Klang Soi Restaurant @ Soi Sukhumvit 49, Bangkok - ห้องอาหารกลางซอย @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 49 กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Thai

Map: Klang Soi Restaurant @ Soi Sukhumvit 49, Bangkok - ห้องอาหารกลางซอย @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 49 กรุงเทพฯ

Charged Price: THB260 per person without alcohol

Visited: 26 April 2015

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 8/10

Services: 5/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Klang Soi Restaurant has long been famous for its authentic and delicate Thai food at reasonable price. The menu comprises of wide range of Thai dishes. The thing I like about this place is the family kind of place feeling. Things are kept simple, no tedious routine. Of course, noises of joy are all around. As said, this is a really good place for family meal or quick meal. Forget those fancy romantic meal or private business talk here. It is well-known and yes it is common to see this place gets crowded during weekend lunch time. Make sure you arrive early to avoid queue, else make reservation.

To come here is a bit of confusion if you are not familiar with Soi Sukhumvit 49. If you are coming from Sukhumvit 49, then turn into Sukhumvit 49/9 and just drive to the end of alley and Klang Soi Restaurant is right there. On the other hand, if you are coming from Soi Sukhumvit 39, you will have to turn into Soi Phrom Si 1 (Soi Sukhumvit 49/11) and get through Racquet Club to reach the restaurant.

Klang Soi Restaurant @ Soi Sukhumvit 49

a comfy Thai restaurant in an old house

a destination for family meal

quick menu, 1 for each day

At the time of visit, it was towards the end of April which is summer in Thailand. During summer, it is common to find Khao Chae in many Thai restaurants in Bangkok. At Klang Soi Restaurant, khao chae is served between March and May only.

Khao Chae - ข้าวแช่ (7/10) at Klang Soi Restaurant seems to be kept like minimalism but packed with quality. What you would see on your plate would be Prik Yuak Yud Sai (stuffed sweet pepper), Kapi Thod (fried shrimp paste ball), Nuea / Moo Foi (shredded sweetened beef / pork), Chai Pow (stir-fried Chinese sweet pickled turnip with egg), and of course fresh vegetable and fruits. All of which were well prepared and came in balance flavour. Chai Pow was mild whilst Nuea Foi was sweet with crisp texture. Kapi Thod, which is my favourite condiment, was delicious. Flavourful but not strong on the palate. One of the most difficult thing about khao chae is perhaps prik yuak yud sai, which has to be properly wrapped with fried egg, was nicely done here. Jasmine scented water was aromatic. It would be a perfect menu if rice in jasmine scented water did not come with ice cubes and more variety of condiments is presented.

Whilst I had my khao chae, Kanom Cheen Nam Prik - ขนมจีนน้ำพริก (7/10), which was the quick menu of the day, was also tasted. I think they made it considerably delicious. The combination of sweetness, hot, sour, and saltiness is well balance. It was packed with flavour and spices. At the price of THB80 per set, why wait. Just bring me two.

Well well well!!!!!! Honestly, if you have never been to Klang Soi Restaurant in Soi Sukhumvit 49, I urge you to check this out. Additionally, if you are soon to be a traveller in Bangkok, here is one place for you to get the real nice Thai food.

Khao Chae - ข้าวแช่ (THB280)

Kanom Cheen Nam Prik - ขนมจีนน้ำพริก (THB80)

Klang Soi Restaurant @ Soi Sukhumvit 49, Bangkok - ห้องอาหารกลางซอย @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 49 กรุงเทพฯ

12/1 Soi Sukhumvit 49/9
Sukhumvit Road
Khlong Tan Nuea, Wattana
Bangkok 10110

Thailand

Open Hours: Tuesday - Sunday from 11:00am - 02:30pm for lunch and from 05:00pm - 10:00pm for dinner

Tel: +66 (0) 2391 4988
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ks49.bkk/

Elvio Cogno Barbera d'Alba Pre-Phylloxera DOC 2012

Date of Tasting: 31 October 2014

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Barbera d'Alba

Alcohol: 14%

Origin: Piedmont, Italy

Appellation: Barbera d'Alba DOC

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR40

Web: http://www.elviocogno.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Professional Rating: AG - 90/100, WS - 91/100, JS - 93/100, CT - 90/100

Appearance: Dark red

Aroma: Ripe cherry and violets along with floral bouquet.

