(Including some recently opened gems)
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By Adam Purcell
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Il Fumo Restaurant & Bar
The set up: Founded by a husband-and-wife team of passionate foodies, Choti & Debby Leenutaphong, alongside celebrated chef Luca Appino (owner of the award-winning La Bottega di Luca, and also chef-partner of Vesper cocktail bar on Soi Convent, again in partnership with Choti and Debby), Il Fumo is located in a bright and airy house just off Rama IV Rd. Working closely with top suppliers in Europe, and making good use of wood and charcoal, the kitchen specializes in Italian-style grilled premium meats and seafood, each cooked over a different kind of wood for maximum flavour. There’s also a good selection of vintage craft cocktails. Dress code is smart casual (strictly no flip flops and no short sleeves for men).
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Signature dishes: Trio of Fassone beef tartare; Wood charcoal grilled octopus served with green beans, taggiasca olives and potatoes cooked under ash; and Wood charcoal grilled Rubia Gallega beef from Galicia, Spain.
1098/2 Rama IV Rd. (in a private alley on Rama IV Road right after Amanta Condominium). Open Mon-Sun 6pm-1am (starting March 13). Tel: 02 286 8833. www.ilfumo.co
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Black Market
The set up: This cost-conscious neighbourhood bar on Silom Road prides itself on serving quality beers, wines, and spirits at reasonable prices, and also offers a decent selection of tasty pub snacks and gastropub-style food (available midday to midnight every day). Factor in friendly and efficient service, and it’s a great place to enjoy an afternoon or evening. Wines by the glass start at B150, beers at B80, and signature cocktails at B180.
Signature dishes: 100% Wagyu burger 250g with duck fries (B450); Classic fish and chips (B600. Incl. a beer, wine or soft drink) and Charcuterie and cheese platters (B500). Baan Silom, 887 Silom Rd. Open daily 11am-1am. Tel: 02 266 8661. facebook.com/blackmarketpublichouse |
Volti Ristorante & Bar
The set up: Occupying the same space that once held the renowned Angelini at Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, Volti takes over what was essentially a great Italian restaurant and makes it even better. Just as the restaurant has been given a makeover, including the addition of an intimate and comfortable lounge bar and a new bright and airy design punctuated by black and white montages of flawless faces (Volti means face in English), the menu is brand new too. Luca Casini, an Italian chef with over 13 years’ experience in the trade, focuses on the simple things done right, and uses the finest, ethically sourced ingredients to cook heartwarming pastas and pizzas, seafood and grilled meats, and deliciously tender sous-vide specials, all lovingly prepared in an open kitchen and presented with modern flair.
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On occasion, he even gets experimental, such as using liquid nitrogen to add a touch of theatre to the Vanilla-amaretto panna cotta, which is topped at the table with flash-frozen mascarpone mousse. The restaurant, arranged over two levels with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a great view of the Chao Phraya River, also offers a good range of signature cocktails plus a selection of more than 150 world-class wines. All in all, it’s a great place to enjoy a taste of Italy in Bangkok.
Signature dishes: Marinated octopus with potato, parsley, taggia olives and cherry tomato (B390); Yellow fin tuna Carpaccio with pickled onion, orange and mustard (B410++); Roasted sea bass with potato, salicornia and saffron (B700); and Fettuccine porcini with sautéed cep, best European mushrooms, parsley, garlic, and thyme (B490++).
89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Rd. (Near Saphan Taksin BTS station). Open daily 6pm-10.30pm.
Tel: 02 236 7777. www.shangri-la.com
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Capriz
The set up: Located at The Manor, a small but sensibly designed community mall on Soi 39, this intriguing and welcoming newcomer serves up an interesting menu mix of Mediterranean/Italian food, and a decent-sized list of tapas served on the restaurant’s large and extremely comfortable balcony. The menu is amazingly comprehensive, with appetizers, soups, pastas, fish and meat dishes, plus desserts, cheeses and those tapas. Although too numerous to mention here, the tapas selection includes some really intriguing items like Chicken Bocconcini with melted cheese (B140), Arancini rice balls with cheese and mixed Vegetables (B160), and Parma ham and chorizo sausage platter (B220). The restaurant’s relaxed interior, comfortable without being formal, certainly encourages customers to linger over their food and wine.
