500
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Serious cocoa job
chocolab is a charming chocolate boutique for the finest indulgence; thus, finally there is a serious hand-made chocolate specialty cafe that fires the right chemistry with chocolate lovers in Bangkok!
Chocolab ****
Sofitel So Bangkok Hotel
2 North Sathorn Road
Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Tel.: 02.624.0000
Open daily : 7:30 am - 7:30 pm
Pay (food only for one): around THB 350
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497
.
The great mini
Bangkok's foodies lover - the Minibar Royale has a mini Minibar at the Emporium (for a few years already), and it is, arguably, the most creditable full service cafe in the entire Bangkok's mall food scene.
Minibar Deli ***3/4
5/F Food Hall
the Emporium Shopping Complex
622 Sukhumvit Road
Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110
Tel.: 02.259.8826
Open daily : 10 am - 10 pm
Pay (food only for one): around THB 400
*(Updates (2015-Feb): Minibar Deli had vacated her outlet at the Emporium.
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485
.
Cheerful and playful
Thailand's first London-meets-New York-meets-Bangkok gastro bar - the Hyde & Seek, was arguably the best gastro bar in Krupthep Mahanakon (the City of Angels), when I reviewed her one year ago! Food wise, not as good today as her booze offered!
Hyde & Seek Gastro Bar ***
65/1 Athenee Residence
Soi Ruamrudee
Lumpini, Bangkok 10330
Tel.: 02.168.5152
Open daily : 11 am - 1 am
Pay (food only for one): around THB 500 (there, booze is the hero anyway!)
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480
.
A matter of tea
My favorite coffee shop at the Emporium - Salon de L'Oriental had gone, and is now replaced by the TWG Tea Salon and Boutique, a Singaporean tea vendor since 1837. There they offer food that can be elegantly stuffed into our stomach (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea) with a manner of a tea infused touch and a hint of French., besides their renowned selections of tea.
My friends and I found that their food was generous in sodium and pastries were high in sugar (higher than today's Bangkokian standards, and very high against top patisseries standards). Price is modest, and service is flawless since they kept the original team from the Salon de L'Oriental, except the trainees need an intensive training for their face movement - smile.
TWG Tea Salon and Boutique at the Emporium is definitely 'my cup of tea' to meet friends (or even to tea alone) during an afternoon tea hour at the Sukhumvit area, though it may not be my first choice to dine at.
TWG Tea Salon and Boutique ***1/2
G/F the Emporium Shopping Complex
622 Sukhumvit Road
Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110
Tel.: 02. 259.9510
Open daily : 10 am - 10 pm
Pay (food with tea for one): around THB 800
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465
.
Shadow of Jamie Oliver
Gastro 1/6 is about (true) European style all day (though only until 3 pm) countryside brunch dining in downtown Bangkok (almost at your backyard if Sukhumvit area is where you lodge); it is in a pretty laid-back mode - both the servers and the customers. If we are not rushed to do the eating, we will enjoy it, and I do. And to enjoy the pleasure of an utmost laid-back excursion, do bring a novel, or your 3G compatible smartphone that can 'line' with your friends, or a tablet with you to kill time while waiting for your order and the food to be prepared.
chilled milk; iced choco drinks (both norm brand from any supermarket)
poached eggs, sauteed mushroom, Parmesan cheese, with truffle oil, THB 320
French toast, seasonal fruits, honey (i wish if it was maple syrup), THB 195
nice cappuccino; an excellent starter - potato salad THB 150
Gastro 1/6 @ RMA Institute ***1/2
238 Soi Sai-nam-thip 2
Sukhumvit 22 Road
Klongtoey-nua, Bangkok 10110
Tel.: 080. 603.6421
Open daily (except Monday) : 10 am - 3 pm (opening hours may change, it depends)
Pay (food only for one): around THB 600
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462
.
Top burger in the Top City
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
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