Part II: Bangkok's "Best Restaurants"

Let's kick off with the complete list of the restaurants recommended by Tatler in 2008, A to Z.

1. A Garden: European
2. Ah Yat Abalone Forum: Seafood/Chinese
3. Aldo's: European
4. Amapola: Steakhouse
5. Amontre: International/Thai
6. Angelina Paris: Thai/French
7. Angelini: Italian
8. Anna's: Thai/International
9. Anotai: Vegetarian
10. Another Hound: Thai/Italian
11. Antonio's: Italian
12. Athena: Greek
13. Aubergine: Mediterranean/French
14. B Resto: Thai/Italian
15. Baan Khanitha: Thai
16. Baan Klang Nam: Thai/Seafood
17. Bacchus: International
18. Bacco: Italian
19. Bai Yun: Chinese
20. Bali: Indonesian
21. Bamboo Chic: Japanese/Chinese
22. Ban Chiang: Thai
23. Basil: Thai
24. Beccofino: Italian
25. Bed Supperclub: International
26. Bei Otto: German
27. Beijing 9: Chinese
28. Belguardo: Italian
29. Bella Napoli: Italian
30. Biscotti: Italian
31. Blue Elephant: Thai
32. Blue Spice: International
33. Boqueria: European
34. Bourbon Street: Creole/Cajun
35. Breeze: Asian
36. Bridge: Italian
37. Buritara: International
38. Butler's: International
39. C'est Bon: French
40. Cafe Buongiorno: Italian
41. Cafe Chilli
42. Cafe de Laos: Laotian/Northeastern Thai
43. Cafe Ice: Thai/International
44. Calderazzo: Italian
45. Celadon: Thai
46. Charlie's: Thai/International
47. Charm Thai: Thai
48. Chesa: Swiss
49. Chi: International
50. Chine Chine: Chinese
51. Circle: International
52. Coffee Beans by Dao: Thai/International
53. Comtesse du Barry: French
54. Contrazi: Thai/Italian
55. Coyote on Convent: Mexican
56. Crêpes & co: International/French crêperie
57. Crystal Jade: Chinese
58. Curries & More by Baan Khanitha: Thai/European
59. Cy'an: Mediterranean
60. D'Sens: French
61. Dao Vien: Vietnamese
62. DB Bradley: International
63. Déjà Vu: French
64. Delicatezza: Italian
65. Delices: Vietnamese
66. Deva: Thai
67. Don Giovanni: Italian
68. Drinking Tea Eating Rice: Japanese
69. Duilio's: Italian
70. Eat Me: International
71. Elite Grill Bar: Japanese
72. Ember: International
73. Enoteca Italiana: Italian
74. Erawan Tea Room: Thai
75. Evergarden: Chinese
76. Fallabella: Italian
77. Fireplace Grill: Steakhouse
78. Flava: Thai/International
79. Fogo Vivo: Brazilian
80. Fondooz: European
81. Fuzio: Italian
82. Gabin: Korean
83. Gallery Cafe: Thai
84. Genji: Japanese
85. Gialong Cuisine: Vietnamese/Thai
86. Gianni: Italian
87. Giorgio's: Italian
88. Giusto: Italian
89. Gourmet Gallery: European
90. Govinda: Vegetarian/Italian
91. Grappino: Italian
92. Greyhound Cafe: Thai
93. Groove Room: Thai
94. Hai Tien Lo: Chinese
95. Harmonique: Thai
96. Harvey: Californian
97. Hazara: Indian
98. Hiiragi: Japanese
99. Himali Cha Cha: Indian
100. Homework: International
101. Hou Yuu: Japanese
102. Hu'u: International
103. Ici: International
104. Ikkyu-An: Japanese
105. Imperial China: Chinese
106. Indian Host: Indian
107. Indian Hut: Indian
108. Indus: Indian
109. Ishq: Asian
110. Jamesense: International
111. Je Ngor's Kitchen: Seafood/Chinese
112. Jester's: International
113. Kabuki: Japanese
114. Kalpapreuk on First: Thai/International
115. Kamon: Japanese
116. Keyaki: Japanese
117. Kiku No Hana: Japanese
118. Kikusui: Japanese
119. Kinnaree: Thai
120. Kisso: Japanese
121. Kitchen Paradiso: Mediterranean
122. Koi: Japanese
123. Kongju: Korean
124. Kuppa: International
125. L'Oasi: Italian
126. L'Opera: Italian / French
127. La Bottega di Luca: Italian
128. La Dolce Vita: Italian
129. La Grande Perle: French
130. La Gritta: Italian
131. La Piola: Italian
132. La Romanina: Italian
133. La Scala: Italian
134. La Truffe: French
135. La Villa: Italian
136. La Vue: French
137. Lan na Thai: Thai
138. Lao Li Shark's Fin: Chinese
139. Le Banyan: French