Palate: Full and rich with chewy texture on the finish. Nicely balance acidity. Notes of cherry, plum, and spices. Very mild touch of oak and earthiness.

In general, barbera is not my style of wine. This Elvio Cogno Barbera d'Alba Pre-Phylloxera 2012 from 120 years old vineyard hit me to a wake impressively. Valter Fissore crafted this barbera out beautifully. It is not the kind of bright acidic touch but well balanced and finesse. Yet there is power incorporated as well. Very limited amount is produced each year. If you see one, get your hand on to experience. Looking forward to try the new vintage in this near future. Enjoy this with rich red meat now and even with some bottle ageing.

Chillax on A One Fine Day at Chon Buri - ตะล๊อกต๊อกแต๊ก ณ เมืองชล กับวันสบาย ๆ

It was towards the end of January 2015 and we had a quick opportunity to visit a friend at Chon Buri. We, hence, popped by a cafe for chitchatting and a restaurant for lunch: Teaory Tea and Dessert Cafe and Peak Mun Talay respectively.

Cuisine: Cafe

Map: Teaory Tea and Dessert Cafe @ Bangsaen, Chon Buri, Thailand

Price: THB150 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)

Visited: 24 January 2015

Food: 2/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 2/10

Services: 4/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Teaory Tea and Dessert Cafe is a coffee shop in Bangsean area with a rather large space in relax ambient. Just like those typical cafe here in Thailand, they serve a range of coffee and tea beverage, soda, smoothies, and pastry.

We had Cafe Latte and Iced Cafe Latte (3/10) for drink. Honestly, I think they were not any better than cafe latte that I personally make. There was no distinct aroma. The body was light and after-taste was flat. The go-along sweet was Choco Banana Waffle (2/10). It was a shock. Just by looking at the texture of waffle and ice-cream, it was just not persuasive at all. The vanilla ice-cream was just sweet and not creamy: not even sure whether it was bought-in ice-cream. The waffle did not have the somewhat combination of chewiness, dense, and softness: it was just fluffy. The aroma was not there too. The best part on the plate was banana perhaps.

Come on, you need more than just a big relaxing venue for a cafe. At least your coffee needs to work.

Teaory Tea and Dessert Cafe @ Bangsaen, Chon Buri, Thailand

atmosphere

Iced Cafe Latte (THB85)

Cafe Latte (THB75)

Choco Banana Waffle (THB195)

Teaory Tea and Dessert Cafe @ Bangsaen, Chon Buri, Thailand
1/7 Bangsaen Sai 4 Nuea
Saen Suk, Mueang
Chon Buri 20130

Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 10:00am - 10:00pm

Tel: +66 (0) 92 637 6665
FB: https://www.facebook.com/teaorybangsaen/

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Cuisine: Seafood (Thai)

Map: Peak Mun Talay @ Chon Buri, Thailand - เปี๊ยกมันทะเล @ ชลบุรี

Price: THB500 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)

Visited: 24 January 2015

Food: 6/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 5/10

Services: 4/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

I always fancy a seafood meal many times when I visit seaside destination like Chon Buri. Peak Mun Talay is another destination in Ang Sila area of Chon Buri. It is a local ambient seafood restaurant with really large space: more than 100 seats easily. Peak Mun Talay shall be a good destination for family meal indeed. An average kind of seafood restaurant in Thailand for me.

