Signature Bangkok: A Floral Ode to French Gastronomy

Art Deco Elegance at the Heart of VIE Hotel

Located on the 11th floor of the VIE Hotel Bangkok — MGallery Collection, Signature Bangkok offers a refined setting that subtly blends the timeless elegance of Art Deco with contemporary aesthetics. Its stunning interiors, characterized by velvet textiles, luxurious carpets, and a bold color palette, create a sophisticated and warm atmosphere. Large bay windows flood the space with natural light, while touches of patinated bronze add understated modernity. An open kitchen allows guests to observe the culinary team's craftsmanship, adding an immersive dimension to the dining experience.

A Michelin-Starred Floral French Cuisine

Signature Bangkok embodies a unique culinary vision by Chef Thierry Drapeau, celebrating modern French cuisine enhanced by floral accents. Awarded a Michelin star for the third consecutive year, the restaurant stands out for its expertise, creativity, and seasonal respect. Each menu is designed as a sensory exploration, blending rare and refined ingredients, carefully sourced from local and international producers, with delicate presentations inspired by nature.

Sustainability is at the heart of Signature Bangkok's identity. The restaurant grows its own herbs, flowers, and organic vegetables in its garden and works closely with an organic farm nestled in the hills of Chiang Mai. This responsible approach, combined with Chef Thierry's expertise, ensures an environmentally friendly dining experience while offering authentic and innovative flavors.

Thierry Drapeau: The Michelin-Starred Soul of Signature Bangkok

Chef Thierry Drapeau, formerly at the helm of a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in the Loire Valley, embodies excellence and innovation in modern French cuisine. At Signature Bangkok, he offers a culinary approach centered on the purity of flavors, favoring natural juices to enhance poultry, meats, and fish, while minimizing the use of butter and spices. Inspired by Thailand's rich flora, he incorporates edible flowers and delicate herbs to create light, expressive, and visually captivating dishes, redefining the codes of French gastronomy.

Originally from Nantes, Chef Thierry draws inspiration from memories of Sunday family meals, where the art of cooking and the joy of sharing a good meal were essential. After maintaining two Michelin stars for nine consecutive years in France, he turned to Asia to explore new culinary horizons. At Signature Bangkok, he blends his French expertise with local abundance, offering a gastronomic experience that is both refined and accessible, where each dish tells a story of authenticity, passion, and creativity.

Our Dinner with the Petit Bouquet Menu

Our dinner at Signature Bangkok was an intimate and refined experience, where only 20 guests have the privilege each evening to savor the culinary excellence of Chef Thierry Drapeau. The evening began in an elegant piano lounge, where we were welcomed with delicate canapés and a glass of champagne, a prelude to an evening marked by modern and floral French gastronomy.

The five-course Petit Bouquet menu proved to be a true symphony of flavors and textures. The amuse-bouche combined the velvety sweetness of pumpkin with the autumnal richness of chestnut, enhanced by a smoky and comforting bacon emulsion. A cosmos flower added a delicate floral note, while a crispy tartlet and a soft brioche brought a nostalgic and indulgent touch, evoking the simple pleasures of childhood.

The Brittany scallop, perfectly seared, revealed tender and pearly flesh, magnified by a deep Wagyu beef and bone marrow consommé. Thinly sliced Japanese radish provided a crunchy texture and slight bitterness, subtly balancing the richness of the broth. Artisanal bread, served with creamy and delicately flavored French butter, perfectly accompanied the first bites of this feast. The sea bass, cooked with remarkable precision, melted in the mouth and paired beautifully with an airy miso and saffron espuma, offering umami depth and subtle spicy warmth. The nasturtium sauce, floral and slightly peppery, added an extra dimension to each bite.

The ‘Les Frères Marchand' cheese platter, presented on a wooden log, offered a refined selection accompanied by dried fruits and homemade condiments, for a perfect balance between sweetness and character. The pre-dessert, a creamy and indulgent rice pudding revisited by Chef Thierry Drapeau, evoked childhood memories with emotion while offering a modern twist. Finally, the Fraîcheur dessert won us over with its juicy and sweet Gariguette strawberry, enhanced by tangy lemon notes and the freshness of basil, punctuated by oxalis and begonia for an unexpected vegetal dimension. The evening concluded with an orchard surprise, presented in the center of the room, where each guest could choose from an exquisite selection of mignardises, all accompanied by a sumptuous tea and infusion cart, a perfect final bouquet to this unforgettable experience.

My Opinion

Signature Bangkok enchanted me with its elegant and intimate setting, elevated by modern and floral French cuisine that perfectly reflects Chef Thierry Drapeau's talent. The Petit Bouquet menu was a true sensory discovery, each dish revealing subtle and balanced flavors, enhanced by refined ingredients and floral touches. I particularly appreciated the harmony between tradition and innovation, where each plate tells a story, and the attention to detail, from impeccable service to food-flower pairings, makes the experience all the more memorable.

Practical Information

A big thank you to Signature Bangkok for the invitation to discover their establishment. Of course, I remain free in my opinions in this article!