The buzz: Parts of the team formerly behind the legendary Bed Supperclub are back with a slew of new restaurant projects, and the first cab off the rank is Abbot. Taking its inspiration from the coastal Abbot-Kinney Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, the restaurant goes for that region’s renowned blend of casual yet refined dining. And they take their bar seriously, too.

 

The decor: Casual, natural and laid-back, the decor is as Californian as the menu. The arched ceiling and mezzanine are complemented by a bare concrete floor, dangling light bulbs, canvas-upholstered low chairs and wooden tables. A sizable bar, which can seat around 10 people, sits next to the stairs to the mezzanine, boasting chic wooden shelving. While the low tables of the ground floor can make it hard to have a proper meal, there are a few dining tables up on the mezzanine as well as a private room.

 

The food and drinks: The kitchen serves up a light and fresh California-inspired menu that’s focused mainly on seafood and vegetable dishes featuring some intriguing ingredients. The whole beetroot roast and friends salad (B120), for example, is dressed with raspberry kombucha (from Chinatown’s Pure Luck brewery). Appetizers such as the lightly-seasoned goat cheese fritter on a bed of roasted eggplant are B150 each but you can order three smaller portions for B98 each. Mains span both surf and turf with the likes of wagyu skirt steak (B1,250/250g) and the grilled deviled wild Pacific salmon (B645). The bar is led by Noppasate Hirunwathit, who, like chef Rene, used to work at Lady Brett. Here, he creates a list of California-inspired cocktails including the 310 Spritz (strawberry-rhubarb reduction, fresh orange, Chandon Brut NV, B330). A selection of Californian wines is also available, starting at B310 a glass.

 

Why you should care: If you’re on a workout program or following the clean food trend, Abbot makes a logical choice for your cheat day due to the menu’s emphasis on light dishes. They’ve also just launched an appealing Sunday brunch deal at B850 for 13 courses plus live acoustic music.