Friends with Benefits

I'm talking about the benefits of friends who are fellow food lovers, of course!

Having friends and being social is a top notch way to find out about new restaurants and be ahead of the Tatler Magazine scene; or even old restaurants which the Tatler crew have missed out on but which still deserve mention. In addition, some are so keen on restaurants that they have opened restaurants of their own and/or invested in them, which only means more hip eateries for me to try out! [Jumps for Joy!] Since 2010 started, I have been checking out a few new places and would like to share my reviews. This is also the first post in which I've rated the restaurants according to my personalised scoring system mentioned in the post titled "Pillow Talk: "I give you 10/10". Be reminded that of course the scoring system is totally subjective, depending upon the specific detailed factor and a higher score does not necessarily mean that the restaurant is worth a second trip (nor does a lower score necessarily indicate that the restaurant sucks)! Read carefully and enjoy...

1. Bo.Lan (42 Soi Pichai Ronnarong, Sukhumvit Soi 26)

Upon translation into Thai, the name of this restaurant is suggestive of the word "Boran" or "ancient", which should give you a clue of what type of cuisine to expect. The name is actually a combination of the two head chefs, Bo and Dylan, who both worked under David Thompson, the Michelin-starred chef from London's restaurant Nahm. I first heard about this restaurant a couple of months after it opened in 2009 as one of my friends ("KJ") had become a shareholder, and a group of us including Pitti Moon-Language, went to check it out. Set in a large house in the middle of the city, the emphasis is on using fresh ingredients and very Thai traditional foods, which I'd never seen or heard of anywhere else in Bangkok. Even most of the ingredients were new to my vocabulary.

*Picture courtesy of Umanator

I had the opportunity to attend the restaurant's first anniversary party. Unfortunately, I had been stuck in work and doing marathon training [don't laugh - I'm totally serious this time!] to the point where I showed up just in time for the waiters to commence serving dessert canapes. Hurrah for the unlimited shots of Yaa Dong, the Thai equivalent of herbal Schnapps, which was shoved into my hand upon arrival!

This restaurant's offerings definitely fit the description of "haute cuisine". It looks good, is expensive, and can only be really savored by true gastronomes. Which evidently I am n0t, because I felt the need to attack some tacos at Sunrise Tacos immediately after the 1-year anniversary party! [Sorry KJ!]

Scorecard Time!

Tastiness: 4

Wallet Deprivation: 7.5

Atmospheric Considerations: 8

Service: 10

Pimp Your Ride: 10

Originality: 10

PETA-Friendly: 10

Are you on the Guestlist?: 4

Fix Up, Look Sharp: 3

Oppression of the Minority: 9
Result: 65.5 / 100

2. Bouchot (Basement of Oakwood Residence in Sukhumvit Soi 24)

This restaurant is the result of a brainwave of the Hyperactive Chef and some of her classmates from the famed Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Sydney, specializing in blue mussels and oysters imported from the Mediterranean Sea. Mussels are sold by the kilo and can be cooked in a variety of sauces (my favourite is the white garlic cream sauce). Top tip: Go there on the weekends, that's when they serve the fresh seafood newly imported from the Mediterranean. Also order a plate of the baked oysters with Bouchot aioli to be washed down with some cherry-flavoured beer. Yum!

*Hello oysters and mussels! Come to my stomach NOW!

*Baked oysters with Bouchot aioli

Be prepared to take a taxi to get here though. The parking spaces are very limited, and the car park designated in Oakwood Residence is accessible by way of a 'car lift' or 'car elevator' which is rather too small for hatchbacks even, as Princess Panda recently discovered and is still seething about..

Scorecard Time!
Tastiness: 9
Wallet Deprivation: 7
Atmospheric Considerations: 6
Service: 2
Pimp Your Ride: 3
Originality:10
PETA-Friendly: 1
Are you on the Guestlist?: 5
Fix Up, Look Sharp: 3
Oppression of the Minority: 5

Result: 51 / 100

3. Hyde and Seek (Ground Floor of Athenee Residence in Soi Ruamrudee)

Gastropub for the quintessentially chic crowd who normally can be found at Fallabella afterwards. I found out about this cool place through scrolling through other people's Facebook status' [Don't lie to me or yourself - anyone with a Blackberry and Facebook Application installed has done this at least once...] I knew I had to see it for myself when I noted that 3 demi-celebutantes had mentioned on their Facebook status' that they were really impressed with this gastropub, and I was not disappointed on my first trip. However, subsequent trips have left food for thought, with snail-paced and inattentive waiters, and my favourite dish of Bubba Gump shrimp (scampi) being served in a soggy batter.

