What grows in The Gardens

IF YOU want to get away from the concrete jungle, look no further than The Gardens near Ekkamai BTS. Here American chef Autumn McTaggart serves stunning Western comfort dishes that you can savour amid lush greenery populated by rabbits, swans and peacocks. 

Taking over the historic, colonial-style Dinsor Palace that dates to 1930, The Gardens boasts homey yet sophisticated and nostalgic ambience with contemporary flair. The food is constructed with that same attitude. 

Chef McTaggart from Seattle offers her home-cooking recipes to entice with rich, hearty flavours, nice contrasts in texture and visually sensational presentations. Apart from top-quality ingredients, she playfully incorporates local flavours and often uses herbs and veggies grown in the backyard. 

Start your meal with a refreshing appetiser like chilled melon soup with prawn ceviche (Bt240), in which the sweet melon puree artfully turns into a savoury dish with a little spicy kick from chorizo oil. 

Other recommended substantial starters include grilled asparagus salad and goat cheese (Bt320), which has nice contrast of textures and layers of flavours, and seared foie gras with passion fruit gastrique (Bt590), well-rounded and hearty but not heavy.

One of the chef’s specialities is beef short ribs braised for 24 hours in red wine (Bt570). The succulent, tasty meat comes off the bone in tender chunks and is served with creamy potato puree, beacon, buttered carrots and horseradish. 

Another great option for the main course, especially for those who don’t take beef, is roasted black cod served with pork belly (Bt550), which is the chef’s “surf and turf” dish. The cod is seared to juicy tenderness with crispy skin, while the pork belly is braised to a soft and rich texture – again, a very exciting combination of flavours and textures. It is served with herbaceous, creamy cauliflower puree. 

For dessert, recommended is the New York cheesecake, creatively enhanced with Asian flavours, from toasted coconut, pineapple curd and basil foam to a pineapple ring caramelised with rum. 

The Gardens is a great spot anytime of day, for any occasion. Lovebirds will find it romantic and private at night while, during lunch, groups of friends and family can have a fun time hanging out. There’s some space to stroll around and the restaurant offers ample outdoor seating, making it suitable also for small children and even pets if they’re well behaved. 

 

OUTDOOR PLEASURES

>>The Gardens is in a little alley between Sukhumvit sois 59 and 61. It’s within walking distance of the Ekkamai BTS. 

>>It’s open daily for a light breakfast lunch and dinner from 8am till 11pm.

>>Call (02) 714 2112 or visit www.TheGardensPalace.com.