Life looks back at the best dining experiences of 2017
Lady L
Nai Lert Park Heritage Home 4 Soi Somkid,
off Ploenchit RoadCall 02-655-4446Open daily,
9am-10pm.Park on the premises.Most credit cards accepted.
Set on a breathtakingly beautiful heritage compound, the warm and welcoming 60-seat garden bistro serves up home-style Western cuisine prepared to recipes favoured by the noble household of the late Thanphuying Lursakdi, the "Lady L", Sampatisiri.
The restaurant is constructed around an age-old tree to avoid cutting the topiary heirloom. Its French conservatory-inspired dining chamber, into which natural light pours, is lent warm illumination at night and has a cosy feel while portraying elegance.
Not to be missed dishes are beef Wellington in aromatically buttery, golden brown puff pastry shell with red wine reduction (1,250 baht); roasted butter-brushed, free-range baby chicken with sautéed baby carrots and potatoes (540 baht); and angel hair pasta with freshly grated summer black truffle and truffle cream sauce (360 baht).
For desserts, the sticky toffee pudding made with supple, juicy and not overly sweet date-seethed sponge cake and butterscotch sauce complemented by salted caramel ice cream (220 baht); and house-made Cronut with fillings such as pandanus custard and strawberry jam (120 baht) are the best in town.
This exquisite-looking bistro has no dress code. Service, by English speaking staff, is enjoyable.
Birds Rotisserie
378/1 Soi Amon, Nang Linchi Road Call 02-044-6675 Open Wednesday-Monday,
5.30-11pm Park at a nearby private parking lot (fee applied) Most credit cards accepted.
The delicatessen-style eatery is a collaboration between five Frenchmen, all veterans in the food-service industry.
The kitchen is under the helm of co-owners and chefs Jeremy Tourret (formerly of L'Appart at Sofitel Sukhumvit and El Mercado) and Julien Lavigne (D'Sens at Dusit Thani and Oskar Bistro). Due to the chefs' background in fine dining, Birds' fare is crafted with haute cuisine dexterity and only with top-quality produce carefully selected from the best sources, locally and imported.
Half of Birds' one-page laminated menu is dedicated to the house speciality -- roasted organic chicken with condiment options.
The chickens are offered whole (790 baht), half (430 baht) and in a personal portion (280 baht). Side dishes vary from young potatoes cooked in chicken jus with garlic, thyme and rosemary (120 baht); roasted baby carrots with coriander pesto, cream cheese and toasted sunflower seeds (150 baht); charcoal-grilled sweetcorn kernels with confit tomatoes, coriander and vinegar (120 baht); Provençal grilled aubergine, bell peppers and eggplant (120 baht); and green pea purée (120 baht).
A repertoire of salad and light bites blend the generosity and simplicity of a home-cooked meal with 5-star-cooking finesse. Don't miss the Caesar salad (270 baht); quinoa tabbouleh (290 baht); and house-made chicken nuggets (180 baht).
Burgers (290 baht-340 baht) are also not to be missed, while the chocolate moelleux dessert (130 baht) is heavenly.
Reservations are recommended. Delivery service is available.
Supanniga x Roots
392/25-26 Maha Rat Road Phra Nakhon District Call 02-015-4224 Open daily,
11.30am-10.30pm Park at Wat Phra Chetuphon's car park (fee applied)
Most credit cards accepted.
This is an all-day dining venue that boasts some of the most exquisite views of the Chao Phraya River, offering home-style Thai cuisine along with house-roasted coffee.
The menu is a slightly smaller version of its sister eatery, Supanniga Eating Room, but still extensive with all the classics. Savoury dishes are few but the choices of snacks and sweets are more generous, probably to cater to time-rich café-hoppers in need of light bites, as well as sightseers who are here for a snack by the river.
Savoury dishes include sour-and-spicy beef shank salad (190 baht); moo cha-muang (240 baht) or eastern-coast style pork stew with tangy garcinia leaves; and khai luk khoey (170 baht), or half-boiled whole duck eggs delicately flash-fried until the exterior turns bubbly and golden brown served with a salty-sweet tamarind-shallot sauce.
