ALL’S FAIR IN CLASSY DINING
IVY47 Sukhumvit 47 FRENCH Open daily from 6pm-12am Ivy47.com, 02-116-5253 THE SETTING
Venture a little inside Sukhumvit 47 and on your right you’ll find Ivy47. Its bright lights make it stand out on the rather dark soi in the evening. The decor and ambience is simple yet sophisticated but not too much so that anyone in casual wear would be intimidated. Besides, Ivy47 isn’t touting itself as a fine-dining establishment, though it certainly does feel that way, at times, with the table settings and aesthetics. The same can be said with the food, though thankfully it doesn’t come with a price that will burn through your wallet.
THE MENU
What Ivy47 serves its guests is not strictly French cuisine. As you’ll see, there are hints and subtleties of other cuisines and they’ve adjusted the dishes to be more appealing to the Asian palate.
I started off with two appetisers. The iconic Foie gras (B650++) is concocted well with a bit of sweetness. The citrus served on the side and a smattering of rocket leaves give it a bit of a nutty taste to counter the gaminess of the foie gras. I also tried their Salmon tartare (B550++). While other places serve up just a small circle of salmon tartare, Ivy47 gives you a pretty sizable helping complete with guacamole, a touch of wasabi and yuzu ponzu sauce (proving that they aren’t strictly French).
For the main course, I was served a bit of surf and turf. The Lemon sole (B750++) is an absolutely beautiful fish dish served with a side of cauliflower that balances the saltiness. Even then, the saltiness fades away almost magically in your mouth, leaving behind only a trace. Even if you’re not necessarily a fish lover or seafood lover, this is a dish you’ll probably still enjoy.
However, being the carnivore that I am, it would have been a crime if let their Beef ribeye (B1,350++) pass me by. The meat is cooked wonderfully and melts in your mouth. The pepper sauce complements it wonderfully and another plus is that unlike other pepper sauces, it doesn’t have chunky pieces of peppercorns that make your mouth explode with heat when you bite into them. The steak is also served with a side of veggies that are a great pairing with the meat.
Finally for dessert, I tried the Almond millefeuille (B350++), which was presented so wonderfully that it broke my heart to break it. But hey, that’s life and it doesn’t just look good but tastes great as well, giving you crunchy goodness and the right amount of sweetness. I also had the Melon bergamot (B350++), which was very refreshing and not that sweet. If you want to end your dining on a cold note, this is the one to go for.
INSIDER’S TIP
Ivy47 has an impressive wine list with 75 different labels. A selection can be ordered by glass, carafe or bottle. They’ve also got cocktails, and if you feel like drinking and chilling, you should head upstairs where they’ve got a bar and lounge plus some more drinks and finger food that’s not on the menu in the resto.
VERDICT
Ivy47’s vibes and food makes you feel like you’re in a fine dining resto — a bit of sophistication and a bit of class without hurting the budget.