Youthapong Charoenpan

Located on the 25^th floor of the Column Building in central Sukhumvit (Soi 16), Long Table had tongues a wagging long before it had even officially opened.

I called a good friend and invited him to accompany me to this fashionable new bar and restaurant on the weekend to see whether or not it could really live up to the pre-launch hype. Our first impressions certainly seemed positive since on arrival it was already packed.

Building on an established success
If you were to ask wealthier local residents and expatriates which of Bangkok's top dozen or so clubs and restaurants they most admired, the chances are Bed Supperclub would be a popular choice. Boasting the very same management and design teams, Long Table is clearly trying to build upon 'Bed's' formidable recipe for success.

The establishment of Long Table relies heavily on the premise that “good dining is not only determined by the gastronomy, but also depends on there being a good vibe inside the restaurant”. Orbit Design Studio – the company responsible for coming up with the minimalist design of Bed Supperclub – yet again came up trumps in its efforts in developing the look and feel of Long Table. It has managed to create an astoundingly modern look and feel, while the operator has ensured that the cuisine meets the high expectations of a classy yet increasingly-demanding clientèle.

Room with a view
A mirrored glass case with spotlights leads you towards a hardwood walkway, which leads you towards the main dining area. You'll quickly get sight of the famous long table, which the restaurant's name refers to.

While hungrier folk may wish to get right down and order, I suggest parking yourself next to the bar for a sexy-sounding cocktail, just to take things in. The sleek bar area features an impressive engraving with the full Thai name for Bangkok - Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit - officially the longest name of any capital city. And before sitting down to order, you might first want to take in the breathtaking panoramic view of the city's skyline from Long Table's balcony area.

Haute cuisine
And it seems that Long Table also provides the necessary gastronomic substance to underpin the site's impressive design style and layout. Note, however, that you might wish to plan your meal carefully if on a budget as it can be a bit tricky to assess the overall cost of a meal without regularly taking stock as you go.

Grilled Lamb costs 750 baht (US$21), whereas the Spaghetti with White Wine Sauce, which includes sea bass and mushroom, costs just 150 baht, which seems very reasonable given the glamorous surroundings.

Train: The BTS skytrain station at Asoke and interconnecting Sukhumvit MRT subway station are both located close by Long Table.