Popular Scandinavian café Rocket Coffeebar has said “adjo” to its long-term companion at Central Embassy, trendy fashion store Siwilai, after it announced plans of opening its own storefront one floor up in 2017. Siwilai, meanwhile, has beautifully bounced back from the break-up by opening its own namesake cafe at the space Rocket just vacated.
While the wood-heavy décor and al fresco terrace overlooking the leafy British Embassy remain, Siwilai Cafe’s menu is given a local kick by Chef Blair Mathieson, who once helmed the kitchens at hip eatery Quince and the stylish The Siam Hotel. Locally sourced produce like seasonal herbs and premium cheese from Nakhon Sawan shine on the Western-leaning menu.
We love the open sandwich of chicken liver, mushroom, bacon, baby spinach and caramelized onions sitting on top of toasted brioche (B280)—a sumptuous dish with a bit of crunch. We gave the eggs Benedict a miss and instead opted for the flavor-packed shakshuka (B300), a Middle Eastern favorite that sees eggs baked in a skillet along with tomato sauce and feta cheese. Mathieson’s love for Thai street food is also reflected in the menu; his version of joke (B210) is a gooey rice porridge topped with sweet braised pork belly, a poached egg and crispy garlic bits.
On the drinks side, the guys from popular underground bar Sugar Ray have incorporated Orient-inspired drinks with a bit of fizz. Try the Lychee Soda Pop (B130), a mocktail that mixes lychee, ginger and lime with soda, if you’re looking for something sweet and refreshing.
