Showing 1 - 5 of 5
A restaurant for all seasons
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 15/08/2014
» While the main arteries of the city remain clogged with traffic and chain restaurants, it's exciting to see the emergence of back-soi venues. Settled on a quiet block of the Silom banking district, Le Du Wine Bar & Restaurant has been catering to an in-the-know clientele that likes to think outside the box, both in terms of location and menu, since opening in November. The boxy space has enough room for around 35 people in dainty surrounds that look more suited to high tea than gastro adventuring. The ornate room features a large viewing window into the kitchen, highlighting what is really on show here - the food. The night we visited was a little quiet, with a table or two of well-heeled Thais present - such is the trappings (and joy) of a destination venue.
Stylish new Silom
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 06/06/2014
» Just when we were positing the strange absence of more higher-end restaurants in the Silom area, Vesper appears on the scene right on queue. Nested among the street food stalls and Silom foot traffic, this European bistro-style eatery takes its name from a drink, a Bond girl and a Latin phrase meaning “evening ritual”, if one reference isn’t enough. The room is shaped like a square, and the low ceiling keeps things cosy (not as low as Eat Me, luckily), particularly towards the back of the room. A similar mood — perhaps a modern take on the tired Zanotti grandeur — can be experienced elsewhere in the city, such as Little Beast in Thong Lor, and we weren’t surprised to hear the co-owning couple at the helm — Choti and Debby — are also involved there. Back here, there’s enough space for 60 diners or so, with some bar stools for the more dedicated drinkers to marvel at the mixology.
Meet, meat and multi-task
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 04/04/2014
» For a single fixed address, 661 Silom seems to have a few things on its mind. Gruesomeness of the “Meet and Meat” moniker aside, can it succeed at being a gastro bar and a steakhouse as well as a branded champagne lounge all at the same time? We were sceptical following such branding adventures as The Bar & The Restaurant and more recently (and closer to home) Le Bar by Le Beaulieu (same owners). But 661 Silom aims for a shelf a little higher, if this city is willing to reach that high. (Perhaps ask Ku De Ta?) This reincarnation of jazz bar Niu’s on Silom features enough room for 50 bar flies in the slightly confused split-space downstairs (Meet), which features an outdoor bar area that looks onto the leafy courtyard of the Baan Silom complex. Near the entrance and stairs, the Dom Perignon signature lounge seems doomed to lie eternally empty. Luckily the restaurant (Meat) upstairs is more moody and welcoming. It looks out over the trees and is subtly lit and decorated with cowhides to remind you why you’re there. The purse of the project comes courtesy of the team behind French fine-dining stalwart Le Beaulieu (Top Tables #1 in 2014), but are restaurants still simply about deep pockets and reputation?
Homestyle haven
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 05/07/2013
» There has been a lot of talk about homestyle kitchens in Bangkok of late, to the point where it feels like you're being short changed by a dish that isn't couriered in from the countryside directly to your table. But there's no need to feel left out for not having a grandma at home to cook for you, as one kitchen in Thong Lor is more than making up for it, bringing slices of rare regional Thailand to the big city.
Quench and mince
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 19/10/2012
» More than merely a venue to both quench your appetite and mince around at, Quince is offering some welcomed new pages in the city's recipe book, creating a fuss by doing just the opposite - keeping things simple. It's named after the perishable fruit that needs care and attention, highlighting the kitchen's commitment to freshness and quality that also extends beyond the evolving menu. And there's no foam, fluff or favour to be found.