Deliciously Dusit
Tucked away behind a white-painted wall and standing in the middle of a beautifully landscaped garden on Sala Daeng Road, Baan Dusit Thani is carrying the torch for the much-loved classic hotel as it undergoes redevelopment nearby on some of the most expensive land in Bangkok.
Spread over 4.5 rai, the new standalone venue will soon be the temporary home of the hotel’s signature restaurants and the first to open is the coffee shop Dusit Gourmet and Garden Bar, with Thien Duong Vietnamese Restaurant and Benjarong Thai Restaurant both slated to start service next month.
Natapa Sriyuksiri, assistant vice president of Dusit International, says that the Dusit Gourmet is divided into three cosy rooms with a central counter serving quality teas and coffees, fresh juices, delicious baked goods, and light international and Asian-inspired bites. At night, the venue seamlessly transforms into a snug and attractive bar, with craft beers, organic wines and Asian-inspired cocktails adding to the friendly ambience.
“This place was actually the bachelor pad of the owner and is the smallest of the three houses on the land. We have undertaken considerable renovations but maintained the vintage feel as much as possible. We are delighted to have found this place. The venue is elegant and perfectly embodies the spirit and hospitality of Dusit Thani Bangkok,” she says.
Dusit Gourmet has three distinctive sections. The Social Room is the heart of the house, where guests can relax in comfortable chairs set around the main bakery counter. This warm and inviting space is perfect for casual conversations, refreshing drinks and light bites and, of course, the gracious hospitality for which the Dusit Thani Bangkok’s staff are known.
The Secret Room boasts a wealth of art and memorabilia plus thoughtfully recrafted furniture specially enhanced to suit its new home. The walls are painted golden yellow, the hotel’s signature colour. The Glass House is a modern conservatory overlooking the garden and pool and is bathed in abundant natural light. Green and gold mosaics, similar to the iconic ones used at Dusit Thani Bangkok, work in harmony with the lush greenery outside to provide a refreshing oasis in the heart of the city. The Garden Bar, meanwhile, has oversized loungers that are perfect for whiling away an afternoon or evening in a tropical poolside setting.
The menu offers the signature favourites from the Dusit Thani Bangkok plus a range of new healthy and tasty dishes to suit modern lifestyles. Diners can enjoy an all-day breakfast, sandwiches and wraps, salads, pasta dishes, soups, desserts and baked goods. The afternoon tea set offers a wide selection of homemade cakes and pastries as well as the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory theme set, all served with premium organic teas from the Monsoon Tea Company in Northern Thailand.
Well worth sampling are the super healthy Acai Bowl (Bt240) stuffed with dragon fruit, banana, strawberry and coconut; the Nori Wrap Maki Style (Bt275) - brown rice, pickled cucumber, diakon, watercress, toasted sesame, carrot, pickled ginger mayo and coriander ponzu; Smoked Salmon Bagel (Bt275) mixed with cream cheese and dill; and the sinful Blueberry Waffle (Bt170) with zest, mascarpone, and maple syrup.
As the evening rolls around, Dusit Gourmet transforms into a chic hangout spot where customers can enjoy a unique range of cocktails created in partnership with the award-winning mixologists of Tropic City cocktail bar. Highlights include Sweet Silom, The 1970, The Librarian, and Berries & Bubbles but for those who prefer their drinks straight, there’s a good selection of premium gins, organic wines, and craft beers, plus a tempting menu of bar snacks.
Dusit Gourmet is open daily from 7am to 11pm. Onsite parking is available. To book a table, call (02) 200 9009.
