THAILAND
Best of (Bangkok only)
Best Thai restaurants:
Admakers (moved from original Langsuan location. Have not been there in several years)Anna's (bonus for great Western desserts) (the original on Sala Daeng, but may have closed)
Baan Klang Nam
Blue Elephant
Dairy Queen
Food stalls (all over town, if you are willing to risk stomach problems)
Kalapapruek (either branch)
Patara
Sara Jane's
Suda Best
Western restaurants:
BedBiscotti
Calderazzo
Delicatezza
Eat Me
Jesters
Kuppa
La Piola (and its twin, Da Mimi)
Le Normandie
Lord Jims
New York Steak House
Witches Oyster Bar
Best other Asian:
Bai YunIndian Hut
China House
Rang Mahal
Shintaro
Best Brunch:
Four Seasons (possibly best in the world)Sukhothai
Most Elegant:
Le BanyanLe Normandie
Best Bars:
Admakers (moved after 2007, have not been to new incarnation)Brown Sugar
Diplomat Bar (in May 2003, at least, the hip place for wealthy farang and hi-so Thai)
Vertigo (best view in town)
Sirocco (64 floors up, great views over the Chao Praya, around corner from Oriental, expensive but great marinated olives)
Restaurant List
Admakers* – Soi Langsuan, across street from our apartment (December 2007) Live music -- accoustic guitar early, rock band later. Very casual atmosphere popular with Thais and Farangs. If you order correctly, you can eat quite well. Moved to new location. Have not visited.Penang Curry
Larb
Mixed vegetables (not good)
Northern sausage (not good)
Shrimp w/ oyster sauce
Catfish w/ginger
Fried mini-crabs
Crab larb
Spring rolls
Fish mousse curry
Wing bean salad
Yam catfish
Fried whole snakehead fish w/eggplant – surprisingly good. One of my favorite dishes, period. Yam som o
Green curry w/roti
Crab omelette
Omelette w/basil
Lemongrass salad
Shrimp w/ lemongrass
Shrimp w/ginger and chilis
Northern style eggplant
Chicken w/noodles
Sundried beef
Tom kha kai
Tom yum goong
Airplane* -- Lang Suan Small Italian. Outside seating in nice weather. Food only ok, but Thais like it. (2002)
Spinach, mushroom, cheese melt
Fried mozarella Pizza w/ prosciutto (they use regular ham)
Al Nakhila -- Ploenchit Center Small, fast food counter-type restaurant. Lebanese. (2003)
Samosa
cheese
Lebneh
Tzatziki
Fattoush salad
Chicken shawarma w/ hummus
Stuffed grape leaves
Angelini – in the
Shangri La Very upscale. Beautiful bar area. Comfortable seating. Fancy
Italian. Focus on preparation and presentation. Italian chef. Large and
expensive wine list. Very good, but not markedly better than other Italian restaurants
around town. Excellent mango juice. (2002)
Langoustine and
asparagus fritters
Mushroom ravioli in
vegetable broth
Grouper w/tomato, olive
sauce
Prawn and apple risotto
Shrimp w/zucchini and
scamorza cheese
Tagliolini in stewed
artichoke
Lobster and mozarella
ravioli w/ marinara sauce
Chocolate souffle
Lemoncello crème brulee
Peach sorbet
Anna’s* Sala Daeng Very
pretty dining area, airy, nice wait-staff. Very good seafood dishes. Wonderful,
western desserts. Recently changed menu, removing a few of the best dishes.
Lots of Thai diners. Popular for birthdays. (2003, now sadly gone)
Papaya salad (Som tam)
Fried catfish w/ smoked
pepper sauce
Fried catfish salad w/
mango chili sauce
Steamed fish w/panang
curry
Grilled pork
Vegetable omelette w/
spicy fish dip
Glass noodles w/ mixed
seafood
Shrimp balls w/ mushroom
sauce
Shrimp cakes
Green curry w/ duck
Chicken wings
Bamboo and fish curry
Fish w/ yellow curry
Fish w/spicy pepper
sauce
Khao soi
Yom plaa duk foo (fried catfish)
Fried spring rolls Chicken satay
Gai yaang
Pad Thai
Omelette w/ pork & vegetables
Omelette w/curry
Jungle curry w/herb
omelette
Eggplant and pork
Sticky date pudding
Blueberry cheesecake
Banana coffee caramel
pie
Apple crumble
Aqua -- at the Four
Seasons Hotel. In the courtyard. Serves
mediterranean snacks, plus special noodles menu on Saturdays. Nice place to
have a drink and relax. (03/04)
Hummus
Baba ghannouj
Kofta
Khao soi
Egg noodles w/barbecued
pork
Vegetable potstickers
Arun Residence -- on the
Chao Praya, right across from Wat Arun Eat outside on the deck overlooking Wat
Arun in the evening as brightly lit dinner cruises pass up and down the river.
Mixed Thai and western menu. Not bad, but you're there for the view. (1/08)
Seabass
Softshell crab
Auberge Dab -- across
from Central Chitlom Relaxed, comfortable service. A nice bass combo plays
while you eat. Enjoyable French food, somewhat expensive for Bangkok. (2003)
Scallop salad
Fried goat cheese
Roast chicken
Profiteroles w/chocolate
sauce
Baan Chiang -- off of
Soi Pramuan, 50 yards from Syringa Isaan specialties in a converted Thai home.
Popular with European guests. Spicy. (2003)
Sundried beef
Penang Gai
Chicken in kale leaf
Wingbean salad
Shrimp and mushroom
salad
Shrimp and broccoli
Shrimp and bacon skewers
Baan Khanita --
Sukhumvit Soi 23 The first of the two Baan Khanitas. Pretty surroundings. Good
food. Deep fried sun dried beef Chicken curry Baan Khanita
& Gallery – Soi Ruam rudee Close by, beautiful art, very good service.
Nice wine list. Good food, spiced for the farang palate (a little sweeter).
Increasingly expensive. (March 2004)
Tonglang leaves w/
chili, molasses, dried shrimp, peanut, toasted coconut, lime, onion, pepper,
ginger
Chiang Mai sausage
Fried shrimp on sugar
cane
Shrimp cakes
Chicken w/lemongrass
Wingbean salad
Softshell crab and red
curry
Green curry w/ chicken
Yam Som O (pomelo salad)
Softshell crab w/ chili
paste
Chicken in Pandamus
leaves
Shrimp w/ tamarind sauce
and fried basil
Chicken w/ tamarind
sauce and fried basil
Steamed fish w/ lime and
garlic
Shrimp w/ coconut tips
Duck curry
Fried sundried beef
Softshell crab, egg and
curry powder
Spicy beef salad
Eggplant salad
Fried seabass w/fried
spicy basil leaves
Grilled cottonfish
Sticky rice w/mango
Taro balls in coconut
milk
Baan Klang Naam* -- Rama
III Soi 14 Right on the river. Large, open air seafood restaurant. Seems to be
a favorite place for Thais to take their foreign guests. Fresh seafood, nice
and spicy. (2008)
Steamed sea bass with
lime and chili
Stir fried shrimp
w/garlic
Watercress w/oyster
sauce
Sour soup w/crispy
snakehead fish
Bai Yun -- 59th floor of
Banyan Tree hotel, on Sathorn Formal, yet modern Chinese restaurant, with
excellent views of the city. Varied menu with many dishes not found in the U.S.
