A meal at Asia’s number one restaurant, Nahm
We arrived at the Metropolitan by COMO in Bangkok, sticky, sweaty and sulky after a long, sleepless flight from London. Our first stop of a two week trip to Thailand, my first experience of the country and of Asia. Driving into the quiet passage that leads to the hotel, I felt my spirits lift instantly. The cool and clean exterior is a calming change, leaving behind the chaotic main roads of the city.
The lobby area is minimalistic with bold, bright flowers offering bursts of colour to an otherwise stark and simple space. The interiors are designed by Kathryn King, a celebrated and innovative interior designer from Singapore. She brings a bright modern vision to the brand and a contemporary, luxurious urban option for Bangkok tourists.
They don’t brag about it, but the Metropolitan team ensure the small details are on trend. Staff are kitted out in Comme des Garçons uniforms and Calvin Klein shoes, looking suitably chic amongst the stylish furnishings of the hotel.
There is no shortage of space at the Metropolitan. The hotel has 169 guest rooms and suites all of which are very generous in size, with ample space to relax, sleep and live, a real rarity in a city hotel. We comfortably settled into a 6th floor Metropolitan room, known as the biggest standard/double rooms in Bangkok. Looking around the slick and modern COMO and Penthouse suites, I felt I was drowning in space, perfect for a large family or celebrity avec entourage.
Fresh and striking, our room was decorated in bright white with indents of dull black and dusty grey, the king size bed at one end of the room with plump silver cushions adding a little glitz and small abstract monochrome artworks, a little patterning. A desk and L-shaped bench in basic black designs made from fine teak wood and, in contrast, a primitive Ming-style chair made from sand coloured natural teak made up the furniture. The bathroom was equally sharp and slick, though warmer with shades of beige mosaic and limestone. I loved the powerful walk-in shower that drenched me in cold water at the end of a day in the humid city.
Facilities cater for every guest’s requirement; event spaces, spa indulgences and a high tech gym and pool are all onsite in pristine condition. Breakfast is served in the second floor eatery, Glow, which focuses on healthy organic natural recipes. Pancakes with pineapple and coconut shavings and Cinnamon French toast with lemon were both delicious, freshly made sweet treats, though all the usual continental options are also available.
The star of the Metropolitan is undoubtedly Nahm restaurant, the David Thompson eatery which calls Como its home. Recognised as the number one restaurant in the whole of Asia the food certainly has some hype to live up to. We ate here on our first night in Bangkok, unaware of the real Thai taste and fragrances – it was a great feast of flavours, intense and innovative. Thompson (despite his Australian heritage) takes the vibrant ingredients of Thailand and presents them in a series of bold and brilliant dishes. Utilising every bit of space and sunshine, Thompson has installed a herb garden on the roof to grow many of his vital ingredients near to the kitchen.
Even the amuse-bouche was worthy of an award. Tantalising mouthfuls of sticky duck and prawn on pineapple were particularly magical. Stir-fried wagyu beef with charred onions, oyster sauce and Thai basil was a highlight, sweet and delicious with melt in the mouth tender beef. I also loved the red curry of quail with deep fried shallots and Thai basil, creamier and more flavoursome that any curry I’ve tried before, but painfully spicy! Dessert was experimental and intriguing, soft caramelised bananas in thin coconut sauce with a gooey lump of grey coconut ash… bizarre but oddly tasty. Cocktails are worth trying too – strong and stylish – we particularly enjoyed the refreshing Thai Sabai.
Soothing the mind, soul and body Metropolitan by COMO, Bangkok lets guests escape the madness of the city centre whilst also showcasing the best Oriental design, food and service. A triumph on all counts.
More information and book here.