Of the dessert list, don't miss the pandanus cake with layers of sago pearls, young coconut flesh, coconut cream mousse and palm sugar glaze (150 baht); pan-baked coconut cream soufflé (150 baht); and orange cheesecake with Grand Marnier sauce (180 baht). As a coffee bar, it offers a decent variety of cold brews and espresso-based concoctions. Whether you settle on classic choices or house creations, you won't regret it. The restaurant is easily accessed by boat.
Islero
Athenee Tower,
ground floor Witthayu Road Call 02-168-8100 Open daily 5pm-midnight
Park at Athenee Tower's car park Most credit cards accepted.
The 80-seat, contemporary Spanish restaurant is directed by Argentinian head chef Emiliano Vignoni Alvarellos and his dessert chef wife Ilianna Karagkiozi. Dishes are creatively crafted up and served in a revolutionary presentation.
Don't miss the signature marinated lobster with caviar and crispy chicken skin (1,200 baht); Galician scallops with potato purée, Iberico ham, braised radish and saffron foam (440 baht); grilled pulpo, featuring springily tender chopped octopus tentacles, extra large granja beans and silky layers of pork lard in tasty, collagen-rich pork stock (490 baht); and crispy suckling pig terrine with carrot purée (540 baht).
Meanwhile Sea Bass Going Green (520 baht), a pan-fried fillet of Spanish sea bass with lemon cream in the apple-seethed green broth; and grilled lamb rack and lamb ragout with cauliflower purée and veggie couscous (1,200 baht) are heavenly. Guisante con jamon (650 baht), a jumble of pop-in-the-mouth, pea-like spheres that released a mint jelly filling in the mouth, aromatic and spicy bits of chorizo sausage and deliciously crumbly deep-fried blood jelly, promises an extraordinary combination of textures and taste profiles.
Do save room for the delicious Chocolate in Textures (260 baht), an exhibition of rich chocolate cream, stringy ganache, saffron meringue and mint jelly.
Charm Eatery and
Bar 124 Sathon 12 Call 02-102-1961/2
Open noon-2pm and 5pm-midnight (Mon-Fri) and noon-midnight on weekends
Park along the street Visa and MasterCards accepted.
This popular bar-like eatery is the second venture by the Thai chef-owner of nine-year-old contemporary Italian restaurant Mazzaro.
Unlike its funky ambience, the 120-seater serves up authentic home-style Thai cuisine prepared to his grandmother's recipes using top quality ingredients. The menu is a professionally-illustrated, 150-dish collection of local fare plus two dozen options of pizza and pasta.
Not to be missed dishes are crispy smoked duck breast with chilli and garlic (290 baht); stir-fried glass noodles with acacia, southern wild bean, pickled garlic and shrimp (200 baht); stir-fried crabmeat with fresh bird's eye chillies (450 baht); phad kaphrao pizza, or thin-crust Italian pizza topped with mozzarella cheese as well as stir-fried minced pork, basil leaves and chillies (390 baht); and spaghetti wok-tossed with crispy deep-fried gourami fillets (290 baht).
For dessert, a creative Western treat of half-baked red velvet cookie with Sugus ice cream (320 baht) is spot on.
Clientele is a 60/40 mix of local and expats, and an impressive blend of office executives with families. Without reservations, to get a table, especially on Fridays, is impossible.
Le Cochon Blanc
26 Soi Phrom Chit, Sukhumvit 31 Call 02-235-9800 Open daily 6-11pm
Park on the premises Most credit cards accepted.
With a giant fire pit at its entrance hall and a theatrical dining room interior, the six-month old restaurant is much cherished by keen food connoisseurs in Bangkok for its heartfelt, creative renditions of flame-cooked cuisine.
Many dishes on the 50-item menu are original creations by its American head chef Chandler Schultz and exhibit up-to-date gourmet twists.
Don't miss the roasted romaine salad with house-cured bacon, aka "broken Caesar salad" (320 baht); home-made smoked salmon (490 baht); and a platter of le saucisson sausage made with top-quality meat from Emmanuel Chavassieux (490 baht) for starters.
Smoked BBQ pork ribs (890 baht for a full rack) proves a very scrumptious main course choice as do the Australian wagyu hanger steak (1,000 baht); and smoked-barbecue Black Angus short-rib (1,250 baht).
Side entrées to go with the meat include hand-cut potato fried in beef fat (180 baht); mashed potatoes with Bordier butter (190 baht); and duck jambalaya, a New Orleans-styled rice casserole smouldered with duck meat (220 baht).
