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Wednesday, February 24, 2010

My Cherry Picks 2010


190
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Bangkok Best Palate Service


My Favorite Lunch deal - LE NORMANDIE

For the section of Best Lunch deal, I struggled between a THB 360++ Italian 4-course lunch set vs Normandie's 3-course set at THB 980++. I choose the latter one. Although the price gap is a wide THB 600, but considering the persistence of Normandie's quality, impeccable service, stunning view by the River of the King (Maenam Chaopraya), and retrieving ambiance, I surrender to the Normandie of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Bangkok.

Lunch set menu changes every month. All dishes cook and present the same way you would enjoy from the Normandie's dinner offer. So at THB 980++ ($30++) it is considered a steal from the real gourmet scene.



The Normandie
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
48 Oriental Avenue
Soi 40 Charoen Krung Road
Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Tel.: 02.659.9000
The Normandie


My Favorite Thai Canteen - SA NGUAN SRI

In Bangkok, there are a few old-fashioned canteens with nostalgic Thai fare as good as your grandparents (if they can cook) home cooking to offer. But only Sa Nguan Sri's air-conditioned dining room is bright and clean without any strange smell to discourage your appetite, and food prepared in a relatively hygienic kitchen. Also the canteen is sited on a convenience downtown location - Wireless Road, that everyone shall not pose any hassle to find it.



There we must not miss the spciy and aromatic green curry, khanom jeen nam ya (thick Thai vermicelli in minced fresh fish dipping), braised five-layer pork and belly with eggs in rich broth, and hor mok bai yor (steam ground river fish curry souffle with bai yor leaves). If you are a somtum lover, then its sweet and sour somtum is what you couldn't afford to miss. Most dishes cost you THB 60-100, only!

Sa Nguan Sri Restaurant
59/1 Wireless Road
Ploenchit, Pratumwan
Bangkok 10330
Tel.: 02.252.7637
SaNguanSri


My Favorite Thai Restaurant - THON KRUENG

My friend asked why I pick Thon Krueng as the Best Thai Restaurant, where doesn't serve Bangkok best tomyumgoong (spicy and sour prawn soup). My answer is Thon Krueng, as well as Thailand, has more than just tomyumgoong to offer.

The charm of Thon Krueng laid on its easy and busy ambiance with unpretentiously comfort. Although she doesn't have a single outstanding dish to be named, but all of them are at average quality suitable for all ages and all walks of life. There you encounter a restaurant having you feel like eating at home, within easy access around the town, name that your favorite restaurant too!



Thon Krueng
239 Soi Thonglo
Sukhumvit Road Soi 55
Wattana, Bangkok 10110
Tel.: 02.391.8703
Thon Krueng


My Favorite Seafood Restaurant - TANG JAI YOO

To choose the Best Seafood joint is challenging, as not only to name a restaurant that I really like, but also I have to choose from a cuisine. Shall it be Western (Lord Jims of Mandarin Oriental Hotel)? Thai (Sompong on Praditmanutham)? Chinese (Ah Yat Forum)? or Thai-Chinese (Tang Jai Yoo)?

When quality meets with the value of money, the verdict read.

Very few reasons I go to the maze-like shabby dirty so-hate Yaowaraj area; a visit to Tang Jai Yoo is one among them. For years, her authentic Tieo-chew o-suan (pan fried oysters with eggs in tapioca flour), or sea crab a la mode, or steam live fish, or stir-fried river prawn with Thai herbs, or even suckling pig has never let me down. Not even once! A feast at Tang Jai Yoo leaving the taste linger into my dream.



However, don't expect you eat with absolute comfort (if refers to your taste buds only, then yes), sometimes you may even have to dine al fresco on the sidewalk (yes that shabby Yaowaraj sidewalk). If the Princess doesn't mind about this, why should we?

Tang Jai Yoo
83-85 Soi Yaowa Panich
Yaowaraj Road
Sampantawong, Bangkok 10100
Tel.: 02.224.2167
Tang Jai Yoo


My Favorite Chinese Yum-cha Joint - CHINA PALACE

Bangkok is the hub of global kitchen. What couldn't be missed is definitely Cantonese yum-cha (or dim-sum lunch).

Prince Palace Hotel, where houses the China Palace Chinese Restaurant, is away from the central business district and tourist area. It is in an area surrounding by wholesale markets (for fruits and garments) and rundown shop-houses.



Two major reasons brought China Palace Chinese Restaurant to the Best Yum-cha list. First, it's view. It is the only restaurant in Bangkok, we manage to take a close panorama view (not by binoculars) of the Grand Palace and 200-year Rattanakosin Island (old Bangkok city), including a view to the Parliament and the UN Building. Second, it's awesome traditional Hong Kong dimsum with good value for money.

Anyone fancy a quality Chinese meal with a view, here is the choice!