140. Le Beaulieu: French
141. Le Bouchon: French
142. Le Cafe Siam: Thai/French
143. Le Dalat: Vietnamese
144. Le Dalat Indochine: Vietnamese
145. Le Normandie: French
146. Le Pre Grill: French
147. Le Vendome: French
148. Lee Kitchen: Chinese
149. Le Nôtre: French
150. Les Nympheas: Mediterranean
151. Limoncello: Italian
152. Lin-Fa: Chinese
153. Liu: Chinese
154. Lo-Shu: Thai
155. Lok Wah Hin: Chinese
156. Long Table: Thai
157. Loong Foong: Chinese
158. Lord Jim's: Seafood
159. Lyon: French
160. Ma Be Ba: Italian
161. Ma Maison: French
162. Madison: Steakhouse
163. Mahanaga: Thai
164. Maison Chin: Thai
165. Manchester United: International
166. Mango Forest: International
167. Mayflower: Chinese
168. Mei Jang: Chinese
169. Melba: International
170. Mes Amis: French
171. Mezzaluna: Italian
172. Minibar Royale: International
173. Miss Saigon: Vietnamese
174. Mistral: European
175. Mixt: International
176. Momo: International
177. Mongo's: Mongolian
178. Monkeys: Chinese
179. Monopoly: European
180. My Place @ Thonglor: International
181. My Style: International
182. Naj: Thai
183. Nara: Thai
184. Neil's Tavern: Steakhouse
185. New Indiagate: Indian
185. New York: Steakhouse
186. Nippon Tei: Japanese
187. Niu's on Silom: Italian
188. Nomad: Moroccan/Mediterranean
189. Olive Kebabe & Cafe: Mediterranean/Greek
190. Once upon a time: Thai
191. Orangery: International
192. Palazzo: Italian
193. Pandanus: Thai/International
194. Park Avenue: Steakhouse
195. Party House One: International
196. Patara: Thai
197. Philippe: French
198. Pier 59: Seafood
199. Planet Bollywood: Indian
200. Prime: Steakhouse
201. Provence: French
202. Rang Mahal: Indian
203. Red: Indian
204. Red Chilli: Chinese/Indian
205. Red Sky: International
206. Rib Room and Bar: Steakhouse
207. Rioja: Spanish
208. Roadhouse Barbecue: Steakhouse
209. Rossini's: Italian
210. Royal India: Indian
211. Royal Kitchen: Chinese
212. Ruen Mallika: Thai
213. Ruen Urai: Thai
214. Sala Rossa: Italian
215. Savoury: International
216. Scoozi: Italian
217. Secret Garden: Thai
218. Señor Pico: Mexican
219. Shan: Hot Pot
220. Shang Palace: Chinese
221. Shanghai 38: Chinese
222. Shin Daidoku: Japanese
223. Shogun: Japanese
224. Sirocco: International
225. Six Degrees: Italian
226. Somboon: Seafood
227. Sorrento: Italian
228. Souvlaki: Greek
229. Spasso: Italian
230. Suan Thip: Thai
231. Sui Sian: Chinese
232. Summer Palace: Chinese
233. Supatra River House: Thai
234. Taling Pling: Thai
235. Tamarind: Vegetarian
236. Tandoor: Indian
237. Tapas Cafe: Spanish
238. Tapas y Vino: Spanish
240. Tessa: European
241. Thai Scala Shark's Fin: Chinese
242. Thanying: Thai
243. The Andaman: International
244. The Cedar: Mediterranean/Lebanese
245. The China House: Chinese
246. The Chinese Restaurant: Chinese
247. The Cup: European
248. The Deck by the River: International
249. The Emporia: International/Chinese
250. The Empress: Chinese
251. The Garden: International
252. The Good Earth: Chinese
253. The Grill Tokyo: Japanese
254. The Reflexions: French
255. Thompson: Thai/International
256. Tidbit Treasure:Chinese
256. To Die For: Italian/French
257. Trader Vic's: Pacific Rim
258. Tsu & Nami: Japanese
259. Umami: Japanese
260. Uomasa: Japanese
261. V9: International
262. Vanilla Brasserie: International
263. Vanilla Garden: International
264. Venezia: Italian
265. Vertigo: International
266. Vintage 21: Italian/French
267. Vivaldi: Italian
268. Wanara Eatery: Thai/International
269. Wasabi: Japanese
270. Witch's: European
271. Wyndham Thai: Thai
272. Xinn Tien Di: Chinese
273. Youreaguan: Korean
274. Zanotti: Italian
275. Zeist: European
276. Zense: International

*Italicized restaurants are those to which I've been to prior to 2010.

