Bangkok 2013 - Part 3

The next day was Chatuchak Day.. which meant that would spend like 4-5hours at Chatuchak, and head over to Union Mall for awhile.. 

Kway Chap at Union Mall's food court.

 Standard dropped compared to the last time I ate ):

Fried Carrot Cake 

Bought this just to try it as it looks good from the display. BUT, looks can be deceiving

We dropped by Major Ratchayothin to shop at the market outside the shopping centre, roamed about here and there, bought some donuts back for our hotel staff and settled dinner at our hotel as well. 

Some chicken chop kinda main course 

Teriyaki Chicken Pasta

The food is reasonably priced (about 150-200 baht if i remember clearly). Presentation and taste wise was also reasonable for such a humble place. We had no complaints!

The next day, we visited the Thong Lor and Sukhumvit area to chill at the Cafes. 

Roast Cafe

Egg Ben

Duck Confit

I am not a fan of coffee and I really don't know how to appreciate a good coffee. That said, many people have commended that they serve some good coffee here in Roast made with their in-house roasted coffee beans.

Some pastries are sold at Roast, but I gave them a miss as I wanted to have desserts at Mr Jones.

Though the food at Roast is good, I personally don't think it's worth specially taking a trip there to try. Prices are not very attractive as well.

Roast is at Thonglor Soi 13, Seenspace 

nearest BTS is Thong Lo but it is at least a good 10-15minutes walk away. Just take a taxi or motorbike to this place (: 

Mr Jones' Orphanage

At the same location, is the highly raved Mr Jones' Orphanage. The concept it really interesting as it is furnished and built as if it was for kids.

The upper deck seating has ceiling so low that you have to bend down at all times (except when you're sitting down). I really admire the staff that can climb up and down effortlessly.

A wide array of desserts is available here, but my stomach was too full to try many.

The Red Velvet Cake was fluffy, though not as moist as I would like it to be. 

Mr Jones' Orphanage is also located at Thonglor Soi 13, Seenspace

Long Table

The bf wanted to have some steak and chill at some rooftop bar so we decided to dine at Long Table, famous for its steak!

Very pretty interior

Our seating area was elevated on a platform, in an amazing square table surrounded by sofa and cushions.

We had to remove our shoes to enter the area. There were drawers below to store our shoes. The service was so amazing. When I wanted to go to the washroom, the waiter kindly took out a pair of bedroom slippers for me so that I do not have to keep wearing and taking of my shoes. How thoughtful!

Other tables.

Soft shell Crab

Wagyu beef with som tam

Bangkok city night view

White chocolate lava cake, which totally blew us away. It was sssssoooooo amazing. Don't be fooled by it's condensed-milk-like colour. It REALLY tastes like white chocolate. MUST ORDER!

I haven't dined at many steakhouses in BKK so it would not be a fair comparison, but I think if you're looking for some where that has nice ambience, reasonable steak and drinks, this is the place. 

Location is also very convenient, less than 10mins walk from Asok BTS

Do call and make a reservation before dropping by!

Long Table

Sukhumvit Soi 16, Column Tower 25th floor.

http://www.longtablebangkok.com/

Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of my holiday at Bangkok!

Bangkok 2013 - Part 1

Finally had the chance to sort out pictures and blog about my BKK trip! It's my 5th time in BKK and this time round, we were there for 6 days, so we decided to take things slower, at a more comfortable pace.

In the past when I go for 3 or 4 days, it was a super lack of sleep trip. This trip was slightly different. We visited many new places, as well as some touristy places, ate relatively more expensive food and not forgetting, the shopping!

This time round, we took the airport rail link and walked. We reached out hotel in about 40mins!

We stayed at budget hotel. Superb location, just 5 mins walk to Platinum mall, 3mins walk to pratunam market and just steps away from the main road. Although the room is pretty small, the place is clean and service staff were very helpful. We enjoyed our stay there.

Our hotel. Looks like a cafe.

First meal - Gai Tawn Chicken Rice.

Famous chicken rice at Phetchaburi Soi 30.

Don't expect it to be our hainanese chicken rice standard. It is not as fragrant but for the price, it is good enough.

From Big C (opposite Central World), walk against the traffic along the shops till you see the stall. All the staff wear pink.

In the past, I went there at night and it was much more crowded. Also, do check out the mango sticky rice stall just few shops down. The aunty hangs her mango at the stall and it's pretty easy to spot it at night.

