A Stellar Dining Experience at Nahm

I love to travel and try new restaurants in different countries. I believe that by trying the food from one country so much about its culture and history are revealed.

During my recent trip to Bangkok this month, I celebrated my birthday in a cool and memorable way by exploring new places and by dining at Nahm.

Nahm is a fine dining Thai restaurant located at the modern and hip Metropolitan by COMO hotel in Bangkok. It has the number 8 spot in Asia's Best Restaurants 2016 list and it is the only Thai fine dining restaurant included in the prestigious World's 50 Best Restaurants 2016 list.

Nahm restaurant's al fresco dining area

source :  comohotels.com

Chef David Thompson, who heads the team at Nahm, is a rock star in the culinary world. He has received a Michelin star for Nahm in London before and has been awarded with the Diners Club Lifetime Achievement Award at Asia's 50 best Restaurants 2016 event.  Below is a video showing Chef David Thompson appreciating the award, expressing his passion for his job and his gratitude to the people who have helped him.

To experience Nahm's amazing food experience, you need to book a reservation in advance. In my case, I booked via email to Metropolitan at COMO hotel in Bangkok a month  before my trip since I know that Nahm is a must-try restaurant in Thailand that foodies, travelers and serious gourmands visit.

I tried the tasting menu offered at THB2,500 per person (around USD 45.00) since I wanted to have a taste of different dishes. You just have to take note that it is best to ask the staff about the best-sellers so that you can decide if you want to include it in your tastng menu. Nahm also offers ala carte dishes that are good for sharing. Also, since Nahm offers some spicy dishes it would be best to ask the staff to know how spicy the dishes are prior to ordering it.

Dining at Nahm is a food adventure in itself. Chef David Thompson is known for exacting perfection in making dishes so each one is truly made with high quality and the best ingredients. He is also known for his in-depth knowledge on learning historical origins of food and combining excellent cooking techniques  with the best ingredients in order to create remarkable dishes.

My dinner at Nahm was not a short dinner but it was certainly an extraordinary culinary experience. In order to have a sense of balance, prior to my dinner I had to swim for 2 hours to make sure that I was also ready to burn the calories of the dishes that I was going to try. My anticipation in trying the fantastic dishes at Nahm was really an effective way to motivate myself to do my total immersion swim drills in a 25-meter lap pool...ha ha.

Below are the dfferent dishes that I have tried at Nahm.

Amuse bouche

Mahor with minced shrimp, chicken, pork, palm sugar, garlic
and shallots that is shaped like a strawberry and
 served on a slice of  fresh pineapple.

Tasting the food at Nahm was like being at The Taste television show with Anthony Bourdain and Nigella Lawson. The various flavours and textures presented in a simple yet elegant manner is truly worth every bite. The four canapes served at the beginning gives a nice introduction to the amazing dishes that were about to be served.

Canapes

From the left to right:

(1) crab wafers with coconut galangal and coriander

(2) egg nets with prawns , wild almonds and kaffir lime

(3) pork and lobster with shredded ginger and Thai citron

(4) steamed red curry scallops with Thai basil and coconut

The scallop salad with coconut and lemongrass was truly refreshing.

Scallop salad with shredded coconut and lemongrass

The soup which was their take on a Tom Yum soup was also very flavourful.

Hot and sour prawn soup
with river praws and termite
mushrooms

The relish dish with tamarind and chilli which was served wth grilled catfish was also good.

Tamarind and chili reslish with grilled catfish
and neem leaves

One of my favourites among all the dishes is the wagyu beef curry which had the right spicy kick and extremely tender beef.

Panaeng curry of wagyu beef
with peanuts, shallots and
Thai basil.

The other must-try is the fried fish with lemongrass and fish sauce.

Fried fish with
lemongrass and fish sauce

Prior to serving the desserts, they also serve green mango with some sugar and salt as a palate cleanser.

The desserts were also nice. Petit fours composed of local Thai sweets in tasting portions were served. The other dessert I tried that was recommended by the staff was the refreshing pandanus noodle dessert with tapioca and coconut cream. It was a perfect choice in ending a  truly phenomenal meal.

Petit fours

Pandanus noodles with black sticky rice,
water chestnuts, tapioca and coconut
cream served with fresh mangosteen

During my dinner at Nahm, I just kept hearing other guests saying that the food is really good and facial reactions of delight from every bite. Even the Thai business executives having dinner were so pleased with the dishes that they were sharing with their business partners.

