Blue Elephant dines on history

Blue Elephant Bangkok is eight years old this year, but the neo-classic heritage-listed building it occupies on South Sathorn Road is 108 years old. So its master chef and founder, Nooror Somany Steppe, has decided to celebrate the two occasions by creating a special menu inspired by culinary traditions of the previous owners of the mansion.

The Thai-Chin mansion began life as the Bombay department store, owned by Indian merchants. During World War II it was headquarters for Japanese military authorities occupying the country.

These days it belongs to the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, which saved the building from demolition after the war and registered the property as a historical heritage site.

"We were simply delighted that the mansion was available for us to make it the home of our Blue Elephant Cooking School and Restaurant when the Thai-Chinese Chamber moved to modern premises nearby in 2002," says Nooror.

Nooror's special menu can be termed "Thai-Chin", but it's not just Thai and Chinese food. The chef spent three months in the kitchen of the grand Taj Hotel in Bombay, has on several occasions been invited to the Tokyo Hilton and most recently was at the Ritz-Carlton Shanghai.

In each case she was promoting Thai cuisine.

The menu will be Thai with an innovative twist, reflecting her extensive culinary experience.

On the menu are Prawn sushi nam prik phaow plaa yang, Dim sum with foie gras and chicken, Vegetable samosa spring rolls and Kebab chicken sai oua, to name but a few dishes.

These treats are available all this month. Diners can select specific dishes a la carte or choose among set menus priced at Bt1,150-plus.

Reserve a table at (02) 673 9353-8 or [email protected].