Bangkok ends the year on a high note with the opening of the most anticipated restaurant of 2016, envisioned by the one and only Jamie Oliver. The affable British TV chef rose to fame with his cooking series, The Naked Chef, where he proves that cooking is indeed simple, fun and accessible to everyone. His onscreen success was quickly followed by best-selling cookbooks and eponymous restaurants in the world’s biggest cities. The latest franchise of Jamie’s Italian has recently opened its doors in the heart of the hip Siam Discovery mall, dishing out produce-driven comfort fare that’s strongly commited to Oliver’s core cooking philosophy.
Walk in and find yourself in a space that stays true to the chain’s worldwide aesthetic – heavy wooden tables and classic leather chairs deliver the vintage, industrial chic vibe of an intimate diner. One corner houses tables by an open kitchen where the clanging of pots and the sizzling of pans enliven the atmosphere. Another corner features a small souvenir shop that sells everything from the restaurant’s napkins to Oliver’s cookbooks.
Antipastis feature standouts like battered squid (B270) dressed with chili, garlic, and parsley, and paired with a garlicy aioli dip. The meat plank (B590/B1,180) is a certified Instagram. The dish, which comes on a wooden board balanced on tomato tins, comes with a selection of cured meats, from prosciutto to wagyu bresaola, premium cheeses, pickles and colorful coleslaw.
The restaurant’s most talked-about prawn linguine (B300/B390) is expectedly delicious, made of fresh house-made pasta, flavor-packed tomato sauce, juicy prawns, chili and herbs. The chicken (B520) is cooked al mattone-style (pressed to the grill with a brick to render a juicy and tender texture) and covered with a rich and fragrant wild mushroom sauce.
Make sure to leave room for dessert — the climax of any visit. Go for the addictive Amalfi lemon meringue cheesecake (B240) which is given a tangy kick by lemon curd and berry compote. Though Jamie’s Italian at Siam Discovery may displease some avid foodies for being the epitome of a typical franchised mall restaurant, the fuss-free vibe and exceptional food clearly make up for it.