Somewhat expensive. (2003)
Pine nuts and fruit in
taro basket
Barbecued pork and duck
Shredded duck and taro
spring roll
Bamboo pith soup
w/mushroom
Kale w/crab
Spicy lamb
Pan fried garoupa
Seafood noodles w/pepper
Crispy pigeon
Bali – ordered in
--Indonesian (2002)
Nasi goreng
Beef w/spices
Chicken w/ spices
Gado gado
Barbican -- also a pub,
on the Japanese girlie soi in Patpong Pretty good food to go with a full bar.
(2002)
Caesar salad
Steak Lemon tart
Bed -- Sukumvit Soi 11
Very hip and trendy. Also, a popular bar, club. 60s vision of the future.
Everybody is served at once with a limited menu, but very good. Great place for
New Years. (2003) (Update:
Reportedly closing as of 8/2013)
Cream of broccoli soup
Cream of mushroom soup
w/smoked salmon
Mixed seafood pasta
Steak
Watermelon and feta
salad
Warm chocolate cake
Blueberry crème brulee
Bio Kitchen -- Soi Pipat
Small, clean, bright, popular with women office workers for lunch. Also, a
bakery. (2003)
Fried rice w/shrimp
Oreo cheese cake
Apple juice
Biscotti -- off the
lobby in the Four Seasons Hotel on Radjadamri. Sleekly decorated Italian.
Popular with the hotel guests, particularly the Japanese. Very good food. Menu
similar to an upscale Italian restaurant in the U.S. Good wine list. Serves
breakfast buffet to hotel guests -- excellent waffles. (March 2004)
Fritto Misto
Lobster carpaccio
Grilled prawns w/polenta
and shrimp bisque
Lentil soup w/ pig's trotters
Risotto w/seafood
Risotto w/duck breast
and white asparagus
Potato Gnocchi w/
lobster ragu
Crispy gnocchi w/pesto
Seabass
Mozarella ravioli w/
honey, berries and cinammon ice cream
Capuccino mousse
Donuts w/strawberry
sorbet
Cherry pie w/ almond ice
cream
Blue Elephant -- on
Thanon Sathorn, next to St. Louis Hospital Former Thai-Chinese chamber of
commerce building. Turn of the century colonial architechture. Royal Thai
cuisine w/some interesting fusion dishes. Pretty interior. One of several Blue
Elephant restaurants around the world. Also, has a very nice cooking
school. (2003)
Lamb chop kaprow
Steamed sea bass with
lime
Paper shrimp
Chicken and shrimp
stuffed dumplings
Black pepper shrimp
Duck nam tok
Scallops and mangosteen
salad
Salmon laab
am tok tuna
Buop w/mushroom
(vegetable)
Green currry w/eggplant
and black chicken
Custard in a young
coconut
Black sesame ice cream
Mixed fruit sorbets
Bussaracum -- on Soi
Pan, off Sathorn, around corner from Burmese Embassy Slightly more formal,
Royal Thai cuisine. (2002)
Shitake mushrooms and
shrimp
Lettuce leaves stuffed
with shrimp and lime juice
Mixed vegetables in
oyster sauce
Eggplant stuffed
w/shrimp and pork
Chicken w/pepper steamed
in bamboo
Lemongrass juice
Cabbages & Condoms –
off Sukhumvit. In all the guides due to
its colorful pro-condom message. More Thai eating there than I thought, but
still a farang place. Pretty surroundings. Food was OK. Does a good job w/
fried things. (2002)
Shrimp in oyster sauce
w/ asparagus
Spicy eggplant
salad
Fried cottonfish w/
mango sauce
Spicy duck salad
Café Du Monde (Became an
additional Anna’s, but might now be gone)– Diethelm building, across the street
from U.S. Embassy on Wittaju. Mix of Thai and Continental. Had a nice wine
tasting. (2003)
Fish
Shrimp balls
Date pudding
Le Café Siam -- Soi Sri
Aksorn, a little out of the way/hard to find Has both a French and a Thai menu.
In a converted old house on a quiet side street. (2002)
Cauliflower soup
w/lobster
Salmon w/potato and
horseradish cream
Chocolate mousse
Calderazzo *-- Langsuan
New, stylish. Popular among the upscale, well-dressed Thai. Very good Italian.
Nice owner. (2004)
Cream of Pumpkin soup
Spinach salad w/honey
tomatoes and eggplant dressing
Fried ricotta w/roasted
peppers
Mushrooms on polenta
Cured salmon
Spinach and ricotta
ravioli
Sea bass
Baked eggplant
w/mozarella and tomato
Pasta w/ broccoli, chili
and pancetta
Pasta w/pesto
Pizza w/mascarpone
cheese and prosciutto
Pizza Napolitano
Apple cinammon
torte
Mixed nut gelato
Cao Dien -- Sathorn soi
12 Stylish Vietnamese restaurant. Good food. Friends who have lived in Vietnam
called this the best Vietnamese food in Bangkok. (2003) Note: I ate there
prior to living in Vietnam. Not sure how
I would judge it now.
