889. And just two weeks after opening, this dining and entertainment complex is fast becoming the most exciting incarnation of the building in its 126-year history.
Having variously served as a family home, a hotel and the Russian Embassy, before being left derelict for more than a decade, this charming colonial-style building has now been revived to create a series of venues, including The Dining Room, The Bar and The Courtyard, plus private event spaces.
And while the traditional charm of the original home has been revived, it has also been injected with 21st Century attitude by the W Bangkok. The House manages to juxtapose the cutting-edge and classical to give the building a stylish new soul.
Modern yet rich in heritage, opulent yet understated, The House walks a fine tightrope of styles, but never loses it balance. And this contrast is even reflected in The Dining Room’s menu.
First timers may not know what to expect from The Dining Room; even after reading the menu. Sources of culinary inspiration jet across the world, from Japan to the Mediterranean, France, Germany and India, and back to Japan.
And yet somehow it seems to work; the diverse menu feels coordinated rather than confused.
This multi-cultural menu is a reflection of the life of The Dining Room’s chef, Fatih Tutak, whose culinary career has taken him from his Istanbul home to Beijing, Tokyo, Singapore, Denmark and Hong Kong, including stints at the world-famous noma in Copenhagen and three Michelin-starred Nihonryori Ryugin in Tokyo.
And Chef Fatih has called upon a lifetime of culinary influences to create a contemporary menu that showcases the best ingredients and modern cooking techniques, along with a touch of humour and culinary theatre. For example, the ‘Hunting’ dish appears to feature a freshly-shot duck, with pomegranate jus acting as the blood and onion ash depicting gunpowder, while the exquisite sashimi dish ‘Early Morning at Tsukiji Market’ reflects the chef’s daily routine when working in Tokyo.
Guests can choose to sit at private tables or at the long wooden counter, as one would in a Japanese sushi or Spanish tapas bar. This seating style lends The Dining Room a less formal atmosphere. Chefs plate-up precisely behind the long kitchen bar, amid bubbling water baths and rows of exotic utensils, allowing diners to get a closer view of how their dishes are prepared.
The House on Sathorn is fast developing an impressive reputation on Bangkok’s culinary scene. It manages to combine refined contemporary cuisine and stylish design with a casual setting and rational prices, giving it a welcoming and unpretentious atmosphere.
Structurally, The House on Sathorn still appears to be a charming, century-old home. But in reviving this charming building to create such a unique and vibrant F&B concept, W Hotels has restored more than just a house – it has managed to recapture the spirit of hospitality.
THE HOUSE ON SATHORN
Where: 106 North Sathorn Road, Bangkok (next to W Bangkok)
Tel: +66 (0) 2 344 4000
Web: www.thehouseonsathorn.com
Email: thehouseonsathorn@whotels.com
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