The interiors at Nahm may be simple and understated but it is just apt since the focus is certainly the stellar Thai cuisine that they serve. It is one restaurant truly worth trying and revisiting in Bangkok. 

My dining experience at Nahm was simply not an ordinary Thai food experience and the dishes were truly aromatic, flavourful, and served using honest to goodness and best ingredients that transcends the palate to experience a delightful interplay of sour, sweet, spicy, and salty flavours that create perfectly balanced dishes that top chefs and food critics would certainly appreciate and approve.

To reserve or know more about Nahm restaurant, you may check out this link: Nahm restaurant reservation information.

Jim Thompson House Revisited

I love going to places that are both well-designed and historical. 

During my recent trip to Bangkok, I decided to revisit the Jim Thompson House. I went to this place years ago during a trip with my brother and I remember being impressed with the rich history of the place and the owner.

The Jim Thompson House

This is the facade of the house  where most visitors take a photo

Going to the Jim Thompson house is easy. All you need to do is to take the BTS train, go to the National Stadium train station and take Exit 1. Once you step down from the train station and see the Mercure hotel on your right just continue to  walk to the first street located a few steps from the hotel. You will see a signboard that points to the Jim Thompson House on the corner of the street. At the end of the street you will see the Jim Thompson House. One has to pay Baht150(around USD3.00) to view the house which includes a 35- minute tour of the house with an English speaking guide.

The Legendary Jim Thompson

Jim Thompson


source: jimthompsonhouse.com

Jim Thompson is an American entrepreneur who studied in Princeton University in the United States and was an architect who practiced in New York City until the 1940s.  

He was also involved with the United States Army and was assigned in the OSS(Office of Strategic Service), which is also the forerunner of the CIA(Central Intelligence Agency). With his work in the US Army, he was able to travel to Italy, France and Asia.

He fell  in love with Thailand when he stayed there and decided to settle there and build a business which is now known as the Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company. His contribution to the development of the Thai Silk industry was significant. He was the one who paved the way for the the Thai Silk industry's boom. 

A colourful presentation of how Thai silk is made
is displayed outside the shop

Jim Thompson was also known for providing the costumes for "The King and I", the musical in New York City, and his continuous efforts to help local people through livelihood programs focused on Thai Silk production has provided a source of income to the communities in Thailand.

The Wooden Printing Block

The printing block design was the same design used for
 the  costumes for The King and I show in New York
City. The design was based on the designs on the
porcelain vase.

Jim Thompson was certainly artistic and had excellent taste in design. He was also involved in the reorganization of the Oriental Hotel in Thailand. 

Since Jim Thompson has contributed so much to Thailand, he became known as the "Legendary American of Thailand". 

In 1967, he traveled with his friends to the Cameron HIghlands in Malaysia. He set out to walk in the jungle  on his own and never returned. According to the tour guide at the house, it is believed that he may have been either attacked by tigers or kidnapped in the jungle since he was also involved in the US Army. Thus, his disappearance remains a mystery until today.

A House Built Without Nails

Jim Thompson's House is considered a grand home based on Thai standards since the whole property has 6 traditional Thai houses in one compound and the entire property covers around half a hectare of land. The house construction started on an auspicious date and time since Jim Thompson had taken the advise of a Buddhist monk for good luck, peace and harmony. Construction started on  September 15, 1958 at 9:00AM. It was completed in 1959.

The entire house is made from light, pre-fabricated sections of wood with each section forming a wall.  Each wall is fitted together and hung on the superstructure - a frame of wooden pillars that provides support without nails. 

One of the houses in the compound

 This used to be the rice storage area 
during the time Jim Thompson was
alive. Currently, artworks are 
displayed inside the house.

One will notice that most of the doors are slanted since it provides support for the structure. It was designed in such a way  that it is easy to take down the pieces of the wall and re-assemble the house since during those times it gives the family flexibility in case they decide to move their house.

One of the houses where Jim Thompson's painting
collection can be viewed

Asian inspired decors are displayed  under the house

There are also wooden steps that are placed in between doorways of the rooms in the house since the Thais believe that this helps prevent spirits from going into the house since spirits.

The house has a lot of windows which helps in the uninterrrupted flow of air and circulation of air in the entire house. In the dining area of the house, the windows has wood carvings on the bottom.  Apart from this, Jim Thompson made use of two mahjong tables as dining table that can accommodate a party of six for get together dinners.

