Showing posts with label สยามสแควร์. Show all posts
Showing posts with label สยามสแควร์. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Rabbit in The Kitchen @ Siam Square, Bangkok - แรบบิท อิน เดอะ คิทเช่น @ สยามสแควร์ กรุงเทพ

Cuisine: Thai
Price: THB450 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)
Visited: 17 May 2014
Food: 4/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Value for money: 4/10
Services: 2/10
Scale: [ 1=poor ----- 5=average/standard ----- 10=outstanding/exceptional ]

Early December 2013, when we had heard about the goodbye to the oldie "New Light Coffee House", our hearts just sank with sadness. But things do come and go for reasons. At least, it is good enough that the place has not totally moved but has moved to the second floor of the same building for now.

Only a few months later, there came the new restaurant replacing New Light Coffee House: "Rabbit in The Kitchen". Just by its name, you would not be able to tell that the place serves Thai food. I was even thinking of international cuisine or bistro food. Yes, Rabbit in The Kitchen is decorated in bistro style. Many dishes here are not in the usual style of sharing but individual set instead. Perhaps this is to match the life style of visitors in Siam Square which mainly are teenagers. Menu comes in a simple two pages board.

To illustrate a little further, Rabbit in The Kitchen probably comes from the word "กระต่ายขูดมะพร้าว : kra-tai-kood-ma-prao" meaning coconut grater which is a tool in the kitchen. The word kra-tai or กระต่าย means rabbit in Thai. Rather sophisticate, right?

Getting back to Rabbit in The Kitchen. We would say that the food range is kind of acceptable in term of taste. However, it was the service that is the concern. Staffs seem to be ignorant and do not even know how to explain some dishes. The worst part was when we spilled water all over the place and no staff came to help. We had to ask for a towel to wipe the table ourselves. What the heck???????? Perhaps we are not their target customer!!!!!!!!!

Rabbit in The Kitchen @ Siam Square, Bangkok

bistro style atmosphere.....rather comfy



The first of the night to come along was Beef Tongue Stew - สตูว์ลิ้นวัว (3/10). Not really the standard stew. It lacks of flavour and the texture seemed to be too light. I, personally, would love to see thicker texture. But the texture of beef tongue was enjoyable with the expected tenderness. Next was Panaeng Curry Pork with Crispy Fish - พะแนงหมู ปลาสลิด (3/10). Panaeng Curry is a type of red curry in Thailand. It is not those really soupy curry but curry is kept a little only, not dry. Panaeng curry here seemed to be like a kind of soup though. Panaeng here did give to the strong curry aroma and was not balance. The only good part was the fried snakeskin gourami or ปลาสลิด. It was well fried to crisp.


Beef Tongue Stew (THB180)

Panaeng Curry Pork with Crispy Fish (THB140)

zoom up to Panaeng

Moving to Gaeng Kiew Wan Green Curry with Beef Shank and Toast - แกงเขียวหวานเนื้อน่องลาย ขนมปัง (5/10), this was probably on average for green curry. Curry paste was flavourful enough. Somewhat spicy which was a little overpower and not balance with other aroma. The Chicken Coconut Soup - ต้มข่าไก่ (2/10) was the worst here probably. The taste of coconut milk in the soup was weird. I was even think if the coconut milk they used was from a can/tin, not the freshly squeezed one. It was strangely too thick on the palate.

Rice Vermicelli with Sweet Peanut Sauce - ขนาจีนน้ำพริก (5/10) was enjoyable. Those handful condiments were pleasant. The peanut sauce was delicious but a little too sweet for my taste. Lastly, it was a non Thai dish, Grilled Salmon with Lemon Caper Sauce - แซลมอนย่างซอสเลมอนเคเปอร์ (4/10). A typical dish that ones would not be surprise to see in any cafe or bistro. It was on average overall.

Gaeng Kiew Wan Green Curry with Beef Shank and Toast (THB180)

Chicken Coconut Soup (THB120)

Rice Vermicelli with Sweet Peanut Sauce (THB150)

Grilled Salmon with Lemon Caper Sauce (THB380)

Desserts at Rabbit in The Kitchen could be highlight here. Some of them, I have not even heard of. We had a chance to try 3 of the desserts which include Thai Goodies in Coconut Syrup - ขนมสี่ถ้วยกับน้ำกะทิ (4/10), Steamed Banana in Roselle Sauce - กล้วยตุ๋น (5/10), and Trio Sweets in Syrup - สามแช่ (n.m.). The interesting thing was that we forgot to put syrup for the menu Trio Sweets in Syrup. Thus, we cannot really comment anything on this (T.T)". The Thai Goodies in Coconut Syrup is a basic cool Thai dessert served with coconut syrup in which this case it shall include Lod Chong (ลอดช่อง), Black Sticky Rice (ข้าวเหนียวดำ), Popped Rice (ข้าวตอก), and Sweet Basil Seed (เม็ดแมงลัก). From the picture, it may look a rather big portion. However, large part of the bowl was full with crushed ice beneath. The overall taste was ok. But I personally felt that the coconut syrup was a bit too sweet. Lastly, the Steamed Banana in Roselle Sauce was not at all a bad idea for a dessert to end a meal. The texture of banana was good, not overripe. The balance of sweetness and sour of roselle sauce washes out the taste of main courses pretty effectively. I think if the roselle sauce could come in a thicker version such that the sauce would coat pretty nicely on banana, this would be a nicer dish.