Fried and fresh spring
rolls
Chicken soup
Fried rice
Crepes
The Cedar -- Sukhumvit,
Soi 49. Lebanese. Restaurant has a decided Middle Eastern feel. Has a good
reputation. Food was good. (2002)
Pita w/ garlic mousse
Felafel
Hummus
Beef shawarma
Sambusek cheese rolls
Ratatouille
Chicken shawarma
Lamb fateh
Chicken w/ spicy sauce
Kofteh kebab
Green beans w/ tomato
Lamb shank
Labneh
Taboulleh
Celadon – At Sukothai
hotel, Sathorn Hip, airy, lots of windows, very good service. (2003)
Vegetables in curry w/
shrimp
Fried shrimp
Tom kha plaa
Duck curry
Vegetables and seafood
in oyster sauce
Fish fillet
Grilled shrimp
Taro in coconut milk
Champrhen* -- off of
Sathorn, across from Thai boxing center Old-style Chinese restaurant. Famous
for its roast chicken. Maybe a little tired. (2001)
Roast chicken
Shark's fin soup
Noodles w/fried fish
Fish cakes
Curried scallops
Fried bean fritters
China House -- Part of
the Oriental, located in old colonial building across the street. Attentive
service, large menu, excellent food. Reasonably priced, but not a
bargain. (2003)
Fried crab rolls
Lobster wonton soup
Peking duck/duck in
chili sauce
Seafood noodles
Beef w/ pepper sauce
Mango pudding
Sago and pumpkin in
coconut milk
The Chinese Restaurant*
-- Hyatt Erawan Located on first floor of major hotel. Attracts Thai ladies who
lunch. Large assortment of excellent dim sum. (2002)
Dim sum sampler
Crepes & Co. –
Sukhumvit Soi 24? Pleasant, casual, very good for brunch. Can sit outdoors in
garden. (2002)
Pancakes
Crepe w/ mushrooms and
cheese
Crepe chasseure
Cheese bread
Mango lassi
Cy'An-- Metropolitan
Hotel, Saathorn Road, next to the Banyan Tree. (March 2004) In new ultra-modern
hotel. Can dine by pool or in white (cafeteria like) interior dining room.
Moorish flavored food. Very good, sharp tastes. Inventive and stylish
presentations. Expensive for Bangkok.
Tapas (salt cod
fritters, tomato gazpacho, grape gazpacho, anchovies and peppers, ham, vegetables)
Artichoke soup
Moorish seafood stew
Dairy Queen *-- Thonburi.
In a Thai neighborhood down the street
from our friend Mark. Large, mostly outside and on the river. Wide selection of
excellent Thai food. (2002)
Chicken w/cashew nuts
Fried fish
Mixed vegetables
Fried fish cakes
Tom yum goong
Da Mimi -- Sukhumvit Soi
22, across from Imperial Queen's Park Same owners/chef as La Piola. Small,
pleasant restaurant w/wonderful Italian food, especially pastas and meats. It’s
a set menu. (2003)
Italian meats w/melon
Roast beef
Antipasta
Marinated seafood
Risotto w/prawns
Pasta w/mushroom cream
sauce
Ravioli in meat
sauce
Tiramisu
Delicatezza* -- on Thong
Lor, just past soi 17 Small Italian restaurant in a converted shophouse.
Excellent food, but service can be slow due to a small kitchen. Terrific for
celebrations in which you can rent out the restaurant. (2002)
Smoked salmon
Parma ham and salami
Salad nicoise
Spaghetti bosciola
Spaghetti w/spicy tomato
sauce and eggplant
Spaghetti w/mushroom
cream sauce
Snowfish
Osso Bucco
Salmon alla Livornese
Tiramisu
Dubliner -- on
Sukhumvit, near Soi 22 See bar section below. An Irish bar with a full menu w/
lots of excellent (non-pub) choices. (2002)
Fish fingers
Salmon and asparagus salad
Chicken tempura
Caesar burger
Burger w/blue cheese and
red onion jam
Dynasty – Chinese
restaurant, in Sofitel hotel towards airport. Upscale, popular with Thai politicians.
Private rooms. (2002)
Lobster salad
(w/blinking electric eyes for the lobster)
Roast duck and pork
Mixed vegetables
Watercress w/
garlic
Mushroom soup
Steamed fish in soy
sauce
Eat Me -- Soi Pi Pat,
just off of Convent Beautiful small restaurant upstairs on a small soi.
Friendly Australian owner. Hosts lots of art shows. Can eat outside in nice
weather. Eclectic cuisine. Menu changes, with new dishes substituting for old
favorites. Yet, all consistently excellent. Fascinating cocktails and great dessert shots
-- melted mars bar and vodka. One of our all time favorites. (01/09)
Cocktails include: Fig
and Ginger martini; Apple, rosemary, vanilla martini
Grilled mushroom salad
Charred sea scallops
with broadbeans and lemon oil
Pear, cheese, truffle
oil salad
Grilled haloumi cheese
and fennel salad
Foccacia w/ salmon
Spicy potatoes
Spicy mushroom gambas
Spicy shrimp and onions
Avocado, orange salad
w/miso and wasabi dressing
French fries w/ homemade
ketchup
Seared tuna on
mango/avocado salsa
Double roasted duck with
cherry stock and cranberry couscous
Double spicy nyonya
prawns with green papaya and lime
Okonomiyaki --like a
Japanese noodle omelette
Fried snowfish w/ chili
nut sauce
Duck w/ cherry sauce
Trio of risottos
w/salmon and softshell crab
Crab cakes
Fish and chips
Salmon w/miso sauce
Grilled eggplant
bocconcini cheese stack
Cumin rubbed prawns
w/coconut chili salad
Salmon w/lemon rind and
capers
Stuffed red snapper
Truffled mashed potatoes
Sticky date pudding w/
butterscotch sauce
White chocolate
cheesecake
White chocolate tart
w/berries
Flourless chocolate
cake
Chocolate mousse
Lemongrass crème brulee
Eating Rice, Drinking
Tea -- in the Conrad Hotel on Wittayu. On second floor of hotel. Japanese. Good
bento lunches. (March 2004)
Tempura Sushi (variety)
Ramen
Ember – on Soi Langsuan in
new building, near Lumpini. Bangkok
outlet of high-end Singapore restaurant.
Excellent food, marred somewhat by fellow patron dining with swastika on
t-shirt. (2009)
Enzo’s – Sukhumvit 39
Nice, quiet. (2002)
Arucola salad
w/prosciutto
Pasta w/chicken,
parmesan, walnuts amatriciana
FABB Fashion Café – on
corner of Soi Lang Suan and Ploem Chit Italian and Thai. (2001)
Shrimp and noodles, but
watch for the innards
Garage -- in All
Season's Place (2nd floor) down the street from the Embassy American-style
hamburger joint. (2003)
Cheeseburger
Gianni’s* – on Soi
Tonson, behind the U.S. Embassy off of Sukhumvit. Fancy Italian. Italian chef
who visits the tables. Large menu. Popular date spot. Turns out a friend
is a part-owner, though we did not know that when we ate there. (2003 – but still around as of 2013)
Seafood soup
Caesar salad
Onion soup
Chicken stuffed with ham
and mushrooms
Pasta w/ pesto
Lobster ravioli in
safron sauce
Penne w/ tuna and tomato
sauce
Spinach ravioli in
butter and sage
Pear Tart – very good
Yoghurt mousse w/
caramel sauce
Giusto -- Sukhumvit Soi
23. Up street, opposite side from Soi Cowboy. Sleek, modern building. Chef
comes from Ma Be Ba. Another good Italian restaurant. (2002)
Seafood soup
Vegeterian lasagna
Greyhound* – just off
Sala Daeng and in Emporium mall. Chic. Black and white décor. East/west
cuisine. Questionable service. Liz likes more than I do. (2003)
Hainanese chicken
w/three sauces
Cheeseburger
Spinach eggplant
lasagna
Spinach salad
Caesar salad
French onion soup
Tom yum goong
Orange cake
Banana yoghurt smoothie
Harmonique -- Charoen
Krung Soi 34, close to the Oriental Pretty, family run restaurant. Located
close to the river hotels, the clientele is mostly farang. Very good food.