In brief, this was an enjoyable place at a moderately pricing. The first dish was Fried Grouper with Spicy Chilli Sauce - ผัดฉ่าเนื้อปลาเก๋า (6/10). Nice and hot dish with fresh grouper. It was really hot in fact (at least for me). Even I had asked for not so spicy, it turned out to be hot and spicy still. So watch out when ordering. Next was a dish with my favourite ingredient: Fried Squid and Roe with Fish Sauce - หมึกไข่คั่วน้ำปลา (6/10). It had nice and fulfilling flavour: rich and full. However, the texture of squid was a little too chewy. Lastly, it was Fried Shrimp with Fish Sauce - กุ้งคั่วน้ำปลา (4/10). It was somewhat disappointed for this dish. Though the ingredient was fresh, it was overcooked for me. In term of flavour, strong scent of fish sauce was well balanced with sweetness. This dish was priced at THB900. Too expensive in my opinion for this kind of place.

Peak Mun Talay @ Chon Buri, Thailand

large and spacious venue

Fried Grouper with Spicy Chilli Sauce - ผัดฉ่าเนื้อปลาเก๋า (THB250)

Fried Squid and Roe with Fish Sauce - หมึกไข่คั่วน้ำปลา (THB200)

Fried Shrimp with Fish Sauce - กุ้งคั่วน้ำปลา (THB900)

Peak Mun Talay @ Chon Buri, Thailand - เปี๊ยกมันทะเล @ ชลบุรี
73 Rop Khao Sam Muk Soi 1
Saen Suk, Mueang
Chon Buri 20130

Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 10:00am - 10:00pm

Tel: +66 (0) 86 845 5080, +66 (0) 89  750 4916
FB: https://www.facebook.com/kookbangsaen

Forman Vineyard Napa Valley Chardonnay 2013

Date of Tasting: 27 February 2015

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13.5%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: St. Helena, Napa Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR40

Web: http://www.formanvineyard.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Professional Rating: WA - 94/100, AG - 94/100

Appearance: Yellow straw

Aroma: Primary scent of lemon, stone, and mild herbs

Palate: White fruits and stony notes. Sheer power but bright. Pin-pointedly cut of acidity. Long and lingering. 

Whole cluster pressed with 10% new oak fermentation. Fairly priced and distinctive character. This is some adorable Chardonnay of new world. Enjoyable now and shall be nice with seafood based pasta. It is sure a food friendly wine. Raise the glass!!!!!!

Paris Mikki @ Metha Wattana Building, Sukhumvit 19, Bangkok - ปารีส มิกกิ @ อาคารเมธาวัฒนา ซอยสุขุมวิท 19 กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Pastry / French Dessert / Cafe

Map: Paris Mikki @ Metha Wattana Building, Sukhumvit 19, Bangkok - ปารีส มิกกิ @ อาคารเมธาวัฒนา ซอยสุขุมวิท 19 กรุงเทพฯ

Price: THB350 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)

Visited: 22 February 2015

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 4/10

Services: 4/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Do you like French pastry? If so and if you live in Bangkok, you are sure aware that it is so flicking difficult to find one good patisserie here. Here is one for you. Paris Mikki is located right on the ground floor of Metha Wattana Building in Soi Sukhumvit 19, which is around Asoke area, and was launched just in December 2014. Simply, travelling here is not a problem at all. All sorts of transportation that you could find Bangkok are just nearby: i.e. BTS, MRT, and bus (if you wish to use the service). There are also parking space at Metha Wattana Building.

Paris Mikki bakes authentic French pastry daily: viennoiserie, tart, choux, eclair, and etc. I promise many of them are delicious but they do come at some price tag. I would even suggest calling in to reserve your favourite choice in order to avoid disappointment. In term of venue, it is a tiny place for eating in. I really mean tiny. There are only a few small tables indoor and a few more outdoor. Forget the outdoor thing in Bangkok if it is not December and January. It would be really hot most of the time and rain in monsoon. The ambient in the shop, however, is rather relax and decorated beautifully.

