Chef Danilo Aiassa Returns to Ms.Jigger: A Modern Italian Revival at Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok

Bangkok’s favourite Italian restaurant enters a new chapter as Chef Danilo Aiassa comes home to Ms.Jigger at Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok with a refreshed menu, soulful flavours, and renewed energy.

There is something quietly magnetic about a culinary homecoming especially when it unfolds in one of Bangkok’s most design-forward dining destinations. This January 2026, Ms.Jigger Bangkok welcomes back Chef Danilo Aiassa, the Italian maestro who helped shape the restaurant’s original identity. His return marks more than a personal milestone; it signals a confident revival of Ms.Jigger’s Italian soul.

Set along leafy Langsuan Road beside Lumphini Park, inside Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, Ms.Jigger has long been a favourite among locals and travellers searching for elevated Italian dining in Bangkok. With Chef Danilo back at the helm, the experience now feels sharper, warmer, and more grounded than ever, a celebration of tradition executed with modern finesse.

Born in a small village in Piedmont, Northern Italy, Chef Danilo’s culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen, surrounded by family farms, vineyards, and seasonal produce. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, he refined his craft in renowned MICHELIN-starred kitchens including Del Cambio in Turin, Dal Pescatore Santini and San Domenico.

Bangkok soon became his second home, where he led prestigious hotel kitchens such as Four Seasons Bangkok and Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. Yet Ms.Jigger remains deeply personal. As part of the restaurant’s original opening team, Chef Danilo now returns as head chef, bringing his philosophy full circle: honest food, impeccable ingredients, and flavours that speak for themselves.

“No gimmicks. No unnecessary complexity. Just food that feels real,” he shares.

Launched in January 2026, Chef Danilo’s refreshed menu bridges Italian technique with Thailand’s terroir. Expect ingredients sourced with intention from locally produced burrata and mozzarella made from Italian seed-stock milk, to organic vegetables from Khao Yai, and premium Thai Angus beef and free-range poultry. The result is a menu that balances sustainability, seasonality and indulgence — exactly what modern diners seek from top Italian restaurants in Bangkok.

Open daily from 11.30am until midnight, Ms.Jigger channels the elegance of la dolce vita with Bangkok’s energetic rhythm. By day, it hums with relaxed business lunches and leisurely afternoons. By night, it transforms into one of Langsuan’s most vibrant dining rooms, fuelled by wine, conversation and unmistakable Italian flair.

Our journey begins with the iconic Margherita Pizza — tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella and basil. Crisp edges, airy dough, molten cheese — a reminder that simplicity, when done right, is unforgettable. Next comes Lingua di Manzo con Salsa Verde: slow-cooked beef tongue paired with parsley-hazelnut sauce and airy ricotta mousse. Deeply savoury yet delicately balanced, it nods to Piedmontese tradition with modern refinement.

Pasta takes centre stage with Agnolotti Ripieni Spinaci, handmade parcels filled with spinach and ricotta, finished with spicy tomato sauce and fragrant pesto. Comforting, rich and soulful, it is the kind of dish that lingers long after the last bite.

For mains, Polletto Ruspante alla Diavola delivers bold flavour: flame-grilled baby chicken with baked garlic, roasted potatoes and ripe tomatoes. Smoky, spicy and rustic, it captures the spirit of Italian countryside cooking, perfectly adapted to Bangkok’s cosmopolitan palate.

Chef Danilo’s return is about more than recipes. It is about rebuilding connection: between kitchen and guest, between heritage and modern dining culture. Sustainability, thoughtful sourcing and respectful cooking practices quietly shape the kitchen’s rhythm.

In a city constantly chasing the next dining trend, Ms.Jigger Bangkok chooses depth over noise. The result is an experience that feels timeless, soulful and deeply satisfying. Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner, business lunch or indulgent weekend feast, Ms.Jigger delivers the kind of meal that makes you want to stay longer and come back sooner.

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For more information, WhatsApp +66 81 249 7276 or email kimptonmaalaibangkok@ihg.com