Interesting menu with a few dishes not offered at other Thai restaurants
frequented by Westerners. (01/08)
Lemongrass chicken
Crab stuffed mushrooms
Shrimp rolls
Fried bananas w/ lemon
sauce
Crab meat w/ curry
Shrimp curry penang
Red curry w/chicken
Steamed fish w/lime
Pork larb
Fried fish in sweet-sour
sauce w/ crispy basil
Morning glory
Oysters in butter and
garlic
Banana almond shake
Hong Seng* --
Nonthaburi, north of Ko Kret On the Chao Phraya, across from Ko Kret. Out of
the way, little Thai place. (2002)
Tot man plaa
Whole fried fish
Salted fried chicken
Omelette
Crab w/curry
Tom yum plaa
Indian Hut – A go to
place on a rainy night -- ordered delivery all the time. Very tasty. Variety of Indian food you don’t
always see in the states. Affordable. (2002)
Naan
Cheese naan
Missi Roti –spicy
bread
Paneer Shaslik – Cheese
Prawn Masala
Cauliflower curry
Noori Lasoori Kebab –
chicken
Chicken Biryani
Lamb kebab
Vegetable samosa
Lamb samosa
Lamb vindaloo
Eggplant curry
Rogan Josh
Lentil curry
Indigo – small soi off
of Sala Daeng French. Beautiful restored house. Great looking bar. Good food. (2002)
“creole” tuna salad – My
mistake, I thought it was tuna steak, it was tuna fish
Tiger prawns
Steak w/ bernaise
Lamb in mustard crust
Bread pudding w/ vanilla
ice cream
Crepe suzette w/ vanilla
ice cream
Jang Won -- off of
Sukhumvit Soi 12, in a mall of Korean restaurants and shops Korean barbecue.
Private rooms upstairs. Probably about the same quality as other Korean restaurants
in the mall, but they're all good. (2002)
Bul Go Ki
Grilled beef
Kimchi
Vegetables
Jesters -- at the
Peninsula Hotel, in Thonburi Modern, fusion, eclectic restaurant in one of the
nicest hotels in the world. Particularly
good for desserts. A great meal with great views over the Chao Praya. (2004)
Seared sea scallops w/
mushroom and truffle oil
Green pea soup
Lobster tempura
Soft shell crab
Rack of lamb w/Indian
potatoes
Confit of duck w/Indian
spices
Snow fish
Grilled swordfish w/barbecued
pork and sesame ginger vegetables
Sesame snaps
w/mascarpone ice cream and mango
Black rice and pumpkin
custard w/caramel
Raspberries gratineed
w/white chocolate sabayon
Jim Thompson House –
nearby, off of Ploenchit Beautiful surroundings at the house. Outdoor café.
Small menu, but basic Thai and Western food. Easy place for a quick bite, particularly for
the harried tourist. (2002)
Noodle soup w/
chicken
Noodle soup w/ wonton
Kaanicha -- Soi 11, near
Nana Located off the street, near the Nana station. Popular with long-term
expatriates. (2002)
Duck curry
Bua thoong
Pork w/ pepper
Shrimp w/curry
Kalaprapuek* - The
original on Thanon Pramuan, off of Sathorn Eat outdoors in garden in back. Good
for groups. Very tasty. Not touristy. American Embassy local staff recommend
it. As of mid-2000s, several branches.
(2003)
Dumplings w/ barbecued
pork
Chicken sate
Fish in custard
Larb Duck curry
Roti
Fried fish cakes
Custard apple ice
cream
Pumpkin
Sweet sticky rice w/
shrimp
Kalaprapruek* in All Seasons
Place, on Witthayu. Opened in 2003 in the
mall across from the Embassy. Modern décor. Excellent food, including some
Thai-Chinese dishes not available at some places.
Green curry w/roti Grilled beef
Pork sate
Taro dumplings w/pork
and crab
Vietnamese pancake
Larb gai
Chinese broccoli salad
Noodles w/vegetables,
chicken and dill
Rice w/taro and smoked
duck
Noodles with mushrooms
and chicken
Khao Soi
Apple crumble
Malted milk ice cream
Katak* -- where Rompo
was off of Soi Langsuan, behind Ma Be Ba Good lunch place for Isaan style fried
chicken and somtam. (2002)
Fried chicken
Somtam
Noodles with seafood
Khrua naj Baan* – on Soi
Lang Suan near Lumpini Popular with local Thais. Display of fish, shellfish in
front. Semi-outdoor kitchen. I used
to go for lunch after a run in Lumpini.
(2003)
Tom Yum Goong
Whole fish fried w/
garlic and mango sauce
Whole fried fish
w/garlic and pepper
Steamed cottonfish w/soy
and herb sauce
Watercress and garlic
Crab omelette
Stirfried catfish w/
pepper and garlic
Noodles w/ mixed
seafood
Salted fried chicken
Kozo Sushi – Sala Daeng,
near Patpong All you can eat sushi. Pretty good. Also hot dishes. Rather
crowded, but dishes go around on a conveyor belt. (2002)
Krajiab – Soi Langsuan
(already closed) Uncrowded, modern décor. Waitress had cute baby. Mixture of
Thai regional cuisine. (2002)
Grilled crispy fish w/
turmeric and spicy lime sauce
Pork and coconut on
fried rice crackers
Tofu and pork pepper
sauce w/ vegetables
Shrimp noodles w/ gravy
Kuppa – Sukhumvit Soi 16. Upscale, stylish, European/American food with
a few Thai specialities. Comfortable. Popular with expat crowd for brunch. Always
one of our favorites. Now, a new
location. (October 2007)
Prawn bisque
Greek salad
Roasted vegetable salad
Calamari
Steak w/ mashed
potatoes
Gai yang
Moo yang
Yam nua
Som tam
Pumpkin soup
Roast beef sandwich
Pizza w/chorizo
Blue eye cod w/mashed
potatoes and mango salsa
Pizza w/duck
Crispy duck and mushroom
risotto
Apple pie
Bread and butter pudding
Langsuan Grill and Pub*
– small soi behind the embassy Nice place for lunch. Set lunches. Largely Thai
clientele. (2002)
Noodles w/ beef and soy
sauce
Fish curry
Duck curry
Shrimp w/ basil and
pepper
La Piola -- First floor
store front on Sukhumvit Soi 13 Small, family run. Family style. Excellent,
simple Italian food. High quality ingredients. Good place for a group. Had my birthday there in 2002. (2003)
Antipasta
Italian meats and melon
Gnocchi w/vegetables
Panna cotta
Le Banyan -- Sukhumvit
Soi 8 In a garden setting. Romantic, traditional feeling French restaurant.
