When food's the Issue
The Thai fashion brand combines tasty Thai cuisine with home decor items in a new pop-up star
DESIGNER ROJ Singhakul of Thai fashion house Issue is known for exploring Thai spices and foods through the patterns in his clothes and accessories. Now he’s bringing them into the real world by opening a pop-up cafe.
The eatery, which is also called Issue and can be found inside the multi-brand pop-up store Another Alternative at Siam Center, is attractively done out safari-style with tents, antique furniture and lots of vintage home decor accessories. If one of these takes your fancy, just tell one of the staff – all items are for sale.
Roj is not a newcomer to the food business. Two decades ago he launched the successful Room Service at Chatuchak Weekend Market, which quickly become a meeting place for the fashion – and fashionable – crowd.
Inspired by King Rama II’s Verse of Food and Dessert, Issue’s autumn/winter 2013 collection is called Spices and its vivid and fun patterns are inspired by red onion, lemon, basil and even pork belly fat complete with the rind. The foods served at the cafe are cooked and dressed with spices and herbs – giving them a pleasant aroma. Each dish is dressed with fennel and turmeric powders.
The Salmon Salad with Fried Parma Ham (Bt380) has a definite spicy kick, with the salmon fillet resting on a delicious bed of spicy dressing. Another great option is Spicy Bacon Spaghetti with Northeastern-style Sausage (Bt259), with the crispy bacon and dried chilli blending well with the tang of the sausage.
Chicken Biryani Rice (Bt220) is another firm favourite. The roast chicken is marinated with spices and garnished with toasted black sesame together with miso soup. The last but most pleasing is Minced Chicken Noodle (Bt168), a dish of plain rice noodles served with minced chicken cooked with spices and shredded pork. Mixed together, it achieves the perfect balance of texture and taste.
The cafe has an extensive list of drinks but the star is the mocktail Happy Fruity Juice served on a basket with ice. Priced at Bt150, it is healthy too with the vitamin C kick coming from a refreshing blend of orange, pineapple and passion fruit. For a bigger a kick, opt for cocktail Hemingway (Bt220) – a mix of rum, cherry liquor and grapefruit juice.
Issue is also offering its latest line in home decor items as well as outfits for the pampered pooch. You’ll find sofa, pillows, lamps, chairs and storage boxes in vivid colours.
The pop-up cafe is scheduled to run in its present location until May 31 and Roj says he’s planing to open a permanent eatery at Siam Paragon soon.
SPICE IS NICE
>>Issue Cafe is at the multi-brand pop-up store Another Alternative on the first floor of Siam Center. It’s open daily from 10 to 10. Call (095) 520 6925.
