4 years of culinary exploration, a renewed ardour for Mediterranean cooking and a outstanding hospitality workforce give certainly one of Sathorn’s favorite eating addresses a recent chapter.
BANGKOK, Thailand. Nice meals, a very good glass of wine and no rush to go away. For Bangkok restaurateur Craig McLean, that has all the time been the thought behind nice hospitality. And at XII Mediterranean on Sathorn Soi 12, it’s an concept that has solely grown stronger with expertise.
On Saturday, November 14, XII Mediterranean, pronounced “Twelve,” will unveil a refreshed identification, new menu and renewed dedication to the flavours and traditions that first impressed the restaurant.
However that is greater than a relaunch. It’s the end result of the final 4 years of culinary exploration, numerous classes realized and a rising understanding of what company genuinely love.
Having navigated the challenges of opening through the pandemic, explored completely different culinary instructions and extra not too long ago embraced the traditions of Southern French cooking, XII is returning to its Mediterranean roots. Not by abandoning the journey, however by bringing the most effective of it collectively.
For Craig, whose hospitality ventures additionally embrace neighbouring Bangkok favorite KAI New Zealand, the evolution has been as a lot about listening and studying because it has been about cooking.
4 Years of Discovery, One Mediterranean Desk
The Mediterranean has lengthy been one of many world’s nice culinary crossroads, the place centuries of commerce, journey and cultural change have introduced collectively outstanding substances, cooking strategies and traditions.
That variety is now on the coronary heart of XII’s new menu.
Slightly than following a single nation’s delicacies, the kitchen attracts inspiration from throughout the Mediterranean shoreline, combining much-loved favourites from XII’s unique menu with standout concepts developed throughout its Southern French chapter.
The result’s a complementary assortment of dishes designed to take diners on a journey by means of the area, with every dish bringing one thing distinctive to the desk.
One notably thrilling improvement is the expanded use of XII’s charcoal oven. Extra dishes now profit from the depth, aroma and unmistakable flavour that cooking over charcoal brings. It’s an strategy rooted in Mediterranean culinary custom, the place fireplace, recent substances and simple preparation have lengthy gone hand in hand.
But behind the obvious simplicity lies one thing Craig takes notably critically: sourcing.
Lengthy earlier than his Bangkok restaurant ventures, Craig labored internationally as a breeding livestock exporter and unbiased meals dealer. It was a profession that demanded an in depth understanding of high quality, provenance and the variations that distinguish an peculiar product from an distinctive one.
That information now influences the best way substances are chosen for XII. A lot of the work occurs behind the scenes, however Craig believes the outcomes ought to converse for themselves on
the plate.
His philosophy is refreshingly simple. There isn’t any have to reinvent centuries of Mediterranean cooking.
The problem is to carry collectively fantastic dishes, supply glorious substances and provides them the care, consideration and private contact they deserve.
The Folks Behind the Expertise
After all, anybody who is aware of Craig’s strategy to hospitality understands that the meals is just a part of the story.
The restaurant’s refreshed interiors stability rustic Mediterranean heat with up to date touches, creating an inviting setting that feels equally suited to an off-the-cuff drink, a romantic dinner or a night that stretches pleasantly longer than deliberate.
Drawing on 25 years of inside design expertise, appreciable thought has gone into creating areas the place company can calm down, join and revel in themselves. Indoor and outside seating provides the restaurant a welcoming versatility, whereas an skilled head bartender brings Mediterranean wines, inventive cocktails and a fastidiously thought of drinks choice to the expertise.
However maybe essentially the most outstanding ingredient at XII is one that can not be ordered from the menu.
Its folks.
Behind the restaurant is a close-knit hospitality workforce constructed over 15 years, with a degree of loyalty that he has each purpose to be pleased with. In line with Craig, the enterprise didn’t lose a single workforce member through the COVID-19 pandemic, a very significant achievement throughout one of the vital tough durations the hospitality trade has ever confronted.
For company, that continuity creates one thing particular: acquainted faces, real heat and the sensation of being welcomed into a spot the place folks get pleasure from working collectively.
It additionally explains why he sees XII as one thing extra private than merely one other restaurant.
“Good meals begins with good substances, however nice eating is about rather more than that. It is about making folks really feel welcome, creating a snug ambiance and giving them a purpose to come back again. That is what we wish XII Mediterranean to be, a spot the place folks can get pleasure from fantastic meals, share a drink and easily get pleasure from being collectively.”
— Craig McLean, Proprietor, XII Mediterranean
Identical Roots, New Rhythm
Conveniently positioned on Sathorn Soi 12, a brief stroll from Saint Louis BTS station, XII Mediterranean presents Bangkok residents and guests an inviting escape from the town’s tempo.
The restaurant will have fun its subsequent chapter with an invitation-only gathering on Saturday, November 14, from 5pm to 8pm, that includes drinks and a number of finger meals.
For Craig and his workforce, the event will not be about forgetting the previous 4 years. Fairly the alternative. It’s about celebrating every part these years have taught them, from the dishes company return for to the significance of remarkable substances, considerate environment and the individuals who make hospitality really feel easy.
The identify XII Mediterranean is again, the charcoal oven is taking part in a much bigger function, and the desk is ready for the subsequent chapter.
Identical roots. New rhythm. And loads of causes to drag up a chair.
Restaurant Info
XII Mediterranean
Sathorn Soi 12, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok
Nearest BTS: Saint Louis
New web site launching November 14: https://xiimediterranean.com/
E mail: [email protected]
