The warm demeanour and charming smile of Alisa Asavabhokin encourages us to move swiftly towards our private table in cosy and elegant surroundings where an evening of chatting and snacking begins. And if it is indulging in Thai cuisine, prepared to meticulously traditional standards that one is looking for, then Palm Cuisine is a guaranteed winner.
Two snug floor-to-ceiling glassed rooms branch out from either side of the entrance, one with European décor and the other more casually Thai, making it an ideal location for an informal, but intimate occasion or private party. The arrival of the southern-style pork sausage nestled in a satay sauce is appropriately timed as the daughter of leading real-estate developer, Anant Asavabhokin, explains that she has a soft spot for the south’s spicy flavours, adding, “I really missed this type of food when I was studying in the States.” Alisa attended boarding school in Massachusetts and completed a bachelor’s degree in Philadelphia and New York before returning to Thailand to earn an MBA.
Over tempting crispy spring rolls Alisa explains that she follows a healthy lifestyle that includes eating plenty of fish and regularly practising yoga; however moderation is certainly not a word that comes to mind when discovering her keen business acumen and passion for wellbeing. She explains, “I have always loved being pampered and enjoy regular massages so when my father told me that he was creating a health destination mall, Life Centre Q House, it was an ideal time for me to open Lullaby Spa.” Her father gave his full support.
Alisa recognised that there was an undiscovered niche for a spa product that felt exclusive, offered five-star quality treatments but was affordably priced. The same blending of quality with inexpensive prices seems to reflect Palm Cuisine’s home cooking-inspired menu as flavoursome dishes keep appearing. A highlight is river prawns garnished with lemongrass and grilled aubergines, with enough flavour infusion to satisfy a discerning palate without suffocating the succulent tenderness of the prawns. Up next is a house speciality, spicy herbal vegetable soup with prawns.
We pause for photos just as the deep-fried snapper arrives. Alternating between the crunchy fish crust and the addictive chilli dip with tamarind, Alisa adds, “One of our most popular treatments at the moment is our Blackberry hand massage, focusing on pampering the hands of those who are obsessed with their mobile Alisa Asavabhokin, owner of Lull aby Spa and Lull aby yoga studio, shares her love of Thai food and a pass ion for holistic living with Tanya Jarman-Burgess at Palm Cuisine phones.” With the success of Lullaby Spa, Alisa has found more time on her hands to pursue her love of yoga and following an intense month of instructor training, she has recently opened Lullaby yoga studio in All Seasons Place.
The mere suggestion of finding space for dessert makes us roll our eyes, but thankfully we choose the bale fruit cake, which is sublime, light and fluffy, yet subtly sweet, accompanied by perfectly brewed bale tea. At this point Alisa confidently states, “This is the ideal place to bring my friends from abroad to try traditional Thai food.”
