When it comes to Chef Andreas Caminada, nothing is simple. The famed Swiss chef is behind Schloss Schauenstein, the restaurant in Fürstenau, Switzerland that holds three Michelin stars and one Green star. After cementing his name and reputation in his own homeland, Chef Andreas made the decision to spread his wings and expand his reach to the rest of the world.
And he chose Bangkok for his first venture outside of Switzerland. IGNIV, the new fine-dining restaurant at St. Regis Bangkok, ups the standards of fine-dining in the country, but does so in a comfortable and wholesome environment. (The name comes from the Romansh word for “nest”.) This is achieved through the use of furniture in subtle tones, warm lighting and decor that evoke avian symbolisms by Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola.
Two of Chef Andreas’ prodigies, Chef David Hartwig and Chef Arne Riehn, head IGNIV’s kitchen. The duo has come up with a line-up that spans global culinary inspirations but still retains European sensibilities. In contrast to other fine-dining restaurants, they’ve also come up with dishes meant for sharing—for both à la carte offerings and set course meals.
We recently went for lunch and experienced the lunch set meal firsthand. First to arrive on the table is Beef Tartare, which comes with crispy potato slices and a runny egg, altogether giving multiple textures within a single bite. Next up is Lettuce, which quickly became a favorite. It’s a highly simple dish comprising lettuce drizzled with chilli sauce. The combination of refreshing greens and spicy sauce packs a surprising blow of flavors to your palate.
The lunch includes three courses, but IGNIV offers a surprise option for diners who want to add another course to their meal—a secret dish that the chefs have created for the day. On that day, it was Chicken Nugget (B400), which wowed us with its subtle flavors and smoky aroma.
Despite being less than a year old, IGNIV is already shaping up to be a new star in Bangkok’s vast fine-dining scene. Chef David and Chef Arne work well together to come up with mouthwatering sweet and savory creations that every gourmand should try.
The price for a three-course lunch is B1,900++, while a four-course dinner is priced at B3,800++. Add B600++ for the surprise course.
