Mitsumori @ Sukhumvit 23, Bangkok - มิตซูโมริ @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 23 กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Japanese

Map: Mitsumori @ Sukhumvit 23, Bangkok - มิตซูโมริ @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 23 กรุงเทพฯ

Charged Price: THB400 per person without alcohol (lunch)

Visited: 2 May 2016

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Value for money: 7/10

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

Mitsumori may be related to the Ootoya chain of Japan. But it is a step forward in term of quality and delicacy. For this one in Bangkok, it is located within Soi Sukhumvit 23. It might be a little hassle for those who do not drive here as the location is somewhat deep into the soi: cc. 8 to 10 minutes walk (600 meters) from the entrance of Soi Sukhumvit 23. Nevertheless, driving here might equally gives some headache when the place is crowded as there are less than 10 lots for parking.

What surely calm my nerve down about quality of this Mitsumori when I walked in was the Japanese expats crowd. I did not see many local here. More than 80% was Japanese. The very first word in my mind then was "authentic". And yes, it did not disappoint us at all. I believe, apart from quality of ingredient, Mitsumori shows excellent bbq range like yakitori. The lunch set is as well superb. As for atmosphere, it is comfy enough with Japanese feeling. There is a counter of around 10 seats in the centre of the restaurant where guests can enjoy chef performing bbq.

Mitsumori @ Sukhumvit 23, Bangkok

~ 6 - 7 car lots for parking only

the counter seats

performance by bbq chef

the menu

It was one fine lunch when we visited Mitsumori. We had Oyakojyu - ข้าวหน้าไก่บ้านโอยาโกะ (7/10), which is simply grilled chicken cooking in a similar way to katsudon, and Hot Soba with Sakura Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura (7/10). Rest assure, quality was indeed great. Chicken was tender and flavouful. Alongside condiments were delicious too. The soba had nice texture. The one with chewiness but soft as noodle should be. Simply classic and lovely. The lunch set also comes with a choice of coffee or tea. A set is certainly wonderful enough to fulfill one's need for a meal. Will surely return.

Oyakojyu - ข้าวหน้าไก่บ้านโอยาโกะ (THB320)

Hot Soba with Sakura Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura (THB360)

Iced Coffee to end the meal

Mitsumori @ Sukhumvit 23, Bangkok - มิตซูโมริ @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 23 กรุงเทพฯ

47/1 Soi Sukhumvit 23
Thanon Sukhumvit
Khlong Toey Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 11:30am - 02:30pm for lunch and 05:00pm - 10:00pm for dinner (09:00pm for Sunday and public holidays)

Tel: +66 (0) 2640 8283
Web: http://www.mitsumori-bkk.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/mitsumori.bkk/

ThanYing Restaurant @ Silom, Bangkok - ร้านอาหารท่านหญิง @ สีลม กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Thai

Map: ThanYing Restaurant @ Silom, Bangkok - ร้านอาหารท่านหญิง @ สีลม กรุงเทพฯ

Charged Price: THB350 per person without alcohol

Visited: 15 November 2015

Food: 8/10

Atmosphere: 8/10

Value for money: 8/10

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

Ever thinking of where to really get the authentic Thai food and yet it's royal cuisine, here is an unrivaled one for you: ThanYing. So why I said this is a royal cuisine one. It's because recipes used in this restaurant resembled that ones once used by Princess Sulabh-Valleng Visuddhi who was the head cook in the kitchen of Sukhothai Palace. Thus, now ThanYing is run by the son of the princess, M.R. Sorut Visuddhi.

I kind of remember that this restaurant has been operated since I was a kid. Somewhat 20 years or so ago. It is located in Soi Pramuan which connect Thanon Silom to Thanon Sathon. If you do drive, it is pretty easy to reach this place and there are plenty of parking lots. However, reaching via public transport is still not a big hassle. The nearest BTS station is Surasak Station. Once walk pass the front door of this restaurant, you would feel it right there: the classic contemporary decor with elegant atmosphere. Yes, elegant atmosphere I would say. Most of the time, this place can have low level of noise. It is perhaps mandatory for most of guests to speak softly but naturally and automatically in this place.

