"It was the space," founder Manuel Palacio smiles when asked about his decision to open Quilombo. "When we saw it, I knew it was meant to be—the space! It truly is everything."
Opening earlier this year, Quilombo is found in the “castle” on Thonglor Soi 5, which has hosted a number of interesting gimmicks over the years, including the Blue Velvet Bar and the more recent the Castle Bar fetish club. Now, it’s home to an Argentine steakhouse.
There are no stuffy, white-gloved formalities here. Instead, you are greeted by an infectious, sensory-rich energy that stems from the striking architecture.
Inside, the atmosphere resembles a subterranean fortress, featuring stone-vaulted arches, medieval-style wooden bar alcoves and a dimly lit wine cellar illuminated by a chandelier. The rustic-luxe setting serves as a striking backdrop to complement the restaurant's intimate and lively ambiance.
Palacio affectionately calls the concept a beautifully orchestrated, comforting mess. The name itself, according to Palacio, is Argentine slang for, roughly, "a clusterfuck."
"It’s when the night gets very messy, the table is on fire, you don’t know where the kids are, things are spilling. But through it all, you feel hospitality here. You can get a cozy vibe," Palacio says.
This rejection of rigid steakhouse norms is reflected in a focused, refreshingly short menu. Palacio emphasizes the importance of keeping things unpretentious, bold, and centered on high-quality offerings without being "too fancy."
Navigating Thailand's premium meat market can be challenging, but Quilombo strikes the right balance between luxury and decent pricing.
"The prices are fair, but the quality is still high. You can come in, have a steak and fries with red wine, and enjoy a cozy night out.
If you’re visiting for the first time, try the dishes personally recommended by the boss: the Beef Tea and Beef Empanadas. We began our meal as suggested, starting with a creamy Chicken Liver Mousse served on toasted brioche. Then we enjoyed the 24-hour "low and slow" double-reduced Beef Tea, a unique yet brilliant starter, before the hand-cut flank steak empanadas, complemented by a classic, crisp Martini.
For the mains, we started with a Completo salad, filled with the market vegetables, along with a refreshing crab cocktail. Next, came three signature steak cuts from the wood-fired grill: rib eye, tenderloin, and sirloin.
Each cut was well charred and seasoned with a signature chimichurri, complemented by a glass of red wine – all accompanied by an array of sides including crispy french fries, creamy mashed potatoes, and sweet piquillo peppers.
The serious boutique wine list mixes independent, niche Argentine producers with heavy-hitting red classics, and we finished off the night with an over-the-top 24-layer chocolate cake, alternating rich layers of chocolate genoise sponge and smooth chocolate mousse.
Quilombo nails trading the stuffy vibe of a fancy steakhouse for a lively atmosphere that combines wood-fired steaks with boutique wines. A lot of different places have tried this address, hopefully this one will stick.
