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/

Brunch O'Clock at 22 Kitchen & Bar @ Dusit Thani Bangkok - บรันช์ โอ คล็อก ณ ห้อง 22 คิทเช่น แอนด์ บาร์ @ โรงแรมดุสิตธานี กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: International

Map: Brunch O'Clock at 22 Kitchen & Bar @ Dusit Thani Bangkok - บรันช์ โอ คล็อก ณ ห้อง 22 คิทเช่น แอนด์ บาร์ โรงแรมดุสิตธานี กรุงเทพฯ

Charged Price: THB700 per person

Visited: 16 August 2015

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 8/10

Value for money: 5/10

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

The old French fine dining of Dusit Thani Bangkok has now bee converted to 22 Kitchen & Bar, which is in a more laid back style. Over more it also offers brunch kind of food every Sunday now which starts as early as 10:30am and runs until 03:00pm. If you are not familiar with Silom area in Bangkok, I can say that Dusit Thani Bangkok is by itself a noticeable landmark. It is located right at the corner where Silom Road and Rama IV Road intersect. BTS Saladaeng and MRT Silom are right there. Pretty much convenient to drop by. Driving is also ok for this place.

What I (and perhaps many others) like about this place for a long time is probably the nice view of Bangkok it offers. 22 Kitchen and Bar is, of course, on the 22nd floor of Dusit Thani Bangkok. The whole floor itself is the restaurant and there are many window seats. The view, in my opinion, is decent enough. It might not be as wonderful as those on higher floors. But it at least would offer those who seek romantic moment at night.

22 Kitchen & Bar @ Dusit Thani Bangkok

the bar of the restaurant

comfortable seats of 22 Kitchen & Bar

view from 22 Kitchen & Bar

For us, we popped by during brunch on a fine Sunday in August 2015. Instead of the usual bread and butter, 22 Kitchen & Bar chose to use muffins to welcome us. They were Blueberry Muffins and Chocolate Muffins (6/10). Nice and soft. Decent ones.

As it was a rather hot day, iced beverage was a compulsory in this case. We had Wellness Builder and The Activator to cool down. Wellness Builder is a smoothie with a blend of soy milk, blueberries, corn flakes, and banana whilst The Activator comprises of peach puree, orange juice, lime juice, and yoghurt. The Activator offered a more refreshing sense in this case. In addition, a pitcher of Singha Michalada was also served as a complimentary. I gotta say that staffs were pretty friendly and nice. Thanks for Singha Michalada. However, it was not really my kind of cocktail. Spice and heat from tobasco and chilli flakes were overwhelming. It was just too much for my liking.

Blueberry Muffins and Chocolate Muffins

Wellness Builder and The Activator (THB180 each)

Singha Michalada (THB850)

For the meal, we could not really resist not to order burgers though we should really have ordered other things that look more like brunch too. We had Double-Double Cheese Burger (7/10) and BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich (7/10). Double-Double Cheese Burger is simply double cheese burger with double patties of wagyu beef. I was told by a staff that each patty weighs around 120 grams. It was nice and juicy burger. Nice flavour too. The jalapeno sauce did its job in bringing another dimension well. It can be noticed that pickles were served on the side instead of putting in the burger. I think do care about customers who do not like pickles. So they let each one of us decides whether pickles should be put in the burger.

As for BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, this was a nice one. Rich in flavour. The tender pulled pork showed well contrast with the slaw inside. I like it. I used to have a rather disappointed experience with pulled pork burger at The Girl and The Pig but this one did change my attitude towards this kind of burger positively.

Overall, I do like this place personally. Though I have not yet tried other kind of food here, at least I can say that their burgers are decent. Nice bun and fillings too. Pricing is unavoidably high as it is a restaurant in a 5-stars hotel. Good food, nice view, and friendly service are what you pay for here. But lastly my favourite burger joint in Bangkok is still Papa's Kitchen on Phattanakarn Road though.