Signature dishes: Eye-catchers from Capriz’s dinner menu include Angel hair pasta with lobster, spring garlic, chorizo, broccoli and chives (B590), Spaghetti Wagyu beef and pork ragout Bolognese style (B390) and Italian sea bass in crispy crust served with sautéed spinach in lemon juice (B550). |
As for meats, the Beef cheek served with green pea arancini in port wine sauce (B550) and the Grilled Wagyu rib eye served with spinach in red grape gravy sauce (B980) are recommended.
Capriz: 32/1 The Manor 39, 2nd floor, Sukhumvit Soi 39. Open daily 4.30pm till late (every day from 4.30pm-7.30pm receive one free tapas with every alcoholic drink ordered). Tel: 02 662 4072.
Capriz: 32/1 The Manor 39, 2nd floor, Sukhumvit Soi 39. Open daily 4.30pm till late (every day from 4.30pm-7.30pm receive one free tapas with every alcoholic drink ordered). Tel: 02 662 4072.
Park Society |
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The set up: Sofitel So Bangkok has re-vamped, refreshed and re-launched its fine dining restaurant, so while the name isn’t new, there’s still a new-fangled dining experience to be enjoyed here. While the restaurant still offers creative modern cuisine, the focus now is on tempting sharing menu options, all presented with gourmet flair by new chef de cuisine Chef Joost Bijster, formerly executive chef of Savelberg Thailand. Park Society Terrace has also been fine-tuned to complement the jazzed-up adjoining restaurant. A program of exciting events promises evenings of cocktails and DJ-fueled parties.
Signature dishes: Prince of the Sea (live Canadian whole lobster cooked fresh to order and served with two sauces – traditional lobster reduction and Thai red curry); Seaside Garden (fresh Tasmanian salmon pan-seared and served with white asparagus, leek, fennel and hollandaise sauce), and Burratta Balloon & Heirloom (fresh Italian Mozzarella cheese filled with super-soft stracciatella di bufala and served alongside heirloom tomatoes). 2 North Sathorn Rd. Tel: 02 624 0000. swww.ofitel.com |
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Vertigo Too
The set up: We’ve always had a soft spot for Vertigo, Banyan Tree Bangkok’s rooftop restaurant which offers an amazing 360 degree view of Bangkok. Now there’s another great reason to visit the hotel for food and drinks: Vertigo Too. Located on the hotel’s 60th floor, just one level below Vertigo, the new venue features an arched ceiling covered in a canopy of lights, mimicking a starry night, and has several cozy areas in which to sit and soak up the stunning city views. Mixologists pushing cocktail trolleys create drinks to preference, while the food menu offers the same great selection of cross-cultural cuisine as found at Vertigo.
Signature dishes: BBQ pork spare rib, baked potato, baby beef and orange salad (B1,500++); Alaska salmon tartare, olive tapenade (B700++); and Australian Angus tenderloin (B2,400++). |
21/100 South Sathon Rd. Open 5pm-1am. Tel: 02 679 1200. www.banyantree.com
Seed
The set up: Water Library, chieftains of some of the city’s finest restaurants, have taken a more down to earth approach for their latest venue – a rustic neighbourhood hangout which replaces their former brasserie, The Library, on Sukhumvit 39. Inspired by the kind of simple, hearty meals served up in European countryside restaurants, and recreating that kind of atmosphere through a carefully considered blend of decorative carpentry, polished stone, and hodgepodge décor, the restaurant’s atmosphere is bubbly and down to earth – just perfect for a laid-back meal with family and friends. Read our full review online at bit.ly/1Tjx6IX.
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Signature dishes: Organic lamb tartare (B390++), featuring tomato and chilli compote, goat cheese and herb mayonnaise; Duck breast salad (B290++), a blend of smoked duck, beetroots, leafy greens, fresh oranges and orange caramelized onion; and Pork ribs (B680++), served with homemade coleslaw, crispy onion rings, and tamarind BBQ sauce.