Paris Mikki @ Sukhumvit 19, Bangkok

Little charming place

Elegant layout of pastry

As mentioned earlier, the gorgeous sweet stuff here is rather dearly priced. Nevertheless, it is at least good to say that it is inclusive of VAT and service charge which is rare for the modern day dining in Thailand. Many restaurants' owners seem to take advantage out of customers regardless how terrible their service is. Anyway, as for the service here at Paris Mikki, it might not be the so fantastic, I would say there seemed to be some care for customers.

Well, we did order a few choices to try here. The first one was Caramel Luxembourg (8/10). Ok, I gotta say I do like this caramel choux quite a lot. The choux dough was nicely made with thin crust. The filling comprised of vanilla based cream and caramel cream or should I say dulce de leche as the French say (O.o)". I found the texture was nice and dense whilst sweetness was there but not overwhelming. With a nice pot of non-cream based tea, it would be really enjoyable. Just a minor detail that annoyed me a little which is the small golden nameplate with store name. It is made of paper and it would be greatly appreciated if it would be made of something edible, such as chocolate, instead. But minor detail really.

Caramel Luxembourg (THB135)

Fabulous filling of cream and caramel

I want all these four caramel choux

The next one was Tart aux Fraise (4/10) or simply strawberry tart. Most of the time, I do enjoy tart based dessert considerable: chocolate tart, lemon tart, strawberry tart, and etc. For this strawberry tart, it did not quite match my expectation. The tart base was thick which gave a little harsh texture mouth feel. The pastry cream in the middle was too mild in terms of both palate texture and taste. Lastly, strawberry was fresh but not entirely qualitatively sweet. I wouldn't re-order this tart definitely. For THB205, I do expect to see something much better than this.

Tart aux Fraise (THB205)

Tart aux Fraise does look lovely on the shelf

As a lover of viennoiserie, I could not resist not to order one to taste. I went for Pain au Chocolat (7/10). This croissant based chocolate puff was delicious. The best part was texture: nice layers of puff with soft palate touch whilst maintaining crispiness. The con was chocolate filling: more please I would say. As you can see from the picture below, the chocolate filling was too little for the size of the pain au chocolat. I would suspect the classic croissant to be as good. If you like viennoiserie, here is one good thing for you.

Pain au Chocolat (THB95)

Gorgeous layers of Pain au Chocolate but too little chocolate

I promise Viennoiseries are great here

Lastly, I did also order a cup of Cafe Latte (3/10) and I found that it was not really cafe latte in my opinion. With that much milk foam on top, I would categorise this as cappuccino instead. At the time, I did not hesitate to let one of the staff aware straight away. The response was a bit lack of customer handling experience. Instead of offering a new cup of what it had been expected or something else for substitution, I was informed that it was machine brewed, not made by a barista, so this was how it's served. Well, that was not good enough in my opinion. However, the staff at least did promise to take note and will try to make adjustment. I will see how it goes during my following visit. For this time, THB120 for a not-really cafe latte and average quality after taste of coffee note, it was a rip off in my opinion.

In overall, this is a nice little place with delicious range of French pastry. Though not really so much of value for money, it is still difficult to find this kind of quality of pastry in Bangkok. I wouldn't mind paying for it as long as the standard is kept as-is and I dine in; this pricing is too ridiculous for take away in my perspective.

