Bantatthong Thai Restaurant — Restaurant in Melbourne

As someone who grew up in Thailand I always look forward to trying any Thai restaurant, in the hope it'll be a genuine and authentic experience. Unfortunately, Bantatthong most definitely does not fall into that category at all, and was overall a bit of a disappointment.

First of all the food is all over the place: Chinese style dumplings, Vietnamese style spring rolls, Japanese style beef...oh, and throw in some Thai food as well! And as for dessert, the "edible forest"...while visually stunning...is way, WAY too sweet, with absolutely nothing "Thai" about it at all.

Secondly, the actual prep of the food ranged from silly to outright absurd. Why on earth would you gently and precisely apply the French technique of sous vide to a chicken breast if you're just going to slice it up into little pieces anyway and throw it into a green chicken curry? Similarly, why take a delicate cut like Wagyu...with its high marbling, perfectly suited to the Japanese tataki quick sear method...and add it to a slow-cooked dish like masaman? None of it made any sense!

In all honesty, this isn't a bad experience, it's just very disjointed, and certainly not very "Thai". They seem to be more interested in trying to appeal to the Brighton set...wealthy people who fancy themselves gourmet foodies whilst actually knowing nothing at all about food...than providing a proper Thai dining experience. If that's your thing then go for it, you may...

Food (Entree): We tried the Gua Bao with soft shell crab, Smoked Duck Betel Leaf, and the Golden Treasure. Unfortunately, the entrees were quite average and didn’t leave a lasting impression.

Food (Main): For the main course, we had the Green Curry Sous Vide Chicken, Beef Top Side Pad Se Ew, A4 Score Wagyu Beef Jungle Stir Fry, and Crispy Pork with Chinese Broccoli. The Green Curry was my favorite; it had a lovely balance of saltiness and spice. However, the Crispy Pork was quite tough, so it might be a challenge for those with weaker teeth, and it was also on the salty side. The Pad Se Ew was enjoyable, featuring rolled rice noodles instead of the traditional flat ones. Personally, I prefer long noodles, but it’s a matter of taste. The A4 Wagyu Beef stir fry was also salty, and the beef didn’t really stand out.

Food (Dessert): We opted for the Edible Forest and Mango Sticky Rice for dessert. The sticky rice was a bit too soft and just average. The Edible Forest was visually stunning and definitely Instagram-worthy, but it fell short on flavor. The chocolate sponge was dry, and the coconut panna cotta had an overpowering coconut taste.

Service: The service was quite good. It was a busy Friday night, but the staff was friendly and attentive.

Atmosphere: The atmosphere was pleasant, although we were seated in a spot where the AC was blowing directly at us, making it a bit chilly and uncomfortable...

My dining experience at Bantatthong in Brighton was truly delightful. We started with the smoked duck betel leaf, featuring 8 hours smoked duck infused with Thai aromatic herbs and served with a tantalizing Jeaw sauce. The combination of flavors and the tender, smoky duck left us craving for more. Unfortunately, we were unable to try the fresh oysters as they were sold out, but the appetizing smoked duck betel leaf more than made up for it.

For our main courses, we ordered the beef massaman and the crispy pork with Chinese broccoli. The sous vide Wagyu beef brisket in the massaman curry was incredibly tender and flavorful, complemented by roasted potatoes, peanuts, and fried shallots. The curry itself had a rich and aromatic profile that was both comforting and satisfying.

The crispy pork dish was another standout. The pork was perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the pairing with Chinese broccoli added a delightful contrast in texture. Each bite was a burst of flavor, making it a must-try.

Overall, Bantatthong delivered a fantastic dining experience. The combination of unique flavors, quality ingredients, and attentive service made our visit memorable. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a taste of Thai cuisine...