There is no better way to loosen up after a stressful day at the office than indulging in delicious casual bites and heady tipples with friends and colleagues at a friendly neighborhood eatery. But these welcoming casual hang-outs are relatively tough to find in a busy central business district like Phloen Chit, where sky-high buildings, high-end restaurants and glammed-up hotel bars dominate the drinking and dining scene.
Hope comes with the arrival of Kinlenn at Soi Ruamrudee. The laidback restaurant (its name translates to “play and eat”) has a mission to inject a spot of fun into the dining experience, offering delicious meals perfect for sharing and refreshing juice-kissed cocktails.
At this casual venue, muted gray and green hues are set off by blond wood fittings, earth-toned banquettes, a zebra-striped floor and lush house plants, providing an unassuming yet still stylish setting for convivial after-office gatherings, informal meet-ups and random reconnaissance (an al fresco terrace is the perfect spot for people-watching along Soi Ruam Rudee).
The menu focuses on Thai favorites, featuring a range of dishes meant for sharing such as the Mixed Fried Savory Platter with fried chicken wings, salted sweet potato and pork belly (B295); and the Mixed Grilled Platter that loads up on fermented Isan-style sausage, sai ouer (Northern Thai sausage) and grilled pork neck (B295). Both dishes are perfect when downed with pints of ice-cold beer. Other popular Thai dishes on offer include a flavorful green curry with beef, which is served with crispy paratha (B250).
While Thai food makes up most of the menu, Western comfort food aren’t absent from the offerings. Pizza is given a fusion treatment, offered as a crispy flat bread with mouth-watering toppings like chicken tossed with basil leaves (B180).
The restaurant also offers vegetarian meals for non-meat diners, such as fried rice with deep-fried tofu in sweet tamarind sauce (B175).
Sweets lovers won’t find the dessert choices disappointing, either. We recommend the cheesecake topped with a generous portion of grapes and grape syrup (B155). The cake’s rich creaminess is balanced by the fresh fruit's crunchy texture.
Wednesday nights might be a good time to plan GNOs. The eatery has lady’s night deals every Wednesday, offering cocktails, like the lychee-injected Lanna Mojito (B250), for free to all female customers. Teetotalers, however, can enjoy iced lemongrass tea (B95) with Kinlenn's scrumptious and flavorful fare.