Cafe Latte (THB120)

Beverage Menu

Paris Mikki @ Metha Wattana Building, Sukhumvit 19, Bangkok - ปารีส มิกกิ @ อาคารเมธาวัฒนา ซอยสุขุมวิท 19 กรุงเทพฯ
Floor G, Metha Wattana Building
27 Soi Sukhumvit 19
Sukhumvit Road
Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok 10110

Thailand

Open Hours: Tuesday - Sunday from 11:00am - 08:00pm

Tel: +66 (0) 88 870 0020
Web: http://www.parismikki.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ParisMikki

Cavallotto Tenuta Bricco Boschis Barolo Riserva Vignolo 2005

Date of Tasting: 20 January 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Nebbiolo

Alcohol: 14.5%

Origin: Piedmont, Italy

Appellation: Barolo Riserva DOCG

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR80

Web: http://www.cavallotto.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Professional Rating: WA - 95/100, AG - 95/100, WS - 90/100, WE - 91/100, FS - 92/100, ST - 93/100, JR - 17/20, CT - 95/100

Appearance: Garnet

Aroma: Red fruits, spices, licorice, earth, tobacco, mild mushroom, and rose.

Palate: Big and dense body. Masculine tannins but soft touch. Still well structured with elegance. Notes of cherries and prune. Vibrant finish.

An outstanding Castiglione Falletto Barolo from Cavallotto in an overlooked vintage it is. We had this along with Philippe Pacalet Beaune 1er Cru Les Perrieres 2010 and both were hard to beat each other. Two different great regions that showed well in particular, aroma. Cavallotto Barolo Riserva Vignolo 2005 may be more masculine but still rather feminine in overall. Perhaps a few hours of decant before serving will reveal its complexity better. Love it and cheers Cavallotto. Surely, a plate of steak with shaved truffle would go supremely well with it. Looking forward to the next bottle.

Utage @ Plaza Athenee Bangkok - อูทาเกะ @ โรงแรมพลาซ่า แอทธินี กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Japanese

Map: Utage @ Plaza Athenee Bangkok - อูทาเกะ @ โรงแรมพลาซ่า แอทธินี กรุงเทพฯ

Price: THB1,000 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)

Visited: 30 December 2014

Food: 6/10

Atmosphere: 6/10

Value for money: 5/10

Services: 7/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Often that we visit a restaurant at Plaza Athenee Bangkok: Reflexions, Silk Road, and etc. Utage is as well a dining room of the hotel that we usually pop by for nice shabu shabu or sukiyaki but never had a chance to blog it. It was the end of 2014 and our family popped by for a meal so I would like to take an opportunity to share.

Utage is a Japanese joint that is decorated in a more contemporary Japanese. Food range is wide, e.g. sushi, udon, shabu shabu, and etc. It operates both lunch time and dinner. During weekday lunch, they serve set lunch but it would be buffet brunch for weekend. Staffs are polite and helpful. During the meal, I also had a bottle of Walter Hansel The North Slope Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 to accompany shabu shabu and it complimented the meal excellently.

Utage @ Plaza Athenee Bangkok

contemporary ambient

Walter Hansel The North Slope Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012

Before starting the hot pot thing, something classic to warm up was not a bad idea at all. Salmon and Tuna Sashimi (5/10) were on average. Nothing delightful but enjoyable. Then mixed tempura (4/10) came. It gotta say that this was not quite a standard one. Batter was a little too thick and not crispy enough.

salmon and tuna sashimi

tempura

Here comes the highlight: Shabu Shabu and Sukiyaki (7/10). One set of shabu and sukiyaki come in slices of your meat choice, vegetable (range depending of shabu or sukiyaki), and different dipping sauce: i.e. ponzu and sesame sauces for shabu and raw egg for sukiyaki. We had USA beef and pork for the night which costed THB1,200 and THB1,000 respectively. I personally enjoyed sukiyaki a lot which was rich in flavour and so naturally delicious with raw egg. Shabu shabu was equally wonderful with refreshing shabu soup complimented with thick and rich sesame sauce. Quality of meat was also excellent. I would really say that this is the one to go for at Utage. Not exactly those cheap things but quite value for money in our perspective.