Carved window 

source: jimthompsonhouse.com

The dining room at Jim Thompson's house has
carved windows with the carvings located inside
      the room for guests to see and appreciate.  This is
 uncommon as carvings are usually  shown on
 the outside area of the house to show that the
owner of the house is affluent.

The pantry area of the house is where Jim Thompson's porcelain collection is displayed. Some of his porcelain collection features Thai design in five colours consisting of  red, blue, green, yellow and black, which are also known as "Benjarong" , a Thai word that means five colours.

JIm Thompson's Benjarong porecelain collection

source: jimthompsonhouse.com

A Collection of Buddha Statues

Although Jim Thompson is not a Buddhist, he respected the religion and has collected various Asian Buddha statues that are displayed in his home. 

Meditating Buddha

This is part of Jim Thompson's collection which is
 displayed  in one of the rooms of his house.

source: jimpthompsonhouse.com

Some are made from wood sourced from Ayutthaya and some are Asian finds made from sandstone.

Standing buddha

This is part of Jim Thompson's Buddha statue
collection and is 1,800 years old

Jim Thompson Thai restaurant and shop

One must also try the Jim Thompson restaurant that serves authentic Thai dishes. The restaurant has both indoor and  an outdoor seating area that shows a view of the house. 

Interiors of the Jim Thompson restaurant are
predominantly lime green

The koi pond located at the outer area of the restaurant
provides a lovely view of the house

During my visit, I was a bit peckish after the tour and I ended up having lunch at the restaurant.

Prawn in green curry, fresh coconut juice and a
 Jim Thompson branded bottled water

If you like to get some souvenirs, postcards, bags, other silk items or a cook book, you can get it from the shop.

The facade of the Jim Thompson shop

Prints with Thai paintings, postcards and books can be
seen in the shop

At the Table of Jim Thompson book

This book contains recipes of Thai dishes featured
in the restaurant

A visit to Jim Thompson's House is truly one of the must do things when one is visiting Bangkok. It is a reflection of how expats live in Thailand in the 1950s and also shows how one foreigner can contribute to a country's development by founding a business that has provided a good livelihood to many Thai families until today.

To know more about the Jim Thompson House, just click on the link: Jim Thompson House website.

Thai Spirit House

In Thailand, little houses which are miniature replica of a Thai-style house or temple are seen in various places. 

The most ubiquitous place where one can see a Thai spirit house includes the garden area of homes and hotels. Thais also place spirit houses in the open spaces of restaurants and busy market places.

The Thai Spirit House at
The Sukhothai Bangkok Hotel

The Thais believe that the spirit house provides a home for the resident spirits in the compound. The resident spirits are believed to play a major role in the fortune and destiny of the inhabitants of the place. With this, Thais ensure that the spirits are not offended by inappropriate neglect or disrespect since such circumstances could lead to bad luck and misfortune for the owner and the residents of the place.

Daily offerings composed of flowers, incense sticks, and food are made by Thais at the spirit house in order to appease the spirits. Furthermore, the location of the spirit house is also important. Thais ensure that the spirit house is placed in a location where the main building’s shadow does not cast upon it. Usually, the spirit houses are placed in the northern, eastern or northeastern part of the compound.

I was informed by Chef Narain of the Mandarin Oriental Cooking School that some people also wish in front of Thai spirit house and once their wish is fulfilled they go back to the Thai spirit house and tie a colourful cloth around the spirit house to express gratitude.

Chef Narain offered flowers at the Thai spirit
house located in the same compound as
 the Oriental Cooking School when we got
 back from our market visit.

It is amazing how the Thais have been continuously placing Thai spirit houses in the compounds where they live and work. It is a tradition passed on to the next generation by the Thai people and until today daily offerings are made to appease the spirits which in return is believed to bring good fortune and luck to the people staying in the place.

Bo.lan : A Marriage of Exceptional Thai Food and Sustainability

During my recent trip to Bangkok, I was able to try Bo.lan, an exceptional Thai fine dining restaurant that has put sustainability and social responsibility into their business philosophy.

Bo.lan is a restaurant that has been highly rated by culinary experts since it listed in Asia's Best Restaurants in 2013 and 2014. The restaurant has been in business since 2009 and it is still one of the most loved Thai fine dining restaurants in Bangkok that local foodies and travelers go to.

Bo,lan. restaurant

The outer area of the restaurant has a garden and pool

Apart from making it to the Asia's Best Restaurant list, Chef Bo was also named as "Asia's Best Female Chef" in 2013 by the same team that announces Asia's 50 Best Restaurants.