Scorecard Time!
Tastiness: 7
Wallet Deprivation: 7
Atmospheric Considerations: 10
Service: 2
Pimp Your Ride: 8
Originality: 9
PETA-Friendly: 1
Are you on the Guestlist?: 10
Fix Up, Look Sharp: 5
Oppression of the Minority: 10

Result: 69 /100

4. It Happened to Be a Closet (2nd Floor of Emporium Mall)

Another one of those mall "I eat here to see you, as well as to be seen" eateries such as at Angelina Paris in Central Chidlom, but with a more trendy, cutting edge vibe to it. Perhaps it's the all-black and the uber kitsch decor (remember, I love kitsch) which makes me want to come back, as well as the fact I can ogle the Prada shopfront, good looking (and less than good looking) people and their designer threads. In any event, it is the new IT spot for snacking on yummy smoked salmon pasta and carrot cake, gossiping, discussing catnip and makeup and the like, and simply being fabulous for the UN Kitty and her fellow Kitties. The Consultant and his project manager felt a bit strange sitting amongst the mall while dining, but they had nothing to complain about when it came to the Strozza Duck, Parma ham and carbonara dishes, and their plates were practically licked clean!

Scorecard Time!
Tastiness: 10
Wallet Deprivation: 7
Atmospheric Considerations: 10
Service: 9
Pimp Your Ride: 10
Originality: 7
PETA-Friendly: 1
Are you on the Guestlist?: 6
Fix Up, Look Sharp: 2
Oppression of the Minority: 10

Result: 72 / 100

5. Lake House (Soi Prommitr in Sukhumvit Soi 39)

This house happens to be set on top of a large pond in the middle of the city, and used to be known as a private Gentleman's Club for politicians and the inner circle of poseurs known as the 'Royalists' (a Gentleman's Club in the form of a library and cigar room, not the OTHER kind which is more commonly referred to as a Lounge and features half naked girls paid by the hour to sit with you and pretend they're interested in anything other than your wallet). The European food served here is oddly out of sync with the settings, as the outdoor salas and turtles floating around in the pond seem more suited towards Asian and Thai food, but nevertheless the food is quite good.

Scorecard Time!
Tastiness: 8
Wallet Deprivation: 7
Atmospheric Considerations: 6
Service: 9
Pimp Your Ride: 10
Originality: 4
PETA-Friendly: 1
Are you on the Guestlist?: 7
Fix Up, Look Sharp: 4
Oppression of the Minority: 5

Result: 61 / 100

6. The Londoner Brew Pub (Basement Floor of UBCII Tower, Sukhumvit Soi 33)

OK So this isn't exactly new, but it merits discussion as it (rather surprisingly) isn't included in the Tatler list. Since high school days, it's been well-known for its "Wacky Wednesday" parties in which all drinks are '2-4-1' and food orders are subject to a 50% discount on Tuesdays. Beer connoisseurs might appreciate the pub's own brewed London Pride. Sports-lovers of all ages and genders enjoy the big screen TVs with all manner of football matches, tennis, F1 and so forth. Shame about the live band that tends to drown out the noise though. As for myself, I keep going back because of the spectacular steak & kidney pie and the chicken pie! I've also heard from the Consultant that they have an excellent Sunday roast dinner.

Scorecard Time!
Tastiness: 9
Wallet Deprivation: 7
Atmospheric Considerations: 8
Service: 9
Pimp Your Ride: 8
Originality: 9
PETA-Friendly: 7
Are you on the Guestlist?: 4
Fix Up, Look Sharp: 1
Oppression of the Minority: 4

Result: 66 / 100

7. Los Cabos (Sukhumvit Soi 14)

This is quite possibly the most cheerful looking restaurant I've ever entered as it is decorated in bright yellow, red and turquoise throughout. Otherwise (and excluding the excellent company of a long-lost friend that day) this restaurant seems quite mediocre in terms of flavours. The list of dishes offered were quite standard for Mexican restaurants. At least it wasn't too expensive!

*Beef taco and burrito with rice and beans. My favourite part was the Corona!

