August 15th, 2011
Recently opened, Jojo is a beautiful restaurant within the equally elegant St Regis Bangkok hotel. Conceptualised as a contemporary lifestyle Italian restaurant, Jojo serves fine Italian cuisine, cooked with a pared-back but modern style, with an emphasis on authentic ingredients, imported directly from artisan producers in Italy. Resident Italian chef Fabrizio Tumminello never mixes more than a few main ingredients on a plate, preferring the authentic simplicity of true Italian cuisine, rather than complexity and “innovation” for the sake of novelty. The selection of 30+ cheeses are all from D.O.P. certified producers in Italy- for example the sole source for the Burrata is a farmer with just ten cows. The aged prosciutto range from 18 months to 42 months. Both examples of the emphasis on only using the finest quality ingredients in the preparations of dishes.
The dining experience at Jojo varies from the “rustic” style menu served at lunchtime, which is complimented by the interactivity of the prominent pizza preparation and wood fired oven, and “live” table side pasta serving; whereas the evenings witness the transformation of Jojo into an elegant fine dining restaurant and wine bar.
The restaurant is located on one side of the impressive ground floor entrance to The St Regis Bangkok. The restaurant has three distinct sections- directly adjacent to the entrance is the intimate wine bar with several oval shaped tables adjoining the bar, and small high tables along the facing wall. The next section holds the high table dining area- for a more casual dining environment; and finally, the elegant main dining room, exquisitely decorated, offering the refined environment of an upscale modern Italian restaurant. An outdoor terrace dining and lounge area will open in the next few months.
The interior design features the extensive use of travertine, the attractive building stone mined in Italy and popular since Roman times, for the floor tiling, wall cladding and bench tops. The light color of travertine is contrasted with carved dark timber panelling, and screens on the full height windows. During daytime, the restaurant spaces utitlise the abundant natural light to create a comfortable ambience, and the more subdued evening lighting provides a atmosphere of sophisticated chic. The glass walled wine cellar and cheese room are displayed with a highlighted prominence between the main dining room and the high table area. The truly striking cone shaped light fixture mounted into the ceiling in the high table section features concentric circles of beveled glass mirrors reflecting with a bronze colored glow. An open pizza preparation counter and large wood fired pizza oven stand between the front bar section and the other dining areas.
The lunch at Jojo can be ordered from the a la carte menu, or as a two or three course “Speciale del Giorno”. The menu features appetizer dishes such as Angus Beef carpaccio Cipriani style; Caprese salad with buffalo mozzarella and tomato; Prosciutto e melone; and the Antipasto da JOJO- with D.O.P. cheese and cold cuts. Pasta specialties include Spinach ricotta ravioli with fresh tomato & rocket drops; Carbonara Tradizionale with egg yolk & Parmesan and crispy pork bacon; and the Originale Fettucine alfredo- served in the Castelmagno cheese wheel. Pizzas are served in two sizes with a thin, crisp crust and include classics such as the Margherita– San Marzano tomato; the Capricciosa– with tomato, mozzarella, pork ham, mushrooms, artichokes & olives; and the Biancaneve– buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomato, rocket & Parmesan flakes. “Secondi” dishes include Veal Chop Milanese– served with potato mash & rocket salad; and Angus Rib Eye Steak– with mushroom sauce and rosemary potato. And finally, “Dolce Vita” include the Martini Tiramisu; Tuscany Apple Tart; and Gelato selections.
Antipasto da JOJO- with D.O.P. cheese and cold cuts
Originale Fettucine alfredo- served in the Castelmagno cheese wheel
Serving the Originale Fettucine alfredo- from the Castelmagno cheese wheel
Carbonara Tradizionale with egg yolk & Parmesan and crispy pork bacon
Biancaneve pizza– buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomato, rocket & Parmesan flakes
Martini Tiramisu
The wine cellar holds a wide selection of wines from many of the premium wine districts of Italy, and at the wine bar, a range of wines can be ordered by the glass. And as would be expected, the espresso coffee at Jojo is the genuine article.
With it’s combination of modernist style chic interior, and the delectable authentic Italian cuisine, Jojo now presents discerning Bangkok diners with a compelling new destination for either a casual or business lunch; and in the evenings, a discretely luxurious fine dining experience.
See Slideshow below for full visual coverage of Jojo
Jojo- Lifestyle Italian Restaurant & Bar at The St.Regis Bangkok
Address: Ground Floor Lobby, 159 Rajadamri Road, Bangkok, 10330 Thailand
BTS: Direct access from Rajadamri station
Reservations: +66.2. 207 7815
Website: st regis bangkok
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/TheStRegisBangkok
Opening Hours: Daily Lunch- 12:00pm ~ 3:30 pm Dinner – 5:30pm ~ 12:00am
Set Lunch- Speciale del Giorno Two courses B690++ Three courses B740++
Other St Regis articles on www.asia-bars.com :
Decanter Wine Lounge
St Regis Bar
