Showing posts with label siam square. Show all posts
Showing posts with label siam square. 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

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

The Final Chapter of New Light Coffee House @ Siam Square, Bangkok

Cuisine: Thai / Chinese / International
Price: THB350 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)
Visited: 8 December 2013
Food: 5/10
Atmosphere: 4/10
Value for money: 5/10
Services: 4/10

Immediately after hearing the news that New Light Coffee House @ Siam Square will no longer exist from 16 December 2013, we did not hesitate to give it a visit for the last time. From my understanding, New Light will open up at a new place in Bang Lamphu area at the beginning of 2014.

Over 40 years and over generations, New Light has been a well-known restaurant at Siam Square that serves variety of food ranging from Thai to Chinese to international dishes. I would assume that many people would think in the same way as me that do not expect much about New Light. Food is not exceptionally good and atmosphere is not so charming. But why do people give it a visit from time to time? I would think that the kind of food New Light serves is somewhat easy, simple, and nice on its own. Nothing to be paid a particular attention but just enjoyable just like home-cook. It can be a decent quick meal in Siam Square area too. The pricing is also not overly expensive.

New Light Coffee House @ Siam Square, Bangkok

last operation is on 15 December 2013

the classic cashier

the original open kitchen

oldie dining room

My intention for this blog post is not to review food at New Light but to present the kind of food that New Light serves for the last time. Of course, most of the dishes (as well as atmosphere) has not even been altered over the four decades. Well, I may not be in the generation to witness its starting point but I did see its rising, the falling, its reborn, and now the final chapter of New Light @ Siam Square. Below are the whole menu of New Light.








Here comes the dishes we had. I would personally miss the rolls with butter and marmalade. Please don't get me wrong, it is not the best in town but the soft roll with simple, no fancy high end, butter and marmalade are just delicious by itself. Another dish to be paid attention to is American fried rice. If you are non-Thai, you would probably not have heard about this dish. The reason that it is called American fried rice is perhaps the use of ketchup in frying rice and American side dishes or at least Western origin. Strangely, kids tend to like this dish a lot and I was no exception too. Even now I still order this dish when I see in a restaurant.

Anyway, New Light Coffee House will sure be missed by many people, especially by those who were born around 60's / 70's. Not even sure what would replace the space of New Light. If it will be a new restaurant, let's wish it would be good.

rolls with butter and marmalade - ขนมปังกลมกับเนยและแยม (THB45)

my favourite dish at New Light

cream of tomato - ซุปข้นมะเขือเทศ (THB120)

cream of mushroom - ซุปข้นเห็ด (THB120)

French onion soup - ซุปใสหัวหอมฝรั่งเศส (THB140)

cream of French onion soup - ซุปข้นหัวหอมฝรั่งเศส (THB120)

American club sandwich - อเมริกันคลับแซนด์วิช (THB160)

American fried rice - ข้าวผัดอเมริกัน (THB160)

fried egg noodle with prawn and bamboo shoot - ซีหมี่กุ้ง (THB140)

Milano pork cutlet - หมูทอดมิลาโน (THB160)

Stewed ox tongue - สะตูลิ้นวัว (THB220)

deep fried fish patties - ทอดมันปลากราย (THB140)

New Light Coffee House @ Siam Square, Bangkok
Siam Square (next to Hard Rock Cafe)
Pathumwan
Bangkok, 10330
Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 08:00am - 12:00am

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Sushi Den @ Food Passage, Siam Paragon, Bangkok

Cuisine: Japanese (sushi)
Price: THB300 per person without alcohol (what I paid for)
Visited: 10 April 2013
Food: 3/10
Atmosphere: 4/10
Value for money: 5/10
Services: 3/10

Being a regular night walker at Siam Paragon, we had noticed the not so long established new branch of Sushi Den within the "Food on Passage" on the 4th floor. We this time decided to give it a quick go. The place is not big, with probably around 4 or 5 tables only but there are 2 sushi counters: one in side and another one outside (around 15 seats). Anyway, if you do not being watched or glanced while eating, then outside sushi counter gives more comfortable space and feeling than seats inside.

Food at Sushi Den comes in 2 ways: 1. order from menu, and 2. pick from sushi belt (see the current price tag in the picture below, range from THB37 to THB140 per plate). Personally, I don't having food from sushi belt as you will not know how long they have been on the belt and they do not look appetising to me (~.~)"

Sushi Den @ Food Passage, Siam Paragon, Bangkok

inside atmosphere

sushi counter (outside)

price tag for sushi belt

just the recent promotion

While waiting for my order to come, I decided to pick one from the belt just to try and Salmon Nigiri (3/10) was the choice in this case (to play safe). It was fresh but tasteless really. Well, what would I expect for this price during this century in Bangkok.

Our main order arrived a little while later, they were Salmon Sukimi Don (4/10) and 3 Syoku Don (3/10). Salmon Sukimi Don is a bowl of rice on top with grilled salmon and diced salmon mixed with spring onion while 3 Syoku Don is a combination of salmon, ikura (salmon roe), and minced tuna. Salmon tasted just like the nigiri one from the belt. Ikura was a little salty showing the sign of not so good quality but still appetising. The worst part came from minced tuna, I swear it was not fresh and unpleasant. However, the best part of these dons was rice: chewy with enjoyable texture and flavour.

Honestly, even the simple dish is not of good quality, I really doubt the higher end dishes would be any better. I was fortunate not to order admittedly.

Salmon Nigiri from sushi belt (THB57)

sushi don to try ^^

Salmon Sukimi Don - ข้าวหน้าปลาแซลมอนสับ (THB170)

3 Syoku Don - ข้าวหน้าปลาทูน่าสับ ปลาแซลมอนและไข่ปลาแซลมอน (THB225)

The overall impression with this Sushi Den is not so great for us: food is just ok in term of taste but not quality, while staffs perhaps lack of service mind. For us to revisit this place, perhaps "not" in a while. The only reason for us to come back here is being forced by others, otherwise Honmono Sushi, which is just a few block away, is sure a much better deal.

Sushi Den @ Food Passage, Siam Paragon, Bangkok
Floor 4 Siam Paragon
991/1 Rama 1 Road
Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330
Thailand

Open Hours: daily 11:00am - 10:00pm
Tel: +66 (0) 2610 9667
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