Taking inspiration from the Roaring Twenties, 1920 Bar & Restaurant represents an era of American history marked by the popularity of jazz music, gangsters and speakeasies. While this might be conveyed through the decor and grown-up atmosphere, it's not at all through the food. In the culinary arsenal of this spacious restaurant are fusion and Thai dishes, many of which are popular drinking foods among Thais. Long, tufted leather couches are perfect landing spots after a long day's work, where you can enjoy your meal like a mob boss as you listen to live tunes by an in-house jazz band. There are also plenty of seats outside for al fresco dining. But unless you want an extra serving of carbon on your food, we suggest steering clear of tables close to the main road, especially during evening rush hour. The restaurant had only been open for two weeks at the time of our visit, but regulars appear to consist of the office crowd looking to unwind.
1920 Bar & Restaurant
Thai/Fusion
Soi 41, Rama IX Road
9-1am
02-718-3672
http://fb.com/1920barandrestaurant, IG: @1920bar
THE MENU
Fried streaky pork in fish sauce (B140) is audibly crunchy, bursting with warmth and flavour. A layer of fat, however, may prove too much for some diners — but that's where the seafood dip comes in, providing a much-needed contrast. Another crunchy creation is the Crispy pork crackling (B120), which is thin but provides plenty of juicy moments. The Fried shiitake with soy sauce (B120) should prove a crowd-pleaser, with its moist and meaty texture. Although a bit too pricey, Grilled rib-eye steak with Thai sauce (B320) is cooked just right, with a slightly pink centre and complemented by a sensibly spicy Isan-style dip. Kurobuta steak salad (B250) offers juicy pork and a secret weapon — a delicious dip of relish and mustard. If you want to show that you eat like a boss, order the impressive-looking and colourful Pad Thai with river prawn (B450). The slightly bouncy noodles are covered in a sauce that blends salty, sweet and sour, exemplifying what the dish should taste like. Despite its grand look, the too-bland prawn is a bit of a let-down. There's no Prohibition here as the Code of silence (B220) is a calculated plan to knock out drinkers. The surge of red wine is enhanced with peach essence, which combines with the brown sugar on the rim of the glass for a kick of extra sweetness.
INSIDER TIP
One private room is hidden behind a sliding door disguised as a shelf, and can accommodate up to 40 people. Lunch sets are available from 11am-2pm. Coffee and baked goods are available in the morning. The restaurant is co-owned by several partners, one being Rawintorn Tarapoonsawat, owner of the now-defunct Brown Berry cafe in Ari. Another is Chaiyut Raveewong, who operates shabu joint Tazu. We think their joint effort has produced a satisfying outcome. 1920 is very close to The Nine Center Rama 9.
SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENTS
Backdropped by the marble tabletops, photographs of your dishes and drinks will receive bonus classy points. But if you insist on posting that drinking selfie ('cause you're such a grown-up and all that), just make sure to adjust your privacy settings so Mum and Dad won't see.
VALUE & VERDICT
After giving the menu the twice-over, nothing that would surprise the experienced eater seems to jump out at us. The food is good, but not good enough to entice non-Rama-Niners to make the trip. People who live or work in the area, though, should be sure to give 1920 a chance, as it's a solid choice for an after-work gathering.
