Located on the riverfront at Asiatique, Brasserie 9 brings the flavours of France to Bangkok with a menu of simple and delicious brasserie fare. Mick Shippen dons his Bretton shirt and beret for an evening of gastronomic pleasure.
There's a cool breeze in town. It's the time for evenings of relaxed alfresco dining on a terrace under parasols devouring freshly shucked Fin de Claire oysters, savouring a hearty bouillabaisse, sharing wine among friends, and watching the tableside artistry of a flambéed crêpe Suzette, all to the lilting sound of the accordion. In Bangkok? Mai oui, Monsieur. You can enjoy this retro-style dining experience at Brasserie 9, a popular restaurant in a warehouse on Asiatique's waterfront.
The welcome at Brasserie 9 is warm and friendly. Diners can choose to be seated on the terrace or in the warehouse with its industrial chic bare brick, exposed ducting, steel beams and dimmed pendant lighting. It is here that the restaurant's engine room is also housed, a buzzing open kitchen that flashes and sizzles at the hands of a dozen neckerchiefed chefs.
The menu is a comprehensive list of French brasserie classics. A good way to start the evening is with half a dozen Fin de Claire oysters served on a bed of ice with a choice of a Burgundy mignonette and spicy Thai sauce in which to bathe the plump little morsels before slurping them from the shells. There's also a culinary flashback from the 70s with a classic prawn cocktail, and the meaty ducky goodness of rillettes de canard. Traditionalist can opt for pan fried frog legs in garlic butter and fresh herbs, or a plate of escargot in a garlic and herb butter.
From the potage selection a punchy lobster bisque is enriched with sour cream and flecks of dill, and the French onion soup scattered with cheese croutons. There's also truffle consommé topped with a puff pastry dome breaks with a cloud of steam and an enticing autumnal mushroom aroma. Heartier main course fare includes creamy grilled lobster Thermidor made with a whole Canadian lobster and served with steamed florets of broccoli, baby carrots an herb-infused rice, and pork tenderloin with tapenade, grilled river prawns with Pernod and ratatouille.
For dessert, diners are spoiled for choice but the crêpe Suzette prepared at your table is in keeping with Brasserie 9's retro feel. All serving staff at the restaurant have been trained by a French chef to perform the ritual and do so perfectly, first caramelizing the sugar in a pan, adding cubed butter and orange juice and zest before the dramatic flaming and sousing of the crêpe. Eyebrows still intact, the plated dish is presented with luscious homemade vanilla ice cream, a garnish of fresh fruits and an all-important extra drizzle of Cointreau.
Brasserie 9 has an excellent collection of wines and Champagnes. The dexterous bartenders can also mix, muddle and pour a pretty good Mojito too, and of course there're the usual local beers, plus a few welcome flavourful imports. As the evening draws to a close, hard core culinary Francophiles may well be drawn to the collection of Calvados. Highly recommended is the Reserve Calvados du Pays d'Auge. Aged in oak barrels for three years, the amber-hued apple brandy is brought to life when poured into a glass gently warmed by the waiter with a blowtorch.
Christmas and New Year dining at Brasserie 9.
Over the festive season, Brasserie 9 is serving its special "Menu de Noel" on the 24th and 25th of December. The four-course meal is Baht 2,999++ per person and choices include seared tuna salad with Dijon dressing, succulent entrecote Café de Paris, and salmon on a bed of seafood saffron riso.
On New Year's Eve, Asiatique is an incredibly popular venue for enjoy celebrations and fireworks. Brasserie 9 gets into the spirit of things with its special seven-course "Menu de la Saint Sylvestre." For Baht 9,999++, diners can feast on langoustine with celery, Brittany scallops in their shells with sea urchin butter, venison fillet, a cheeseboard assortment, and more.
Brasserie 9 at Asiatique is open daily from 5:00 p.m. to midnight. It is located in Warehouse 9 on the waterfront. A free boat leaves Thaksin Pier every 20 minutes. For Thaksin Pier alight at BTS SkyTrain station, Saphan Thaksin.
For reservations at Brasserie 9 Tel. 02 108 4288 or Email brasserie9@gourmethouse.co.th. Visit www.brasserie9.com