Double-Double Cheese Burger (THB450)

juicy yummy double patties of 120 gram wagyu

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich (THB340)

Brunch O'Clock at 22 Kitchen & Bar @ Dusit Thani Bangkok - บรันช์ โอ คล็อก ณ ห้อง 22 คิทเช่น แอนด์ บาร์ โรงแรมดุสิตธานี กรุงเทพฯ

Floor 22 Dusit Thani Bangkok
946 Rama IV Road
Sathon
Bangkok 10500

Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 06:00pm - 10:00pm for dinner and 10:30am - 03:00pm for Sunday brunch

Tel: +66 (0) 2200 9000
Web: http://www.dusit.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/22kitchenandbar

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon Bangkok @ MahaNakhon CUBE, Bangkok - ลัตเตอลิเย่ เดอ โจเอล โรบูชง กรุงเทพ @ มหานคร คิวบ์ กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: French / Fine Dining

Map: L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon Bangkok @ MahaNakhon CUBE, Bangkok - ลัตเตอลิเย่ เดอ โจเอล โรบูชง กรุงเทพ @ มหานคร คิวบ์ กรุงเทพฯ

Charged Price: THB2,000 per person without alcohol

Visited: 4 March 2015

Food: 6/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Value for money: 2/10

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

Launched in December 2014 with the huge huge name tag (as well as price tag) of Joel Robuchon, the man with the most Michelin Stars, I was eager to have a chance to visit. Here comes the chance and we did not hesitate to hear our way to MahaNakhon CUBE in Sathon / Silom area. Indeed the location is great with BTS Chong Nonsri Station right at the front. However, the location of city centre can be chaotic for those who drive.

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon Bangkok has retained the same concept as in other places of Joel Robuchon with red theme of decoration such as Joel Robuchon Hong Kong. The dining venue is separated into two parts: 1) the counter station where you sit on stool and dine on the counter bar watching chefs perform their roles and 2) the proper dining hall with more elegant and formal atmosphere.

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon Bangkok

the famous bar seats

more elegant and comfortable dining room

As mentioned, the price tag is definitely high for this high end fine dining venue: THB950 - 1,850 for lunch courses and THB5,000 / 7,500 for tasting menus for both lunch and dinner. Wine pairing is also available. Marked up price in wine list is typically steep as expected: mainly 2 - 4 times of retail price. My expectation was high accordingly, especially with great experience a few years back L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon Hong Kong. Bread basket here looked pretty similar to the Hong Kong branch's one but the overall impression was just so-so for these bread and rolls.

For me, I went for 3 courses lunch which was priced at THB1,450++. The starter I chose was Stuffed Small Squids with Piquillos and Black Olives, Chorizo Flavour (6/10). Well, not a very good start of the course for me. The dish was strong in pepper flavour which was nice. However, it was the delicacy touch and perfection of mouth-feel texture that were lacked in my opinion. 

selection of bread and roll

Stuffed Small Squids with Piquillos and Black Olives, Chorizo Flavour

Moving on to main course, it was Roasted Cod and Bouillabaisse, Saffron Rice (6/10). Rather nice and refreshing for the overall sense. Cod was a little over done to my liking. The somewhat creamier than usual stew was pleasant and flavourful. Thanks the idea of matching with saffron rice which went together quite nice. 

Lastly, it was Red Fruits Panna Cotta, Watermelon and Amaou Strawberry, Lime-basil Sorbet (5/10) to end the meal. It was just a typical panna cotta and come on, I had expected more than just this common panna cotta taste and presentation at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon. If it was in other places, I would say it was nicely done and forget the presentation. But you better do at higher standard here. Ok, the panna cotta did have nice and creamy texture which was not overly sweetened. The sour and sweetness of fruits and sorbet paired well in general with panna cotta. 

Roasted Cod and Bouillabaisse, Saffron Rice

Red Fruits Panna Cotta, Watermelon and Amaou Strawberry, Lime-basil Sorbet

In order to end the lunch course, you may as well choose to have cheese instead of dessert or fancy choices of dessert from the trolley at the supplementary charge of THB200.

In overall, I was not impressed with the branch of L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon and won't think of returning at all. Such a hefty price tag and it should have been much better. It is sure not because it was just lunch. What I have experienced, no matter how elegant or classy the restaurant is, either lunch or dinner or tasting menu does represent the calibre of the restaurant well.  By the way, almost forgetting to mention about service. I would say staffs here were really nice and polite. But they seem to lack of professional experience for example requesting for butter the staff just went missing or knowledge of the dish was not quite there.

