Health, wealth and happy eating

NAMED FOR the Hindu god of wealth and prosperity, House of Lakshmi Mantra on Soi Sukhumvit 12 has long attracted fans of its spa products made only from the most natural of ingredients. Shoppers are also delighted to find that the two-storey house on this quiet soi is also home to a restaurant serving healthy Thai and Western foods along with delicious drinks.

Bhornrawan Maharakkhaka, who owns Lakshmi Mantra along with some friends, is also one of the partners in popular Thai restaurant Supanniga Eating Room on Soi Thonglor so knows a lot about food.

Two years ago, she launched via Facebook a range of home-made botanical products ideal for those with sensitive skin and did so well that opening a real-life store was the next logical step.

“My products got really good feedback and before long customers were dropping by my house to order more. That’s when I decided I needed a proper space to receive them. So I looked for a house in central Bangkok that would double as both shop and cafe and was lucky enough to find this place,” Bhornrawan says.

“The property, which has four buildings, belongs to a 93-year-old and he rents out some of the space. It’s also home to a cooking school and eatery and I’m occupying an old building that’s surrounded by a shady tropical garden and boasts a swimming pool.” 

The cafe, which opened two months ago, offers inside and outdoor dining, with the air-conditioned inner space sealed by floor to ceiling windows through which you can admire the garden.

The first floor has a coffee counter with a colourful dessert showcase at the entrance and shares its space with a table and shelves stacked with body lotions, soaps, mud masks and body washes in 20 different fragrances. 

Bhornrawan serves a range of seafood and easy-to-eat dishes, matching them to her skincare menu by using only pink Himalayan salt, honey, butter and pepper in their preparation.

“Himalayan salt has the full spectrum of 84 minerals and trace elements. It doesn’t contain any iodine and unlike other salt, is actually good for you. We use honey and real fruits in our smoothies. And to ensure a great texture and good taste for our seafood dishes, we serve large river prawns from Mynamar and crabs from Surat Thani.

 “We keep the prices reasonable too so eating here is a real treat.”

We try the Spicy Crab Meat and Shrimp Salad (Bt190), which comes adorned with fried lotus roots and golden needle mushrooms as well as Spaghetti River Prawn in a delightful pink sauce topped with black caviar for Bt700. 

We follow up with Grilled Scallops from the US served with Rocket Salad and home-made raspberry dressing for Bt280 and thoroughly enjoy the Trio Zap Zap (Bt280), a plate of deep-fried chicken wings, blended with jaew and barbecue sauce and pink Himalayan salt.

Desserts are especially prepared for the restaurant by four local pasty chefs and include a smooth Mango Pudding (Bt75) and a delectable eclair filled with light cream and served with three kinds of macaroons for Bt180.

The drinks menu features aromatic Vienna Iced Latte (Bt160) with a spicy undertone and topped with fresh whipped cream and cinnamon as well as a two-tone Kiwi Strawberry Smoothie (Bt85), an apple juice cocktail mixed with Sangsom and a wine-and-fruit combo known as Summer.

“We also have ice cream made from rose petal, lychee and vanilla as well as cupcakes, coconut cakes and jellies,” Bhornrawan says. 

“And starting from this week, we are also offering a range of new dishes in our All Day Breakfast menu.”

Visitors between 5 and 7pm can also take advantage of the Happy Hour promotion that gives a second drink free with any glass of wine or cocktail ordered.

 

 

SENSE OF SCENTS

>>House of Lakshmi Mantra is located at 16 Soi Sukhumvit 12. It’s open from Monday to Friday, 11.30am to 10pm (except Tuesday) and Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 10pm. Call (084) 926 2442 or visit Facebook page/HouseOfLakshmiMantra.