PRESENTED BY
There are so many iconic buildings here in Bangkok. One glance along the Bangkok skyline and you’ll see a building that appears pixelated, a hotel inspired by the shape of hands in a wai, and even an office building shaped like an elephant. But there’s no other building like The House on Sathorn.
Any BTS-takers who regularly squish themselves on the Silom line would have seen this architect’s dream a bunch of times. But not many know the real story behind it. The remarkable colonial mansion was built in 1889 on Sathorn Road. But what makes this glorious building so special is what it has to offer inside. We did a little research and discovered these 5 fascinating facts about The House on Sathorn.
1. It was built by the same hands who built the royal throne hall.
It was built in 1889 by the same hands who built the Ananta Samakhom Palace, the royal throne hall within the Dusit Palace. The grand house has stood the test of time, majestically adorning Sathorn Road for 127 years. Among so many modern surroundings, it provides a much-needed sense of nostalgia right in the heart of Bangkok. Even though it has been renovated several times, its uniqueness and originality still remains – from the carved wooden staircases and parquet floors to the intricate colonial style ceiling.
2. The house was built by Luang Sathorn Rajayukta.
The original owner of this historical building is Luang Sathorn Rajayukta, the contractor who constructed the Sathorn Canal and who owned the surrounding land. Later on, the villa’s ownership changed hands to the Crown Property Bureau. After that it became a hotel called Hotel Royal, before becoming an office of the Russian Embassy. Then in 2015, The House on Sathorn had a coming of age, as the newest historical part of the stylish W Hotel.
Now, nestled in the house are three different dining areas, affectionately referred to as The Dining Room – a 19th century dining room offering dishes by Chef Faith’s experiences (more on that later), The Bar – a perfect spot to chill out and travel back to the yesteryears, and an outdoor garden space, known as the heart of the house, called The Courtyard.
3. The head chef is an avid traveler who hails from Istanbul.
Let’s get back to present day now, shall we? After a magnificently intense period of renovation, The House on Sathorn is now Bangkok’s latest dining destination to make serious headlines. Chef Faith, hailing all the way from Istanbul (land of spices and fascinating local heritage) is the culinary director. As an avid traveler, he uses his journeys as inspiration for his creations, resulting in distinctive, creative dishes.
4. The menu currently focuses on innovative Asian cuisine with a Turkish twist.
The inspiration behind The Dining Room’s constantly evolving menu comes from Chef Faith’s journey through Asia and the culinary influence from his home. To experience creativity on a plate, try the tasting menu featuring Uyghur Kebab My Interptretation with lamb chop, femented wild garlic and shaanxi potato or From My Mum, starring manti dumpling, eggplant, tomato and creamy kaymak. Each dish is a window into the story of the Chef himself. Chef Faith asks each diner to “experience the message of each dish with all your senses”.
Not only can you taste Chef Faith’s well-crafted creations, but with the beautiful open kitchen, you can actually see the fresh ingredients being prepared. Watch the story behind each dish unfold before it even reaches your plate, as if it wasn’t tempting enough!
5. The Dining Room is one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017
Here comes the big reason why you need to experience the gastronomic bliss that is The House on Sathorn. The Dining Room has just been listed as No.36 of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017, which is absolutely huge in the culinary world. With their fun dining concept, flair for creativity, passion and intriguing history, it’s a much deserved accolade. Hats off to the House!
There you go, five facts to demystify the history and current culinary status of the gorgeous colonial mansion you’ve probably passed at least a dozen times. Now that you know its story and the tempting world of gastronomy and 19th century ambiance hidden inside, go ahead and experience it for yourself. For more information and to reserve a table go to www.thehouseonsathorn.com. Bon appetit!
Where: The House on Sathorn (3 minutes walk from BTS Chong Nonsi)
When: The Dining Room, open daily from 6:30pm – 10:30pm
The Bar, Sunday-Thursday 12:00pm -12:00am, Friday-Saturday 12:00pm – 02:00am
The Courtyard, open daily for lunch and dinner from 12:00pm – 12:00am, for an afternoon tea from 2:30pm – 5:30pm
Reader Interactions