Showing 91 - 100 of 174
In the hot seat
Guru, Jarupat Buranastidporn, Published on 04/12/2015
» When conversing about Chinese cuisine in Bangkok, the mention of Chef Man Wai Yin and his restaurant Chef Man is inevitable. Who popularised the lava bun? He did. Whose restaurant once had a month-long waiting list? Guilty. He managed to turn ubiquitous dim sum into a new dining experience with his restaurants. Then came the fancy flair and five-star presentation of M Krub, which seems to have won over those foodies who could afford it. His latest venture, Chairman, is a world apart, spurning lazy Susans, leather seats and tablecloths, and instead looking back to childhood days in Hong Kong spent at a traditional cha chaan teng (local cafe or eatery). Chairman’s decor is reminiscent of exactly that, with vintage tiles, wooden counters, iron partitions and verdant green window panes looking out on a 2D mock-up of a sea of neon-lit billboards. Surprisingly, the cafe hits the casual mark for which it was aiming, avoiding gimmickry — a difficult task indeed, especially when you’ve set up shop inside a glitzy mall.
The bread winner
Guru, Jarupat Buranastidporn, Published on 27/11/2015
» Desperate times call for desperate measures, and when you’re living in Bangkok, a city that seems to have everything — apart from a branch of Pret A Manger — to curb your sandwich cravings, you look to Google for a solution.
Winter Wonderlands
Guru, Jarupat Buranastidporn, Published on 27/11/2015
» Can you feel that? The winter breeze is finally passing through Thailand. Well, either that or you’ve just walked through 7-Eleven’s doors. Nevertheless, it’s nearly December, and what does this mean? Scouring Uniqlo for fleeces on discount, “sick” day planning, last-minute reports, fantasising about what to do with your year-end bonus and, of course, checking which parties are worth hitting up. To save you some time, Guru has compiled a guide to festivals and fairs that will take place before the new year arrives. Sobriety, of course, is not guaranteed.
The five-star farm
Guru, Jarupat Buranastidporn, Published on 27/11/2015
» The allure of Chiang Mai draws all types of nature-seekers to the north of Thailand. The mountainous region offers countless opportunities to connect with Mother Earth, whether it's trekking, forest zip-lining, bathing baby elephants or, you know, simply admiring green areas larger than Bangkok's public parks.
Ramen to that
Guru, Jarupat Buranastidporn, Published on 13/11/2015
» It’s the end of 2015. Ramen houses run rampant in central Bangkok. This noodly nosh comes in all shapes, sizes and prices — and the hype surrounding it is not about to die down any time soon. Just look at weekend queues at some of these places — they’ll make you regret taking that extra hour’s lie-in, or wonder why there aren’t ramen dispensing machines to save us all from starvation.
The taste of music
Guru, Jarupat Buranastidporn, Published on 13/11/2015
» Varit "Porsche" Yoovidhya is the assistant managing director for Siam Winery, but don't let his stern demeanour fool you — he's also the man behind what is set to be one of the most extraordinary parties in Bangkok. Combining gastronomy and music, The MixMash: A Festival of Fusion (Nov 27-29, www.themixmashfestival.com) will see collaborations between renowned performers, artists and chefs, creating an experience that will excite all five senses.
Not showing
Guru, Jarupat Buranastidporn, Published on 06/11/2015
» If there's anything this country hasn't quite got a grip on, it's coming to terms with the truth and censorship. Oh sure, ban the Daily Mail and pornographic websites (nothing ruins a country like coitus), and blur out taboo subjects all you want -- we still know what nipples, guns and cigarettes look like. Instead of letting citizens think for themselves, the censorship nazis have decided to put a PG filter on anything that may conjure the slightest spark of controversy.
Splish, splash, spin
Guru, Jarupat Buranastidporn, Published on 06/11/2015
» When I first heard about Aquabiking, I was sceptical for a couple of reasons. My idea of surf and turf sounds much better on a plate than a new form of exercise. And cycling in the pool? That's crazy. I suppose I did have a similar thought when the antigravity yoga craze took over the world. Practising a sun salutation is difficult enough on normal ground -- do we really need to be wrapped inside stretchy fabric and hung upside down?
The Levantine resurrection
Guru, Jarupat Buranastidporn, Published on 30/10/2015
» Nomads, jet-setters, backpackers and anyone else who’s ever written, “Travelling is one of my biggest passions” on their CVs (yes, guilty as charged) have one thing in common. We have our once-in-a-lifetime trip perfectly planned, and can probably recite the whole itinerary and list of attractions backwards, if need be. Whether it’s horseback riding along the Silk Road, driving the US coast-to-coast, rafting down the Mekong River or, in my case, sailing across the Mediterranean Sea and hummus tasting. This, regardless of the fact that my knot-tying knowledge doesn’t exceed those on my trainers. But hey, we all have dreams.
Where every day is Sundae
Guru, Jarupat Buranastidporn, Published on 30/10/2015
» Let's get something straight: I can eat ice cream all day, every day, and in pretty much any weather condition. I've stood knee-deep in snow while attempting to eat an ice lolly with a frostbitten tongue -- and enjoyed it. My motto? Life's too short to eat bad ice cream.