Xin Tian Di

451
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A comforting feast!

Xin Tian Di is the Chinese cuisine arm of the Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park (formerly Pan Pacific Hotel), located twenty-two stories above the ground, and it is advertised that it has 'a stunning view of the Bangkok city skyline', and the fact is, patrons will only 'enjoy' a panorama hospital (Chula) view.

Last year, when IHG's Crowne Plaza took over the management of this former Pan Pacific's property near Saladaeng intersection, they also re-branded the Chinese restaurant; though the team of chefs (including the head chef) and the team of service staffs remain retouched; probably the (Crowne Plaza) executives realized that Hai Tien Lo (the name when it was under Pan Pacific's umbrella) didn't earn a good reputation among epicures. Now, Xin Tian Di (literally new sky earth, or the new era), does enter into a new era. Under the new management, the restaurant and the kitchen team are being revitalized, and the food enters into a new chapter of gastronomic journeys.

The restaurant now serves one of the city's best Peking duck (THB 1,100++), and Chef Lam's home-made tofu is a must-try; otherwise it will be like leaving a treasure hut without digging up a few gold nuggets to take back home with us!


double-boiled conch soup with black chicken, THB 300++;
double-boiled grouper filet soup with century eggs, THB 220++

Chef Lam's home-made fried tofu with XO sauce, THB 160++; portion of Peking duck

Peking duck, wrapping and ready to eat

roasted Peking duck with condiments, half order, THB 650++

Chef Lam's home-made tofu and seafood casserole, THB 320++

roasted marinated pigeon, THB 600++

stir-fried grouper filet with ginger and green onion, THB 350++;
veggie with golden & silver eggs (salted & century eggs) in broth, THB 280++

sweet and sour pork, THB 300++; stir-fried kale with preserved veggie, THB 280++

yang-chow fried rice, THB 300++; chilled lemongrass jelly, THB 150++

Xin Tian Di Chinese Restaurant 新天地 ***1/2
Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park
952 Rama IV Road
Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Tel.: 02.632.9000
Xin Tian Di
(Please don't mix up with that Xinn Tien Di at Gaysorn Plaza, which has been heavily presented in free guidebooks!)

Open daily : lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, dinner 6 - 10:30 pm
Pay (food only for one): around THB 900




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Brazilian BBQ buffet @ Panorama

450
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Samba barbecue

The Panorama at the Crowne Plaza Hotel rolled out a Brazilian BBQ promotion on top of her usual buffet offer in June; a friend and I went there to sample the South American churrasco during lunch; it was a pleasant gathering and good eating, in an ambiance which was laid-back and relaxing.

Brazilian BBQ lunch buffet ***
@ Panorama Restaurant
Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park Hotel
952 Rama IV Road
Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Tel.: 02.632.9000
The Panorama

Open daily : 6:30 - 1 am
Pay (food only for two): around THB 2,500
Brazilian BBQ lunch buffet THB 700++, dinner buffet THB 1,500++

Roadhouse Thanksgiving buffet

394
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Thanks, turkey!

Every year, I don't want to skip two very important meals, one among them is the Thanksgiving dinner. Though I am not a farmer, but I shall give thanks for being able to live so happily on earth.

I am not an enthusiastic turkey eater, and usually I eat the big bird only during very special occasions, such as the Thanksgiving. For nearly twenty years living in Thailand, I have always waited for a feast of truly impeccable turkey menu to celebrate with this festive moment, whether it is in an individual establishment or in a hotel's restaurant, but to no avail. But tonight my prayer was being answered, at Roadhouse, the roast turkey breast served in the Thanksgiving buffet dinner was so moist and tender with the rich flavor of the bird, and the flavorful giblet gravy enhanced the taste to a truly impeccable level. Surprise! The buffet offered scrumptious pumpkin pie as well.

For the once in a year festive meal, I didn't eat alone. Tonight, I ate with two friends, one of them is a foodie from the U.S. who really knows Thanksgiving menu, and he agreed that the dinner at Roadhouse is a very pleasant one.

Thanksgiving buffet dinner ****
Roadhouse Barbecue Smokehouse and Grill
942/1 Rama IV Road
Surawong, Bangkok 10500
Tel.: 02.236.8010
Roadhouse

Open daily : 10:30 am - 1 am
Pay (Thanksgiving buffet dinner): THB 895++

Roadhouse

280
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All time American favorites

Six years ago I visited Roadhouse, first month after its debut, the food wasn't that convincing. Obviously the kitchen was not quite ready. Too new!

Revisited two years ago, to join a party. Sorry I didn't pay much attention on the food!