104 Soi Sukhumvit 39. Open Tues-Sun 5.30pm-midnight.
Tel: 099 283 6363. facebook.com/seedbangkok
104 Soi Sukhumvit 39. Open Tues-Sun 5.30pm-midnight.
Tel: 099 283 6363. facebook.com/seedbangkok
Pirate Chambre Local Trattoria
The set up: You won’t spot any salty sea dogs at this hip new restaurant and bar on the third floor of the Maneeya Center, but you can still expect a crackling atmosphere thanks to its dark, rustic-yet-modern design and adventurous menu that features flavour-packed Thai dishes by day, Western classics at night.
Signature dishes: Bone-in braised beef short rib in red wine sauce served with Chinese buns (B750), Tex-Mex pizza (B390), and Pirate grilled half chicken (B250). Drink enough of the boozy, innovative cocktails, and you’ll soon be swaying like you’ve spent time at sea. Level 3, Maneeya Center (BTS Chidlom Exit 2). Open daily 11am-3pm, 5pm-Midnight. 02 252 5131-2. facebook.com/piratechambre |
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Sühring
The set up: Forget unctuous pork knuckle and fatty sausage platters, German twin brothers Thomas and Mathias Sühring offer a more refined, lighter and fresher take on German favourites, all served in a wonderfully welcoming house. Gearing their cuisine more toward current food trends, such as pickling, smoking and curing, the results are simple, homey dishes with robust flavours. Delicious.
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Signature dishes: Grandma’s “Brotzeit” for sharing (homemade rustic sour dough bread and pretzels, Oldenburger butter, Obatzda cream cheese, dry aged beef, and pickles); Käsespätzle (soft egg noodles, Allgäuer Mountain Cheese, crisp onion); and Any vegetables, leaves & blossoms (a seasonal salad showcasing different cooking techniques – raw, cooked, grilled, pickled, dried etc.). A nine-course set menu is available for B1,800++; and 12-courses at B2,500++.
No. 10, Yen Akat Soi 3, Chong Nonsi, Open daily 6pm-10.30pm. 02 287 1799. www.[email protected]
Punjab Grill
The Set up: Diners who have experienced Punjab Grill’s modern interpretation of Indian cuisine in India, Abu Dhabi or Singapore will be happy to know they can now enjoy the restaurant’s signature dishes in Bangkok, at the ground floor of Radisson Suites Sukhumvit. With a focus on authenticity, all meals are created using ingredients sourced from the hills of Kashmir.
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Signature dishes: Avocado Papdi
Chaat (avocado tossed with sweet and spicy chutneys and marinated cherry tomatoes, and served in flour roll cones), Tawa Scallops (pan-seared, spiced king scallops, served |
with saffron scented Tandoori cauliflower puree and topped with cauliflower fritters) and Tandoori Jheenga (tiger prawns scented with carom seed and chargrilled in a tandoori oven, served with mint and coriander chutney).
Sukhumvit 13. Open daily 6pm-11.30pm. 02 645 4999 facebook.com/PunjabGrillBangkok
Sukhumvit 13. Open daily 6pm-11.30pm. 02 645 4999 facebook.com/PunjabGrillBangkok
Islero
The set up: Two different dining experiences await at this modern Spanish restaurant on Wireless Road. These include Islero, which offers a modern interpretation of Spanish classics, and CAVA by Islero, a tapas and wine bar that focuses on delivering a modern Spanish tapas experience while at the same time respecting regional traditions and flavours. Both menus were created with the help of Eduard Bosch, the former Head Chef of the famed three Michelin Star elBulli located in Roses, Spain. The restaurant’s wine list features close to 100 Spanish labels, many of which are from Bodegas and are rarely available outside of Spain.
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Signature dishes: Segovian-style suckling pig; Spanish-style canned seafood; “Bomba” from La Barceloneta; Deconstructed Spanish tortilla; Josper grilled scorpion fish with Romescu sauce.