Cheese Trolley

Dessert Trolley

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon Bangkok @ MahaNakhon CUBE, Bangkok - ลัตเตอลิเย่ เดอ โจเอล โรบูชง กรุงเทพ @ มหานคร คิวบ์
Floor 5, MahaNakhon CUBE
96 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road
Silom, Bang Rak
Bangkok 10500

Thailand

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

Tel: +66 (0) 2001 0698
Web: http://robuchon-bangkok.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/atelier.bkk

Le Du Wine Bar and Restaurant @ Silom, Bangkok

Cuisine: French / International

Map: Le Du Wine Bar and Restaurant @ Silom, Bangkok

Price: THB1,700 per person (what we paid for)

Visited: 23 December 2013

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Value for money: 8/10

Services: 7/10

Le Du or ฤดู in Thai, meaning "season", was recently lauched in November 2013 by two young partners: Chef Ton and Khun Tao. The menu of Le Du is created by Chef Ton and Chef Tae. Both young chefs learnt their cooking skill from the Culinary Institute of America in USA and had a few years of experience in Michelin starred restaurants in USA. In addition, Chef Ton himself is also a certified sommelier and does pick range of wine himself. When I came across this restaurant, I decided that I have to give it a go. What really fascinating is their philosophy of cooking, they try to use ingredients that are available locally and use Thai ingredients and herbs to inspire their dishes. When combining with Western cooking technique, they can be fancy and delicious.

This place is hidden in Soi Silom 7 and is pretty close to Trinity Building. Please be warned that there will be no parking space available for Le Du visitors so you will have to park at Trinity Building. During daytime, Soi Silom 7 will be very busy and crowded with office staffs and street food. However, for night time diners, you may be lucky to get a parking space along the street. Anyway, the most convenient way to come here is via BTS and it is Chong Nonsi station.

Le Du Wine Bar and Restaurant @ Silom, Bangkok

Chef Ton and Khun Tao - the two partners

The restaurant is not large with probably around 30 seats. The kitchen is only parted from dining room by window glass. Hence, you can clearly watch cooks perform their skill. For menu, they are targeting to change every a few months so what I review here might not be available when you visit. The dinner menu comprises of 4 sections: Cold and Raw, from the Reef, from the Ranch, and Sin (dessert). You may also go for tasting menus at the price of THB990 for 4 courses and THB1,590 for 7 courses. Wine pairing for tasting menu is also available at the same price: i.e. 4 glasses for THB990 and 7 glasses for THB1,590. Lunch menu, on the other hand, is different in style. They tend to be more easily approachable and quick such as salads and pastas.

the bar

general atmosphere

relaxing place : can be good for friends gathering

the kitchen

For the night alone, I began with cured wild bass with rose apple, cilantro meringue, cucumber, and lime granita (7/10). This starter was mild and cold. The freshness of sea bass paired well with sweetness of apple and refreshing cilantro and cucumber. Lime granita provided tanginess and mildness of sour. I found that the granita was a bit lumpy whilst it should be finely grated ice. If the taste was a little stronger, I would like it even more. Otherwise, really enjoyable.

cured wild bass with rose apple, cilantro meringue, cucumber, and lime granita (THB200)

top angle of the beautiful presentation

My course was then followed by seared grouper with bacon XO, celery emulsion, compressed celery, puffed rice, galangal nage (6/10). I think this can be a really nice dish. The grouper was delicately cooked with the skin so crisp. Puffed rice gave a good impression and was fun to eat. The infused aroma was the key character here. Nice and herbal bouquet that fused well between Eastern style and Western touch. The bacon XO was, however, too salty. It kind of ruined the overall picture. I wish the dish was less salty and this would be so wonderful.

seared grouper with bacon XO, celery emulsion, compressed celery, puffed rice, galangal nage (THB350)

pouring the broth

again, nice presentation

Lastly, the dessert was chocolate x chocolate x chocolate (8/10). Basically, it was three kinds of chocolate in a plate: baked lava chocolate, crunchy chocolate, and crispy balled chocolate. It gave the all in one touch. Soft and warm chocolate lava was balanced with crunchy and crispy chocolate whilst meringue played the cold role. The chocolate was rich and thick as well as not overly sweeten.

chocolate x chocolate x chocolate (THB270)

SIN with god blood

Along the courses, I also had a glass of white wine, Sauvignon Blanc, to go with fish dishes and a glass of tempranillo base to pair with dessert. The white was Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from Marlborough (THB290, 88pts). Price of wine by glass for table wines was not at all cheap but let put that aside. This sauvignon blanc was spicy and herbaceous. It exhibited tangy acidity which infused with grapefruit and lemon flavour. A good table wine, it is. For the red, it was Enate Tempranillo 2011 from Somontano, Spain (THB290, 89pts). I rather like this tempranillo based red wine with some blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. It was medium in the body with fine tannins. Sweet and spicy on the palate and showed loads of fruit characters.

