Vaso spells drinks with a capital ‘D.’īeyond a welcoming (and loud) communal “Hola!” from the team as you enter, Vaso likes to serve its guests a sparkling welcome drink. Yet the food is only half of the journey. We also really loved the Basque cheesecake (THB 320), which was trendy here and in Spain long before Bangkok picked it up recently. Naturally, you’ll also have to try one of the paellas (THB 480 with cuttlefish and squid ink or THB 2500 with whole lobster), and not leave without a happy serving of churros with chocolate (THB 320). It’s wholly exciting for those who are familiar with Spanish cuisine, and not too intimidating for those who are not. Then, of course, it’s time to dive into the favourites: you’ll find everything from gambas al ajillo garlic prawns (THB 390), tortilla de chorizo Spanish omelette (THB 390), croquetas (THB 260/2 pieces), patatas bravas (THB 240), and even padron peppers (THB 290) on the menu. It’s a pairing of a small scale but of grand taste. Think, octopus leg and white wine (THB 260), Iberian Joselito ham and red wine (THB 320), or even caramelised foie gras toast with Estrella Galicia beer (THB 690). We love the ‘vasos’ to start, consisting of a selection of chef-chosen tapas with a drink. The fun with tapas is that you can order a variety of dishes to mix and match and share with friends. The former is the one that you find featured most commonly on social media, and is also the one we visited on our night out. Vaso is divided into two sections, one serving up quick and chill tapas by the bar, and another which offers a more intimate private dining experience. Image Credit: Diego Arenas It’s also the food (and the drinks) When they come served with the chef’s celebrity charisma, it becomes apparent why he is a prominent star in the aforementioned ‘grams. The result is a host of sociable plates that are reminiscent of Southern Europe yet still suited to a local Bangkokian palate.
Now, he brings to Bangkok his spirit of creativity and innovation by marrying traditional Spanish cooking techniques with Asian influences. Yet whilst looks can be deceiving (or not at all), El Palanca has had some seriously impressive tenures across Spain and Asia, from the one-starred Dos Palillos in Barcelona and the two-starred La Terraza del Casino Madrid, over to the award-winning El Willy Shanghai. Some refer to him as “that crazy chef.” Most famously, however, he’s known as El Palanca, and most interestingly, remembered by his warm, charming, and borderline flirtatious nature, as well as his tattoos - covering his eyelids too, no less. There are those who know about Vaso from their hiso friends and from their ‘grams by the bar, and then there are those who know about Vaso because of El Palanca. Image Credit: Diego Arenas First things first: it’s the chef