Thompson Bar & Restaurant, Jim Thompson House – A little jungle oasis on the fringe of busy Bangkok

Walking into the Jim Thompson House is like walking into an oasis. Nestled at the end of the road in natural thick foliage, blooming palm trees and flowering bananas stand proud at the entrance.

Landscaped to look like a tropical jungle, the compound of the house and the paths leading to the bar and restaurant are set as naturally as possible. A pond with beautiful Koi encircles the bar and restaurant making it seem like it was set amidst a lake. All around, huge clay drums with lotus flowers provide bursts of soft colours to the air of serenity.

The cool relief of the air-conditioned bar and restaurant was much welcomed. Settling into the comfortable sofa-seat at the table – which cleverly was at the right height for the table – we ordered. The fresh lime juice with syrup and soda and the ginger and pineapple smoothie were welcomed quenchers and quickly helped cool us down (from having walked around in 33 degrees C).

With a menu that offered traditional fare as well as Thai fusion, we decided to be fusion ourselves and ordered a mix of dishes. The fresh pomelo salad with prawns, fried garlic and shallots with roasted coconut in a sweet and sour chilli dressing is refreshing and opened our taste-buds for the rest of the meal. The sweet juicy pulp of the pomelo is nice against the sourness and spiciness of the chilli dressing – a lovely balance.

For mains, we had Phad Thai Ghoong Sod, traditional Thai-style fried noodles with prawns in an egg wrap and a Pasta in Seafood Tomyum Sauce, both made with fine fresh ingredients, and delicious! As with most Thai cooking, the use of lemongrass and Thai basil in the Seafood Tomyum Sauce are a beautiful complement with a nice tang without being too overpowering.

Tummies fed and bodies cooled, we (reluctantly) left the comfortable (and cool!) dining area to brave the heat…again.

Thompson Bar & Restaurant, Jim Thompson House
6/1 Soi Kasemsan 2
Rama 1 Road, Bangkok, Thailand.
Phone: (662) 612 3601

Sidebar…
The Jim Thompson House was the home of an American entrepreneur who helped made Thai Silk an internationally known textile. James H.W. Thompson was the founder of world renowned Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company. Since his disappearance on a hike in 1967, his Thai-style home has been transformed into a museum so that his achievements and memories of him live on.

~Lara
(2008)

Tags: Bangkok, Bar, Dining, Restaurant, Thai Food, Thailand

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