All in all, Rabbit in The Kitchen is an average restaurant in term of taste but fail on the service side. Pricing may be a little over the top for Siam Square area but this compensates with the comfy bistro atmosphere. Not the type of restaurant that is a must visit but not a bad idea to pop by when unsure on dining venue around Siam Square.

Thai Goodies in Coconut Syrup (THB90)

Steamed Banana in Roselle Sauce (THB60)

Trio Sweets in Syrup (THB60)

Rabbit in The Kitchen @ Siam Square, Bangkok - แรบบิท อิน เดอะ คิทเช่น @ สยามสแควร์ กรุงเทพ
Siam Square 11 (next to Hard Rock Cafe)
Phyathai Road
Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330
Thailand

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

Monday, December 12, 2011

Scala Restaurant @ Siam Square, Bangkok

Cuisine: Chinese
Visited: 25 November 2011
Price: THB650 per person without alcohol (what I paid for)
Food: 7/10
Atmosphere: 5/10
Value for money: 6/10

Almost three decades that I from time to time give this restaurant a visit. This restaurant called "Scala" is situated under the classic Scala Theatre at Siam Square. Not many of you may have heard about this place. Most of visitors are old faces. I am fortunate enough that my family frequently visits this restaurant since I was young. This gem of Siam Square is famous for its Peking Duck which has really crisp skin and fat-less. The decoration of this place is somewhat old fashion but it does give a warm ambient. Personally, this is a must try restaurant.

Scala Theatre - โรงหนังสกาล่า

Entrance of Scala Restaurant - หน้าร้านห้องอาหารสกาล่า

Restaurant Ambient - บรรยากาศภายใน

This time we did order 4 kinds of Hors d'oeuvre. First one being Chicken Wine Sauce. This is one of the classic Chinese dish. Chicken was marinated with Chinese wine before being steamed. This dish is served cool. Chicken meat was really tender and savoury. The presence of wine was clearly noticed. Wonderful it was (7/10).

Second one was Fried Minced Shrimp on Toast. This is all time any children favourite. Basic dish but full of happiness when eaten. It does go really well with sweet plum sauce (7/10).

Chicken Wine Sauce - ไก่แช่เหล้า

Fried Minced Shrimp on Toasted - กุ้งโรยงา

The third one was Shanghai Noodles. This dish has salty and sour flavours as base which matches supremely well with Shanghai Noodle. This is a kind of dish that can be ordered every time of visit (6/10).

The last one was Shark's Fin Scramble Eggs. This dish was surely not one of the best here but still enjoyable. It is kind of dry comparing to the other restaurant. But many oldies may find it wonderful (5/10).

Shanghai Noodles - ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเซี่ยงไฮ้

Shark's Fin Scramble Eggs - หูฉลามผัดแห้ง

Next in line was the famous Whole BBQ Peking Duck. Not to mention the well roasted duck that goes perfectly with an ideal sauce, the skin was really crisp and I do mean crisp. Even more, the mentioned crisp skin contained no fat, thanks to the skilful staff who sliced the duck professionally. When wrapped in pancake with a piece of cucumber, you would just ask for more of this Peking duck (9/10).

Whole BBQ Peking Duck - เป็ดปักกิ่ง

Staff Slicing Peking Duck - พนักงานกำลังแล่เป็ดปักกิ่ง

This was then followed by Goose Feet in Earth Pot. In case you have never tried goose or chicken or duck feet, don't say "eiwww" and deny it. I say this dish is a treasure. Goose feet was well marinated and steam in a pot of various herbs until soft and tender and served with noodle and sea asparagus. Fantastic I say (8/10).

Goose Feet in Earth Pot - ขาห่านอบหม้อดิน

Fried Fresh Shrimp is another of my favourite since I was a kid. I is kind of light in flavour with hint of spring onion as base. However, this time I felt that the texture of shrimp was not as good as it used to be. Still tender but lack of crispiness (5/10).

Fried Fresh Shrimp - กุ้งแบบเซี่ยงไฮ้

Sweet and Sour Fish was kind of enjoyable. Nothing really special but cooked with good quality of ingredients. It was not that thick like Hong Kong style and with lighter taste. It did go well with steamed bun (6/10).

Sweet and Sour Fish - ปลาเปรี้ยวหวาน

Steamed Fresh Siam Goby Fish with Soy Sauce is something rather expensive these days. This restaurant still keep the price at reasonable level and also at reasonable size of fish. Of course, this was well cooked with great ingredients and steamed to just perfect level. Really smooth and tender, not too salty with a tiny hint of sweetness. Love it (7/10).

Steamed Fresh Siam Goby Fish with Soy Sauce - ปลาบู่นึ่งซีอิ๊ว

Last of the meal was Fried Egg Noodle Shanghai Style. This was a duck base dish. Duck meat left over from Peking Duck was used as an ingredient for this dish. Always savoury but a little oily. To me, this dish looks like another basic dish but once eaten you would just ask for more (7/10).

Fried Egg Noodle Shanghai Style - บะหมี่เซี่ยงไฮ้

Scala Restaurant @ Siam Square, Bangkok
Ground Floor of Scala Theatre
184 Soi Siam Square 1
Rama 1 Road
Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan
Bangkok 10330
Thailand

ห้องอาหาร สกาล่า @ สยามสแควร์ กรุงเทพ
ใต้โรงหนังสกาล่า
184 ซอยสยามสแควร์ 1
ถนนพระราม 1
แขวงปทุมวัน เขตปทุมวัน
กรุงเทพ 10330

Open Hours: 11:00 - 14:00 for lunch and 17:00 - 22:00 for dinner daily
Tel: +66 (0) 2251 2863
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