Showing 1 - 10 of 38
Pub grub hub
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 21/11/2014
» Sanity aside, there’s a new comfort burger point in town. It’s housed in the cosy wood-laden surrounds of the shophouse that the original incarnation of Seven Spoons once occupied. It houses 10, maybe 12 at a pinch, but this isn’t the place for the be-seen scene. Not yet anyway. To diversify from its origins, the visuals follow a Polynesian bent, with a tiki twist. It’s still finding its feet decor-wise, but seems to have the right intent – the young front man Pavee “Wham” Bhayungvej was a visual merchandiser in a past life, after all. The music is on point and inviting as can be. The two-storey shophouses of the area ooze charm and potential – it’s a shame they are so far away – unless you live over in Samsen or the like, of course. The crowd is a mix of Wham’s friends, Seven Spoons devotees and the odd walk-in, who would be pleasantly surprised to see what they find inside the snug room.
Peppy Peppina
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 07/11/2014
» These days in Bangkok, it's not just about choosing simply "pizza" for dinner, but what style of pizza you'd prefer. It's a good problem, after all, but we'll have to get used to such discernment. In the latest contender in the pizza race, the team behind Appia has delivered Peppina, a bustling mid-Sukhumvit spread that has somehow become everything from a Sunday evening pizzeria to a Friday night hot spot. It has only been open a few months and it's already full, all the time, so book in advance — something else that will need getting used to in this city. The kitchen dominates the warehouse-style room to good effect, involving you right in the action among the countless food and floor staff buzzing about the place. It's great for big groups (definitely book), and during our early sitting we were flanked by two tables of at least 10, who were easily accommodated. Nooks in the back section (under the stylish wall tiles that spell "Peppina") offer more intimacy for smaller groups. Overall, there's room for 80 or so.
Electro fest
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 03/10/2014
» Plenty of live music again this week in more good signs for the city. Tonight (Oct 3) sees the hosting of the 1st International Live Looping Festival, presented by The Wet Carpet-Studio (fb.com/thewetcarpet). It will go on for both nights of the weekend and involve a showcase of music geeks from around the region who will loop their sounds live. Entry is an easy B100. Venue is Zoo (goo.gl/47zGcD). Open your ears and your minds.
Gate Crasher
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 15/08/2014
» 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 11/07/2014
» Welcome to Guru’s Gate Crasher, your ultimate guide to finding something fresh to do in this big city.
Heart and zoul
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 30/05/2014
» Just down the road from Soul Food, the still-packed Thong Lor staple, comes another spiritual culinary contender in Zoulviet. The name could easily have started with an “S” had it not been for the requisite visit to the fortune teller, who advised against it. It’s a little strange that Thailand’s neighbours are so underrepresented on the food scene, but Vietnamese gets a better showing than most and Zoulviet is the latest addition to the contemporary canon, serving Vietnamese staples in comfortable surrounds. The ensemble ownership have taken over the prime premises above popular date dessert spot After You on the corner of J Avenue. It’s a much better use of the space with enough room for around 30 pax inside and another 14 on the smoking-friendly balcony. Beyond the now-cliche industrial decor touches, a steely Vietnamese woman in uniform oversees the restaurant from the signature wall-mural artwork. You’d best finish your pho or she may disapprove. Military dictatorships aside, the mood is comfortable but with style, proving popular with the local Thais of the area, particularly during dinnertime and weekends when the place packs out.
Hot dog!
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 09/05/2014
» THE SET-UP: With the pizza and burger scene of the city a little saturated, perhaps it was only a matter of time that the hot dog race began in earnest. After success at Nana BTS station, Superdog has opened a dine-in location in Thong Lor to up the dog stakes just round the corner from rival Bangers. The cosy space has enough room for about 12 diners, who probably won’t hang around too long to notice the gaudy decor and direct lighting. (It ain’t called fast food for nothing). But the visitors are probably there for one thing. The hand-made dogs come courtesy of James, a Californian who spent enough time in New York to develop a serious affinity with the dog. Spend 10 minutes with the guy and you’ll soon know he is serious about his product.
The big banger theory
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 21/03/2014
» Off the back of the recent Bangkok burger revolution comes the hot dog race. Although the latest player Bangers will no doubt produce some pretty interesting results in a Google search, the new outlet is simple enough and does what it says on the tin. It’s the second incarnation of the space, first imagined as the pretty forgettable Print Bar by David Stanton, formerly of the hotel F&B scene. This time round, he’s a little wiser and has joined forces with Chris Foo of Brew fame, to tackle the big banger theory. The result? A niche hot dog and beer outlet smack bang in the middle of Thong Lor. What’s not to like? Inside, the decor and poky interior hasn’t changed enough just yet to lure people off the street for a sit-down meal (although there’s room for 30), but the menu certainly will fuel plenty of night-time punters, particularly if the place can cheekily manage to stay open after all the nearby bars close.
Style for jam
Richard Mcleish, Published on 07/02/2014
» As Bangkokians become willing to brave unknown postcodes, new boroughs are emerging across the city from Sathon to Samsen. The latest spot to reach beyond the BTS is Never Ending Summer, landing firmly on the muddy banks of Thon Buri. And the reach is rewarded with extra space, charm and niche. From old warehouses (medicine, ice and battery factories), architect Duangrit Bunnag has fashioned The Jam Factory - the new home of his design office, a gallery, bookstore and Never Ending Summer - in an enclave of style for all the senses. An old ice factory, the restaurant affords 16 tables easily (70+ pax), all with a view of the open kitchen at the back and trimmed with industrial specks from decades past, artworks and rustic fittings. The result is a deep-pocketed architect's romp in a new restaurant motif for the city that seems ready for it and more.
Raising the bar
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 24/01/2014
» Nested in Athenee Place near Phloenchit, the champagne-tinged lounge bar acts like a sun room annex for Athenee Tower that looms above. The glass walls and roof afford it the best of the afternoon light, and a cosy atmosphere in the evening. The slender room is adorned with a long bar (unsurprisingly) and is bookended by an outdoor section and service area from where the culinary goodness emerges. The story is that the existing bar was splashed with an orange colour, even before a certain champagne pairing had been considered, so it was an easy match that evolved naturally. The venue piggy-backs the success of coupled and famed French restaurant Le Beaulieu from praised haute cuisiner Chef Herve Frerard that was established in the same building just over a year ago. The crowd is made up of well-heeled locals and Le Beaulieu faithfuls. Leave your flip flops at home for this one.