80/20 Eighty Twenty — Restaurant in Bang Rak Subdistrict

Review of 80/20: A Culinary Journey in Bangkok

Introduction

Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Charoenkrung, 80/20 is a fine dining restaurant that has garnered attention for its innovative approach to Thai cuisine. Under the helm of Chef Napol Jantragul, the restaurant aims to showcase the rich flavors and diverse ingredients of Thailand, with a focus on sustainability and local sourcing. While the culinary experience is commendable, there are areas where the service falls short, particularly for those dining at a Michelin-level establishment.

Ambiance

Upon entering 80/20, guests are welcomed into a modern yet inviting space that reflects the restaurant’s commitment to blending tradition with contemporary design. The interior features clean lines, warm lighting, and artistic decor that creates a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. The open kitchen adds an extra layer of excitement, allowing diners to witness the culinary magic happening behind the scenes.

The layout promotes intimacy, with well-spaced tables that allow for private conversations without feeling isolated. Overall, the ambiance sets the stage for an enjoyable dining experience.

Menu Offerings

The menu at 80/20 is a testament to the chef’s creativity and passion for Thai flavors. With a focus on seasonal ingredients, the offerings change regularly, ensuring that each visit feels fresh and exciting. The tasting menu is particularly noteworthy, showcasing a range of dishes that highlight the best of Thai cuisine.

Signature Dishes

One standout dish is the Grilled River Prawn, where the natural sweetness of the prawns is beautifully complemented by a fragrant herb sauce. This dish exemplifies the restaurant’s philosophy of highlighting the quality of ingredients while enhancing them with thoughtful preparation.

Another must-try is the Fermented Rice with Mango, which offers a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors. The use of fermented elements adds depth, showcasing the chef’s ability to incorporate traditional techniques into modern presentations.

Desserts

The dessert selection is equally impressive, with offerings like Coconut Sorbet with Lychee that are both refreshing and indulgent. Each dessert is meticulously crafted, providing a perfect conclusion to an exceptional meal.

Service

While the culinary experience at 80/20 is commendable, the service needs improvement to truly uphold Michelin standards. Upon arrival, the staff was friendly and welcoming, but as the evening progressed, there were noticeable lapses in attentiveness. For a fine dining establishment, timely service is crucial, yet there were instances where we waited too long for drink refills and course transitions.

The staff’s knowledge of the menu was inconsistent; while some members were well-informed and able to provide detailed descriptions of the dishes, others seemed unsure and unable to answer basic questions. This inconsistency detracted from the overall experience, especially in a setting that aims for high culinary acclaim.

Conclusion

In summary, 80/20 is a fine dining restaurant that offers an innovative take on Thai cuisine, with a menu that celebrates local ingredients and traditional flavors. The ambiance is inviting, and the culinary creations are impressive and well-executed. However, to truly align with Michelin standards, the service needs to be more attentive and consistent. With improvements in this area, 80/20 has the potential to solidify its reputation as one of Bangkok's top dining destinations. For now, it remains a worthwhile visit for food enthusiasts eager to explore the best of Thai cuisine, albeit with some room for growth in...

We visited 80/20 with high expectations but left disappointed on several fronts. Based on our experience, we would not recommend this restaurant, nor will we be returning:

Impersonal and Hectic Welcome: The greeting upon arrival was rushed and impersonal, with no staff member introducing themselves by name. This lack of a personal touch made the atmosphere feel very unwelcoming.

Cold and Uninviting Ambience: The restaurant's ambiance felt cold and uninviting. The large, open windows facing a busy street created an uncomfortable and exposed environment.

Distracting Shouts: The staff shouting "Sawadee kah/kraap" whenever someone entered the restaurant was not only distracting, but also making the visitors uncomfortable. Moreover, throughout the entire visit, the chefs communicated to each other shouting “kah/kraap" across the entire kitchen, which was distracting.

Inconvenient Seating: Initially, we were seated at a table that was too high. For someone who is 5'3" (163 cm), the table height reached up to the shoulder, forcing us to switch tables. The staff handling this request  also took longer than expected, especially with multiple 2 seat tables available at sight in our 6 pm dining window.

Language Barrier: While the waitresses attempted to explain the ingredients and menu, their English was so poor that we could not understand most of what was  said.

Main Course Food order: For the main course there was a local curry and thin slices of grilled wagyu beef. The food order to to eat the curry first, let us eat the beef already cold which is disapointing experience esp with such a high quality piece of food.

Excessively Spicy Food: The food was overwhelmingly spicy, to the point where it masked all other flavors. Even as someone who enjoys local spicy food and can handle medium to high spiciness, I found the curry particularly disappointing. We have had better Thai dishes at local night markets.

Poor Communication: Despite confirming our reservation beforehand, the restaurant failed to notice this and contacted us three times on different channels (mail and whatsapp) to confirm it again.

Lack of Interaction with the Chef: We never met the chef, and no one introduced themselves, which left us with no opportunity to provide direct feedback.

Overall, our experience at 80/20 was disappointing. For a total cost of 12,000 BHT (approximately 330 USD), the experience did not live up to its price. We expected a memorable dining experience, but what we received was far from...

Nestled in the heart of Bangkok, 80/20 is a culinary gem that I had to visit - according to Michelin Guide.

That was true indeed, from the moment I stepped into 80/20, I knew straight away I was in for a treat. I was taken in by the big open kitchen to the edgy layout of the floor. The staff were on point and friendly – they took care of our every need.

Let’s talk about the food – an adventure for my senses. They only had one menu and that was Chef’s menu. We journey through a total of about 15-18 dishes and polished off an amazing bottle of wine from Spain.

The first thing that struck was the way The chef & his team expertly adds layers to every dish, creating an explosion of flavors that dance on the taste buds. Each bite felt like unravelling a culinary mystery, different elements mingled happily, creating an explosion of taste and texture. It's not just a meal; it's a culinary journey through a carefully crafted masterpiece.

One of the standout features of their cuisine is the impeccable balance of spice. Considering that my other half cannot take spice - the kitchen accommodated to his palate and did it well. The team’s mastery lies not in overwhelming my palate with heat but in allowing the spice to enhance the overall flavor profile of each dish. The heat came after each dish, and it was a good hit.

To round up the dinner we had an array of new world design Thai desserts – I commend & praise their dessert chef for her ingenuity.

The menu at 80/20 showcases a delightful fusion of traditional Thai ingredients with innovative techniques, resulting in dishes that are not only visually stunning but also incredibly flavourful. Their creativity in their menu is truly commendable. To me, each dish tells a story, and you can feel the passion and dedication that goes into creating every plate.

I was left speechless after every dish. Their attention to detail was evident in every aspect, from the presentation to the taste. The staff's knowledge and enthusiasm for the food they serve further enhanced the overall experience, making me appreciate the meal even more.

With a great team on the front and back of the house, this dining experience left me speechless.

A must visit if you are in Bangkok! Prepare yourself for a culinary adventure like no other, where each bite is a revelation, and every dish tells a...