Le Du, in overall, is an exciting restaurant that is full of energy and passion of youngsters. Each dish may not yet be so perfect. But I would not be surprise to see its quick development and become famous in the future. I am, personally, looking forward to revisiting this small restaurant, Le Du, in a small corner of busy Silom. Bon Appetit!!!!

Le Du Wine Bar and Restaurant @ Silom, Bangkok

399/3 Soi Silom 7
Silom Road
Bangrak
Bangkok 10500
Thailand

Open Hours: lunch Mon-Fri from 11:30am - 02:30pm and dinner Mon-Sat from 06:00pm - 11:00pm

Tel: +66 (0) 83 073 6860, +66 (0) 81 562 6464
Web: http://www.ledubkk.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/LeDuWineBarandrestaurant

Foo Mui Kee Restaurant @ Soi Prachum, Surawong Road, Bangkok

Cuisine: Thai, Chinese, European

Map: Foo Mui Kee Restaurant @ Soi Prachum, Surawong Road - ฟูมุ่ยกี่ @ ซอยประชุม ถนนสุรวงศ์

Price: THB180 per person without alcohol (what I paid for)

Visited: 21 May 2011

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 6/10

Value for money: 9/10

Services: 6/10

I probably do not have to say much about the restaurant called Foo Mui Kee, which has been serving a unique and delicious food for many decades. In case you are new to Foo Mui Kee, walking into Soi Prachum from Surawong Road you would immediately notice the restaurant on your right hand side. You may also enter Soi Prachum from Silom side (Soi Silom 22). However, you will have to walk to the end of Soi to find Foo Mui Kee (~ 5 mins walk).  The nearest public transportation is BTS Chong Nonsi station which is 5 mins walk away. Once walking into the restaurant you would immediately feel the atmosphere that resembles tea house in Thailand during 70's. The decor has been kept like this since the start of the business: old wooden tables and chairs.

Foo Mui Kee Restaurant - ฟูมุ่ยกี่

The Old Sign

The Old Table Set - ชุดโต๊ะรับประทานอาหารเก่า

Another View of Foo Mui Kee - อีกมุมหนึ่งของฟูมุ่ยกี่

Let me begin with this basic Bread & Butter, every time I give Foo Mui Kee a visit I have to order this back to back menu. I looked really really basic at first sight but the feel after taste was not that basic I must admit. This bread also went really well with Ox Tongue Stew: one of the best in town I believe. Tenderness with rich flavour with peppery scent, I could just have this every day (9/10).

Bread & Butter - ขนมปังกับเนย

Ox Tongue Stew - สตูว์ลิ้นวัว

Next in line was another of my favourite, Pork Chop. It was just a dish that had delicious taste in home-made style: rather light flavour it was. This one is 7/10 for me.

Pork Chop - พอร์ค่ชอป

Tenderloin Steak Salad was also everyone favourite. The meat was soft, salad was fresh with dressing that had sweet + sour taste.

Tenderloin Steak Salad - สลัดสเต็กเนื้อสัน

Stir-fried Bok Choy with Shrimp Ball was as well a good choice. Crisp vegetable with tasty shrimp ball. I must admit that it is really hard to find good shrimp ball these days. Most of them in the markets are mixed with large portion of flour to save cost. But not in this case (8/10).

Stir-fried Bok Choy with Shrimp Ball - ลูกชิ้นกุ้งผัดผักโสภณ

Last one for the meal was Crab Fried Rice. I was not so impressed with this one as it was rather soaky though taste was good (5/10).

Crab Fried Rice - ข้าวผัดปู

Foo Mui Kee Restaurant @ Soi Prachum, Surawong Road

10 - 12 Soi Prachum

Surawong Road

Suriyawong, Bang Rak

Bangkok 10500

Thailand

ฟูมุ่ยกี่ @ ซอยประชุม ถนนสุรวงศ์

10 - 12 ซอยประชุม

ถนนสุรวงศ์

แขวงสุริยวงศ์ เขตบางรัก

กรุงเทพ 10500

Open Hours: 11:00am - 09:00pm daily

Tel: +66 (0) 2234 6648