|
 |
|
|
|||
|
- the entry point to Asian business. |
|
|||
|
Bangkok's first Finnish restaurant/pub KEW Garden opened in the late 80s. The acronym KEW was also the name of the owner Kurt-Erik Wikstedt ex journalist from the Swedish speaking part of coastal Finland. Old Nordic Bangkok hands still recall the cosy and rustic Surawong eatery serving big portions of meat balls with mashed potatoes, gravlax, Jansson's temptation and chilled schnapps Vodka and beer on tap. The KEW Garden restaurant and whole block was demolished in the 90s. A massive grey expressway pylon occupies the land these days. Flash forward the 21 century and to December 2008. Not far from where KEW Garden once existed in an upscale spa, art gallery, walking street, neighborhood called Sun Square sits a brand new Finnish cafe cum restaurant named AALTO Kitchen. Aalto: wave in Finnish The Aalto Kitchen design is functional and stylish. There is al fresco seating on the sidewalk as well a/c comfort inside. On the ground floor a small bar and the dining dining room is located upstairs. From the sound system we hear Miles Davis or is it John Coltrane? The cool Jazz tunes creates a relaxed ambiance. The menu features exotic Finnish and Scandinavian culinary specialities like home made "Karjalan Piirakka" (Carelia mini-pie) with butter and egg spread - a must try! Gravlax a Nordic classic with boiled potatoes, mustard, lemon and dill and smorrebrod - Danish Open Sandwiches [smoked salmon, shrimp, tuna or gravlax] The hors d'oeuvres range from 110 THB to 180 THB. The main course features meatballs in dark sauce with mashed potatoes (also a Swedish speciality) is one of Aalto Kitchen highlight's. International dishes like pepper steak with cream sauce and asparagus, herb roasted chicken and pasta with salmon are also available. The main course price range is from 250 THB to 470 THB. The main courses are served in generous portions. Maybe slightly smaller than the Finnish Navy size servings. The Thai menu has three of my "aharn Thai" favorites Massaman Curry with Beef [Kang Massaman, Fried Seabass with Garlic and Lemongrass [Pla Thop Dra Tium Kab Takrai] and of course the ubiquitous Tom Yam Soup with Prawns or Chicken [Tom Yam Kung / Kaii]. The Thai dishes are priced between 110-130 THB. Last but not least they do have a Happy Hour. Oh, yes! Twice per day: 15:00-18:00 and 21:00-23:00 "Kippis" - that's cheers in Finnish. KIPPIS! Aalto Kitchen open 1035/6 Sun Square, Silom Road Soi 21 Open daily: Monday-Sunday: 11:00-23:00 Tel: 02 253 59 53 www: aaltokitchen.com |
|||||||||||||
 | Most Recent 'Local Color' Pages |
| 2009-02-16 03:23:16-05 AALTO - New WAVE Finnish Restaurant in Bangkok 2007-02-09 07:45:34-05 Bt1bn spending expected for Valentine's Day: KRC 2007-02-05 22:47:24-05 Woman reunited with family after 25-year detour 2006-12-27 22:29:04-05 Queen prompts Thailand to restrict 'Coyote Ugly' dance troupes 2006-12-04 03:37:21-05 Some Pattani schools reopen 2006-11-15 21:19:40-05 World Toilet Expo kicks off in Bangkok 2006-11-08 08:26:26-05 Government set to unveil new mass transit system by 2012 2006-09-23 02:53:08-04 Thailand coup makes 'Bangkok Dangerous' for Nicolas Cage |
|
|||