Attentive service. Excellent food. Pressed duck is a presentation. (2002)
Lobster salad
w/eggplant, tomato and preserved lemon
Mussels in white wine
Pressed duck w/armagnac
sauce
Chocolate mousse
Crème brulee
Le Bouchon -- Patpong 2
Small French restaurant, tucked in between sex bars and tourist stalls. Good
food, pretty décor. A little cramped. (2002)
Scallop and leek tart
Beef fillet w/ bernaise
Le Jardin*--
Ratchadamri, in the Peninsula Place mall. In middle of mall, garden setting.
Popular with hi-so Thai, especially for weekday lunches. (2009)
Chicken and shrimp
noodles
Fried tofu and
taro
Mango and sticky rice
Lemongrass – Sukhamvit,
Soi 24 Popular w/ the hotel crowd, in all the guidebooks. I first went while
backpacking in 1991. Beautiful décor.
More expensive for Thai food, but still very reasonable. Interesting menu. Food
initially was very good, not as strong the last couple of times we
visited. (2003)
Pomelo salad
Eggplant salad
Peppers stuffed w/
ground pork and shrimp
Omelette w/ crispy pork
and spicy basil
Fried Pomfret w/ chili
sauce
Banana flower salad
Duck
Mixed vegetables
Le Normandie -- at The
Oriental. The best of both worlds: fine French food w/Thai service. You can eat
well without being self-concious about your manners. Beautiful view over the
river. Very expensive. (2002)
Smoked salmon w/ caviar Gazpacho
Scallop salad
Duck w/ caramelized figs
Cheese plate
(rebolochon, blue, goat)
Champagne sorbet
Apple tart
White and dark chocolate
mousse
Les Moulin -- Soi
Langsuan Small. Friendly French chef takes your order. Very gallic menu. (2003)
French onion soup
Roasted goat cheese
salad
Salmon in lime, tarragon
sauce
Steak in Rocquefort
sauce
Liu -- in the Conrad on
Wittayu New, Hong Kong-style dim sum restaurant. Very stylish. (2003)
Dim sum variety (shrimp,
pork, vegetables etc.)
Lord Jim's -- on the
second floor of the Oriental hotel Beautiful décor overlooking the Chao Praya.
Great service and wonderful seafood. Innovative dishes. Terrific decor.
Expensive. Great for a special evening. (01/08)
Crab cakes w/mango
vinegar salsa
Calamari tower
w/caponata
Spiced salmon fillet on
sweet corn potato mash w/eggplant and olive marmalade and herb butter
Goat cheese cannelloni
on apple/carrot slaw
Seared tuna w/artichokes
and mushrooms w/wasabi mashed potatoes
Bouillibaise
Yellow fin on apple
celeriac mash
Hazelnut tiramisu
Ice cream cassata pie
Rhubarb donut w/grand
marnier "milkshake"
Chocolate fondue cake
w/vanilla ice cream
The Madison – in the
Four Seasons Upscale Steak house. Hotel chic, not like US steak houses. Good
steaks, but not US steakhouse quality. Expensive for Bangkok. Good place to sit
for Sunday brunch. (2002 for steak, 2009
for brunch)
Salmon, mozzarella and tomato,
smoked fish salad, seafood salad
Sirloin
Ma Be Ba* – Soi Langsuan
Bizarre décor – Hefneresque, like the Star Wars cantina and the Grotto at the Playboy
mansion. Nice Italian chef. Plus, a Filipino band that plays soft rock from the
60s. (2003)
Calzone
Cream of artichoke soup
Rolled eggplant w/
proscuitto
Parma ham w/ figs -- good, but could have used a few more figs
Watercress, gorgonzola
and pear salad
Morel and asparagus
risotto
Squid ink pasta
w/lobster in brandy cream sauce
Snow fish w/ red
onion/wine sauce
Spinach ravioli
Eggplant lasagna
Penne arabiata w/sausage
Pizza w/ quattro
formaggi
Sausage salad
Maha Naga -- Sukhumvit
Soi 29. Just opened in 2003. Large, with indoor and outdoor seating. Artsy and
upscale. Modern take on Thai dishes. Good, but somewhat mixed.
Tom yum goong
(w/wontons)
Beef soup
Softshell crab
Lamb
Pork loin w/som tom
Snow fish in chili sauce
Lobster in black pepper
pasta
Mee and You Noodles --
at the Hyatt Erawan Small noodle place downstairs. Lots of noodles. Clean.
Wide-selection. (2002)
Pad Kee Mao w/Shanghai
noodles
Vegetable dumplings
Mes Amis -- Sukhumvit
Soi 53, Thonglor 5 On a small, green sidestreet. Modern, sleek, French
restaurant. Good French food, a bit lighter and less complicated than many
French restaurants. (2001)
Grilled shellfish salad
Chilled pumpkin orange
soup
Beef tenderloin w/port
sauce
Coffee crème brulee
New York Steakhouse --
in the Marriott Very good steaks, almost as good as a top-flight American
steakhouse. They make a mean martini. As expensive as US steakhouse because the
meat is imported from the States. (2003)
Caesar salad
T-bone
Filet mignon
Hash browns
Potato wedges
Bread pudding
Cheesecake
Nipa -- in the Landmark
Hotel, on Sukhumvit Traditional Thai décor w/music in the evenings. A hotel
Thai restaurant geared towards foreigners. Nice food. Also, has cooking
classes. (2002)
Tom Kha Gai
Chu Chii shrimp (shrimp curry)
Nippon Tei -- in Jetro
building on Ratchdamri next to DCM's compound. Large Japanese menu, popular with Japanese
diplomats. One of the best Japanese options in town. (2003)
Sushi
Sashimi
Shrimp tempura
Broiled salmon
Edamame
Soba noodles
Green tea ice cream
Nugan Lee Lang Suan* --
Chinese restaurant on corner of Langsuan. Mostly outdoor seating, very casual.