Chef Bo

source: theworlds50best.com

Bo.lan stands for the combined names of the husband and wife team and chefs who own the restaurant. Chef Bo is Thai and Chef Dylan is Australian. They met in London when they were working as chefs, fell in love and decided to settle in Bangkok to put up a restaurant that advocates bio diversified produce. Chef Dylan used to work at Nahm restaurant in London.

Chef Bo and Chef Dylan

Currently, they work closely with local farmers and believe in running their restaurant in a socially responsible and sustainable manner.  Bo.lan is a term that also sounds like the Thai word that means "ancient" or "vintage". They continue to incorporate sustainable practices in their restaurant and their goal is to make Bo.lan a zero carbon restaurant by 2018. 

My experience on getting a reservation at Bo.lan was very good. The restaurant manager, Dee, replies to email requests promptly and he also gave useful directions on how to find the restaurant when I talked with him on the phone.

Originally, I wanted to get a lunch reservation at Bo.lan but I was informed that they only open for lunch on weekends. Since I had a busy schedule during my trip, I ended up getting a dinner reservation on a Sunday.

The restaurant gives one a feel of dining at a nice home. Its dimly lit interiors and unique ceiling filled with various, flat and circular baskets that are often seen in local Asian markets, provide a cozy atmosphere.

Bo.lan restaurant interiors

Wall art at Bo.lan

I would consider Bo.lan as one of my most memorable dining experiences. I was certainly surprised that the waitress told me that the chef wants to meet me in the kitchen. It was a fun experience as Chef Dylan asked me to taste a different version of sticky rice and fruit. He said that usually sticky rice is combined with ripe mango but what he wants me to try is his version which is to have it with fresh pineapple.

Organic sticky rice with palm sugar and a slice of
fresh pineapple

Appetizers include boiled peanuts, crispy
crackers with caramel and crispy puffed rice

At Bo.lan, the manager and waiters are all very knowledgeable about the menu. They also are very considerate to their customers as they ask if there are food allergies that they have to take note of and if you take alcohol or not. They can also adjust the food if you prefer it not to be too spicy. Plus, they also have a vegetarian menu.

I got the Bo.lan Balance food tasting menu which was priced at THB 2,600 per person (around USD 75.00). 

The meal started with a special local cocktail where one gets to spray pandan flavoured water after drinking the special concoction and eating the sour fruits.

Ya dong grachai dum served
with local sour fruits 

The amuse bouche is an interesting combination of various flavours and texture. Some are crunchy with a hint of spicy flavour.

Bo.lan amuse bouche 

Single plate of the day -Rice noodle with dried prawns
 and pineapple served with grill prawn dumpling

Relish of prawn and coconut cream served
 with assorted greens and fried
 Petchaburi whiting 

The salad was simply refreshing and nice. The mix of the edible flowers made the dish more pleasing and fresh.

Salad of Mid-Monsoon local edible
flowers with smashed ocean prawn

Spicy Soup of young bamboo shoot
 with pork ribs 

Mon Style Curry of grilled KU beef
with “Khii lek” leaves 

The beef curry had a nice spicy flavour and the beef was so tender.  The grilled chicken was also good and flavourful.

Grilled Phanaeng Chicken

Squid with limes

 This was a complimentary dish from the chef

Bo.lan dessert mix

Bo.lan has a creative way of presenting desserts as it makes use of a horseshoe shaped candle served together with the various Thai desserts. The waiter puts the candle light off by covering the candle with a glass cover that creates an interesting smokey effect on the plate.

Petits fours 

The Bo.lan Balance menu is true to its name. The contrast and fusion of the different flavours and textures creates a pleasing balance that excites one's palate. The service was also good as the waiters are attentive.

Since some of the dishes are spicy it is best to drink lots of water and refreshing drinks during one's meal at Bo.lan restaurant. Plus, Bo.lan also provides their own Bo.lan blend tea made using fresh herbs and is paired with the desserts.

Apart from offering good Thai food, the restaurant also offers cooking classes for culinary enthusiasts.

It is interesting and amazing indeed to try a unique fine dining Thai restaurant with a heart like Bo.lan which continues to run their business in an environmentally sound manner and has made a commitment to help local farmers by sourcing organically produced goods that are used for the restaurant's dishes to promote sustainability. 

To know more about Bo.lan, you may click on the link and check their website: Bo.lan  website