Vegetarian or not, the vegan pulled-pork sandwich (690 baht) is truly worth trying.
Desserts are spot on here. Try à la minute strawberry shortcake (390 baht); and creme caramel dessert (290 baht) and you'll be On culinary cloud-nine.
It's "Happened to Be" a Closet./23
124/1 Sukhumvit Soi 23 Call 081-565-2026 Open daily from 8am to midnight
Park at Narz's car park across the street Most credit cards accepted.
You don't need to be able to decode its name, nor find gastronomic classification for this unassuming eating venue set amid incoherent displays of fanciful, astronomically-priced designer couture, to love its food.
The latest outlet of the designer brand, which has for almost 20 years been a darling to fashionistas and epicures alike, occupies a completely revamped residence in the upscale Soi Prasarnmit neighbourhood.
The menu astoundingly lists more than 300 dishes, from Western-style home-cooked classics and all-day breakfasts to gourmet-meal faves.
Don't miss charcoal-grilled Iwate beef with goat's cheese, baby spinach and vinaigrette (1,450 baht); Italian clams in garlic butter jalapeño sauce (1,250 baht); squid-ink spaghetti with Australian lamb rack (1,450 baht); and Maine lobster with pappardelle pasta in arrabiata sauce (1,950 baht).
There are approximately 12 choices of home-made cakes, tarts and pastries available each day. The Shiny Orange light cheesecake (165 baht); and soft taro chocolate cake (180 baht) are highly recommended.
Pizza Massilia Sukhumvit
1/8 Sukhumvit 49 Call 02-015-0297 or 095-580-6560 Open daily for lunch and dinner
Park on the premises Most credit cards accepted.
The interior of the 80-seat pizzeria, a collaboration between chef Luca Appino and restaurateur Fred Meyer, boasts a dreamy chalky-blue colour scheme and whimsical nature-inspired decor.
The cuisine concept focuses on the urbane renditions of authentic pizza prepared with the best ingredients from Italy and France.
The pies are strictly made with 72-hour-fermented, Italian organic flour dough baked in an imported Neapolitan wood-fired brick oven to exhibit a distinctive light and bubbly crust that releases a smoky charred flavour.
Best-sellers include burrata & culatello pizza (590 baht); "rocket salad" bianca pizza (490 baht); and summer truffle calzone with smoked scamorza curd cheese (990 baht).
Equally delightful are angel hair with Canadian lobster (1,790 baht); Australian wagyu rib-eye (1,790 baht); and steak tomahawk (390 baht per 100g).
Multi-course lunch sets which cost from 350 baht to 450 baht per set are very popular and proved value for money.
Citron givré (290 baht), in a confit Amalfi lemon which exhibits a thoroughly soft and edible candied rind is home-made lemon sorbet, promises a heavenly sweet wrap-up.
Oskar Bistro
24 Sukhumvit 11 Call 02-255-3377 Open daily 4pm to midnight
Park at a parking space on the opposite side of the street (fee applies)
Most credit cards accepted.
The six-year-old establishment has long been known as a bar rather than a restaurant to most Bangkokians but there's hardly a place in the city that could be more full-blooded a French bistro.
Ingredients are carefully sought-after from artisan food producers and organic farmers to demonstrate the restaurant's support for sustainability while reflecting its respect for French standards.
You cannot miss à la marinière mussels cooked in white wine with celeriac, shallots and parsley and accompanied by house-made French fries and garlic mayonnaise (960 baht for a two-person portion); Fisherman's Pot, a unification of Norwegian cod fillets, tiger prawns, clams, mussels and cuttlefish with shrimp bisque (1290 baht); and braised free-range chicken in creamy gravy seasoned with champignon mushrooms, Italian pancetta, foie gras and roasted organic potatoes (1,490 baht for a whole chicken or 790 baht for half). The chicken is served with offal toast.
The super tender and scrumptious short ribs, seasoned with baby carrots and fresh rosemary, was accompanied by side items of garlic-sautéed green peas and asparagus, creamy polenta sprinkled with Parmesan and an extra serving of beef jus reduction.
Also highly recommended are highly-marbled Charolais beef braised short ribs with intense red wine gravy and creamy polenta (2,990 baht).