63 Athenee Tower, Wireless Rd. Open daily Tues-Sun 5pm-Midnight. 02 165 8100-1. facebook.com/IsleroBangkok |
Top Knot
The set up: Located on the eighth and ninth floors of Hotel Once boutique hotel and commanding an amazing view of the Chao Phraya River, Top Knot is a lovely place to while away an evening with friends and family. Either sit on the eighth floor, which has a ‘botanical rooftop’ theme (think an earthy colour scheme and plenty of plants), or head up one level to sink into a chair in a modern, open space looking right out onto the river. As for food, the restaurant specializes in barbecued meat and seafood, and also offers an array of pasta dishes. The restaurant’s owner, Khun Knot, also plans to add Mexican favourites to the menu soon. Planning to tie the knot? The venue can also be booked for weddings.
Signature dishes: Pork spare ribs with special BBQ sauce; Barbecued shrimp; Pork chilli cheese fries; and Fettuccine carbonara. 2074/99 Charoenkrung 72/2, Charoenkrung Rd. 02 688 2596. www.hotelonce.com facebook.com/TopKnotBangkok |
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Meatlicious
The set up: Owned by Gaggan Anand, the renowned Indian chef whose eponymous restaurant on Soi Langsuan recently scooped, for the second year running, the top spot in the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant’s Awards, Meatlicious is far less ambitious – you’ll find no molecular tinkering here – but its focus on premium meats (prepared, seasoned and cooked to lip-smacking effect in a wood-fired oven) and international beers (no wines or cocktails served; corkage fee is B500) is deliciously down to earth. All steaks and meat are cooked to order in an open kitchen manned by a chef and butcher from Honduras, and the vibe is thoroughly laid-back – turn up casually dressed and don’t be afraid to eat with your hands.
Signature dishes: The menu runs the gamut from beef and chicken, to lamb, fish and clams. Highlights include the Tomahawk (over 1kg for B3,000++); Argentine Chimichurri B990++); Roasted chicken (rubbed with spices and French herbs and served with sticky rice. B490++); and Grilled lamb chop (slow roasted in garlic, thyme and tomatoes. B690++). A vegetarian menu is also available. 8 Ekamai Soi 6. Open daily 6pm-11pm. 091 698 6688. facebook.com/Meatlicious |
Blend
The set up: Offering a unique blend of classic dishes from France, Italy and Thailand, and owned and operated by well-seasoned chef Laurent Scire – who counts Michelin-starred restaurants among his former workplaces – Blend is an exciting new addition to Sukhumvit Road’s dining scene. The wine list has been carefully crafted to provide a range of wines that both complement the menu and are perfect for drinking on their own (many are available by the glass), beers start at just B95, and every week there’s a new special cocktail to try. Keep your eyes peeled for ‘Tapas and Sangria’ and ‘Wine and Two Oysters’ promotions (details are posted regularly on Blend’s website).
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Signature dishes: Duck leg confit with cider apple sauce and potato gratin (B390++); Steak tartare (beef tenderloin, salad and French fries. B630++); and Seared duck breast with forest mushroom sauce and potato gratin (B490++).
533 Sukhumvit Rd., (close to Emporium Shopping Mall and midway between Asok and Phrom Phong BTS Stations).Open daily 11am-10pm. 02 258 8808. www.blend-bistro-bkk.com
533 Sukhumvit Rd., (close to Emporium Shopping Mall and midway between Asok and Phrom Phong BTS Stations).Open daily 11am-10pm. 02 258 8808. www.blend-bistro-bkk.com
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Chicon Bistro
The set up: Located on the second and third floors of popular Sathorn hangout Le Cafe Des Stagiaires (pictured), this new French bistro features a one-page menu of traditional dishes which highlight chef Aurel Termini’s focus on quality over quantity. The restaurant also has its own cocktail bar featuring a choice of six unique cocktails made using premium spirits (and all the classics by request).
Signature dishes: Sea scallops Carpaccio with homemade dill oil, red beetroots, fish eggs and red fruits (B340); Roasted barracuda with thyme sauce ‘Fleurette’ and vegetable variation (B540); and Duck magret and turmeric jelly, seeds and mushrooms with red fruit sauce (B850). Le Cafe des Stagiaires, 142/21 Sathorn Soi 12. Open Tues-Sat 7pm-11pm. 081 207 3077. |
Rabbit Hole
The set up: Premium cocktails, groovy music and a clandestine vibe (the venue’s hidden behind a wooden door with no sign) set the scene for some superior boozing at this cool speakeasy on Thonglor. A real focus on quality ensures there’s a good range of spirits and single malts to choose from, and, when not too busy mixing drinks, the knowledgeable bartenders are always on hand to explain more about each cocktail as well as suggest libations to suit your tastes. As with most hip venues on Thonglor, Rabbit Hole is packed on weekends, so mid-week visits provide the best experience.
