Not Quite Jazz Heaven…But Sirocco At The Dome Is As Close As You Can Get

Make no mistake, Bangkok is a city of surprises and few cities in the world have the ability to stop you in your tracks with spectacular new restaurants, new clubs, new hotels and new buildings.

And you would think that after almost a lifetime here as one of the few entertainment hacks around that I would be used to the shock of the new. And maybe I am by comparison to some.

But no. Just a few months ago for example, I was stopped in my tracks again with news of the arrival of an African restaurant built in the style of a Serengetti safari lodge complete with 20 suites, a swimming pool, spacious bars and all decorated in authentic African detail, tucked away from view right in the heart of the city!

And then within a week it happened again! Word then reached me about the new State Tower on Silom and its elaborate new restaurant facilities on the 64th floor.

The State Tower is the second tallest building in Bangkok and is not for the faint-of-heart, nor is it for the faint-at-the sight-of your-bill crowd either. It is designed and built for those who know a thing or two about class and about the finer things in life.

And when you get to the summit of this stately building, there is a very special awakening of the senses as you witness the grandeur and finesse of this very lofty setting. And the view as you sip your champagne, cold beer or sparkling aperitif is simply awesome!

The entire sky-high complex is called the Dome and is visible from across Bangkok especially once it lights up at night. And a glorious sight it is too, reminding us once again that Thailand is racing into the 21st century with a vengeance.

Once inside I found myself immersed in the world of authentic single malt whiskies, exclusive vodkas, gins and spirits and pretty soon I was enjoying the freshest Fine de Claire oysters from France, hand-rolled Cuban cigars and a selection of the most outstanding wines from around the world.

“Excuse me sir…wake up!”

This is the world of Beluga caviars and that wine you always wished someone would stock. And it is very elegant and cool and a million miles away from the cares of the day…whatever they might be! Let's face it, most cares can be bought off, right?

Being atop one of the tallest skyscrapers in Thailand makes it easy to find. However, the Dome was never intended as an ivory tower or a one-note attraction. Too often, it seems that dining and entertainment venues forge their identities out of a single attraction; the result being a tourist magnet that is worth one snapshot, but never a return visit.

The Dome is a venue for all with a passion for unembellished quality. The motto of providing rare, simple elegance means nothing more than recognizing that good food comes from good ingredients, and that a truly authentic atmosphere comes from creating an organic environment. Bringing them together requires work, of course, but the difference is one that guests can always sense even if they cannot quite describe it.

So it comes as no surprise that the Dome is home to the most spectacular jazz venue in Asia, bar none, and the oddly-named Sirocco jazz restaurant is a ‘must see'. The restaurant is open air with the stage high above the restaurant, featuring a full-on jazz ensemble delivering jazz of a very high quality, thanks to the efforts of musical director and awesome drummer, Massimo.

The restaurant first opened in the winter of 2003 and in some respects Sirocco revived the Bangkok dining scene in several ways. As the first of the Dome's venues, it generated a lot of buzz simply because so many people were curious to finally see the view from the city's second tallest building, and its highest outdoor balcony.

What they found when they arrived took their breath away in ways they did not expect. Jutting into the city skyline like the deck of a flying ship, Sirocco was its own sparkling vista of soft light and clean lines, capped by the entrancing glow of the Sky Bar . But the real revelation was the food and the jazz, and Sirocco's stunning atmosphere is meant only to complement its excellent cuisine, not replace it.

And very good the food is too. The Chef has put together a refined and accessible menu of Mediterranean starters and entrees which is constantly being updated. But the intent was that Sirocco would become one of Bangkok 's best live jazz venues too, featuring the vocal styling of international performers six nights a week. And they are well on the way to achieving that ambitious goal.

Imagine Sara Vaughn meets Nora Jones meets Aretha Franklin and you have a measure of the talent of resident singer Michelle Rounds a lady who actually delights in reggae and R&B as well as jazz, but who knows her stationfronting her five piece band, and she delivers what the management wants. Cool jazz with a delivery and feel that might suit punters in Vegas or any other spot where you expect nothing but the best.

In the hands of Massimo and Michelle, the music is never too loud and flows gently from the raised stage and covers the dining area like a soft breeze, an appropriately subtle counterpart to the clean, fresh flavors of the food.

But the food and wine are another story, and a better equipped writer who can do the food and the ambience of the entire complex justice will surely return and tell you better just how wonderful this little diamond is.

SIROCCO
State Tower
1055 Silom Rd.,
Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: 66-2-624-9555
URL: www.thedomebkk.com
Jazz Tuesday through Sundays
&:30 pm until late.