USA beef slices

pork slices

vegetable for sukiyaki set

dipping the beef into shabu shabu pot

sukiyaki to be consumed with raw egg

Utage @ Plaza Athenee Bangkok - อูทาเกะ @ โรงแรมพลาซ่า แอทธินี กรุงเทพฯ
Floor 3, Plaza Athenee Bangkok
61 Witthayu Road
Lumphini, Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330

Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 11:30am - 02:30pm for lunch and 06:00pm - 10:30pm for dinner

Tel: +66 (0) 2650 8800
Web: http://www.plazaatheneebangkok.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/plazaatheneebangkok

Philippe Pacalet Beaune 1er Cru Les Perrieres 2010

Date of Tasting: 20 January 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 13.5%

Origin: Burgundy, France

Appellation: AOC Beaune 1er Cru

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR80

Web: http://www.philippe-pacalet.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Professional Rating: BH - 91/100

Appearance: Bright red

Aroma: Wonderful perfume of red berries, strawberry, and refined flower

Palate: Middle weight style spicy notes and mild red fruit. Fine and smooth with round finish. Nice balance.

Pop and pour, aromatic scent released immediately. So much attraction for someone like me. Nothing much needs to be said here really. Just enjoy the beautiful nose as well as the comparable palate touches. It is gorgeous now and perhaps even better in a few years.

Cantina Follie @ Tremezzo, Como, Italy

Cuisine: Wine Bar

Map: Cantina Follie @ Tremezzo, Como, Italy

Price: EUR18 per person (what we paid for)

Visited: 6 October 2014

Wine Range and Food: 6/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Value for money: 8/10

Services: 6/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Have you ever encountered a situation that you don't want much food but just a place to sip wine (and some bites of food) with friends while travelling or you just want to try different varieties of local wine? This is a kind of situation I have always encountered. If you are perhaps one of a kind and need to find a place for wine around Cadenabbia, Lake Como, here is one for you: Cantina Follie at Tremezzo.

Cantina Follie is tucked in a small alley in Tremezzo commune. It may just be a small little cave-like place but it is full of wine, Italian wine. The selection of wine here comes from many different commune in Italy, from North to South. There are also good selection of wine by glass: around 5 to 6 choices of red and white as well as a few choices of sparkling.

Cantina Follie @ Tremezzo, Como, Italy

nice and cosy wine bar

more wine

sparkling corner

As said, this is a place to enjoy sips of wine. Hence, food is just the secondary thing. I only ordered platter of hams and cheese (EUR10) to go along with wine. Nevertheless, Deadly Bunny also had Ghiottone Panini (EUR4), which was Parma ham, mozzarella, and tomato, just to taste and it was not bad at all. For wine, I had three from different regions: Trentino-Alto Adige, Valtellina, and Tuscany.

Trentino-Alto Adige - J. Hofstatter Mazon Riserva Pinot Nero 2010

Valtellina - Plozza Grumello Riserva DOCG 2009

Tuscany - Ruffino Urlo IGT 2006

Of the three, Hofstatter Mazon was not bad at all for its price for pinot noir. Plozza Grumello Riserva, on the other hand, impressed me with experience of nebbiolo out side Piedmont region. Lastly, Ruffino Urlo is a rare modern blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Alicante, and Petit Verdot that showed a rather fascinating aroma. I wouldn't say it was excellent but pleasurable.

More or less, my evening at Cantina Follie did satisfy me enough. I would not hesitate to recommend this place to anyone around Cadenabbia at all. Cheers!!!!!!

tagliere misto di salumi e formaggi

J. Hofstatter Mazon Riserva Pinot Nero 2010 (EUR7)

Plozza Grumello Riserva DOCG 2009 (EUR4.5)

Ruffino Urlo IGT 2006 (EUR8)

in wine, there is truth

here is the name card

Cantina Follie @ Tremezzo, Como, Italy
14/16 Via Alessandro Volta
Tremezzo 22019
Como
Italy

Open Hours: daily except Tuesday 11:00am - 11:00pm

Tel: +39 0344 42311
Web: http://www.cantinafollie.it/