China Palace Chinese Restaurant
Prince Palace Hotel
488/800 Bo Bae Tower, 32nd Floor
Damrongrak Road
Klong Mahanak, Bangkok 10100
Tel.: 02.628.1111
China Palace


My Favorite Barbecue Restaurant - KINTAROU



Kintarou Japanese BBQ Restaurant
4/5-7 Sukhumvit Soi 33
Sukhumvit Road
Wattana, Bangkok 10400
Tel.: 02.662.3858
Kintarou


My Favorite Fine Dining Choice - D'SENS



D'Sens French Restaurant
Dusit Thani Hotel
946 Rama IV Road
Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Tel.: 02.200.9000
D'Sens


My Favorite Al Fresco Dining - VERTIGO



The Vertigo
Banyan Tree Hotel
21/100 South Sathorn Road
Sathorn, Bangkok 10120
Tel.: 02.679.1200
Vertigo


My favorite Afternoon Tea - AUTHOR'S LOUNGE



The Author's Lounge
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
48 Oriental Avenue
Soi 40 Charoeankrung Road
Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Tel.: 02.659.9000
Author's Lounge


My favorite Riverside Dining - BANN KALABOK

Bann Kalabok is an alternative to downtown riverside dining, with choice of an upcountry live river view to a relax within the Metropolitan area. As a bonus, the cuisine is some kind of rare Thai food with ancient recipes (ahan boran).



Overlook the Koh Kret Island in Pak Kret we enjoy a real local riverside scenic, but such experience does cost us a little journey!

Bann Kalabok
Chaeng Wattana Road
Wat Sanam Neua Pier
Pak Kret, Nonthaburi 11120
Tel.: 02.963.5467


My favorite Buffet Bites - LORD JIMS

Arguably best lunch buffet in town, no matter so many hotels try hard to copy her!



Lord Jims

Mandarin Oriental Hotel

48 Oriental Avenue

Soi 40 Charoenkrung Road

Bangrak, Bangkok 10500

Tel.: 02. 659.9000

Lord Jims


My favorite Roadside Dining - SAMYAN



Samyan hawkers and shops
along Rama IV Road
section Saphan Lueng, Samyan
Bangkok
Samyan

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Roti-Mataba


BANGKOK AMAZING GOURMET
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Roti and Mataba

Banglamphu's Phra Athit Road is where restaurants keep changing hand; however, opposite the Prasumain Fortess a Thai-Muslim roti joint remains a landmark for decades.

Roti-Mataba is named after two of the restaurant's best selling items - roti and mataba. Also available and good are massaman curry, green curry (during Rama V regime, green curry served with roti were so fashionable among the nobles), samosas, khao mok gai and fish cakes.




mataba in banana fillings


Roti-Mataba ****
136 Phra Arthit Road
Banglamphu, Phra Nakon, Bangkok
Tel.: 02.282.2119

Open daily (except Monday): 7am - 8pm
Pay (food only): around THB 250 for two



Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Buddhi Belly


188
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Eat Wisely - Live Well

My opinion, Buddhi Belly's premium frozen yogurt taste better than any foreign brand available in Bangkok. Yes, Buddhi Belly is a 100% locally owned and managed yogurt parlor, with outlets in major shopping centers.

Time to watch our waistline, time to switch to frozen yogurt over ice cream!


Buddhi Belly ****
at Central World Plaza, 7th Floor
at Central Chidlom, Ground Floor
at Central Festival Pattaya, 6th Floor
at Siam Paragon Mall, 3rd Floor
Buddhi Belly

Open daily 11am - 10pm
Pay (frozen yogurt only for two): around THB 150



Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Green House Coffee Shop


187
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Gourmet Never Sleep

Three years ago I reviewed a restaurant where offers decent international fare after midnight. It is Green House Coffee Shop in the 4-star Landmark Hotel. The previous review was focused on her Chinese delicacies.

Today, let's take a look at her Western offer.


used to serve quality bread in a basket, now left-over bread serve on a plate, so cheap!
Caesar salad with chicken Thai Baht 230++


tenderloin salad Thai Baht 260++; low carb chicken salad Thai Baht

fish and chips Thai Baht 340++; roast beef sandwich Thai Baht 390++

Green House Coffee Shop ***1/2
G/F, the Landmark Hotel
138 Sukhumvit Road
Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110
Tel.: 02.254.0404
Landmark

Open daily - 24 hours
Pay (food only for two): around THB 1,000



Sunday, February 14, 2010

Agalico


186
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English Summer on Sukhumvit

There are places in Bangkok where you can enjoy tea and cakes in a setting that is cozy and elegant. But no place likes Agalico that opens only three days a week. The English theme tea house is an ideal destination for friends gathering and lovers dating when they brake for afternoon tea.

The homey interior is toned in white with over-sized sofa in the sitting area, whitewashed rattan tables and chairs on the corner, while outdoor is a lush garden that provides with seats and a pavilion for private meeting.

Agalico carries its house label of teas ranging from oonlong, lavender to apricot and more from other labels. A sip of tea (coffee and chocolate drink also available) with a piece of home-baked pastry such as scone, apple crumble, blueberry cheesecake, and more is truly accessible to classy English afternoon tea feast in the noble like.



accessible to an English afternoon tea treat


Agalico Garden ****
20 Sukhumvit Soi 51
Wattana, Bangkok 10110
Tel.: 02.662.5857
Agalico

Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday only from 10am - 6pm
Pay (afternoon tea for two): around THB 400