Paste, Bangkok…tastebud-smashing Thai food

Talk about fusion: Michelin-starred Paste must be the only restaurant in Bangkok that mixes traditional tongue-blasting Thai recipes written centuries ago with an innovative and creative twist. It matters not. Paste has wowed me with ingenuity and authenticity.

The triumphant water melon, ground salmon with fresh shallots and roasted galangal powder (served at the inauguration of the temple of the Emerald Buddha in the year 1809 King Rama I) was light, delicate, intriguingly moreish and a mishmash of surprising flavours . What’s not to love about that? It was one of those dishes you eat in smaller and smaller mouthfuls to ward off that moment when there’s none left. The smoky southern yellow curry with premium Australian spanner crab, hummingbird flowers, Thai samphire and turmeric had levels of deep flavors that just kept revealing themselves spoonful by spoonful. Get the chiang rai jasmine rice perfumed with organic jasmine flower to go with the curry.

Paste’s dishes are a jumble of flavours, but nothing about this place is a mess. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

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Nuer Koo, Bangkok…has beef noodles like no one else in Bangkok

There are other beef noodle shops in Bangkok, but there is nothing quite like Nuer Koo (pronounce ‘Nua Kooh’).

I opted for medium sliced kobe beef quickly dipped in broth. The soul-stirring soup is deceptively mild at first, gaining carnality with each spoonful but never growing too forceful. It manages to be light and clean on the palate, with a straightforward beefiness that doesn’t linger too long. It comes with rough cuts of gorgeously marbled beef, putting up gentle resistance. The noodles have an integrity and chew you might associate with good Italian pasta.

I’m calling the beef noodle soup here a BUY. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Somtum Der, Bangkok…the food was terrible, offensively terrible

The whole meal was a complete fiasco. We left in a fury of indignation, and all I could think of, as I walked down Soi 55 toward Sukhumvit, was what fantastic material I’d been provided with to write.

With all that positive reviews on Somtum Der in Silom, I was looking forward to this meal at their Sukhumvit addition with great anticipation.

The food turned out to be rather unappetizing. The sa poak gai tod der Der styled deep fried chicken thigh was revolting. The moo ping kati sod – grilled coconut milk marinated pork skewers was nothing to write home about. The Nua rong hai der – house special grilled marinated beef is bad, really bad and lacking any flavor, just dry and boring. The most meaningless plate I’ve ever seen for dinner. We are almost as mad at this place as our stomachs are at us.

It’s a shame and a pity to leave food on the plate uneaten and have no one ask the reason why! This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Dean & Deluca, Bangkok…worth visiting whether you’re in the mood to eat or not

Famed for its appearances in Hannibal and American Psycho, celebrity customers and fancy food, New York City’s gourmet grocer, the quintessential lifestyle brand, Dean & DeLuca is now a massive multi-channel retailer of gourmet foods, drinks and kitchenware.

The Lobster avocado poached egg toast – lobster salad, avocado, poached egg on toasted sourdough, rocket, balsamic – is as Instagrammable as it gets. It certainly takes poached eggs to a new level. Most importantly I am left thinking there are things here I want to come back for.

Any place with that sort of thing like the lobster avocado poached egg toast on the menu surely deserves my deep respect. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

 

 

Pancake House, Bangkok…absolutely delicious, as pancakes should be

With the word in its name, the pancakes here alone are worth making a visit for.

Try a bite of these Nutella salted caramel pancakes and I think you’ll agree! The three stacks buttermilk pancake+ fresh bananas+ nutella sauce+ salted caramel sauce+ chocolate chip+ whipped cream+ vanilla ice cream all play off one another and is absolutely delicious, as pancakes should be. If this is sinful, I don’t want to be good!

Sometimes it’s the simple things, well-executed, that are true testament to a kitchen’s prowess. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

 

IMAX Virtual Reality Centre, Bangkok…the future of arcade games is here

I’m speeding across rocky plains in my Batmobile and then I was battling sinister robots out to wipe out civilisation. Not bad, for a Sunday.

Bangkok’s first full-scale virtual reality arcade, IMEX VR Centre, is an interactive game space filled with 6 VR experiences. It offers customers a chance to battle aliens or robots or simply become Batman, Aquaman or Superman in a 360 degrees experience.

These experiences are pushing against the edges of the technology. It’s hard to let yourself go completely into these other-worlds, given the chunky VR rig strapped to your face and the relatively low resolution and occasionally out-of-focus graphics. The overall feel is simultaneously clunky and awe-inspiring like experiencing a galactic-scale vision and a primitive video game.

The ambition is admirable. The concept is very impressive indeed. All they need now is the games. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Divana Nurture Spa, Bangkok…should be on every spa-lover’s bucket list

The bewildering array of choices for spa aficionados in Bangkok can be overwhelming Whether you’ve got tired, city-beaten skin that needs reviving, stressed-out muscles that need soothing, or you’re simply in search of somewhere lush for a little ‘me time’, Divana Nurture Spa can cater to your every demand.

Housed in an old traditional Thai house with a beautiful garden Divana Nurture Spa is a monochrome cocoon of sheer relaxation. Calm, warm and with wonderfully welcoming staff, Divana offers a huge range of beautifying treatments and specialist therapies. The stress-beating massage is a heavenly indulgence. You’ll definitely shake off some of that inner-city stress. Guaranteed rejuvenation.

Phone off, fluffy robe on. Prepare for a proper pampering. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Burger & Lobster, Bangkok…worth the dollars and calories.

Burgers & Lobster and what Kate Middleton is wearing are apparently HUGE IN LONDON. Burgers & Lobster is a UK mini-chain of hip restaurants that just serves three different delicacies: burgers, lobsters and lobster rolls. Duh.

The lobster rolls are big: from four to five ounces of claw and tail meat, with no other ingredients besides the mayonnaise. The whole lobsters are, besides being a good deal, also fairly delicious dipped in melted butter.

Burger & Lobster is essentially luxe fast food. It is worth the dollars and calories. Of which there are many. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Ping’s, Bangkok…Never go here. Ever.

No one ever makes good decisions on an empty stomach, which explains a lot why I tragically made the worst restaurant choice I can make in Bangkok. Ping’s.

Ping’s is a sad restaurant nestled in Pathumwan Princess Hotel. You won’t find anything near good authentic Chinese food, and you’ll pay full on tourist prices.

Braised fish maw with crabmeat in claypot, Baked crab with vermicelli in claypot, Fried oyster omelette on sizzling hotplate and Stir fried kale with garlic aren’t worth the money — and a couple are total rip-offs!

Head to just anywhere that’s not Ping’s. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Udom Seafood Rama9, Bangkok…a hidden gem

There’s no shortage of great gourmet experiences in Bangkok, but some of the best foodie finds are tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city’s busiest streets. If you’re looking for a cosy little restaurant which offers tasty local flavors, then head over to Udom Seafood Rama9.

The grilled squids were cooked to perfection. We literally cleaned our plates and no leftovers to take home. The tom yum goong (hot and sour shrimp soup) has that spicy kick and even the humble stir fried cayote shoots with oyster sauce was extremely satisfying. The deep fried fish with garlic was amazingly good and very crispy. It’s a huge hit, even by my picky standards.

I feel like its a hidden gem so don’t tell too many people. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…