Acclaimed Thai Afternoon Tea service at Bangkok tea room- artfully blends tradition with contemporary chic
September 12th, 2013
Overlooking Bangkok’s famous Erawan Shrine, the Erawan Tea Room takes inspiration from its historic location on the site of the former Erawan Hotel- one of Bangkok’s landmark hotels during the mid to late 20th Century(1956 – 87). Located within the Erawan Bangkok mall, that together with the adjoining Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok , stand on the corner site of the old Erawan Hotel, the Erawan Tea Room was created by the management of the Grand Hyatt Erawan in 2004 to re-create, in contemporary terms, the polished and sophisticated tea service for which the original Erawan Hotel was renowned.
The charmingly original design of the Erawan Tea Room harmoniously combines a sense of traditional Thai design with a chic, contemporary vibe. The popular restaurant offers an all-day dining menu of authentic Thai dishes crafted from classic recipes, refreshing hot and cold beverages, and perhaps most notably, its now famous Thai Afternoon Tea service. Attracting an eclectic clientele of business executives, tourists, hotel guests and local shoppers from the luxury mall, the 120 seat restaurant does a brisk trade all day, with some queuing possible at peak times. Erawan Tea Room is open daily from 10 am till 10 pm, serving Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Tea and Dinner. Reservations are recommended.
ARTFULLY DESIGNED
Acclaimed international designer Tony Chi was engaged to create a distinctive interior, a hybrid design that both references the retro style of traditional mid-century Asian tea houses, and exudes a modern sophistication and understated-luxe commensurate with the Grand Hyatt aesthetic. In an elongated 2nd floor curving space that follows the contours of the mall, the Erawan Tea Room interior is enveloped between floor-to-ceiling glass walls at its external facade, and internally fronting into the mall. The bright and airy space has an open layout with three zones that flow seamlessly and comfortably together- a front reception and retail display area; the main tea room floor space; and a central lounge and semi-private dining area.
AUTHENTIC THAI CUISINE & SUMPTUOUS THAI AFTERNOON TEA
Widely acclaimed for its authentic Thai cuisine, the kitchen at Erawan Tea Room serves masterfully executed signature dishes that include Erawan Fried Rice (Fried Rice with Crab Roe and Chilli Paste);Yam Pla Dook Foo (Fluffy Catfish Salad with Green Mango Dressing) and Sangkaya Maprao (Coconut Creme Brulee). The extensive a la carte menu offers a broad selection of popular Thai dishes, with a well-priced Set Lunch menu a popular attraction for local business executives and tourists alike.
Commensurate with its classic tea room heritage, Erawan Tea Room boasts one of the best gourmet tea selections in Bangkok, created from a carefully curated selection of premium tea leaves sourced from India, China and Thailand. Fragrant blends and herbal teas include varieties such as the Thai-inflected Lemongrass; Ginger Tea; and Pandan Tea. And for non-tea drinkers, other refreshing beverages include hot and iced coffees; wines, beers and fresh juices.
Erawan Tea Room are widely acclaimed for their Thai Afternoon Tea– a distinctly “Thai” interpretation of the classic British high-tea sets of savoury and sweet bites- and featured on many “must try” lists for visitors to Bangkok. The sumptuous sets offer a delightful combination of Thai delicacies and selections of traditional high tea snacks, served with a choice of coffees or teas. Attractively priced at only THB320 nett per person, the Thai Afternoon Tea attracts a steady stream of guests to enjoy the delicious offerings in the laid-back sophistication of the charismatic setting.
Erawan Tea Room- interior decor
The entrance to the interior tea room is framed by contemporary timber display shelving that contrasts with the colonial-era style of the dark timber plantation chairs and highly polished dark timber flooring.
The main tea room is enclosed on two sides by full height glass that suffuses the space with natural light during the day, and the colorful glow of city skyline at night. Modern stainless steel light fixtures- shaped to reference colonial-era pith helmets- are suspended from the ceiling adding contemporary elements to the primarily retro-themed decor.
Settings of contemporary plush red three-seat “conversation-sofas” paired with the woven- rattan backed, dark-timber plantation chairs, are interspersed across the main floor space adding vibrant splashes of color.
At the heart of the floor space- standing on a large carpet- four sofas, furnished with Thai silk upholstered cushions, abut each side of a large square table- creating relaxing settings for conversations or catching up on the daily newspapers.
A series of the dark timber small tables combine to form an elegant long dining table setting- in a section delineated from the carpeted lounge area in the centre of the space by the open shelving display units. The louvered floor-to-ceiling glass wall ensures a bright and airy atmosphere.
Window-front corner features an elegant, semi-private, round dining table for small groups.
Erawan Tea Room- Thai Afternoon Tea
At the front reception, displays of teas, condiments, and tea-making paraphernalia are showcased on shelves and tables.
An opulent antique silver tea urn is the centre-piece attraction at the entrance display.
Display case attractively showcasing the wide variety of tea leaf selections sourced from Thailand, India, and China.
An eclectic assortment of tea-related curios and tea pots are available for purchase.
Thai Afternoon Tea Set- the signature offering of Erawan Tea Room.
Quintessentially Thai savoury snacks and delicacies are combined with Western desserts on the three-tiered stand- including Mar Hor ( minced pork and peanuts on fresh pineapple); Mieng Krathong Thong (roasted coconut, lime, chili, and ginger with betel leaves in a crispy basket); Seasonal Fruit Skewers; Khao Niew Mamuang (mango & sticky rice); Passion Fruit Tart; Chocolate Pudding and traditional British scones with clotted cream with Chiang Mai strawberry jam. Served with choice of tea or coffee selections- hot or chilled. (THB320 net per person- set of 14 items)
Erawan Tea Room- traditional Thai restaurant at Grand Hyatt Erawan, Bangkok
Address: 2nd Floor Erawan Bangkok Mall at Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, 494 Rajdamri Road, Bangkok. 10330. Thailand
Reservations: +66.2254 1234
BTS Station: Direct access from CHIDLOM station to Erawan Mall & Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
Website: www.bangkok.grand.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/GrandHyattErawanBangkok
Opening hours: Daily 10:00 am ~ 10:00 pm All-Day dining menus
Thai Afternoon Tea: Daily 2:30 pm ~ 6:00 pm
