Showing 1 - 10 of 44
Film screening
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 28/11/2014
» Rock ‘n’ rolling cinephiles can enjoy a special sneak screening over the weekend of We Shot the Rock and Lived by the Roll. The new documentary film by director Nick Jerrard is a fresh insight into the excesses of the rock ‘n’ roll world through the guys that were there to shoot it, in a period when photographers had unprecedented access.
Small talk
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 31/10/2014
» While the little venue has been gaining a reputation for being a nifty neighbourhood bar, we think its kitchen is worthy of some attention too. It’s the latest chapter of regional proprietor stalwart David Jacobson, who first came to the region in the early 90s to open the pioneering Q Bar in Saigon. The New Yorker is a gracious host, often on hand to decipher the nuances of his cocktail list and jazz collection, with plenty of juicy anecdotes in between for good measure. This latest local pad, Smalls, is just that, quietly occupying a corner on the leafy Suan Phlu (where Chez Pepin formerly stood). It’s three levels of kooky stylings, with DJs and live acts downstairs in the ornate parlour room, a kitchen and balcony on the middle floor and a rooftop upstairs for open-air action amid upholstered chairs and cosy tables. All corners of the adult cubbyhouse have something to offer, in a feast of textures (brick, recycled timber, corrugated iron, padded stairwell) and details (Jim Thompson photo outside, a caged Barbie, ceiling mirrors). The crowd ranges through the week (and night), attracting everyone from locals having knock-off drinks to dining daters to a dedicated bar crowd into the smaller hours.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gate Crasher
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 01/08/2014
» Welcome to Guru’s Gate Crasher, your ultimate guide to finding something fresh to do in this big city.
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.
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.
Urban Isan barn
Guru, Richard Mcleish, Published on 25/04/2014
» After an extended golden era of European dining in Bangkok, it seems that the city is ready to get back to doing what it should and does do best — be Thai. And a wave of new eateries are bringing authentic Thai cuisine back to Bangkok, in a modern setting and without the inflated Euro-centric price points. Opened in November, Z Cafe is a slick conversion of a shophouse into the obligatory industrial-chic interior complete with exposed brick wall sections, filament light bulbs and some handy use of plumbing in shelves. Downstairs houses enough room for around 30 diners that can look out onto the sub soi, which can get pretty colourful at night with the neighbouring entertainment venues of the area. Upstairs is a cosy space for another 30-35 diners — perfect for a private group(s), as was happening the night we visited. And the kitchen is on the third floor (sorry wait staff). The measured ambience is no fluke, however, as the place is associated with the Anna’s in Phuket and the Anna’s Cafe chain. The crowd is mainly Thai at this stage, with the area’s office workers embracing the Thai menu and the comfortable air-con interior. The cheesy pop soundtrack could do with a little refining, but with the mood set right, the rest is up to the kitchen.