Scorecard Time!
Tastiness: 6
Wallet Deprivation: 6
Atmospheric Considerations: 5
Service: 4
Pimp Your Ride: 6
Originality: 8.5
PETA-Friendly: 5
Are you on the Guestlist?: 4
Fix Up, Look Sharp: 1
Oppression of the Minority: 3

Result: 47.5 / 100

8. Mugi Han (Sukhumvit Soi 39)

I can barely recall how to tell you how to find this place as it's so well hidden within the Soi. The fact that it was packed with local Japanese expats was a good sign. The Artist, who took us there, informed us that it is well renowned for its noodles such as soba and udon, and these certainly did not disappoint. What was more disappointing however was the fact that the waiter informed us of the unavailability of the special sashimi set, AFTER we'd ordered it and seen several other tables nearby being served this "unavailable set".


*Picture of the Artist, the Chicken Vet Spaniard, Biceps and I, courtesy of Chicken Vet Spaniard

Scorecard Time!
Tastiness: 10
Wallet Deprivation: 5
Atmospheric Considerations: 3
Service: 2
Pimp Your Ride: 5
Originality: 1
PETA-Friendly: 9
Are you on the Guestlist?: 7
Fix Up, Look Sharp: 1
Oppression of the Minority: 5

Result: 48 /100

9. Ramentei (Sukhumvit Soi 33/1)

This little gem in the middle of the Japanese district (basically, all of Sukhumvit road) never seems to have any non-Thais or non-Japanese people there, unless I bring them there myself. The king of small local restaurants known as the Artist introduced me to this ramen place three years ago, and I keep going back. The Consultant was thrilled and took his project manager there one week after I introduced him to Ramentei. Two bowls of piping hot noodles, two hot green teas and a plate of gyoza for less than 500THB? I'm so there and so are you!

*Which one would you rather: my Curry Ramen vs. the Consultant's Stirfry Vegetable Ramen?

Scorecard Time!
Tastiness: 10
Wallet Deprivation: 2.5
Atmospheric Considerations: 2
Service: 10
Pimp Your Ride: 6
Originality: 3
PETA-Friendly: 1
Are you on the Guestlist?: 1
Fix Up, Look Sharp: 1
Oppression of the Minority: 5

Result: 41.5 / 100

10. Sunrise Tacos (Sukhumvit Soi 12 next to Times Square)

It delivers tacos, burritos, chimichangas, fajitas, etc all of which are delicious, AND it's open 24 hours a day - aren't those enough reasons for this restaurant to be included in the Tatler list? I guess it might be classified as 'fast food' since there is a take-away counter, hence the reason why it's not included.

Scorecard Time!
Tastiness: 9
Wallet Deprivation: 6
Atmospheric Considerations: 2
Service: 4
Pimp Your Ride: 8
Originality: 8
PETA-Friendly: 1
Are you on the Guestlist?: 1
Fix Up, Look Sharp: 1
Oppression of the Minority: 5

Result: 45 / 100

11. The Seafood Bar (Ground Floor of Somerset Lake Place in Sukhumvit Soi 16)

This is the sister restaurant of the well-renowned Oyster Bar located in Soi Narathiwat Soi 24. I had the fortuitous occasion to dine here with Pitti Moon-Language even before its' official opening, as he had become acquainted with the owner of the Oyster Bar through his personal dining experiences. When we went to the Seafood Bar, the windows weren't even washed yet!

*Disney's "The Little Mermaid" seems to be missing one of its star actors....

*Grilled Barramundi with scallops and pumpkin puree

The seafood is fresh and much of it is imported from the US. One downfall - as you know, I am a dessert lover. The desserts here consist of yoghurt and raspberry (or possibly strawberry) sauce.. I felt that there should at least be an assortment of ice creams! However, that definitely won't stop me from going back to enjoy the delicious seafood.

Scorecard Time!
Tastiness: 10
Wallet Deprivation: 8
Atmospheric Considerations: 6
Service: 10
Pimp Your Ride: 8
Originality: 8
PETA-Friendly: 1
Are you on the Guestlist?: 3
Fix Up, Look Sharp: 3
Oppression of the Minority: 3

Result: 60 / 100

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"Constructive Criticism"

The Consultant has just pointed out a flaw in my scoring system with regards to Wallet Deprivation: a more expensive restaurant should not be a prerequisite for obtaining a higher score, as what is more important is the concept of 'Good Value for Money' or 'Getting your money's worth'. Since my mother likes to tell me that I don't know the value of money -and for once, I actually agree with her - it's highly questionable as to whether I am in any position to come up with a useful indicator of relative monetary indication of a restaurant's awesome-ness. However, I am inclined to agree with the Consultant on this issue so for subsequent restaurant reviews, the rating of "Wallet Deprivation" shall be as follows:

Excellent Value, well worth the spend (10) - Terrible Value, Poor Wallet, it feels raped (1)