SEARCH

Did you mean: book

Showing 1-7 of 7 results

  • News & article

    Scando stylings

    Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 12/10/2014

    » Cast aside any thoughts of amicable mass murderers when considering this bright new all-day venue in Sathon. Set in a cosy square space on an accessible soi, the style is a mishmash of cafes and restaurants you could find in any global city of style, particularly Copenhagen where the main partner spent her formative years. There are plenty of details for the aesthetics crowd to enjoy (courtesy of the other main partner) including high and low timber tables, recycled timber, a signature wall of light-bulbed letters and some arrangements that cater well to groups (book those early, particularly on weekends). The crowd is a 50-50 split between local and farang, with a stream of homesick Scandinavians getting their Euro fix. It’s good for a coffee, meal, drink, or more. There’s room for about 40 comfortably, and two narrow smoking perches outside.

  • News & article

    Sets to impress

    Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 26/09/2014

    » And Bo.lan has a new home. The dynamic culinary duo behind the original incarnation over on Sukhumvit Soi 26, Duangporn "Bo" Songvisava and Dylan Jones, have transplanted themselves to Soi 53 and spread out into a more spacious (and stylish) premises not far from the Thong Lor BTS. While they had plenty of renovations to do, Dylan assures us, it seems the place has been there for decades with an already settled feel. Again, it's a house set among a well-kept garden — this time with a pool — that colour the main view and light source of the moodily-lit house. It seems they are enjoying the bigger space, particularly in the kitchen apparently, again creating a transporting effect through the portal driveway entrance to the secluded surrounds. There's enough room for 60 diners (80 at a push), with two private rooms available. They are pushing the environmental aspects of the place, (which is still largely overlooked in this city of appearances), reducing waste, installing LED lights and recycling organic matter and grey water. They are also moving towards being carbon-zero and hope to achieve this by 2018, which by then the city should have a better handle on such issues (and the real definition of words such as "farmer's" and "organic"). During our mid-week afternoon sitting, many local Thong Lor ladies were lunching with their well-dressed mums, but things get decidedly more moody in the evenings with all the mood lighting and timber, and the crowd morphs accordingly. Tunes sound like reminiscent of a molam Paradise Bangkok party, right in line with the other sensory stimulus.

  • News & article

    More is more

    Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 19/09/2014

    » Nestled at the front of Groove upstairs, this hunting lodge-themed restaurant is starting to garner plenty of attention in the area with some pretty stiff eating competition. To pull off the concept, they have gone all out with the decor to good effect, which is fun enough to dispel the mall feel that other venues in the precinct suffer from. It’s easily located by the iconic grizzly bear that towers over the entrance, instantly confirming the hunting tendencies of the place. The expansive premises has enough room for about 80 diners inside, which can stretch to over 100 with the outdoor area. Hang up your rifle on entry as you slink onto a bar stool after a solid morning’s hunting. The crowd is a steady stream of cool kids that all seem to know each other — friends of friends of friends, etc — Bangkok-style.

  • News & article

    Comfort to a “T”

    Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 25/07/2014

    » If you have made the leap of faith and moved down the nether regions of the Sukhumvit BTS line towards Bearing, your gamble is starting to pay off. The infrastructure of the area is kicking into gear, and T’s Cafe by Maison de Baguette is one such blossom, colouring in a new residential area that stood bare not long ago, and local residents must be wrapped. The space is a slither carved from an existing structure on a huge and semi-dormant family block of land. The dead-end soi gives it a neighbourhood and homely feel, with the friendly Japanese couple who own and run it already engaging the local community with leftovers and collaborations. Inside the smart conversion of the modest shoe-box-esque space, there’s enough room for around 15 diners. The interior is a calming spread of Ikea-esque neutrality, with light timbers, prerequisite industrial light fittings and cute patterned stools at the counter bench. The soothing soundtrack comes courtesy of a local jazz fan who willingly shared his collection. The crowd is majority Thai at this stage, but the Westerners will come.

  • News & article

    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.

  • News & article

    Bangkok Ari-Stocracy

    Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 10/05/2013

    » When did Bangkok become so damn cool? Is the capital that's famous for its sleaze and grime finally cleaning up its act? Probably not quite yet, but Ari newcomer Fat Bird is encapsulating all things here and present with effortless ease after only a couple of months of operation, and it has had people chirping its praises ever since.

  • News & article

    Swinging single

    Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 08/02/2013

    » By choice or by force, you may easily find yourself single this Valentine's Day in the big sleazy megaopolis that is Bangkok. After all, this city houses every conceivable personality type, from hottie to horror. But we here at Guru aren't worried about you, and your wayward weekend ways. Instead, we think you should celebrate your freedom so we are running some wingman action for you (albeit from a distance). Like the older sibling that we are, rather than letting you spend the day crying into a vat of Chang, here are five Bangkok spot recommendations in chronological order to help you find a potential suitor for the big occasion, short/long term or otherwise. Naturally, we accept no responsiblity for the results. The rest is up to you. Go forth!

Your recent history

  • Recently searched

    • Recently viewed links

      Did you find what you were looking for? Have you got some comments for us?