A Thai-style Night Out
Will Meyrick's new venture, Som Chai, is a moody, sassy bar and restaurant with just a hint of naughty. Guests thinking this is just a restaurant are likely to be surprised as they walk through the door straight into the lounge and bar, which has a dark, grungy look set off by low lighting, hazy air, lush white orchids and girls dressed in sparkling Burlesque-inspired costumes sitting on swings serving as living art.
The low sofas and chairs are comfortable, the drinks are potent and there are some great prices on bottles of Champagne and spirits, as well as nightly DJs. This is unapologetically hedonistic sensory exoticism, an adults-only lounge where you can while away the evening. Unsurprisingly, there is a no-kids policy.
At the other end of the lounge is the golden door, the portal that carries you from the bar to the restaurant; from one ambience to another, this time it's Steam Punk Siam. This is Will's longawaited tribute to regional, country Thai food and while the extraordinarily high ceilings, tall windows and plant-covered wall give the impression of being outdoors, it is a cool and comfortable room.
The menu presents an extensive range of excellent Thai food carefully researched during Will's many trips to Thailand and made with ingredients sourced in Indonesia. The authenticity means there are many dishes and flavours that offer an exciting culinary adventure, however the staple pad thai, gorgeous pork skewers and a whole crispy barramundi, among other choices, are sure to please most palates.