AN EXTRAORDINARY REDISCOVERY OF TRADITIONAL THAI CUISINE AT PHRA NAKHON RESTAURANT

BORN IN CHAROENKRUNG, CHEF LEK REIMAGINES THE SPIRIT OF HISTORICAL PHRA NAKHON THROUGH OLD-WORLD RECIPES

Phra Nakhon restaurant at Capella delves deep into old-world Thai recipes

Bangkok, – Capella Bangkok, the elegant urban retreat on the banks of the , has unveiled an enchanting waterfront dining destination that showcases the deep cultural and culinary traditions of Thailand.

Phra Nakhon takes its name from the historic riverside district of Bangkok, which dates back to the Rattanakosin era and is considered the birthplace of the Thai capital. Eclectic ideas, innovations and ingredients all flowed into this commercial heart, first by boat along the rivers and canals, and later by road and rail. Street food stalls and small family restaurants began to blossom along the roadsides and riverbanks, and the urban enclave became the country’s culinary heartland. With the launch of Phra Nakhon, Capella Bangkok will revive the gastronomic wisdom of the past.

Leading this vision is Chef Wichian “Lek” Trirattanavatin, who has a lifelong connection with Phra Nakhon District. Embarking his culinary career at the young age of 15, Chef Lek toured the markets as a child with his father, who worked as a chef in the district for 40 years.

“I am passionate about defending old-world recipes – not only from my own area, but from every corner of the Kingdom. Traders came to Bangkok from all over the country, bringing

recipes from their hometowns to be sold in the Phra Nakhon District,” said Chef Lek. “Each dish tells a story and brings diners back to the bygone era. All this will take place in a light filled, contemporary milieu at the water’s edge where it all began”.

Together with a skilled team of Thai chefs, Chef Lek will champion time-honoured recipes and responsibly-sourced ingredients at Phra Nakhon. Diners can select a series of small plates, such as freshly-shucked oysters with house-made chili paste, Chiang Mai-style beef skewers, or Southern Thai-style grilled and marinated wild-caught squid, while appetisers include chargrilled catfish topped with pomelo salad, and Northern Thai Kurobuta pork sausage. A series of soups and salads will revive the original versions of Thailand’s favourite dishes, such as Rattanakosin-style Tom Som (hot & sour soup with wild caught sea bass).

Guests will also discover curries, wok-grilled plates and aromatic noodle bowls, all of which showcase ingredients sourced from small-scale, sustainable Thai suppliers. Savour Tha Chin- style grilled beef oyster blade in a curry of province cassia leaves, chargrilled Ayutthaya river prawns with seafood sauce and betel leaves, marinated duck breast in a curry made from Trat cowa leaves, or pork belly caramelised with Chiang Rai spices. Diners seeking a centrepiece are recommended the “fish of the day”, either baked whole in a Rattanakosin style with herbs and spicy lemongrass dressing, or deep-fried and served with grilled green chili sauce.

Every meal will end with a choice of traditional Thai desserts, such as sweetened taro, caramelised water chestnuts, and house-made ice cream with a choice of toppings, similar to the ones sold from vendor carts of days gone by. As the sunset lights up the sky and reflects in the undulating river, diners will feel as if they have been transported on a journey through Thailand’s culinary heartland.

Nestled on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Phra Nakhon’s private dining room offers intimacy at its finest - a perfect secluded spot for any special occasions and celebrations for up to 20 guests, with private access to an outdoor garden and the alfresco riverfront terrace.

Phra Nakhon is open daily for breakfast from 6.30am to 11am, lunch from 12pm to 3pm and dinner from 6pm to 10pm. Reservations are now being accepted, email [email protected] or call +662 098 3888. Become our fan at www.facebook.com/phranakhon.bangkok or follow our Instagram @phranakhon.bangkok.

– ENDS – Capella Bangkok Address: 300/2 Charoenkrung Road, Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok, 10120 Thailand Email: [email protected] Website: www.capellahotels.com/bangkok Instagram: @CapellaBangkok

For media enquiries, please contact:

Josephine Png Waraluck Wongwitdecha Director of Sales & Marketing Director of Marketing Communications Capella Bangkok Capella Bangkok T: +662 098 3888 T: +666 5998 4654 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

Phatthawut Wutthipraphanphong Public Relations Manager Capella Bangkok T: +666 5998 4652 E: [email protected]