Showing 11 - 20 of 88
Peek-a-boo
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 08/08/2014
» The team that delivered the ever-popular Hyde & Seek gastro bar on Ruam Rudee in 2010 has dropped the long-awaited follow-up venue in Peek-a-Boo. And, as suggested by the name (which is known as ja-ay in Thai), they are in a particularly playful mood. The interior (courtesy of the fresh-faced 10 x 10 Design Studio) is in fact a forest of trees, three to be exact, with the bar positioned in the biggest trunk. There’s plenty of dark timber and greenery draped around the airy space that extends to two outdoor areas and room for 150 people. Groove as a food district is still finding its feet (and taste buds), and might need to rely more on nearby hotel patronage, but it has loads of potential with its breezy layout and solid spread of options, in what should be perfect for the indecisive who can just opt for Groove and decide the specific cuisine on arrival.
Gate Crasher
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 01/08/2014
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Gate Crasher
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 25/07/2014
» Welcome to Guru’s Gate Crasher, your ultimate guide to finding something fresh to do in this big city.
Gate Crasher
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 18/07/2014
» Welcome to Guru’s Gate Crasher, your ultimate guide to finding something fresh to do in this big city.
Namsaah rah-rah
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 04/07/2014
» Once again, Chef Ian Kittichai comes to the fore with a daring and contemporary new outing in Silom. As the country’s highest profile chef, he draws attention with whatever he does, and for good reason. This instalment is no exception, particularly with the calibre of the team on board. Situated in a 100-year-old house in the back of Silom, the restaurant makes full use of the space with its high ceilings, well-proportioned rooms full of traditional Thai colours, and on-point decor in every nook. What’s not to like? There’s even a generously over-sized bar downstairs with one of the city’s better bartenders behind it in Justin Dunne, formerly of Ku De Ta-ness and Bed among other things. It makes that part of the house for drinking, with upstairs for eating in a well-measured division. The only variable might be F&B, so let’s see?
Comfort canteen
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 27/06/2014
» Almost every inner Bangkok hood has an Italian restaurant by now. Good for you if you live in Narathiwat/Sathon (Sensi/Il Bolognese) or mid-Sukhumvit (Appia/Bella Napoli). But there are still some holes to fill and La Cantina was targeted at doing just that south of Asok on Sukhumvit Soi 16. It’s a curious soi, with plenty of local office worker traffic during the day and a trickle of punters at night, but just enough to keep La Cantina afloat from both services it seems. The modest cafe-style shophouse is courtesy of local expat Luca from Piemont, Italy. He has opened in a tough climate, as have many others. Inside is a homely spread of casual dining for around 35 pax with some very recognisable Italian emblems on show. It’s fuss-free and won’t woo a first date, but mightn’t have you recognised by any social media scourers either.
Gate Crasher
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 27/06/2014
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Soap and spaghetti
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 20/06/2014
» What do soap and spaghetti have in common? Not a lot might be a fair answer, but actually it’s more than you may assume. The link between food and beauty products has come to the fore in Bangkok in venues such as the Karmakamet outlets. And the House of Lakshmi Mantra is the next to fall in line. Situated on a huge leafy block on a southern Sukhumvit soi, walking into Lakshmi Mantra is like entering the house of the crazy aunt you never had. It puts the itch back in kitsch, with the soapy aroma throughout the house definitely tweaking the nostrils. The quirkiness kicks off immediately with the soap and flower displays in every corner among the one-off items collected by the proud owner (one of the Supanniga partners). Take a seat at one of the mismatched tables, or, even better, head upstairs where there’s more space for bigger groups.
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.
Gate Crasher
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 06/06/2014
» Welcome to Guru’s Gate Crasher, your ultimate guide to finding something fresh to do in this big city.