J'AIME by Jean-Michel Lorain at U Sathorn — Restaurant in Thung Maha Mek Subdistrict

I really wanted to love my meal at J’aime. I read great reviews and I was on the waitlist for Christmas lunch. Marine was very so helpful and communicative in keeping me updated on the status.

Walking through the lobby of the U Sathorn Bangkok was nice, and that was pretty much the highlight of the afternoon. There was no greeter at the front of the restaurant. My friends and I walked in and a server sat us down and gave us the menu. He immediately asked us if we wanted unlimited water and soda. I asked if I could just have water, that I didn’t drink soda. Unfortunately he didn’t understand. We asked if coffee and tea were included in this unlimited water option, which it was. We ordered three teas with milk, sugar and honey. The milk, sugar and honey never came, and we had to ask for it three other times, our third time to another server. We had to ask for water refills several times throughout the meal, which came in small water bottles. If you have unlimited water as an option, there should always be a full bottle at the table.

No one walked us through the menu and how it would work. We said we were here for brunch and our server took our menus and said they would bring out brunch. A charcuterie board with smoked ham, chorizo iberico, homemade duck rillettes, truffle beef and black garlic aspic, homemade pork and garlic roulade served with mustard dressing was brought out. There was also sabayon gratinated oyster, cod mousse on toast with sun-dried tomatoes (tasted like hummus), crab cocktail with a fantasy of carrot and ginger, herb salmon gravlax, brioche and seaweed butter and a cup of lobster soup covered with a puff pastry shell (which had very little soup in it). This spread was typical for an afternoon tea, didn’t know whether or not there were any main courses after this, as every table in the restaurant had the same h’orderves spread.

We asked two attendants if there was to be a main course. They both said yes but failed to mention what and when we could order. Someone finally came over with the menu and took our main course orders. We waited 40 min+ for our mains and Marine did come over and apologize that there would be a delay because the kitchen was overwhelmed by the number of orders. But isn’t that bad food management? Shouldn’t the kitchen be able to accommodate for all orders based on the number of reservations a restaurant have? My piancha-seared rock lobster was a tiny morsel, hardly a “main” for brunch. I ordered meuniere-style cod fish and poached egg pan seared mushroom. It was only after three “mains” that I was full. The desserts were also lacking, one cup of mixed sugared fruits, reminiscent of canned fruit, along with poire belle helene, millefeuille napoleon and strawberry and basil vacherin that left me wanting more pain au chocolat that was served at the start of the meal.

This was a very disappointing meal, especially while abroad and on Christmas. The service is poor, there is far too much wait time in-between dishes and drinks (brunch lasted 3+ hours, and not by choice and from a good time), and the food was...

Instead of the weekend chores of shopping and errands, we found ourselves at a loose end and so decided to leave the kids at home with their PS4 and the maid watching over them and escape for a long and lazy lunch.

We decided on J'aime as our choice destination.

Firstly on some of the details:-

Logistics the hotel J'aime is way back from the main road, fairly deep in a soi, so transport by taxi in and out is advisable unless you like arriving looking like you're about to have a stroke and after every meal you feel the need for a walk to work off the calories.

Dress code is smart casual, from my experiences in Bangkok most of these kind of establishments the only definite no-no is flip flops. I did see a diner wearing shorts, call me picky but I prefer to dress appropriately (at least jeans or trousers) and not look like you could be heading to the local noodle stall or McD's.

The dining room is large, light and airy and has a calm relaxing feel. We were positioned at a table near the window overlooking the central court and so we had unobstructed views across the tops of the trees around the pool.

We quickly settled on the 5 course set lunch menu and paired it with the suggested wine. (On the wine it was a light Italian red and just right.)

Long story short, of the five courses I enjoyed the starter of green and yellow mango gazpacho with quinoa which was an absolute delight with lots of delicate flavours. Maybe because this was such an amazing start what followed later didn't quite match those heights as a whole.

The slow cooked egg and organic roots had interesting elements but didn't leave a lasting impression.

The cauliflower mousse and coriander water, was the most interesting and playful part of the dish. I suppose it performed its role of cleansing the palette before the mains.

The main dish was a pan fried chicken with potato mash, capers and white wine jus, which was well orchestrated but for me I thought the jus was just a bit too overpowering and had only one note.

The Almond crème brulée was amazing and light, the raspberry mousse that accompanied it was lovely and refreshing and like all good puddings left you wanting more when you looked down at the empty plate.

The service was excellent, informative and available but not overly intrusive. In fact their contribution was just as much a part of the relaxing dining experience we had.

Overall we enjoyed our lunchtime experience, as I said some of the dishes for me didn't strike a chord but there were enough interesting elements going on and the element of theatre you expect from a restaurant which comes from an establishment with such a storied DNA.

We both agreed we would definitely try it again and for the price of the set lunch with all the other elements of ambience and service it was most definitely VFM for the afternoon treat we were...

First of all the setting : hotel U Sathorn is a haven of peace in the heart of Sathorn. The restaurant has a contemporary decor, almost unrealistic like the sight of this grand piano hanging from the ceiling.

Welcoming is warm and sincere. ✓

At Luxurythai.travel we have chosen two menus to get an overview. “Picnic Lunch” at ฿1250 and “Lorain's signature” menu at ฿1900, to which you will need to add ฿1500 to get matching glass of wine for each course. A good deal. ✓

Prices don’t include government tax, always hungry when it comes to puncturing people.

Picnic Lunch menu offers a simply unbeatable offer for a starred restaurant in Bangkok. Who else can do that in Bangkok ? A luxurious "picnic" with elaborate dishes. Room manager is a charming and friendly boy. Kitchen being open to the dining room, you can contemplate dishes preparation and see chef Amerigo Sesti, always very diligent. ✓

Popular dishes are “Tiger prawn and heart of palm rosace served with sweet potato and lime rouille”, “cured foie gras marbled with roasted duck, guava marmalade and brioche”, “lighty-smoked sea bass with caviar sauce”. Chef offers a special strawberry millefeuille called “Napoleon millefeuille”, crispy, creamy and melting at the same time, pure culinary marvel. ✓ Fitness room downstairs that will allow you to burn extra calories. ;)

Must mention surprising “Chef’s cheese discoveries” plate of cheeses exclusively produced in Thailand, half are goat's cheese and other half cow's cheese. ✓

There is an honorable variety of breads 4 to 5 varieties, country bread, quinoa bread or raisin bread.

We’ve been offered Gillardeau oysters N°2 prepared with a base of green mango and shallots. Refreshing in mouth.

J’AIME by Jean-Michel Lorain affirms the high tradition of French gastronomy with finesse and flavors. An essential address...