Wednesday, May 6, 2015

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon Bangkok @ MahaNakhon CUBE, Bangkok - ลัตเตอลิเย่ เดอ โจเอล โรบูชง กรุงเทพ @ มหานคร คิวบ์ กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: French / Fine Dining
Charged Price: THB2,000 per person without alcohol
Visited: 4 March 2015
Food: 6/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Value for money: 2/10
Services: 6/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Launched in December 2014 with the huge huge name tag (as well as price tag) of Joel Robuchon, the man with the most Michelin Stars, I was eager to have a chance to visit. Here comes the chance and we did not hesitate to hear our way to MahaNakhon CUBE in Sathon / Silom area. Indeed the location is great with BTS Chong Nonsri Station right at the front. However, the location of city centre can be chaotic for those who drive.

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon Bangkok has retained the same concept as in other places of Joel Robuchon with red theme of decoration such as Joel Robuchon Hong Kong. The dining venue is separated into two parts: 1) the counter station where you sit on stool and dine on the counter bar watching chefs perform their roles and 2) the proper dining hall with more elegant and formal atmosphere.

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon Bangkok

the famous bar seats

more elegant and comfortable dining room

As mentioned, the price tag is definitely high for this high end fine dining venue: THB950 - 1,850 for lunch courses and THB5,000 / 7,500 for tasting menus for both lunch and dinner. Wine pairing is also available. Marked up price in wine list is typically steep as expected: mainly 2 - 4 times of retail price. My expectation was high accordingly, especially with great experience a few years back L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon Hong Kong. Bread basket here looked pretty similar to the Hong Kong branch's one but the overall impression was just so-so for these bread and rolls.

For me, I went for 3 courses lunch which was priced at THB1,450++. The starter I chose was Stuffed Small Squids with Piquillos and Black Olives, Chorizo Flavour (6/10). Well, not a very good start of the course for me. The dish was strong in pepper flavour which was nice. However, it was the delicacy touch and perfection of mouth-feel texture that were lacked in my opinion. 

selection of bread and roll

Stuffed Small Squids with Piquillos and Black Olives, Chorizo Flavour

Moving on to main course, it was Roasted Cod and Bouillabaisse, Saffron Rice (6/10). Rather nice and refreshing for the overall sense. Cod was a little over done to my liking. The somewhat creamier than usual stew was pleasant and flavourful. Thanks the idea of matching with saffron rice which went together quite nice. 

Lastly, it was Red Fruits Panna Cotta, Watermelon and Amaou Strawberry, Lime-basil Sorbet (5/10) to end the meal. It was just a typical panna cotta and come on, I had expected more than just this common panna cotta taste and presentation at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon. If it was in other places, I would say it was nicely done and forget the presentation. But you better do at higher standard here. Ok, the panna cotta did have nice and creamy texture which was not overly sweetened. The sour and sweetness of fruits and sorbet paired well in general with panna cotta. 

Roasted Cod and Bouillabaisse, Saffron Rice

Red Fruits Panna Cotta, Watermelon and Amaou Strawberry, Lime-basil Sorbet

In order to end the lunch course, you may as well choose to have cheese instead of dessert or fancy choices of dessert from the trolley at the supplementary charge of THB200.

In overall, I was not impressed with the branch of L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon and won't think of returning at all. Such a hefty price tag and it should have been much better. It is sure not because it was just lunch. What I have experienced, no matter how elegant or classy the restaurant is, either lunch or dinner or tasting menu does represent the calibre of the restaurant well.  By the way, almost forgetting to mention about service. I would say staffs here were really nice and polite. But they seem to lack of professional experience for example requesting for butter the staff just went missing or knowledge of the dish was not quite there.

Cheese Trolley

Dessert Trolley

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon Bangkok @ MahaNakhon CUBE, Bangkok - ลัตเตอลิเย่ เดอ โจเอล โรบูชง กรุงเทพ @ มหานคร คิวบ์
Floor 5, MahaNakhon CUBE
96 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road
Silom, Bang Rak
Bangkok 10500
Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 11:30am - 02:30pm for lunch and from 06:30pm - 10:30pm for dinner

1 comment:

  1. This is a great list. It makes me want to visit Barcelona right away! Thanks for sharing this post.
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