ThanYing Restaurant @ Silom, Bangkok

beautiful dining hall

more relax corner

One of the plus plus thing for ThanYing is it serves Khao Chae all year round which is a rare case for any other restaurants. Trust me, it is one of the best in town. For today, there is a special menu which we did not hesitate to try: steamed rice cooked with coconut milk, papaya salad, salted egg, shredded pork, tamarind dip and chicken curry - ข้าวมันส้มตำ (Khao Mun Som Tum) น้ำพริกมะขาม ไข่เค็ม หมูฝอย แกงไก่ (8/10). Ever since I was a young boy, khao mun som tum has been one of my all time favourite Thai food. It is such a good combination of delicate steamed rice cooked with coconut milk, which yields flavourful and textured rice, and rich taste som tum of Nort-eastern dish. Another starter that I hardly miss for any Thai meal would be yam ma khuer yaao - ยำมะเขือยาว (7/10). This is a perfect dish to start off your meal. Tangy and mild spiciness. Soft aubergine with charcoal aroma. Love it.

steamed rice cooked with coconut milk, papaya salad, salted egg, shredded pork, tamarind dip and chicken curry (THB230)

yam ma khuer yaao (THB180)

Next was pla ga-phong sarm ros - ปลากะพงสามรส (8/10). This is another of my favourite here. It is not too spicy but rich in flavour and yet it is crisp. Good thing is the dish would be cut into pieces for you to easily eat. Delicate in detail indeed. For curry range, I would usually recommend Gaeng Nuer (beef curry, similar to green curry) at this place. Nevertheless, it was gang massaman nuer - แกงมัสมั่นเนื้อ (7/10) for this time. It is less in spiciness. But richer in texture, more nutty, and comes with unique taste of caraway. For those who may want to have mild dish gai pad ta krai - ไก่ผัดตะไคร้ (7/10) is not a bad choice at all. So rich in lemongrass aroma.

For us, every single time we dine at ThanYing, it is just memorable. Forget those super famous in modern day like BoLan or any other fusion / half-blood Thai food. Here is the real one, I promise.

pla ga-phong sarm ros (THB495)

gang massaman nuer (THB195)

zooming on beef and pineapple

gai pad ta krai (THB195)

ThanYing Restaurant @ Silom, Bangkok - ร้านอาหารท่านหญิง @ สีลม กรุงเทพฯ

10 Pramuan Road
Silom, Bang Rak
Bangkok 10500

Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 11:30am - 10:00pm

Tel: +66 (0) 2236 4361
Web: http://thanying.com/

Basil @ Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok

Cuisine: Thai

Map: Basil @ Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok

Price: THB750 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)

Visited: 6 December 2013

Food: 8/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Value for money: 9/10

Services: 8/10

People always say that Thai restaurant at hotels is always one of the worst, else only made for foreigners. Well, it is a different story at Basil @ Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. Not only the food is wonderful, services are also at high standard just as its neighbour Rossini's. All staffs are so helpful and friendly. Expectation on good recommendation to your taste can be met. As for atmosphere, the place itself has been established to present a rather modern style of Thai decor. The dimmed light gives a more warming touch (can be a choice for dating too). Anyway, the overall impression is a warm touch. As for myself, I am sure a regular at Basil so I would recommend any of you to give it a go. Unless you are those who thrive for strong and spicy taste, then you may forget about this place. It is more elegant and herbal style.

basil, it is

entrance of Basil

atmosphere and interior

Upon arrival we were served with amuse bouche which was Miang Kham - เมี่ยงคำ (8/10). In case you are not sure what Miang Kham is, Miang Kham is a northern Thai traditional snack with often shallots, ginger, garlic, lime, roasted coconut, roasted peanut, and palm syrup wrapped with chaphlu (piper sarmentosum). This was wonderful indeed: as good as ones from those famous shops.

Another great point here is the range of boiled rice. There are 3 choices available: jasmine rice, lemongrass scented rice, and brown rice. So I didn't hesitate to go for all options, though personally I am one who falls in love with brown rice. To start off our meal, we had moo thord takrai nga khao - หมูทอดตะไคร้งาข้าว (7/10). This is simply deep-fried marinated pork loin with white sesame and served with crispy lemongrass. I do like the tenderness and juicy flavourful loin. The alongside sauces comprise of 2 kinds which are sweet but balance. It was indeed a good start up for a meal.

amuse bouche with Miang Kham - เมี่ยงคำ

ready to be eaten Miang Kham

3 variety of rice available

moo thord takrai nga khao - หมูทอดตะไคร้งาข้าว (THB350)

Now moving on to seafood dishes (for good health ^_^). All four seafood dishes we had during the night were fabulous.

choo chee pla salmon - ฉู่ฉี่ปลาแซลมอน (7/10): This pan-fried salmon in red curry sauce was not bad at all. Not that spicy but filled with herbal touch. The red curry was mild and the fillet texture was perfectly cooked.

phad poh taek - ผัดโป๊ะแตก (8/10): Often that sauteed seafood with lemongrass and herbs are not my enticing dish. But poh taek at Basil is at an interesting pace. The dish came with seafood range, such as scallop, soft shell crab, prawn, and etc., in spicy sauce but such spiciness was from herbs, not chilli. I was sure enjoy the dish.

mok pla salmon - หมกปลาแซลมอน (6/10): I, at first, believed it was some kind of Hor Mok (steamed curry custard) but I sure was wrong. It was instead steamed salmon with chilli paste and without curry. Well, it may not be one of the best dish but enjoyable.