Largely Thai and Chinese clientele. Food is OK. (2002)
Grilled shrimp
Morning glory
Tom Yum Goong
O'Reilly's -- Irish pub
Good food for ordering in. Pub grub. (2002)
Steak and Guinness pie
Shepard's pie
Oriental Cooking School
-- part of the Oriental, a shuttle boat across the river Cooking school. Watch
preparation, more than actually cooking. Good explanations and descriptions of
cooking practices. Excellent food. Expensive. (2002)
Caramelized pepper
shrimp
Shrimp curry w/
pineapple
Beef curry, country
style
Catfish w/tamarind dip
Smoked eggs w/ tamarind
dip
Pan Pan* – Soi Langsuan
Italian. Inexplicably popular with upscale Thai. OK, but better Italian options
available. Wine – not very good. (2001)
Salad w/ pomelo, apple
and prosciutto
Broth w/ tortellini
Shrimp and avocado salad
Pasta pomodoro and
ametriciana –pretty good
Spaghetti in gorgonzola sauce
Pasta/chicken w/ cream
sauce – Ok, but heavy
Pizza w/mushroom and
onion – better than
expected
Calzone
Mussels arrabiata
Penne arrabiata
Pasta w/ mushroom and
tomato
Ice cream – icy, not
creamy Ice cream sundae
Paparazzi -- Soi Ruam
Rudee Italian and pizza in Chateau d'Bangkok (2001)
Vegetarian pizza
Mushroom and ham pizza
Caesar salad
Park Avenue -- Lang Suan
near Ploenchit Upscale steakhouse. Nice bass and piano combo, pretty good
steaks. Expensive. (2002)
Caesar salad
Porterhouse steak
Patara -- Sathorn Soi 11
Excellent Thai food with a few different dishes. Outdoors, looks kind of like a
Bennigans. Inside, however, a nice atmosphere with large windows overlooking
little garden. (2003)
Softshell crab w/somtam
Shrimp w/spicy pepper
sauce
Seared tuna in pandamus
leaves
Duck w/thai basil and
chili
Green curry w/chicken
Shrimp tempura w/crispy
morning glory
Steamed sea bass w/lime
and garlic
Seabass w/mushrooms
Curried crab and sea
bass mousse
Sauteed mushrooms
Tofu larb
Lamb skewers
Chocolate cake w/mango
sorbet
Mango w/sticky rice
Passionfruit gratinee
Pen -- on Chan Road, off
of Chong Nonsii Sino-Thai seafood. Recommended highly by Asian Wall Street
Journal. Staff is rather stone-faced but attentive. Excellent seafood, varied
menu. (2003)
Vegetable pepper shrimp
soup
Morning glory with
peppers
Sea bass grilled in
banana leaf
Fried parrot fish
w/fried garlic, peanuts and mango sauce
Fresh guava
Peppers, Soi 1 off of
Soi Langsuan, behind Embassy Casual, American style lunch place. Very
authentic, basic Western lunch items, like wraps, salads, soups etc. Nice Thai-Australian
owner, manager. Small. Catering. (2003)
Cream of broccoli soup
Potato leek soup
Roast beef sandwich
Mushroom chicken
pie
Caeser Salad w/ grilled
chicken
Moussaka
Chicken caesar wrap
Salmon wrap
Chicken tandoori wrap
Grilled vegetable wrap
Carrot cake
Sticky date pudding w/
caramel sauce
Mango cheesecake -- amazing
Pete’s Tavern – Soi Ruam
Rudee Western style food. Steaks and seafood. Lots of wood in the décor. Food
is solid, not great. (2002)
Smoked duck
Steak
Phrik Khii Nuu – Sala
Daeng, near Liz’s gym Good food. Nice staff. Mix of farangs and Thai. Very
spicy. Good menu. Cheap. A favorite with my predecessor. (2002)
Catfish salad
Wing bean salad
Spicy sausages
Morning glory w/ oyster
sauce
Pork balls
Roasted eggplant salad
Pad thai
Caper curry w/ chicken
Red curry w/ chicken
Fried bread w/ shrimp
Fried fish cakes
Omelette w/ ground
shrimp
Spicy fungus salad
Orange curry w/
shrimp
Khao Soi – Burmese
chicken curry
Pho -- Silom, near the
Dusit Thani One of several of a Vietnamese chain featuring fresh vegetables.
Light, lean. (2002)
Chicken pho
Pancake w/pork and
mushrooms
Beef grilled in King
John's leaves (lalot)
The Pickle Factory –
near Victory Monument Nice outdoor seating in a converted 60s style home. (2002)
Calamari
Bruschetta w/crab
Blue cheese caramelized
onion pizza
Pepperoni pizza
Feta and onion pizza
The Polo Club - Members only. Traditional, old British feel.
Lawn bowling. Extensive menu of Thai, Italian and French cuisine. Very good
food. Spicy. (2001)
Whole fish
Pomelo salad
Larb
Morning glory
Sticky rice w/ mango
Pomodoro – Sukhumvit,
just past Soi Ruamrudee Pleasant, somewhat upscale Italian. More farang than
Thai clientele – out of most young Thai’s price range. Cheaper than in the US,
but high for Bangkok. Better Italian options available. (2002)
Stracciatella
Mixed Italian meat and
cheese platter
Gnocchi w/ gorgonzola
sauce
Spaghetti
amatreciana
Pasta quattro formagio
Raintree -- at the Plaza
Athenee on Wittaju Large lunch buffet w/ Thai, western, Japanese dishes, and
seafood. Lots of desserts.Nice, open dining area. Reasonably priced and good
for a long work lunch. (2002)
Ramentei – On Sukhumvit
Soi 33/1, a Soi filled with Japanese restaurants and a good British pub. Cheap,
very Japanese noodle restaurant. (202)
Egg soup
Pork, vegetable noodles
Shrimp w/ chili sauce
Rang Mahal -- on top of
the Rembrant hotel Bangkok's best and most expensive Indian restaurant.
Beautiful views, traditional music, good service. Frequent destination.
(2003)
Tandoori shrimp
Tandoori salad
Tandoori chicken
Chicken curry
Lamb samosa
Chicken soup
Shrimp w/asian spices
Vegetable curry
Lamb
Lentils
Kulcha stuffed with
cheese
Raita
Carrot dessert
Regent Shop -- In the
Four Seasons Hotel on Ratjadamri Very nice gourment store that serves
sandwiches, soups, salads. Very cheap for a Four Seasons hotel. (2003)
Mushroom soup
Tomato soup
Club sandwich
Salmon sandwich
Vegetable pita
Rompo* -- behind Ma Be
Ba on Soi Lang Suan Outdoor seating. Good for lunch. Can people watch as Thai
office workers pass by. (2002)
Crab w/ egg and curry
Som tam
Gai yang
Yam plaa duk foo
Saffron -- on 59th floor
of Banyan Tree restaurant. Beautiful view, great décor, stunning presentation.
