Ranee’s Restaurant - Outstanding Italian Cuisine, Homemade Pasta & Pizza
Ranee’s Velo Restaurant.
What is Ranee’s Restaurant?
Hidden away in a small alley in Khaosan Road is a quaint little Thai-Italian fusion restaurant called Ranee’s. Advertised as a velo restaurant (which I found out in Italian means something along the lines of “a hidden and veiled culinary sanctuary”), this place really is a celebration of culinary and artistic visions.
I also learnt that velo means bicycle in French, and it is really apparent from the next picture (where a bicycle is hanging from the ceiling) that Ranee’s really embraces this velo atmosphere.
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The atmosphere is nice and cozy, deeper inside there is a warmly lit room that gives off an inviting atmosphere.
Just be wary if you are thinking about bringing your car here, there is no parking, only a small area for bicycles.
Once you step inside the first thing you’ll notice is station where the fresh pastas are made. You’ll see them on drying out on a rack and it really is a sight to behold, you know you’ll be getting the highest quality stuff!
Not far from the pasta station (like about a meter away), is the wood-fired oven in which your delicious pizzas will be baked.
Ranee’s has been serving up fresh homemade pastas and pizzas for the past 26+ and their expertise really shows in their food and their decor.
From the vintage paintings ands the warm lighting, this place really makes you feel like you are dining somewhere special, and I’m telling you, their choice of red wallpaper definitely adds something to the eating experience.
How and What to Order?
Coming to Ranee’s you must order a pasta dish, no question. But what to order? There are many options and you can’t go wrong with any of them. Want something rich and decadent? Try their Truffle Pasta. Want something a bit more spicy and intense? No worries, Thai fusion Pad Kimow Talay (Drunken Seafood Pasta) is a great option. Want something a little more light? Aglio Olio Pepperoncino Pancetta E Funghi (Garlic Chilli Bacon Mushroom) is your choice.
All the other dishes I’d say are optional, but a strong recommendation would be one of their many pizzas (you can even have a half-half topping option).
The dishes here a bit pricey for Thai standards, ranging from 280-500 THB or roughly 8-15 USD, but that’s negligible for you are getting the best ingredients possible.
Moving on, here are some of the dishes that I have ordered.
Burrata Salad (Recommended)
Creamy and milky burrata with cherry tomatoes and pesto dressing
I’ll be honest, I’ve never had burrata before… Ok, maybe it’s not that surprising. My first introduction to this firm and creamy Italian perfection was very, very good.
The outer shell of the pouch is firm and the texture is similar to that of mozzarella, however the inside is rich, creamy, milky, and oh so buttery. Drizzle on some olive oil and a dash of fresh black pepper and you have the perfect appetizer. The overall taste is mild, so you won’t feel bad about eating a whole fist-sized pouch of cream and cheese.
The tomatoes are an essential edition as you need something acidic to cut through all of the richness of the burrata. The pesto adds a nice herbaceous and aromatic flavor which rounds up the entire salad.
And it’s not just me recommending this dish, it’s literally written as recommended and for good reason.
Al Pesto Pasta
Freshly handmade pasta noodles with pesto sauce, one of toy favorite kinds of pasta dishes.
Here is where we finally get to taste Ranee’s handmade pasta noodles. The noodles are delicious, cooked to perfect al dente, a little bite and a little chew, your first bite and you know you eating something special. Taste-wise the pesto is mild. It’s the same aromatic and herby flavors as the previous dish. The olive oil in this pesto sauce is really nice, it brings out the aromatics even further. I would prefer if the flavors were more pronounced but that’s just my preference.
What I like here is the additions of pine nuts throughout, it creates an interesting change of texture, they’re sort of buttery in texture while the taste is mild and a little sweet.
The little shreds of parmesan is also a nice move, it’s sharp taste cuts through the oily-ness of the pesto.
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Frutti Di Mare (Recommended)
Squid & prawns tossed in a creamy white wine sauce. Delectable.
Now this dish’s funky name translates to “fruit of the sea", which perfectly explains the dish. You’ll find big pieces of juicy prawns and soft tender squid rings. Unfortunately no actual fruit is here (if you’re into that sort of thing then this dish is not for you, I’m afraid).
Throw in Ranee’s right hand man, the homemade noodles, and toss it with a decadent white wine cream sauce and you have yourself a flavor explosion on your plate.
The squid is soft and tender, the prawn is nice and firm. The seafood is cooked well.
What is special here is the creamy white wine sauce. Creamy (again), rich, buttery, every adjective that describes all that is good in this world. It’s a tad bit spicy, nothing too major but you can definitely feel a soothing kick.
This dish was not mine however, it was my SO’s and when she a shared me a bite I can’t help but feel regret that I ordered the pesto.
Half Prosciutto Crudo / Half Bolognese Pizza
Toasty and chewy curst, I really love the crust at this place.
The pizza, where should I start? Regardless of what you replied, I’ll start with the crust.
I LOVE THE CRUST
I love bread in general, but the pizza crust at Ranee’s? On another dimension. The crust is crispy, toasty, and smoky. The wood-fired oven definitely created something beautiful here. The texture, crispy on the outside and one the parts that’s slightly charred, a nice burst of smoky flavor and a tiny bit of acidity. The inside is soft and chewy, almost like a baguette but doughier.
The affects of the wood-fired oven cannot be understated, it’s literally night and day compared with your regular delivery pizza.
Now I cannot attest to those of you who are living in New York or Italy, but if you are searching for the best pizza in Bangkok, Thailand. Ranee’s Velo Restaurant might be it.
And I haven’t even talked about the toppings yet!
Cheesy, saucy, meaty. What more could you ask for?
I got the half Prosciutto and half Bolognese.
The Bolognese side was rich and thick, meaty and comforting. Topped with stretchy mozzarella cheese, each bite of this slice is bursting with rich tomato-y and meaty goodness. Every bite feels like I am at the home of an Italian grandma (although I don’t think Bolognese is a traditional topping on pizza).
The Prosciutto side of things was a stark contrast. While the Bolognese was rich and meaty, the Prosciutto was salty and light. It was still topped with cheese and tomato sauce but overall it’s a nice balance to the richness of that particular slice.
Choosing between the two halves, is difficult as I like them both but I would have to go with the Bolognese. I just love the warm umami taste profile.
Conclusion
Pros
Homemade pasta noodles and wood-fired oven pizzas.
A variety of different dishes to choose from.
All dishes emphasizes the natural flavors of the ingredients and are flavorful
Cozy and warm atmosphere.
Cons
Can be too pricy
Overall I would recommend Ranee’s Restaurant. Even if you don’t like pasta or pizza, it’s worth giving this place a shot as its one of the rare International food spots in Bangkok that serves up great homemade food with a no frills, straight forward atmosphere. They’re not doing anything fancy or trendy with their food or décor (aside from the bicycles hanging from the ceiling), just providing good food and good atmosphere.
Ranee’s Restaurant | 8/10
Phone: +97 197 9405
Location: 15 Mayom, Talat Yot, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Pricing: 280-500 THB or 8-15 USD
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