The setting: Tucked away in soi 36 of the growing riverside destination of Charoen Krung lies French St., away from the noise and pollution of the crowded Bangkok streets that make it a perfect getaway dining destination. Opened for three weeks, the aesthetic and atmosphere of the restaurant contributes to the casual and relaxing feel that the restaurant is going for. While there is an option to dine and chill indoors, where the bar is, as well as in the second floor dining room, the garden is definitely the go-to spot for diners. It's bathed with just the right amount of sunlight during the afternoon and adorned with twinkling lights and candles on the tables during the evening. The casual, laid-back vibe French St. gives off is not just evident in the restaurant itself, but also the food.
THE MENU
French St.'s menu, concocted by chef Frederic Guerin, who has helmed restaurants in New York and LA, brings dishes from the region of Provence in France. Fittingly, Chef Guerin was born there. The restaurant's mantra of "no butter, no cream" applies to most of the dishes, the prominent ingredient being olive oil. French St. has adopted the hashtag "#nostars", which states the obvious but is also a cheeky way of telling its patrons that this restaurant isn't fine dining. It's light, it's casual, and it's not dining just for special occasions.
We began our French dining experience with a number of starters. The Squid ink croquette (B350++) was a great starter, a black "squid ball" finger food that's served hot with a helping of saffron aioli and parmesan cheese that makes it addictive. For something a little more refreshing, the Shrimp crudo (B450++) is a salad that has shrimp, obviously, with avocado, mango, lemongrass, and coconut. A weird mix of ingredients? Yes. Does it work? Absolutely. Another refreshing starter is the Bell pepper bruschetta (B230++), which leaves a hint of spicy aftertaste due to the chilli sauce on the side. It's also a perfect combo of bread that's not too hard to chew topped off with fresh bell pepper and goat cheese that provides a great contrast. A final starter to get you ready for the mains is the Famous Marseille fish soup (B550++), served with a side of croutons, cheese, and saffron that you eat one by one and literally let sink in the rich soup. The result? A balance between the rich fish taste of the soup alleviated by the saffron and cheese on the crouton that makes this dish irresistible.
From left: Bell pepper bruschetta; Chocolate mousse.
Off to a great start, French St. doesn't disappoint with its mains either. Pasta lovers must try the Spicy tomato tagliatelle (B320++). The fresh tomatoes used in the dish is undeniable and its spiciness is just the perfect amount. For seafood lovers, the Snapper papillotte (B380++) is the way to go, a traditional French dish that serves up a sizable fish to feast on. The crowd favourite, however, is the Honey duck (B420++), which serves up a perfect amount of sweetness along with a side of grinded dates.
For the desserts, one surprising dish was the Zucchini cake (B290++). Similar to a carrot cake except, well, it uses zucchini, it's definitely a dessert that will make vegetable-haters convert. Plus, it's served with a side of olive oil ice cream. Yes, you read that right. The Nougat glace (B290++) is ice cream that is a tad bit chewy thanks to the nougat and not overly sweet. Finally, there's the Chocolate mousse (B290++). No frills and gimmicks, just straight up chocolate mousse. And that's the way (uhuh uhuh) we like it.
INSIDER'S TIP
French St. is about a 20-minute walk from the Saphan Taksin BTS station. Or get off at Oriental Pier in soi 40 and walk for five minutes to get there. But if you bring a car, fret not because the restaurant has parking.
Another saying that French St. has adopted is "Rosé all the way". They've got a number of rosé cocktails you can try or you can opt for straight up rosé. Nurse that drink under the twinkling lights and stars in the garden area and you've got yourself a pretty chill night plus an Instagrammable moment.
From left: Spicy tomato tagliatelle; Snapper papillote; Honey duck.
THE VERDICT
French St. offers casual dining. That doesn't mean a lower quality of food though. With a relaxing atmosphere and affordable prices, we're tempted to go back again.
FRENCH ST.
FRENCH CUISINE
Daily 11:30am (11am on Sun) - 11pm
OP Garden, Charoen Krung 36
http://frenchst.com, http://facebook.com/FrenchStBangkok
02-238-6400