Food is good, but nothing out of the ordinary. (2002)
Banana leaf salad
Steamed dumplings
stuffed w/chicken
Fried catfish salad
Seafood noodles
w/peppers and basil Green curry w/chicken
Chu Chi lobster
Sala Rim Naam -- at
Oriental, across river Upscale Thai-style restaurant w/Thai dance show. Good
for guests. (2002)
Yam Som O
Tom yum goong
Lemongrass chicken
Mixed vegetables
Stuffed crab Duck
curry
Sara Jane’s* – Sindhorn
building, next to Embassy (March 2004) Popular w/ Embassy people. Good for
lunch. Well known for authentic and tasty Isaan cuisine.
Grilled chicken –Gai
Jaang
Larb
Yam Tua Pluu
Carrrot salad
Fried cotton fish
w/mango salad
Chicken w/cashews
Som tam Tom yum goong
Fried rice w/shrimp and
basil
Som tam w/green beans
Grilled beef salad
Sundried fried pork
Grilled pork
Watercress w/garlic
Tapioca w/melon and
coconut milk
Coconut juice
Savoey* -- Suan Lum
night market on Wittayu. Large branch of Bangkok based seafood restaurants.
Fresh fish. Huge shellfish. Very good. (2003)
Grilled jumbo prawns
with garlic
Crab w/curry and
eggs
Spicy snakehead fish
Pak Bung faj daeng
Black sesame dumplings
in ginger broth
Seafood Market* --
Sukhumvit, soi 24, near Emporium Very large restaurant, popular with groups.
Large variety of seafood, vegetables, and fruits laid out supermarket style.
Diners choose ingredients and ask kitchen prepare one of 7 or 8 methods. Good,
fresh seafood. Reasonable. A good place to people watch for the mix of Thai
families and camera toting tourists. (2002)
Grilled snow fish
Tom yam goong
Yam wun sen w/ crab
Morning glory
Mushrooms and bean
sprouts
Whole red snapper, sweet
and sour
Sheraton Grand Sukhumvit
Brunch buffet. Expensive for Thailand. Wide-selection of fruit, fish, Western
foods, Thai food, dim sum Sushi Lots of desserts Liquid chocolate shooting out of
a chocolate elephant’s snout. (2002)
Shintaro – Four Seasons
Hotel. Excellent sushi. Japanese beers. Another favorite and frequent
destination. Great eggplant, as
well. (March 2004)
Spicy tuna roll
Peppered tuna roll
Eel and cream cheese
roll
Peppered crab roll
Crab and cream cheese
rolls
Spicy salmon roll
Grilled eggplant w/miso
sauce
Salmon teriyaki
Tuna, salmon rolls
Green tea ice cream
Black sesame custard
The Silk Road – at the
Hotel Athenee, Tanon Wittayu Chinese restaurant. (2002)
Dim sum
Shark’s fin soup
Morning glory w/ garlic
Rice w/ duck, seafood,
chicken
Black pepper beef -- excellent
Silver Spoon *-- on the
Chao Phraya near the UN conference center. You can sit outside over the river.
Well known. Pretty good food. (2002)
Pak bung
Fried cottonfish w/mango
Tom Kha Gai
Larb Gai
Pork penang curry
Si Nguan Siri* -- on
Witthayu, down street from Embassy and next to Plaza Athenee Popular lunch spot
for local Thai workers. Not much on atmosphere, but typical Thai dishes. (2003)
Mixed vegetables
Fried, sundried pork
Fried rice w/northern
sausage
Chestnuts in coconut
syrup
Sirocco -- Lower Silom,
near the river and Oriental. Large white building with dome on top. Latest
entry into the rooftop dining category. Sit atop 64 story building with
commanding views of Bangkok, particularly of the river. Nicely laid out with a
live band and a bar with a 270 degree panorama of the city. Good mediterranean
food, particularly for a trendy place that appeals based on its siting.
Expensive. (2008)
Calamari
Roasted pork
w/mediterranean vegetables
Smooth Curry – at the
Hotel Plaza Athenee, Tanon Wittayu Thai. Good for hotel Thai food. (2002)
Tom Yum Goong -- the best
Shrimp in tamarind sauce – very good, but it’s the entire shrimp,
head and all
Salmon penang
Shrimp balls w/ mixed
vegetables
Spice Market – Four
Seasons Hotel In beautiful, upscale hotel. Open, comfortable. Good for visitors
who like plain or sweet food. (2002)
Leaves w/ roasted
coconut, shallots, ginger, peppers, molasses, dried shrimp, lime
Fried crab and shrimp
Tom Yum Kung
Fried fish w/ chili
sauce
Steamed sea bass w/lemon
and herbs
Stuffed prawn
Chicken curry
Beef w/ oyster
sauce
Mixed seafood
Crab omelette
Chuchee shrimp
Pak bung fai daeng (morning glory)
New rice porridge w/
coconut milk
Suda* -- Sukhumvit Soi
14, just off the main street. Large storefront, with semi-indoor seating.
Popular with Thais and Westerners. Excellent Thai menu. (2007)
Chicken w/cashews and
chili paste
Red curry w/shrimp
Green curry w/chicken
Fried seabass w/tamarind
curry sauce
Omelette w/shrimp
Tom kha gai
Tanh Long – Soi Lang
Suan Vietnamese. Stylish, trendy. Lots of young Thai.(2002)
Deep fried softshell
crab w/ garlic and black pepper
Stuffed squid Ho Chi
Minh style
Crab rolls
Grilled prawns in pepper
sauce
Minced shrimp on sugar
cane
Spring rolls
Whole fish with
lemongrass
Fried rice
Marinated fish
Water 1999 – Sukhumvit
39, we ordered delivery. (2002)
Roasted duck
Taiwan noodles
Shrimp w/ XO sauce
Spare ribs
Chicken soup
White Heart -- just off
Soi Langsuan, near Central Department store Large Thai restaurant set off of
the street. Variety of Thai dishes. Rooms for groups. (2002)
Fried fish cakes
Curried seafood
Shrimp rolls
The Whole Earth -- Soi
Langsuan Many vegetarian items. Pretty, homey building. Usually, pretty empty,
which is strange because the Chiang Mai branch is very popular. (2002)
Vegetable curry in
banana leaf
Whole fish w/ three
flavors
Green curry
(vegetarian)
Tofu in peanut sauce
Mushroom and cashew stir
fry
Fresh spring rolls
Fried spring rolls
Chicken in pandanus leaf
Morning glory
Sweet and sour
pork
Grilled shrimp and mango
salad
Witches Oyster House --
Ruam Rudee Western (largely British) menu. Excellent, fresh ingredients.