Signature cocktails: Spade Gardener (Rum infused apricot, lime cordial, fresh lime, and plum. B320), Cosa Nostra (Hennessy infused cherry, Amaretto, and cigar smoke. B400); and Cry Me The Moon (Gin washed truffle, apple juice, pandan syrup, and citrus. B380). Menu changes every two to three months. 125 Sukhumvit 55 (between Thonglor Sois 5 and 7). Open Tues-Sun 7pm-2am. 081-8223392 facebook.com/rabbitholebkk |
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Signature dishes: The Australian Tenderloin (240g; grain fed for 150 days; B1,190++) is wonderfully tender and tasty to boot; the Rib eye bone in (850g; B1,890++) for two to share is eye-popping in size and simply delicious; and the premium Chateaubriand (500g; B2,390++), a center cut fillet and most tender part of the beef, also for two to share, is simply a meaty masterpiece.
Groove at CentralWorld, 999/9 Rama 1 Rd. Open daily 11am-1am. 02 613 1036. facebook.com/wcthegrill |
Wine Connection – The Grill
The set up: Located on the ground-floor of trendy dining hotspot Groove at CentralWorld, Wine Connection The Grill is the brand’s most upmarket offering yet. Similar to its other ventures around Thailand, though, the focus remains on affordable quality. And this translates here into some of the most reasonably priced high-quality steaks in town. Read our full review here.
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Upstairs Mikkeller Bangkok
The set up: Gourmet cuisine meets some of the world’s finest craft beers at this homely restaurant above the ever popular Mikkeller craft beer bar. Open on Friday and Saturday nights (other nights by appointment only), the restaurant is run by Chef Dan Bark, the former sous chef at the two-star-Michelin Grace Restaurant in Chicago, and he offers a nine-course menu of progressive American cuisine
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specially created to pair with six of Mikkeller’s best craft beers. A nine-course menu with six beer pairing is priced B4,600 per person (or B3,300 for food only).
26 Ekamai Soi 10 Yaek 2. 02 381 989. facebook.com/upstairsatmikkellerbkk
26 Ekamai Soi 10 Yaek 2. 02 381 989. facebook.com/upstairsatmikkellerbkk
Avra
The set up: Greek food in Bangkok doesn’t get more authentic than the fare on offer at this new restaurant on Sukhumvit 33. Executive Chef Konstantinos Sarrimavrogenis, a native of Thessaloniki, puts his rich experience working in top five star hotels in Greece to good use by cooking up flavour-packed classics plus a wide range of Greek dishes you’ll only find at Avra. It’s the restaurant in Bangkok that fans of Greek cuisine have been waiting for. And it delivers.
Signature dishes: Greek salad with beef tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil; Pork souvlaki with pitta and tzatziki spread; and Mousakas (minced beef with potatoes, eggplant, zucchini and cream sauce with cheese). A three-course set lunch menu is available Mon-Fri priced B299++. Ground floor of Hotel Lotus Sukhumvit, Sukhumvit 33.Open daily 5pm-11pm. 02 258 2876. www.avrabkk.com |
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Chi
The set up: This unique club, lounge and restaurant may be set in the same shell which once held the famed Bed Supperclub, but it makes the structure all its own with a striking design (dubbed ‘Funk Shui’) which blends eclectic Asian style with antique embellishments, dragon motifs, and 3D video projections. Owned by nightclub innovator and pioneer Daryl Scott, Chi is Thailand’s first official Diageo Club, so you can expect lots of exciting cocktails on offer. What’s more, the club also offers a food menu, entitled Mana – Spiritual and Divine Nourishment, designed by the renowned Blue Elephant restaurant group.
