What do most people think of when you mention Chukagai? Steamed Dumplings? Fine Chinese Dining? Peking Duck? Shishimai?
A three story backstreet art gallery with an ethnic restaurant? Well if you thought of the latter, you’ve probably been to Art Baboo. Welcoming guests with a facade like some of the back streets around Khao San in Bangkok, Art Baboo is a unique, low key, and refreshing microcosm of that in Chukagai.
Inspired by the owner’s travels around the world, the first floor restaurant has the feel and intimacy of a street vendor market in Southeast Asia, and the menu reflects that. The staff are laid back and can accommodate any special needs that you may request. Art Baboo has some inexpensive starters like Pak-Chee (¥330) and Anchovy Fries (¥550) to get you going. Moving onto their main dishes, their Butter Chicken Curry (¥700) is light on the spice, but not on the flavor, and is served with three mini-nans. They also have other notable ethnic dishes on hand like Thai Curry (¥880), and desserts such as Mango Yogurt Ice Cream (¥500) to satisfy your sweet tooth. In addition to their ethnic dishes Art Baboo has an assortment of Thai beers including Singha, Tiger, and Phuket and also Cerveza Negra from San Miguel (all ¥800). For those looking for just a simple daytime break they also serve Chai and Vietnamese Coffee (each ¥500).
One of the things that makes Art Baboo stand out is the inclusion of a lounge/gallery space, with turntables to boot, on the second floor and a dedicated art gallery on the third floor. The whole place has various pieces of artwork decorating the walls which helps to accentuate Art Baboo`s eclectic mixture of local artists creations and ethnic decor. In addition to supporting various local artists, they also occasionally have intimate live music events bringing in local and international artists. Art Baboo seems like the place to go if you want to feel a world away yet close to home.