The newly revamped Jim Thompson House is now open for visitors. The grand opening of the Jim Thompson Heritage Quarter on 24th November 2023 marked a significant milestone in Jim Thompson's journey to becoming the first iconic global lifestyle brand from Asia. The grand event, highlighting Jim Thompson's new tagline, Beyond Silk, showcased a captivating blend of fashion, art, gastronomy and mixology, reaffirming the brand's commitment to excellence and innovation.
The OSS Room/Bar, located on the second floor above the Jim Thompson Restaurant in the Jim Thompson Heritage Quarter, is a place for drink connoisseurs to relish. The name OSS is an abbreviation of The Office of Strategic Services or today's CIA. This bar offers a contemporary chilling experience at the historic home of the late OSS agent Jim Thompson, who supported the silk communities in Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima. The building is situated on the bank of the San Sab Canal, where patrons and guests indulge in the view of the canal and the local community's culture.
The OSS libation spot in Bangkok has daytime and night-time parts. During the daytime, this outlet is called The OSS Room. Guests and patrons can enjoy afternoon tea with a wide range of tea selections in partnership with a local tea maker, Monsoon Tea, and several local tea makers. The highlight of tea is Jim Thompson Exclusive Blend, a special green tea blend served only at Jim Thompson's The OSS Room.
Upon arrival, guests and patrons can relish refreshing non-alcoholic drinks to cool down before ordering The OSS Room Afternoon Tea Set. The mocktail menu consists of two drinks. Waan Sayam is a bubbly mocktail inspired by a Thai Summer snack called Taeng Mo Pla Haeng. The drink is made from watermelon, apple juice, blue lotus and sea breeze sprinkles.
Beyond Silk is a tea mocktail with house-blended Summer Tea and sparkling cascara tea as ingredients. Simple but very complicated in flavour.
The OSS Room's Afternoon Tea Set is designed for two people, with two teapots and a variety of snacks included. Patrons and guests can enjoy the Seasonal Fish Ceviche in Kratong Tong, a dish made with seasonal fish served in delicate kratong tong cups. Another snack included in the package is the Meang Kum - Korat, a traditional Thai snack with a burst of flavours. The Pâté with Sweet Chili Blueberry and Tuile is a delightful combination of sweet and savoury, offering the perfect balance of flavours. The Moo Paloh Sourdough Tostada consists of a braised pork belly, marinated quail egg, and pickled piparas served on a sourdough tostada. For those who love cookies, the Five-Spice Snickerdoodle is a unique twist on a classic favourite, offering a delightful blend of warm spices and sweet nostalgia. The Cashew Nut Financier is a nutty goodness infused with a hint of nutmeg and the exotic touch of som jeed. The Cream Biscuit with Rosella Jam and Clotted Cream is a perfect harmony of flavours topped with tangy rosella jam and velvety clotted cream. The Thai Custard Choux with Silk Mott Crust is a luxurious texture guaranteed to delight your taste buds. Last but not least, the Som Jeed Meringue Tart is a fusion of sweet and tangy notes that burst with Thai flavours. And, for chocolate lovers, the package also includes Bean to Bar Chocolate by PARADAi Thai Crafted Chocolate Maker.
When the sun sets, The OSS Room transforms into The OSS Bar, replacing the daytime menu with the night-time menu. The life of Jim Thompson inspired this libation spot in Bangkok's menu. The beverage team, led by talented bartender Ploy Siriwan Sinpan, categorised the menu into chapters according to Jim Thompson's life journey.
On the menu guests and patrons will be informed by the ordering manual when they open the menu. This makes it easier for them to order the drinks suitable to their liking.
Chapter I, Early Life, contains drinks inspired by Jim Thompson's early life. One of the two drinks in this category is The Grandpa-pa. The story behind this drink is Jim Thompson's maternal grandfather, a general in the US Army, who was admired by him, often giving him sweets. This drink is sweet, sour, and fruity, with a house-made mango gummy garnish.
Chapter II, The OSS Time, contains drinks inspired by the time Jim Thompson was an active agent. Before moving to Bangkok, Thailand, he was stationed in Ceylon, which is the country Sri Lanka today. His mission in Sri Lanka inspired a drink called Ceylon, a cocktail with 12-year-old Scotch single malt as the base spirit. It's mixed with Ceylon tea, a local dark rum infused with dried longan, umeshu, and jasmine. The drink comes with a ginger cookie.
In 1942, Jim Thompson was ordered to move to Bangkok. He and his team were transported by C-47 aircraft. The drink of the same name was a twist of a classic called Paper Plane. This whisky-based cocktail is intense and fruity with some bubbles. The drink's garnish is a paper plane made from house-made rice paper with a sprinkle of salt.
Chapter III, Thailand: a Dream Came True, narrates the story of Jim Thompson's stay in Bangkok. Golden Banana was the name of a now-defunct nightclub in Yaowarat or Chinatown. Jim Thompson was pursued by intelligence agents while he was hanging out there. This story has inspired the creation of a cocktail called Golden Banana. The drink contains local white rum infused with banana from bananas infused with white rum from the kitchen, kombucha and plum vinegar.
Chapter IV, The Unsolved Mystery, focuses on the part about Jim Thompson's disappearance. One of the drinks in this chapter is called The Mystery, which is a drink that patrons and guests have to come to The OSS Bar to find out.
The OSS Room/Bar at Jim Thompson Heritage Quatre
Hours: Daily, 12:00 - 17:00 Hours and 18:00 - 24:00 Hours
Tel: +662 612 3601
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theossroombangkok and https://www.instagram.com/theossbarbangkok
Email: oss@jimthompson.com Location: 6 Kasem San 2 Alley, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
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