1. buffalo wings, plain, THB 125+; 2. buffalo wings, spicy, THB 125+

3. seafood chowder, cup, THB 95+; 4. beef taco's, THB 295+

5. barbecue baby back pork ribs, half rack, with twice baked potato, THB 450+

6. New England fish 'n' chips, THB 350+; 7. burger with cheddar cheese, THB 345+

8. home-made grandma's coleslaw, THB 55+; 9. bread pudding, THB 145+

Last week I ate there twice. Found out that Roadhouse now serves succulent pork ribs, crispy, fresh and moist (snapper) fish 'n' chips of excellent quality, tangy and flavorsome buffalo wings, impeccable cheeseburger, and other all time American favorites in the middle of my circle. (Can skip the bread pudding, almost felt eating a piece of stone seasoned with Bourbon sauce!)

Roadhouse Barbecue Smokehouse & Grill ***1/2
942/1 Rama IV Road
Surawong, Bangkok 10500
Tel.: 02.236.8010
Roadhouse

Open daily : 10:30 am - 1 am
Pay (food only for two): around THB 1,000

Lieo Lieng Seng

BANGKOK AMAZING GOURMET
.

A century of excellence

First time I visited Lieo Lieng Seng, I almost detoured after I found out her menu has no price on it. Until today, still, none of Lieo's menu has price on it. However, I sat down and became one of Lieo's fans. Why then?

Simply her food (all of them) served are delectable.

If you ask me what is the must-eat dishes. I would tell you that all of them. Yes everything is sinfully delicious!



Normally, I order Taro and fish head hotpot in Thai herbal spicy clear broth (hua-pla phuak tumyum mor-fai nam sai), the tumyum broth is even better than those in a prominent Thai restaurant. Alternatively I may order Fish maw soup (ka-pok pla nam dang) if I am not into spicy food that night. The broth had been prepared for days yield a rich flavor of aromatic from ingredients, as chicken and dried seafood.

For first time visitor, not to be missed shall be the Deep-fried crab ball (hau-jor boran), Steamed rice roll with pork and crab stuffing (kuay-tiew lord), as well as the Rachawong style stir-fried egg noodle (bamee Rachawong phad haeng). They are prepared from Lieo's 100-year recipes.

For me, the full flavor Baked goose web on egg noodle (peek-han ob bamee Rachawong),and Stir-fried sea bass fillet with Thai celery and chilies (nuea pla-kapong phad khuen-chai) are always delightful. The ultimately crispy yet non-oily Suckling pig (moo hang) shall light up my life (at least that night) when I have at least 3-4 buddies with me on the table.

To round up my dinner, few scoops of Rachawong 555 ice cream are the must. My favorite flavor is, dark chocolate.

Oh, too much to eat too little stomach. Hallelujah!

Lieo Lieng Seng Restaurant 廖兩成 ****
802-804 Rama IV Road
Samyan, Bankok 10500
Tel.: 02.234.5791

Open daily : lunch 11 am - 2:30 pm, dinner 5:30 -11 pm
Pay (food only for two): around THB 1,200


(left picture, a century-old antique table, since first Lieo Lieng Seng on Rachawong)

* (updated on 20-June-2012, Lieo Lieng Seng now has a canteen-style branch at United Center on Silom Road.)

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Ice Cream 555 Rachawong

BANGKOK AMAZING GOURMET
.

The impossibly possible

Hiding in a shabby sub soi (alley) attached to an old school Chinese restaurant, Ice Cream 555 Rachawong is the Kingdom oldest home-made ice cream maker.

Going back to a little history. Some years ago, a young immigrant from China started the original shop of Ice Cream 555 Rachawong alongside the river of Chaophraya at Rachawong (now near Pier Rachawong) once served a numerous of prestigious customers in that era, including King Chulalongkorn or King Rama V. The brilliant young man later transformed his small ice cream parlor into a full restaurant business of Tiew-chew and Cantonese cuisine, named after his name, Lieo Lieng Seng.



After more than a century, the third generation of the Lieo family concentrates on the restaurant business in a low profile manner. Kind of "for foodies only"! Nevertheless the Rachawong 555 ice cream had been preserved.

According to the owner, today Rachawong 555 ice cream do not taste like those in 1890 when first introduced to the Siam people. Their recipes had been adjusted to the taste with a modern twist and refined texture. But the fundamental is intact, as use only the best ingredients.



After tasting all of the flavors, I confirm they are of premium grade. (Okay give you a little idea, think of Haagen-Dazs, but freshly home-made without timely transportation!) Especially the coconut and durian flavor, a to-die-for kind if one loves these two tropical fruits. The chocolate is also flavorful and rich, while the coffee is aromatic and strong. Only the vanilla, not to my liking.



Ice Cream 555 Rachawong ****
at Lieo Lieng Seng CN Restaurant
802-804 Rama IV Road
Samyan, Bangkok 10500
Tel.: 02.234.5791

Open daily : lunch 11 am - 2:30 pm, dinner 5:30 - 11 pm
Pay : THB 50/60 per scoop