Signature dishes: Five-spiced duck broth reduction and baby bok choi; Pink seabream pan-fried with orange candy and charred fennel; and Yellow saffron curry paneer with truffled potatoes and popcorn are among the highlights. 32/8 Sukhumvit Soi 13. 02 102 0013. www.chiultralounge.com |
Chu Chocolate Bar & Café Silom
The set up: The casual all-day brunch café famous for its amazing hot chocolates, hearty breakfasts, international favourites and luscious desserts, has branched out from its Asok home and opened a second restaurant in the lobby of GLOW Trinity Silom (near Chong Nonsi BTS). Using breads from Maison Jean Philippe and bacon and sausages from Sloane’s, chef and owner Chirayu Na Ranong has got his comfort food down to a fine art. Silom-based workers rejoice.
Signature dishes: Eggs Benedict (B250), Barbecue pulled pork burger (B320), Churros (B100), and Hot chocolate (B120). GLOW Trinity Silom. Open Tues-Fri 7.30am-8pm; Sat-Sun 8am-8pm. facebook.com/CHU.BKK |
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Rocket X
The set up: Owned and operated by the Sapparot Group – the same team behind Lady Brett (see below) – Rocket X is another of the group’s ventures which began life in Sathorn Soi 12 before taking its popular formula to different areas of the city. And what a formula it is – the Kingdom’s only Nordic (Scandinavian) café that offers an all-around breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, plus an in-house bakery and top quality coffee.
Signature dishes: Eggs Benedict (Soft-boiled eggs on dark sourdough bread with seasoned hollandaise sauce, rocket leaves, and crispy chorizo); Triple decker roast pork sandwich; and Swedish meatballs (pork and beef meatballs served with gravy, mashed potatoes, lingonberries, and pickled cucumber).
72 Courtyard Thonglor, 72 Sukhumvit Alley. www.rocketcoffeebar.com
Signature dishes: Eggs Benedict (Soft-boiled eggs on dark sourdough bread with seasoned hollandaise sauce, rocket leaves, and crispy chorizo); Triple decker roast pork sandwich; and Swedish meatballs (pork and beef meatballs served with gravy, mashed potatoes, lingonberries, and pickled cucumber).
72 Courtyard Thonglor, 72 Sukhumvit Alley. www.rocketcoffeebar.com
Uno Mas
The set up: Stunning city views, a menu that celebrates Spanish and Mediterranean cuisines, and a wine tower featuring over 2,000 bottles are the big draws at this vibrant restaurant at Centara Grand at CentralWorld. The restaurant occupies the whole of the hotel’s 54th floor and is divided into three distinct ‘zones’ – the Wine Cellar, semi-alfresco Tapas & Raw Bar, and semi-alfresco Dining Deck (which boasts an open kitchen complete with special fire pits). Read our full review online at bit.ly/21ywGD7.
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Signature dishes: Seafood Paella, a sign of any Spanish restaurant’s mettle, is wonderful here – coming loaded with lobster, carabineros, prawns, clams, scallops and mussels (B2,790++) – and perfect for sharing. And the Half roasted suckling pig – or ‘Cochinillo Asado’ – is cooked so tender that the chefs can carve it with a porcelain plate – which they do at your table before, in a theatrical flourish, smashing the plate on the floor.
999/99 Rama 1 Rd. Open daily 4pm-1am. 02 100 6255. www.centarahotelsresorts.com/cgcw
Lady Brett Thonglor
The set up: Branching out from its first location in Sathorn Soi 12, and with Chef Jess Barnes (formerly of Opposite Mess Hall) in the kitchen, the second iteration of this popular grill restaurant brings its meat-focused fare to Thonglor in thoroughly delicious fashion. Expect premium beef, chicken, pork and seafood cooked in a Spanish wood/charcoal fired Josper oven and a long list of boozy cocktails too.
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Signature dishes: 800g Dry Aged Tomahawk with creamy spinach and roast garlic (B1,500++); Grilled beef burger with Chipotle mustard, Horseradish mayo, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles and aged cheddar in a multigrain bun (B395++), and Grilled pork chop (220g / B320++).
72 Courtyard Thonglor, 72 Sukhumvit Alley, www.ladybrett.com |
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