Besides from the fact that I've just discovered I'm terrible with HTML formatting, I have also realized I have quite a few obstacles which will prevent me from completing this formidable task that I've set for myself.

1. Good reviews for the restaurants, but not necessarily honest for customers
Not to be pompous, but I have already eaten at some of Bangkok's supposedly best restaurants as listed by Tatler (I prefer to be referred to as smug). Tatler's writers are either devoid of taste buds or received some kind of unmentioned kickbacks. Seriously, some of the reviews are waaaay off. The flipside to this is that I don't have to go to the restaurants at which I've already eaten and decided were not worth a second visit.

2. Budget
To do this properly, I think a three course meal is in order at each restaurant. Let's say on average I will spent 1,500THB at each restaurant (including any wines, aperitifs, VAT, services charges/tips). The calculator just told me that 1,500x276 equals 414,000 Baht. While during the daytime I'm working hard at my job in corporate law and my free time is spent trying to convince my boyfriend that he needs more than just an pretty girlfriend, and should upgrade me to be trophy wife - somehow I feel like I'm going to fall short of nearly half a million Baht to set aside purely for for gastronomic hedonism and experimentation. Let's see how far I can go.

3. Time
With my other marathon-in-2010 goal in mind, I estimate that I'll be able to attempt two restaurants per week on average. Even that is perhaps too optimistic, seeing as my work isn't always predictable and demands that I fly off to other countries upon receipt of an email (well, maybe only once a year) or stay late in the evenings for a teleconference (more likely). Seeing as 2 restaurants/week yields only 104 restaurants per year, and it's nearly March... I'm boned.

4. Bangkok is oh-so-hip.. and so am I
Everyone knows that new restaurants come out all of the time. For example, I just went to check out Hyde & Seek at Athénée Residence a few weeks ago. Tonight I'm going to hit Le Bouchot, a blue mussels restaurant opened by one of my best friends which is so new that I might even be the first to write a review! Since I love pretending that I'm hi-so, pretentious and am down with all of the "it" places, it follows that I must check these out first before hitting the traditionally well-renowned restaurants. Being so trendy and stylish is quite a hassle sometimes.

Nevertheless, I will not be defeated... yet. Et donc, l'aventure gastromonique commence. Wish me luck! ^___^

Part I: A Marathon Plan for Beginners

Here is the 16-week training programme to which I have chosen to subject myself in order to train for the Phuket Laguna Marathon, hosted on 13 June 2010, based on the fact that I am an extremely busy person with other priorities - food, work, sleep, being a socialite.. mostly food-related - meaning that I hardly have time to do any training. According to runnersworld.com, this should be failproof.

Week 1: Monday 3KM, Wednesday 4KM, Thursday 3KM, Saturday 5KM

Week 2: Monday 3KM, Wednesday 4KM, Thursday 3KM, Saturday 6KM

Week 3: Monday 3KM, Wednesday 4KM, Thursday 3KM, Saturday 7KM

Week 4: Monday 3KM, Wednesday 5KM, Thursday 3KM, Saturday 8KM

Week 5: Monday 3KM, Wednesday 5KM, Thursday 3KM, Saturday 10KM

Week 6: Monday 4KM, Wednesday 5KM, Thursday 4KM, Saturday 11KM

Week 7: Monday 4KM, Wednesday 6KM, Thursday 4KM, Saturday 12KM

Week 8: Monday 4KM, Wednesday 6KM, Thursday 4KM, Saturday 14KM

Week 9: Monday 4KM, Wednesday 7KM, Thursday 4KM, Saturday 16KM

Week 10: Monday 5KM, Wednesday 8KM, Thursday 5KM, Saturday 16KM

Week 11: Monday 5KM, Wednesday 8KM, Thursday 5KM, Saturday 17KM

Week 12: Monday 5KM, Wednesday 8KM, Thursday 5KM, Saturday 18KM

Week 13: Monday 5KM, Wednesday 8KM, Thursday 5KM, Saturday 20KM

Week 14: Monday 5KM, Wednesday 8KM, Thursday 5KM, Saturday 9KM

Week 15: Monday 3KM, Wednesday 5KM, Thursday 3KM, Saturday 8KM

Week 16: Monday 3KM, Wednesday 3KM, Thursday walk 2KM, Saturday 26.2KM

[Week 17: Run full marathon; Collapse in stretcher and/or wheelchair thereafter]

