Bussaracum

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The charm of an ancient topaz!

This long time royal cuisine pioneer restaurant - the Bussaracum, has been (finally) moved back to Sathorn/Silom district, after a short operation period at Thonglo under the shelter of its group property; it was her forth relocation since the restaurant debut at Dusit Thani Hotel around thirty years ago.

Recently I revisited Bussaracum at her latest location, Si Wang Road, with some foodie friends.

While many established restaurants will lose their edge on food standards after they earned some 'history', and the kitchen teams started to show that they are exhausted, at Bussaracum, this scenario is a non-existent. In general, the food at Bussaracum is not only kept to their good standards; but in my opinion, it is better!

The only dissatisfaction is their service. The junior waitpersons are nice and attentive, but the manager-look-alike is nothing more than a dumb vase that had been just treated with Botox.


'sangwa' savory dips, fresh vegetables, served with deep-fried ground catfish

leaf-wrapped appetizer 'mieng-kam'; deep-fried 'chom-suan' prawn appetizer

'pha-goong' spicy herbs tossed salad with prawns; savory eggplant salad

massama curry, world No. 1 dish 2011 voted by CNNgo readers survey

grilled river prawns in 'chu-chee' red curry sauce

home-made fish cakes; red curry with roasted duck meats

stir-fried eggplant in basil and hot sauce; deep-fried sea bass, raw mango dressing

phad Thai with prawns

Bussaracum Royal Thai Restaurant ****
1 Si Wiang Road
off Soi Pramuan
Silom, Bangkok 10500
Tel.: 02.620.2216
Bussaracum

Open daily : lunch 11 am - 2 pm, dinner 5:30 - 10 pm
Pay (food only for one): around THB 500




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khao-chae @ Bussaracum

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Soul food in summer

This year I have had my share of khao-chae in downtown only, and these places are more realistic for tourists to join the joy of eating this Thai festive delicacy - khao-chae (rice soaked in icy jasmine-scented water, served with tidbits).

Bussarasum is a pioneer restaurant serving royal Thai cuisine in Bangkok; and just like its name, a rare ancient Thai topaz, the food with a refined culinary touch is a jewel to Bangkok's gastronomy scene. Recently I sampled my third set of khao-chae of the year there; I found that its khao-chae set is truly at a soul food standard, and at THB 250++ a set, it is a steal for epicures.


welcome by a rabbit! amuse-bouche Thai style (mieng)

soul of khao-chae, its chilled jasmine-scented water, with jasmine blossom

a bowl of cooked rice with ice; carved vegetables
(green mango, cucumber, carrot, krachai, green onion, and red chili)

a complete set of khao-chae at Bussaracum, THB 250++

moo foi (shredded sweet pork); luk kapi (deep-fried fermented shrimp paste balls)

prik yuak sord sai, and hom daeng yud sai; chai pow phad wan
(banana chili pepper stuffed with minced pork wrapper in egg netting, &
deep-fried shallots in minced fish stuffing; stir-fried preserved sweet turnip)

pla waan (sweetened fish mouse); part of the set

khao-chae
at Bussaracum Royal Thai Restaurant ****
1 Si Wiang Road
off Soi Pramuan
Silom, Bangkok 10500
Tel.: 02.620.2216
Bussaracum

Open daily : lunch 11 am - 2 pm, dinner 5:30 - 10 pm
Pay (khao-chae only for two): around THB 600 (THB 250++ per set)
* khao-chae is available from mid-March until end of April

Opus

BANGKOK AMAZING GOURMET
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Bangkok wine and dine

A young and energetic expat with vision, Alex Morabito, left the gloomy and restrained old boss on Soi Saladaeng, to open his own cheerful and friendly wine bar cum restaurant on the other side of Silom Road, Bangkok's C.B.D.

Since opened in early 2009, Opus had been a positive asset to Bangkok dining scene. That's definitely great food and wine, at reasonable charge!


pizza margherita THB 220++

Opus speciale (antipasti) THB 790++ (all quality stuffs, good in value!)

minestrone THB 190++
insalata mare (seafood salad) THB 290++

spaghetti bottarga THB 360++
risotto ai funghi porcin THB 390++

affogato limoncello THB 220++
tiramisu THB 190++

Opus Vineria Italiana ****
64 Thanon Pan
off Silom Road
Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Tel.: 02.637.9896
Opus

Open daily : 6 pm - midnight
Pay (food only for two): around THB 1,800

Talingpling

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Talingpling



Talingpling is a wonderful family restaurant if we can stand for their relatively rude service.