Get your chopsticks at the ready - the Will Meyrick success story has just added another Asian destination to your must-feast list!
Three’s the magic number, they say. But for Will Meyrick, Asia’s unstoppable foodie force and famed Street Food Chef, why stop at three when you can dominate the region’s food scene with an entire empire of Asian-inspired eateries?
Introducing SOM CHAI Bar & Restaurant – the latest Asian destination from the man behind Sarong, Mama San, Tiger Palm and Hujan Locale, four of Bali’s biggest names in the feasting business.
That’s right you hungry Honeys, the rumours were true and the awesome chef-owner of everyone’s fave gourmet spots has gone and done it again with his latest Asian venture, this time with a sophisticated and artfully themed dining and drinking destination with a distinct Thai influence. If you’ve ever dined at any of Chef Will’s scrummy restos, you’ll know this new name is one to add to your list…
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Hidden away in the heart of Kerobokan [right on the bustling edge of Seminyak], SOM CHAI is a delicious and “secret” cavern of ballroom proportions that’s not only feeding Bali’s epicurean bunch with some of the best Thai bites on the island [think steamed whole fish Phuket-style with pounded fresh chilli. asam potong, Asian celery and “teow cheow”] the restaurant is also home to a hopping new bar that hosts nocturnal escapades, stunning dancers, and live DJs late into the night.
But let’s start off with SOM CHAI’s bites. Imaginatively pulling together the best locally sourced ingredients, the menu sees a colourful concoction of herbs, spices, roots and leaves, steamed, simmered, smoked and grilled using different regional cooking styles to capture the very essence of excellent Thai food. Yum!
Get your chopsticks around the coffee wood-smoked mackerel with jeow bong relish for starters, the “Nam Doc” grilled beef salad with its perfectly pink middle to really get the Thai ball rolling, and save space for the central Thailand “gaeng choo chee” curry with king prawns, kaffir lime, Thai basil and coconut cream for the main event – you won’t regret it.
As for the cocktails, we know full well that Will is also a whizz with flavourful tipples [he’s a fellow Negroni connoisseur who’s kind enough to accompany us most Friday nights at Mama San’s upstairs bar!] and luckily for us thirsty folk, SOM CHAI’s drinks list doesn’t fall short of Will’s stellar rep.
The secret? The quintessential cocktails use a host of infused botanicals, blended herbs and liquors to form potions of potency, alongside selected artisan beers, all-time classics and fine wines. Try the signature Thai Mule or Bangkok Smash to begin [both with bitter sweet notes], and finish up with a punchy Margarita or three [there’s six to choose from, after all…]. Oh, and did we mention the bar stays open ‘til the wee hours?
See you there, Honeys!
SOM CHAI Restaurant & Bar, Jl Raya Kerobokan 86 A, Seminyak, p. +62 878 8866 1945. Open daily 6.30pm til late.