Let's Try Again... Hello, 2010

With the mixed results of achieving the resolutions which I had set myself in 2009, I began 2010 with two equally ambitious resolutions:

1. Run a complete marathon

One day towards the end of September 2009, I happened to eat at McDonald's with my colleagues at one lunchtime. Next to the counter there was a pamphlet advertising the annual Bangkok Marathon, hosted by Standard Chartered Bank. That very day, while munching on my ultra fatty cheesy fries and bacon double cheeseburger (and swallowing it with a large Coke Zero), I decided to run the quarter-marathon hosted by Standard Chartered Bank on November 22, 2009. Some impulse decided simultaneously to send a bbm to one of my best friends, the Chicken Vet Spaniard, and ask him if he wanted to run the quarter-marathon with me. He agreed, and we registered online. Then after some separate training, we met 5 minutes after the race had started (very poor organization, couldn't find the bag drop off nor our own starting point AND they started 15 minutes earlier than the stated time). Due to our pre-race mishaps and combined with the fact that there were no clear markers for the 10km run (= minor detour during the actual race) our approximate time to finish was one hour and 19 minutes. This is me with my medal after the race!!

Cynics might say that I probably didn't run it at all and am merely posing with the Chicken Vet Spaniard's medal. Especially those who knew me in high school as the Captain of the Yellow Team aka Captain of Delegating Sports Tasks to Everyone Else but Myself.

Right after this race, the Chicken Vet Spaniard insisted that we had to do the 15km mini-marathon which was sponsored by the BTS Skytrain as part of its 10-year anniversary celebrations. (Does anyone else think that hosting a mini-marathon is NOT a celebration per se and is actually a sort of torture...? Hmmmm.) This was held on 7th December 2009, a national holiday given in lieu of the King's Birthday of December 5th, which fell on a Saturday. The weather was perfect: cool with a slight breeze.

*I completed the 15km in 1 hour, 55 minutes. RESULT!

Since the Chicken Vet Spaniard and I proved to ourselves that we could complete the 15km race, it only seemed natural to push ourselves further. Which for some odd reason I actually AGREED to and ended up committing myself to run the FULL MARATHON with him in 2010. 42.2km / 26.2 MILES?! Are you kidding me? That's like running from one end of Bangkok to the other, and back again (and Bangkok is a hugely sprawling city!!) I can't understand what happened - I must have been intoxicated when I agreed to this....

2. Eat at Bangkok's Best Restaurants as listed by Tatler, Thailand

My love of food and restaurants has been cultivated lovingly by my Dad since an early age. I assume it was a mix of his own love of food and fine dining, plus wanting to avoid fighting with my Mother inside the house.. One of my earliest memories was polishing off a whole lamb shank with couscous and roast vegetables inside Spasso, the mediterranean restaurant on top of a building in mid-town Bellevue, in the suburbs of Seattle, Washington, while my Dad was chatting away to one of his friends at the table. Mmm-mm! I can still taste the lamb and feel how tender it was on my tongue, as well as the grainy texture of the couscous.

Enough of tonguely sensations. The point is that I have always loved food and found food to be a great social activity, but I am also willing to dine alone if the food is good enough! One of my other favourite activities, aside from stuffing my mouth and savouring flavours, is reading about food (cookbooks and restaurants), and testing out food activities for myself (cooking when I have a kitchen and trying new places). This seems like a perfectly accomplishable goal, right? Luckily Bangkok is quite accessible and there's so many restaurants that I'm sure I will be able to reserve a table anywhere, fingers crossed!

The Semi-Failure, Semi-Success of the 2009 Resolution

Rewind, back to January 1, 2009. This marks the first time I have consciously made a new year resolution, namely: "Less Facebook, More Champagne." Completely on a whim but once the words came out of my mouth (and of course, onto the 'status update' on Facebook), I decided, yes, let's do this for real in 2009.

So... in which did I succeed?