I like to eat burgers, but most of the burger joints in Bangkok are of so-so standards, whether there is an issue of their buns, or the sauce, or the patties, and there is always an issue that doesn't make my taste buds feel happy. Then I have heard that at Soi Chaiyot (Sukhumvit Soi 11) there is a pub, cum restaurant, that offers real (good) burgers and Tex-Mex goodies; my thought was that 'you must be kidding, good burger served in a pub that focuses on booze!? and even its shop name doesn't promote that it may serve decent food'; it is the Firehouse.
The first time I went to Firehouse I had an agenda to see how uneatable her burger(s) would taste. I was beaten. As soon as the burger (that I ordered) was sent to my table, I realized that my prejudice was naive, and I was glad that I visited this place to sample her burger (given that my first intention was so evil). The burger comes with a light-seasoned (healthier and let us sample the burger but not the seasonings) meaty patty that is ground from local Thai-French Pon-yang-kham 30-day aged beef, has a firepower flavor of the cattle without the backfire of frozen taste that could be found in imported meats, and with a texture that is just right - not greasy and not dry; served with crisp lettuce, tomato, onion, homemade mayo and ketchup in a satisfying Kaiser bun. The potato wedges that comes with the burger may be a bit greasy, but the must-try house preserved pickles may help us cut the grease. Besides burgers, Firehouse also offers a Tex-Mex and firefighters' inspired menu; among them, the New England style clam chowder, of which could be a meal by itself, is outstanding.
Firehouse's burger, judging from its quality, taste, portion, price and service, it is arguably the best burger in town!
sliders set with condiments and potato wedges, THB 280++ real potato wedges, and excellent house preserved pickles I ordered my burgers to be prepared in medium-well, and they were, thanks Chef! New England clam chowder, cup/THB 110++; beef taco, THB 150++ premium burger, 180 g Thai-French 30-day aged beef patty, THB 195++ Firehouse Pub and Restaurant ****1/4 3/26 Sukhumvit Soi 11 Klongtoey-nua, Bangkok 10110 Tel.: 02.651.3643 Firehouse
Open daily : 11:30 - 3 am (except Sunday and Monday until midnight) Pay (food only for one): around THB 500
One of my favorite (high-so) coffee shops, cum restaurants, Kuppa, has a younger sibling at Asok. Kuppadeli, which focuses on light meals such as sandwiches and their renowned pastries, is ideal for breakfast and all-day brunch dining.
I recently passed by the Bharani at the Emporium and didn't see the restaurant breathing; seems this boat noodle joint had been closed for good.
If people really miss their boat noodles and Thai-farang food (European food with a Thai twist, not fusion, but of its culinary mean), Bharani has another hideaway branch at Asok's Soi Prasanmit that also serves those recipes since 1949!
Bharani Cuisine *** 96/14 Sukhumvit Soi 23 off Sukhumvit Road Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Tel.: 02.664.4454
Open daily : 11 am - 10 pm Pay (food only for one): around THB 200
