Ever since the Rain Tree Café's Sunday Champagne brunch concept was launched almost a decade ago, the 190-seater on the lobby level of the Athenee Hotel (formerly Plaza Athenee) has never seen a shortfall of keen epicures flocking in for an utmost weekend gastronomic extravaganza.
The restaurant has recently been renovated. It now boasts a neocolonial interior blessed with an expansive glass façade, through which natural light pours in and lends the bronze-and-marble dining room a homey, sun-kissed yet sophisticated vibe. Stylishly-appointed corners and rooms are also available for guests needing more privacy.
Certainly, the pretty ambience is nonetheless its main attraction. The café is much treasured among local and international guests for its limitless variety and superlative quality of ingredients, ranging from fine foie gras and caviar to top-of-the-line seafood and first-rate meat.
Among aquatic highlights are various types of fresh, imported oysters. They are offered with an interesting selection of condiments including red wine ginger dip, local-style seafood sauce and crispy deep-fried shallots, as well as in a cocktail shot with vodka.
While red meat connoisseurs are promised with high satisfaction by a fine selection of steak and roasted beef and lamb from the carving station. Should you wish to have your preferred choice of meat, poultry and seafood prepared to your liking, head straight to the main cooking station where options of beef, pork, lamb, foie gras, lobster, fish and prawns await your order.
A variety of cocktails and mocktails.
From an extensive line up of ready to grab items, you can find anything from Japanese sushi, sashimi and tempura; Indian curries, naan bread and tandoori meat; Hong Kong styled dim sum and barbecue meat (from the kitchen of the hotel's award-wining Silk Road Cantonese restaurant); to European cheese and cold cuts as well as lobster bisque.
Fine French creations can be had from the Sunday brunch's all-you-can-order à la cart list. Current options include scrambled egg with truffle; 65C poached egg with carbonara espuma and crispy bacon; pan-seared foie gras with spiced pineapple chutney and pain d'epice; pan-seared Hokkaido scallops; and mini beef burgers with foie gras and Roquefort cheese. All proved delightful.
Dessert station is another spot not to be missed. There's a mouthwatering collection of European bakeries, confectionery and made-to-order waffle and crêpe suzette; as well as a gourmet repertoire of house-made ice cream and sherbet. The café's Thai sweet corner offers some of Bangkok's best mango sticky rice.
Adding a fun-filled finale to the weekend feast is a molecular cocktail, of which the restaurant has long been a pioneer in introducing this cutting-edge drink to the city. You have to try it to know what I'm talking about.
Price is 2,400 baht per adult (children age eight to 12 pay half price) including unlimited lobster and drinking water. A beverage package cost 1,000 baht per person for free-flow of soft drinks, fruit juices, mocktails, coffee and tea, or 2,380 baht per person inclusive of free-flow premium beverages. Reservations are highly recommended.
