Ever since Aesop’s found a new home in Sukhumvit, they’ve turned into a one-stop destination for sunset drinks, dinner, partying, and beyond. Here’s our full review.
Greek food presents all the goodness of the Mediterranean diet — think olive oil, honey, grilled meats, and a lot of flavourful dips. In a city with so much culinary diversity, Aesop’s bang-on approach to be quintessentially Greek experience is certainly working in their favour, albeit with an overwhelming lack of homoeroticism.
From the Mykonos party vibes to Bangkok’s urban skyline, those entering Aesop’s will be immersed into the fantasy, and understand the venue’s vision from the moment they enter. The interesting part is that it doesn’t get any less entertaining the second or third time around. Read on for our thoughts.
[All images courtesy of Aesop’s]
Review: Aesop’s is smashing our plates, and also our tastebuds
All about the food
When in a venue like Aesop’s, you know you don’t order the food just for the food. Of course, the taste transports you to the sunny Greek isles, but the element of flair that comes with each dish adds something special.
To start off, the Greek Dips Meze Tower is the perfect appetiser to share with company. Small dishes along with their own dips get the party in the mouth started, making those sunset hours seem like mere minutes with these bad boy on the table. On the side, we like the grilled octopus, served with apple cider, olive oil, and fennel salad. The complexity really lies in the simplicity for this one. You could also order the Hamachi if you’re looking for an alternative from the sea.
There are plenty of mains to choose from. The Kleptiko is a Greek dish with a rich history, and it’s made by slow-roasting lamb with vegetables together in parchment paper. At Aesop’s, the dish is slow-roasted for 12 hours, and this results in the lamb being melt-in-your-mouth tender — amazing in taste especially if you prefer your lamb gamey. Just as traditional, perhaps you’d be more enticed to try their Moussaka. It’s a sort of a layered savoury pie with eggplant, classic condiments, and in this case, wagyu beef. The beef and eggplant combo works wonders in terms of texture, and we’ve never heard of anyone who didn’t like wagyu. If you still can’t decide, get a small taste of all the meats, served as as part of the Mixed Grill.
If you see flames being lit and the infamous “opa!” being exclaimed, you know that table ordered the Saganaki — the flaming cheese. For this star dish, Kefalograviera cheese with honey and brandy is lit on fire tableside. It doesn’t only get your table going, it gets all the tables going.
All about the drinks
Whether you want to enjoy the vibes and take it slow, or needed to go down like the city of Troy, Aesop’s has something for everyone. Try their signature cocktails, as well as their well-made twists on the classics. You will notice that each drink is themed around the Greek isles, with the flavours Dionysus would approve.
The Naked Apollo features a base of blended scotch, Mastika (sweet Greek liqueur with notes of pine and herbs), honey, ginger, and some peated whisky. The tropical Poseidon’s Fury features two rums, hazelnut, pineapple, and coconut. Perhaps a sour may be more your style, and the Athena’s Golden Apple can’t go unnoticed, made from dry gin, cardamom, apple, lemon, pistachio, and a Greek distilled spirit called Tsipouro.
Highlights from the classic twists are certainly the Baklava Old-Fashioned, with a bourbon base and a party in the mouth, and also their Long Island Iced Tea made from premium spirits. If you’re with company, a jug of Sangria never disappoints. Happy hours are from 5-6.30pm, and recommended servings are between one and until you call your ex.
All about the vibes
No one parties like the Greeks. Owner and founder John Gamvros knows this, and makes sure that everyone is having a good time and is dancing on their feet all night.
Every Friday and Saturday from 9pm onwards, experience mesmerising live shows like no other. Performers donned in Greek costumes perform acrobatics, dances, aerial shows, fire shows, and more. The shows stay interesting no matter how many times you’ve been to Aesop’s. We recommend booking the four-meter-high gazebo in the middle for the best view of the action.
The live DJs are sure to keep things on high energy as you see patrons of the venue not only let their hair down, but also throw their plates to the ground. Activities are designed to encourage people to join in on the dance floor without any worry. It also helps that the huge half-statue of Zeus overlooking you will keep you blessed and highly-favoured.
Come for the food, stay for the good times, and definitely stay on to smash some plates. The way Aesop’s seamlessly transitions from a dining experience to cut-loose celebrations works wonders for those who need to unwind from a long day of Bangkok city life. Aesop’s is social dining at its finest.
Aesop’s Greek Restaurant & Rooftop, Column Bangkok Hotel, Soi Sukhumvit 16, Khlong Toei, Bangkok. Open daily, 5pm-midnight. (+66) 062 567 7751.
Tags
Written by
Vichayuth Chantan
Digital Writer, Drinks and Dining
Writer by day, skinny legend by night, "Kook" Vichayuth works closely with Bangkok's F&B industry. His hobbies include bar-hopping, catching up with friends, and silently judging you from across the room.
