Some past stories are hard to forget, while others become enduring legends. This feeling arises as we step into Fallabella River Front, the second branch located on the 6th floor of “Tasana Nakorn Terrace” in the luxurious ICONSIAM mall by the Chao Phraya River. We know how heartwarming the original Fallabella branch in Ratchadamri is, but this place feels different from the familiar first branch.
There’s an indescribable sense of curiosity, not about the taste or standards, which are guaranteed by the past, but something else. It becomes clear after talking with Mr. Golf Natchanok Rattanataros, the founder of Fallabella, amidst the gentle breeze at the end of the year, overlooking the clear view of the Chao Phraya River.
“I love this place. I was impressed the first time I saw it. The view is beautiful, and this area is less crowded. The first Fallabella branch was like a heavy night party, while this branch feels like we’ve grown up, changed the vibe to a more relaxed atmosphere for conversation, dining, and chilling. Of course, we still maintain the Southern Italian restaurant style that the Italian Embassy recognized as one of Thailand’s top five Italian Luxury Restaurants for five consecutive years from the first branch. However, here we’ve added a bit of Thai and Japanese food, a touch of wine bar, and focused on pairing every menu with our wines to suit a wider range of customers.”
Mr. Golf clarifies the difference we sensed earlier. He admits to aging and accumulated fatigue from taking care of every guest who enters his realm. Despite the maturity and depth that comes with time, his unconditional love for the taste of food remains unchanged.
“For me, the details of dining are quite unique. With my experience in the restaurant business, I can usually tell the cooking methods and ingredients of 90 percent of the dishes I taste. So, if I’m impressed with a dish, I’ll discuss it with the chef to try and replicate it. This is my main approach to managing the restaurant. At my age, I may not be able to take care of customers directly like before, but I take care of them through the taste of the food.”
Each dish at the restaurant is both beautiful and perfectly designed in terms of taste. In an era where social media plays a significant role, customers may focus on the aesthetics, but I also want them to focus on the unique flavors the chef intends to serve.”
In the open-air, panoramic view of the Chao Phraya River, decorated in a modern style, we feel the perfect blend of the menu. As we taste the food, Mr. Golf’s passion for flavor becomes more apparent, and we enjoy and fall in love with this place even more than the first moment we arrived.
We start with an appetizer of large mussels and clams in a tomato and garlic soup (Mussel Clam Fermented Sausage in Garlicky Tomato Broth with Toasted Bread), served with crispy bread.
For the Italian signature dish, the star of the show is the Live Canadian Lobster Angel Hair Pasta with House Shrimp Paste Armagnac Truffle. The huge, sweet lobster is served on angel hair pasta with shrimp paste and truffle sauce, a unique recipe of the restaurant. Every bite is filled with the aroma of truffles.
The Fallabella Rustica is a pizza puff with mozzarella cheese, Parma ham, and truffles. The soft, chewy dough is served hot, with plenty of cheese, and eaten with fresh rocket, completing the Italian feel of this meal.
For meat lovers, the Steak Bites & Kizami Wasabi is a must-order. The ribeye steak is cut into bite-sized pieces, grilled to perfection, tender, juicy, and fragrant with garlic, served with the restaurant’s special dipping sauce.
In addition, there are Japanese dishes and dim sum for easy appetizers to enjoy while chilling. To end the meal, there are desserts for those with a sweet tooth.
Another little-known secret is that Golf Natchanok Rattanataros is a top-notch bartender. Therefore, he carefully selects both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, even the drinking water must be of premium quality at a reasonable price.
One of Thailand’s top-quality products that cannot be overlooked is the source of raw materials from underground rocks hundreds of millions of years old, VAVA mineral water. This 100% natural mineral water from the Khao Yai mineral water source is recognized by UNESCO as the most abundant natural heritage in Thailand.
VAVA is a mineral water that contains minerals beneficial to the body, with a refreshing taste that is easy to drink. It complements all savory, sweet, and beverage menus without altering the true taste of the ingredients.
With its balanced minerals, it enhances the taste of every meal. VAVA mineral water has a neutral pH, is refreshing, and easy to drink. It has also received the Superior Taste Award 2023 from the International Taste Institute in Brussels, Belgium, ensuring it is a mineral water with international standards and a taste guaranteed by world-class chefs.
Before ending the conversation, we ask one last question: Does Mr. Golf think there is any restaurant that can compare to the legendary high-society pub or be as chic as the first Fallabella branch in Ratchadamri that he created? This is his heartfelt answer:
“Honestly, I don’t think so, and no one is chic enough yet. The legendary Fallabella will be back soon, but with a new name and format. Stay tuned for good news.”
The gentle breeze at the end of the year, the high vantage point with a clear view of the Chao Phraya River, and the smooth conversation float in the wind. In my heart, I ponder Mr. Golf’s answer before accepting and agreeing without a doubt.
Fallabella River Front @ Iconsiam
Address: 6th Floor, Tasana Nakorn Terrace Zone, ICONSIAM Shopping Center, 299 Charoen Nakhon Rd., Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600
Open Daily: 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Phone: 096 892 6425
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fallabellabar