Koyn Thai: Samyukta Nair shakes things up at Mayfair restaurant

The prolific London restaurateur Samyukta Nair is to launch a Thai restaurant next month in a collaboration with Bangkok-born Rose Chalalai Singh.

Koyn Thai will sit below Nair’s contemporary Japanese restaurant in Mayfair, replacing the basement space which previously served as the larger dining room for the Japanese concept. 

Nair’s latest venture is to “celebrate the flavours, spices and cooking techniques of Thailand”, with Singh, who specialises in home-style Thai food, will serve a menu inspired by the dishes her grandmother prepared in Bangkok. 

Singh will also impart a Parisian feel to the space, drawing on her restaurant Rose Kitchen in the historic Marches des Enfants Rouges in the French capital. 

On the menu will be dishes such as toasted coconut pomelo salad, escargots with wild garlic and green chilli and Thai basil, a Chiang Mai platter comprising spicy pork sausage, nam prik, sticky rice, and crispy pork skin, and a southern Thai crab curry.

The dining room has been refurbished to reflex the food, with works by Thai artist Kitikong Tilokwattanoitai, black oak ceilings, and hand-painted tapestries. Executive chef Rhys Cattermoul will lead the open kitchen.

“I’m excited about my new home at Koyn Thai in Mayfair and the opportunity to be able to come to London and collaborate with Sam in the best way I know – with great spirit and the very best of Thai flavours,” said Singh.

Nair added: “The cosmos of Koyn has always focused on duality and KOYN Thai is an exciting addition that takes this a step further. 

“Travelling with Rose, eating together and finding inspiration that celebrates the diverse flavours of Asian cuisine is at the forefront of our collaboration, one that I am particularly excited to bring to London this summer.”

Koyn Thai will open on Sunday June 16, 38 Grosvenor Street,  Mayfair , W1K 4AQ, koynrestaurants.com