For dessert, try Freaky Sundae chocolate fudge with vanilla ice cream, salted caramel and almond nougatine (190 baht); or black cherry and tonka bean tiramisu (175 baht).
Service, by a large, brisk and friendly team, is beyond expectation.
La Dotta
Thong Lor 9, Sukhumvit 55 Call 02-392-8688 or 086-300-1111
Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 11.30am-2.30pm and 5.30-11pm
Limited parking space in front of restaurant Most credit cards accepted.
The 37-seat eatery with cerulean blue façade is fanatically dedicated to handcrafted fresh pasta dishes prepared to authentic, home-style Italian recipes.
The menu lists a decent number of pasta dishes, a few antipasto options and three choices of dessert.
Fresh pasta is made daily with organic flour from Italy. Chicken eggs are replaced by duck eggs, providing a thicker, tastier yolk, and carefully sought after from a local organic farm.
Dry pasta meanwhile comes from artisanal Italian producers and is personally tasted by the team. Gluten-free options are also available.
Among the specialities are tortelloni with four-cheese filling (370 baht); fileja with clams and baby squid in white wine sauce (370 baht); and tagliatelle with wagyu bolognese (590 baht).
For starters, don't miss the fresh crab meat bruschetta with cherry tomatoes and homemade Italian bread (290 baht).
Complementing the food is a collection of Italian craft beer and fresh fruit-based cocktails exclusively designed by Vesper's award-winning mixologist.
Savelberg
Oriental Residence 110 Witthayu Road Call 02-252-8001
Open Monday to Saturday, noon-2.30pm and 6-10pm
Park at Oriental Residence's car park Most credit cards accepted.
The three-year-old restaurant, a member of Bangkok's Michelin-starred community, serves up gourmet, modern French cuisine by globally acclaimed Dutch chef Henk Savelberg.
The menu is compact but updated regularly. Degustation menus, priced 3,000 baht for four courses, 3,700 baht for six courses and 5,000 baht for eight courses, are also on offer.
All-time highly treasured dishes include lobster salad with foie gras (1,300 baht), an imaginative and hearty exhibition of lobster meat, foie gras, pickled vegetables, olives, yuzu honey vinaigrette and frisée.
A duo plate of mussels with Gruyère cheese on thin herbal toast and warm langoustine with chopped radish in frothy butter sauce (1,250 baht) also sells best.
Equally worth having are grilled North Sea turbot with sautéed chanterelle mushrooms, silky potato purée and Epoisses cheese-infused sauce (2,250 baht); and roasted lamb fillet with confit potato, green asparagus, peas, Lardo di Colonnata and lamb sauce (1,900 baht).
A complimentary pre-dessert of strained yoghurt with rhubarb, raspberries and vanilla is made in culinary heaven. An à la carte serving of this delicious half-yoghurt, half-granita delicacy can also be ordered from the menu at 600 baht.
Sri Trat
Sukhumvit 33 Call 02-088-0968 Open daily, noon-11pm (closed on Tuesday)
Park on the premises and valet Most credit cards accepted.
Sri Trat focuses on the authentic cuisine of Trat province, with its kitchen making full use of east-coast vegetables, herbs and fruits (especially cardamom, cha-muang and salacca), as well as oceanic harvest and well-preserved artisanal produce.
The interior is thoughtfully designed to depict a family home and showcasing nostalgic furniture such as a faux leather sofa and vintage wooden panels.
The meal is enjoyed in a family sharing style with unlimited jasmine rice (40 baht per person) as a main staple.
Best-selling entrées include moo sub pla khem or minced pork and anchovy cake (190 baht); nam phrik rakam koong wan, a Thai-styled chilli dip prepared with shrimp paste and salacca accompanied by crispy caramelised prawns and a fresh vegetable assortment (220 baht).
For those in need of a solid seafood fix, I recommend tiger prawns pan-fried with green onion, chilli and salt (450 baht).
While khao khuk nam phrik kluea or wok-tossed rice with spicy seafood sauce and garnished by springy streaks of braised pork belly, steamed prawns, boiled egg, crispy pork crackling, deep-fried dry shrimp and garlic (220 baht) is a good pick.
Dessert options are as interesting, exotic and distinctive as the savoury fare. Worth-sampling is khai tao nam kathi or rice flour balls with mung bean filling in warm coconut cream (100 baht).