pla kapong sauce sam rod - ปลากระพงซอส 3 รส (9/10): This is one of my most favourite dish at Basil. The seabass in sweet and sour with chilli sauce was so balance. The sweetness, the saltiness, and the hot and spicy weighted out each other. Nothing over powering. The fillet was fried till crisp but inside texture was preserved with moist and tenderness. This is one that cannot be missed.

mok pla salmon - หมกปลาแซลมอน (THB480)

phad poh taek - ผัดโป๊ะแตก (THB620)

choo chee pla salmon - ฉู่ฉี่ปลาแซลมอน (THB540)

pla kapong sauce sam rod - ปลากระพงซอส 3 รส (THB670)

For curry/soup dishes, I went for mussaman gae - มัสมั่นแกะ (9/10) and tom kha gai - ต้มข่าไก่ (7/10). For mussaman gae, it is lamb curry with peanut base and the unique beauty of caraway. It is one of my favourite Thai dish of all time. It went amazingly well with boiled rice. To have this dish, it is perfect with rice so you must must must have rice along with it. The flavour was packed with herbs and rich. The texture was thick but smooth. Just the aroma was already irresistible. Highly recommend dish. Tom kha gai, on the other hand, is a famous Thai soup with coconut galangal as the main players. The plus point is the way it was cooked such that the fat was not broken out of coconut milk. Personally, a bit more of galangal and lime would make this a simple perfect dish.

mussaman gae - มัสมั่นแกะ (THB460)

lamb and potato from the curry

tom kha gai - ต้มข่าไก่ (THB540)

zoom up to chicken

Basil @ Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok

Floor 1 Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit
250 Sukhumvit Road
Khlong Toei Nuea
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

Open Hours: lunch from 12:00pm - 02:30pm Mon-Fri and dinner from 06:00pm - 10:30pm daily

Tel: +66 (0) 2649 8888
Web: http://www.sheratongrandesukhumvit.com/ and http://www.basilbangkok.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/sheratongrandesukhumvit

Khua Kling + Pak Sod @ Thonglor 5, Bangkok

Cuisine: Thai (Southern)

Map: Khua Kling + Pak Sod @ Thonglor 5, Bangkok

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

Visited: 8 April 2013

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 7/10

Services: 4/10

Khua Kling + Pak Sod in Soi Thonglor 5 is one, but rare, of the famous Thai restaurants that serves Southern style dishes. Pretty much similar to Phuket Town, which is located as well in Thonglor area but dishes here at Khua Kling + Pak Sod are a little stronger in taste.

The place is not so big with probably around 10 tables and 2 private rooms. There are also garden seats that can be delightful during non-Summer period. The decoration of this place is kept minimal, it looks like an old house converted into restaurant but comfy enough.

Khua Kling + Pak Sod @ Thonglor 5, Bangkok

notice the yellow sign upon arrival

small restaurant with around 10 tables only

a private room

garden seats for alfresco

Though we did not have a chance to jot down each dish separately, we could confidently say that every dishes were really nice. I especially like the Crab Meat Curry, thick and rich in texture and not so spicy and hot in taste, which can go pretty well with either rice or noodle. The other dish that I would like to recommend is Rice Noodle with Fish Curry Sauce: savoury, creamy, and rich.

I have nothing much to say this time but see below pictures and judge for yourself whether you should give it a try. For me, hell yeah.....I am sure a regular customer there.

Crab Meat Curry with Chapoo Leave - แกงปูใบชะพลู (THB350)

a close up look on crab meat

Orange Soup & Deep-fried Cha-ohm with Crab Meat - แกงส้มปูชะอมใต้ทอด (THB350)

Rice Noodles with Fish Curry Sauce - ขนมจีนน้ำยาปักษ์ใต้ (THB120)

Khua Kling with Minced Pork - คั่วกลิ้งหมูสับ (THB120)

Khua Khling with Soft Bone - คั่วกลิ้งกระดูก (THB150)

Thai Style Omelette with Sweet Basil - ไข่เจียวใบโหระพาและพริกสด (THB70)

Deep-fried Fish with Turmeric Flavor - ปลาทอดขมิ้น (THB380)

Fried Crab Meat and Cowpea with Yellow Chilli - เนื้อปูผัดพริกเหลืองใส่ถั่วฝักยาว (THB350)

Khua Kling + Pak Sod @ Thonglor 5, Bangkok

98/1 Soi Thonglor 5
Sukhumvit 55 Road
Khlong Tan, Wattana
Bangkok 10110

Thailand

Open Hours: daily 11:00am - 02:30pm for lunch and 05:30pm - 09:30pm for dinner

Tel: +66 (0) 2185 3977, +66 (0) 86 053 7779

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KhuaKlingPakSod