With its certain je ne sais quoi, this rooftop French restaurant and bar in Bangkok will mesmerise groups with its elevated views, classy interiors and delectable cuisine. By Xinyi Liang-Pholsena
Perched on the 32nd floor of Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, L’Appart embodies the French spirit in its elegance and culinary approach, taking its design cues from a 19th century Haussmann-style apartment in Paris.
The 80-seat venue boasts an interesting play of spaces, with each interconnected room exhibiting its own character: the laidback lounge features a full bar and a DJ station, plus plush armchairs and black-and-white photos of Parisian life; the quiet library is adorned with soft lighting, books and objets d’art; the classy dining room is set in neutral tones with parquet flooring; and the lively open kitchen showcases a red Le Cornue stove, white-marble tables and leather banquettes.
Step outdoor and the open-air terrace, which extends 180 degrees, offers panoramic views of Bangkok’s crowded skyline and the bustling Sukhumvit Road below.
MICE application
The flexibility of L’Appart’s multi-faceted spaces enables it to cater to a wide gamut of events, including product launches, cocktail receptions, art display, fashion walks and annual corporate parties.
For cocktails, L’Appart can accommodate up to 300-350 pax but 150 pax will be the optimum number, advised Anthony Slewka-Armfelt, Sofitel South-east Asia & India regional director of sales and Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit director or sales & marketing.
The eight-pax private room can be booked for intimate gatherings. For bigger groups seeking exclusivity, the entire venue can be bought out for 400,000 baht (US$12,500) for typically four hours of private usage, according to Slewka-Armfelt, who recommends corporate groups starting the evening at 17.00 to catch the sunset over aperitifs on the outdoor terrace before venturing indoors for dinners.
F&B concept
Led by chef de cuisine Jeremy Tourret, L’Appart serves contemporary French cuisine with Asian touches.
Our dinner started with a beef tartare graced with quail eggs and black truffle, and the second appetiser – an onion soup capped with a crisp-golden pastry dome – kept sending out aromatic wafts. For the main courses, the dishes tasted as delightful as their artful presentations: my order of steamed snowfish and king crab, served with black-ink risotto and tom kha-flavoured beurre blanc, balanced delicate and savoury flavours, while my partner’s medium-cooked duck breast was juicy and tender.
A well-curated drinks list, from Old World Reds to Champagnes and cocktails, makes good company for the exquisite food.
Service and ambience
The venue eschews the typical restaurant layout, with tables spaced apart and tucked into intimate corners to retain the ambience of an upclass Parisian residence, so much so that a dinner at L’Appart feels like attending a soirée at a friend’s sumptuous penthouse.
Although there was a bit of waiting between courses, L’Appart manager, Sylvain Neveu, and a waitress checked on us from time to time, providing attentive yet discreet service.
Contacts
32nd floor, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, 189 Sukhumvit Road Soi 13-15
Tel: (66-2) 126-9999
Email: h5213-fb10@sofitel.com
Opening hours
Daily; dinner: 19.00-22.30; bar: 17.00-01.00; and tapas: 17.00-00.00
