Maine lobster with drawn butter.
Residents of Bangkok’s eastern suburbs now get to experience the iconic gastronomic vibe of New York’s upscale market-cum-eatery Dean & Deluca thanks to its recent opening at The Crystal.
Occupying a large space at the north end of the sweeping arcade, the 80-seater is the brand’s second outlet in Bangkok that boasts a full-scale kitchen and vast selection of wine.
The brightly-lit venue looks a hybrid of a grocery store, deli bar and laid-back restaurant with clientele a mix between local families, young executives and expats.
The rule is no rules here. Visitors are welcome to shop for takeaway food from the deli and dessert bars. Or book themselves a comfortable seat and dine in. If you are there for the latter, expect to be spoiled for choice.
The dine-in menu is a large collection of all-day brunch items, salads, sandwiches, main entrées and pasta.
Of the brunch list, a breakfast platter of bacon, avocado and asparagus (295 baht) is the top seller.
This hybrid of a deli bar, laid-back restaurant and grocery store is the brand’s second outlet in Bangkok to boast a full-scale kitchen and vast selection of wine.
It features pan-seared belly bacon, Hass avocado, green asparagus spears and fried egg dressed with spicy adobo hollandaise and jalapeño salsa on toasted multi-grain bread. The hefty sandwich proved as wholesome as it was tasty.
To follow was a hearty salad of baby spinach, roasted Japanese pumpkin and butternut squash with Parmesan cheese, pistachio, hazelnut and apple cider vinaigrette dressing (175 baht).
Another sandwich worth stuffing your stomach is the Dean burger (445 baht), made with house-ground wagyu beef patty, bacon, cheddar, sweet onion, Salanova lettuce and rogue ale mustard on brioche bun. The juicy burger was accompanied by French fries.
From the pasta collection, tiger prawn fettuccine with marinated anchovy, cilantro lime pesto, chilli, garlic and organic sea caviar (425 baht) is highly recommended, as are black truffle macaroni and cheese (295 baht) and tagliolini carbonara (350 baht).
For the main course, steamed Maine lobster with drawn butter (995 baht) proved a great option for sharing. While salmon fans won’t regret having salmon teriyaki with heirloom carrots, shiitake mushroom and asparagus (325 baht).
The New York cheesecake (145 baht) and lemon meringue tart (145 baht) are among the most ordered desserts.
To go with the sumptuous cuisine, the restaurant offers a complete wine list that comprises more than two dozen labels, from red, white and rosé to Champagne. Half of the selection is also available by the glass.
Yet, for non-alcohol drinkers, a wide variety of coffee, tea, sodas, fruit smoothies and milk shakes from the espresso bar promises a true contentment. Caramel macchiato (135 baht) and peach & passion fruit smoothies (145 baht) are my favourite.
The Dean burger.
Tiger prawn fettuccine with marinated anchovy, cilantro-lime pesto and organic sea caviar.
Dean & Deluca
The Crystal shopping mall Pradit Manutham Road Call 02-061-2846 Open daily 10am-10pm Park at the Crystal’s car park Most credit cards accepted
This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.