After having brunch, we headed to Big C for some grocery (and tidbits) shopping. We also bought stuff like mosquito repellant, air freshener, tissue and stuff. (I was really sick the whole trip and had to stock up on tissue)

Took a tuk tuk back to hotel to put down our groceries and rested for a couple of hours as our flight was damn early that day. Headed to Platinum Mall after that.

Grabbed a bite at one of the roadside shops. Outside Phetchaburi Soi 15 towards Soi 17.

Simple Kway Teow Soup

Crispy Egg Noodles.

Pork Cutlet

After shopping for a good 4 hours, we decided to go to Chinatown for our usual dinner place, T&K seafood.

Shark's Fin Soup

Shrimp cakes (DAMN GOOD)

 Garlic and Pepper Crab. Only the small crab left. It wasn't very good, but for the price, no complaints.

Plaa Muek Yaan

Grilled Sotong. I love this too! Perfect snack to go with a Singha Beer!

We also ordered Fried Rice and Stir-fried Kang Kong!

The bill came up to slightly less than 100 baht, which is really cheap!

Check out Part 2 and Part 3 of my Bangkok trip!

Travelogue - Phuket (Part 3)

For the rest of the trip, we roamed around without any plans cos we have no idea where to go and my family has joined us, which means we'll follow my brother's itinerary. We went to places like Central Festival, Jungceylon etc..

Most interesting prawn fritters I've ever seen - fresh prawns seated on leaves. I'm not sure what leaves are they, but the batter is really good!

Khao Phad Talay

Kway Teow Phad Talay - fried kway teow with seafood, at our usual breakfast haunt, outside out villa.

Prom Thep Cape. Up hill from Rawai/Nai Harn beach. Great view but I guess we were there too early and it was too hot.

Dinner at Kan Eang@Pier. Kan Eang@Pier was originally Kan Eang 1 and was renamed after a renovation. If I'm not wrong, there is a Kan Eang 2 restaurant around.. This one that we go to is at Chalong Bay, a more atas one. Of course, prices are not cheap, but I would say the food is reasonable. There's also a wide variety of food - Thai food, Jap food, seafood dishes.

Fireworks to accompany us after dinner. AMAZING

Spent the night in Patong as N wanted to catch a soccer match. 

I can't remember what happened, but I think he got the match timings wrongly so we missed it.

Ended up chilling at a pub and ordered some drinks.

One of the alleys along Soi Bangla / Bangla Road that sells local food

This was probably the best meal we had in Phuket. Laem Hin Seafood. 

The seafood was fresh and really cheap, we ordered tonnes of dishes. We get to choose our fish and crab and get them to cook in our desired style. Some might face communication barriers over there but it wasn't that bad for us as I could speak a little. Coconut shake is a must try!

Laem Hin seafood is near to the pier, pretty ulu and you will pass buy villages to reach here. There are boats that diners can take to another restaurant called The Black Crab. Our driver told us that The Black Crab charges exorbitant prices. 

Norbu Steakhouse

A very interesting restaurant with very unique decorations. The ambience is not too bad and the sauces were okay. I didn't like the doneness of my steak. I ordered medium rare, mine turned out rare (the picture above). Way too reddish. Love the brussel sprouts though. Reasonable price of $20+ or $30+. However, be prepared to wait. The restaurant wasn't crowded, but the service is slow.

They provide free transport to and fro if you stay in Rawai (:

Paresa Resorts

N got to know of this place while looking for places to dine for Valentines' Day. It is in Talung Thai. The price is reasonable for a place like this. Sadly, we totally underestimated the distance. It was nearly 2hr car ride. By the time we reached there, it was about 8plus. Can't see anything and we missed out the view.

Look at this picture that I've gotten from Paresa's website:

Absolutely breathtaking!

The resort is very exclusive, very atas, top-notch service. Non of the staff can't speak English. It reminds my of Singapore's Capella.. Well, the food was good, but I wouldn't say it is fantastic. Not a place to visit on a normal day unless you're looking for a luxurious holiday.

Well, on the last day of the trip, N and I checked out and followed our family as they moved to another accommodation - Serenity Resort

I WISH I COULD STAY THERE WITH THEM!

Private roof top, huge living room, spick and span rooms.

Again, you get what you paid for..

The umbrellas are near the swimming pool, and at the edge I guess it's a private beach which belongs to the place.

We could walk along the beach and there's even life jackets and kayaks for us to use!

They even have a clubhouse for kids.

We just had to have a meal at this beautiful place before we leave.

Last moment of happiness before we left...

See, it looks like we're dining on water. Incredible!

That marks the end of our Phuket trip!

Check out Part 1 and Part 2!