In a stroke of nuanced culinary collaboration and mixological creativity, Rembrandt Bangkok Hotel has launched 1826, the hotel's new rooftop chill bar that blends a menu of uniquely satisfying fusion bites with original cocktail creations and sensational sky-high ambience.
A venerated elder statesman of the local hospitality industry, The Rembrandt brings together the diverse cuisines of its popular Italian (da Vinci), Mexican (Mexicano) and Indian (Rang Mahal) eateries in creating these decidedly upscale, meticulously prepared and presented finger-food dishes.
With its co-mingled culinary influences, this selection of starter-portioned specialties offers a unique and ultimately rewarding challenge to guests' gustatory perception, as the various cuisine pair-ups fuse into perfect partnerships of flavour.
Deliciously exemplifying this 'palate parallax effect' is Button and Chicks (230++), a chicken and mushroom bruschetta whose passport is stamped in Garam masala with mango and mint chutneys.
Similarly, the Lamb Kebabs (270B++) features finely minced Indian-spice seasoned mutton served in a half-avocado filled with guacamole dip.
The list of toothsome mashups continues with the poly-cuisine Burgers Harara (230B++). The vegetarian sliders of spinach, fresh cheese and potatoes with cumin and garam masala are presented in three variations of Camembert, green tomato and carmelised onion. Meanwhile, the Jalapeno Poppers (240B++) feature the mild/sweet Mexican peppers lightly battered and stuffed with cheese, with mint chutney and tamarind sauce on the side.
Other tantalising temptations (230-280B++) include Butter Chicken Pizza and Prawn Roti and further vegetarian options Desi Sushi (Indian-spiced veg) and puff pastry Paneer Vol-Au-Vent made with Indian-style fresh cheese.
And then there's the view – a stunning 26-storey-high perspective that sweeps across Lake Rachada and the bustling Asoke junction, to the stylish residential towers and sea of twinkling lights along lower Sukhumvit Road.
The epic vista makes 1826 the perfect setting for sipping sundowners
(200B++/ea.), served 5 - 6:26 p.m. (that's18:26 – get it?). Or try one of bar manager and 'mad mixologist' extraordinaire Stephen Pinto's original-recipe creative cocktails (380-500B++), highlights of which include Tiramisu Martini (coffee & cacao bitters, Mascarpone foam), Hanging Garden of Kurseong (Earl Grey infused gin, spiced wine), Mumbai Mule (Ginger infused vodka, Indian spices) and The Undecided (barkeep's fancy) for those simply overwhelmed by the dozen-plus choices on this inspired selection of tony tipple.
Upping the sophistication factor, an extensive selection of top-end clear spirits and single-malts is complemented by an impressive cigar list, ranging from a PDR 'Gran Reserva' Corojo (600B++/Half Corona) to the Cuban-sourced Cohiba 'Siglo 4' Habano (2,275B++/Robusto).
And despite all the detailed preparation behind this tour de force of F&B engineering and design, the folks at Rembrandt still found time to drop a Dan Brown-style easter egg into its very name, no less: 1826 = (soi)18 + (floor)26.
1826 at Rembrandt Hotel & Suites Bangkok, 19 Sukhumvit Soi 18.
Phone 02 261 7100 or visit http://rembrandtbkk.com
