Every great dining concept needs a compelling muse, and Ms.Jigger brings that storytelling element to life. The restaurant takes its inspiration from a fictional globetrotter deeply devoted to la sua preferita (her favourite), Italy, framing the venue as the private parlour of a true connoisseur of curiosities.
Captivated by this alluring backstory, the Masala team made our way onto the ground floor of the Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok to experience it firsthand. With a wanderlust-driven identity, cosmopolitan setting, and Head Chef Danilo Aiassa leading a kitchen that boasts honest Italian fare, we were left to wonder: what surprises await behind the next course?
Space: The physical space splits its efforts between two distinct chapters. Indoors, the room feels like a carefully curated loft, featuring a striking metallic spiral staircase designed for reaching the impressive wine collection, tactile patterned banquettes layered with plush cushions, and open shelving styled with classic volumes and ceramic vessels against a warm palette. Outside, a private terrace wrapped in dense greenery and potted palms acts as a verdant hideaway, accented with crisp white umbrellas, light timber decking, and neutral lounge seating.
Crowd: The venue naturally draws guests seeking an elevated backdrop for romantic dates or professional liaisons. It also suits lively family gatherings, featuring grand seating corners perfectly fitted for generous company. It appeals equally to those who enjoy seeing and being seen, as well as those who prefer a more intimate experience.
The menu at Ms.Jigger is catered to suit those of every mood, whether you are stopping by for a lunch set, an à la carte moment, afternoon tea, premium cold cuts paired with wine, or a moonlit dinner, the kitchen awaits. If you fancy specials, you will be charmed by the restaurant’s travelling blackboard brimming with daily additions, capturing Italian rustica. Spoiled by their offerings, we simply had to revel in their set menu, The flavours of Ms.Jigger, for the ultimate experience of the trattoria. The Italian set menu is priced at THB 1,900++ with an optional wine pairing available at an additional THB 1,200++.
Before we delved into the lush courses that awaited, our table was graced with the restaurant’s complimentary bread basket filled with crunchy grissinis and palmiers to chewy, artisanal slices. Undoubtedly, it arrived alongside the classic duo of fine olive oil and balsamic, perfectly primed for fare la scarpetta, the beloved Italian custom of mopping up every last drop.
Our set meal began with the Benvenuto dello chef: a crisp Frittata di linguine con guanciale e tonno. This clever creation layers textured linguine and guanciale with stracciatella, delicate tuna tartare, and a scattering of sesame. Knowing a crustacean allergy was at play from one of our team members, the kitchen crafted us a bespoke adaptation of the opening bite as well, ensuring the experience remained entirely worry-free.
Next, we were presented with our Antipasti course. Something to note about Ms.Jigger’s Italian set menu is that each course offers two distinct selections, with one leaning toward the ocean and the other favouring red meat. We received the Carpaccio di gambero rosso con broccoli e ricotta: an Argentinian red prawn carpaccio served with broccoli cream, ricotta, Chiang Rai organic coffee powder, golden raisins, and a lively lemon vinaigrette. Naturally, we opted for the wine pairing, and this vibrant dish was accompanied by a glass of medium-bodied Diego Conterno Nascetta Langhe DOC, hailing straight from the hills of Piedmont, Italy.
Just after our last sip of white, the Primis arrived. We began with the Spaghettoni con oscietra e mascarpone: homemade spaghettoni tossed with Oscietra caviar, mascarpone cream, lemon zest, and fresh dill, because no Italian meal is complete without a proper fork twirl. This course was paired with a generous glass of Casale Del Giglio Bellone IGT from Lazio, Italy. Then, we tucked into the Ravioli di manzo al vino rosso e pere: homemade ravioli filled with braised beef short rib, bathed in a rich red wine sauce and topped with red wine-poached pear. It was opulent and comforting, elevated by the chaperoning glass of Casale Del Giglio Cesanese IGT, also from Lazio.
The Merluzzo con guanciale, was the first Secondi to dock our table, fragrant and brimming with the air of the Italian coast. This presentation featured gratinated cod paired with guanciale, caponata, broccoli cream, pork 'nduja, and sun-dried cherry tomatoes. It was served alongside a tall glass of Santa Barbara Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Riserva 'Tardivo Ma Non Tardo' DOCG from the Marche region of Italy. Following close behind was a dish that truly made our palates sing: the Filetto alla rossini. This Angus beef tenderloin, prepared Rossini style and topped with foie gras, black truffle, and red wine jus, proved to be an utterly romantic creation. Needless to say, it demanded an equal partner in wine, finding its match in a pour of Château Haut Musset Lalande-de-Pomerol from Bordeaux, France.
The final course found its way to our table, bringing us to the Dolci, a true celebration of la dolce vita. The Meringa pistacchio e mascarpone was a play of textures, pairing pistachio meringue and mascarpone mousse with amarena cherries and a cheeky splash of Kahlúa. For a bite as sweet as this one, it was only fitting that the wine pairing came in the form of Cossetti Gelsomora Moscato d'Asti DOCG from Piedmont, Italy.
If you, too, are keen to get jiggy with Ms.Jigger, this set menu serves as a warm invitation to sample modern Italian fare. However, if you happen to be more of a shaken than poured connoisseur, you will be thrilled to know that Ruby’s, the sultry cocktail bar nestled within the very same space, is nearly ready to unveil its second act. This October, anticipate new creative concoctions that are sure to add some pep to your step.
What we assumed was an intermezzo surprised us when the Tartare di manzo con tartufo nero e robiola arrived as our second Antipasti dish, leaving the largest impression with its black truffle, robiolina, and toasted hazelnut mayonnaise. A glass of Burgundy’s Domaine Cornu Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune accompanied the dish, making the bite even more addictive. This exceptional plate alone is well worth the wander over.
Ground floor, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok,
78 Soi Ton Son, Lumphini, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330
Opening hours: 11:30 AM to midnight with last orders at 10:30 PM on Sunday to Thursday and 11 PM from Friday to Saturday.
Afternoon Tea: daily from 11:30 AM with last orders at 4 PM.
Tel.: +66 (0) 2056 9999
Instagram: @ms.jigger