Upscale. (2002)
Lobster bisque Beef and stilton pie
Chicken breast stuffed
w/sundried tomatoes and feta
Witches Tavern –
northwest. Old saloon/tacky décor, but comfortable seating. Interesting looking
drinks menu. (2002)
Cheeseburger-best in Bangkok, so far
Woodstock -- in Nana
Plaza, tucked in among the girlie bars. Not a girlie bar, but pool tables and
bar stools. Good burgers. Noted some dancers seemingly enjoying some
downtime between shifts in other bars.
(2002)
Cheeseburger
Yok Yor* -- boat on the
Chao Phraya Goes up and down the river for a dinner cruise. Largely Thai
clientele. A little too large.
Fried, dried beef
Shrimp balls w/ crispy
basil
Japanese style
fish
Fried fish w/ mushrooms
Chicken curry
Spring rolls
Stuffed, grilled squid
Yok Yor Seafood*-- on
other side of Chao Phraya, take boat from Thaksin bridge Outdoor dining. Pick
your own fish. Live Thai pop performers. (2002)
Tom yum goong-spicy
Fried fish w/
garlic
Steamed cotton fish w/
herbs
Broccoli w/oyster sauce
Zanotti - on Sala Daeng
Very nice Italian. Upscale dining, near Patpong night market. Topnotch
(2003)
Caesar salad
Grilled sea bass
Seafood soup
Chicken, rosemary
calzone
Pasta w/lobster and
thyme
Cheese plate
(Not sure of name) Authentic
Thai*– maybe too authentic. Only Thai diners. Menu heavy on the innards. (2001)
Raw shrimp in fish sauce
w/ raw garlic
Som tam w/black crabs
and fermented fish
Bars:
87 -- bar/restaurant in
the Conrad. DJs spinning music. Not as hip as when first opened. Lots of older
white men with younger Thai women, though it still attracts groups of younger
Thai as well. (March 2004)
Admakers *-- also a
restaurant. Live music. Fairly low key and you can hear people talk. (March
2004)
Aqua -- also serves
tapas, in the courtyard at the Four Seasons. Great atmosphere. (March 2004)
Bamboo Bar -- in
Oriental Hotel. Very good live jazz. Upscale and popular. (2003)
Bamboo Beer Bar -- Soi
Nana. Mix of tourist couples, lonely male farangs, bar girls, and pool players.
Apparently, popular with the local Western high schoolers. Varied patronage
makes people watching interesting. (2002)
Bar@494 -- in Hyatt
Erawan. Metallic décor. Lots of appetizers during happy hour. (2002)
Barbican -- Soi Thaniya.
On a soi filled with Japanese sex bars. Sleek, modern, attractive bar. Popular
with farang. (2002)
Bed -- Soi 11. 60s
vision of the future. Circular, plastic. Two sections, a loud, crowded bar for
people to look at other people and a restaurant area where you sit and eat on
beds. Waitresses dressed as nurses. (2003, but heard closing in 2013)
Blue Lakes --
Swedish-Finnish bar near, but not in Soi Cowboy. Small, hole in the wall. Not
many customers, but a dart board, TV, and lots of Swedish and Finnish beers. (2002)
Brew Arena* -- Sukhumvit
soi 55 (Thong Lor). Huge venu, with fake Mt. Rushmore and stage show. However,
only one beer on tap. Food actually pretty good. (2002)
Brown Sugar* -- on
Thanon Sarasin across the street from Lumpini Park. Good jazz, well air
conditioned, popular. Mainly Thai, but some farang clientele. (2003)
Charcoal Grey*-- on
Sukhumvit. American-style bar, with a Thai cover band playing American rock
tunes. Thai clientele. (2002)
Diplomat -- in the
Conrad on Wittayu. Stylish, high-brow foreigner set. Beautifully designed.
(March 2004)
Faith Bar -- Soi __, off
Sukhumvit. Dark, modern, two stories. Two bars and pool table upstairs. (2002)
Gig Grocery* -- on
Sukhumvit Soi 16. Lots of college and post-college Thais in a casual bar filled
with beanbags, pillows and tobacco hookas. Drinks and a food menu as well. Acid
jazz music. Now defunct.
Horizon Sky Lounge -- on
25th floor of Westin Grand Sukhumvit. Good place for Karaoke. Private rooms,
wide selection of bands. (2002)
Langsuan outdoor area*
-- middle of soi Langsuan (near our apartment). Outdoor dining and small bars.
Popular with local Thai workers. A variety of snacks and one of the little bars
sells pitchers of beer. (2002)
The Met -- at the new
Metropolitan hotel. Very chic style. Extensive cocktail menu. Only there early
in the evening, so can't tell about clientele. (March 2004)
Ministry of Sound* --
huge, modern dance club, brought to Bangkok by international club owners. Very
popular. Lots of black. The fashionable and attractive. All this plus $3.75
beers (expensive by Bangkok standards) and ear splitting techno music. (2002,
though I think closed a while ago)
Q Bar -- off of
Sukhumvit. Fashionable, for the black-wearing crowd. Very crowded, with a small
dance floor/scrum area. Excellent selection of liquor. (2003)
Rivas -- in Sheraton
Grand Sukhumvit. For hotel guests. Cheesy bands. Lots of hookers. (2002)
Room -- on Sarasin, next
to Brown Sugar. Hopping with young hi so Thai. (2002)
Shenanigans -- Irish bar
on Sala Daeng. (2002)
Soi Dogs -- Beer bar off
Asok (2001)
Spassos -- in Hyatt
Grand Erawan. One word: hookers. (2002)
Sukothai -- hip hotel
that has different events. Chi chi. (2003)
Syringa* -- converted
house. Very pretty, with outside seating in good weather. Chic and uncrowded.
Small menu and often out of mixers. (2003)
Tantra* -- in Pan
Pacific hotel. Also, specializes in house, electronica music. Lots of dancing.
Trendy. (2003)
Tapas* -- Sukhumvit soi
4. Its next to Patpong on the gay soi, but it is not a gay bar. Instead, its
loud and full of young Thai. (2002)
Vertigo -- on top of the
Banyan tree, outdoors, 62 floors up. Panoramic views, with a full restaurant
menu. Like many places in Bangkok, not the best martini. (2008)
Warbler -- around corner
from Nana plaza; run of the mill watering hole (2002)
Wongs -- off of Sathorn.
Hole in the wall. Has food, haven't eaten it. Run by a sino-Thai with a great
collection of old (1970s) music videos. (2003)
Woodstock -- in midst of
Nana Plaza, one of the prime girlie bar locations in town. However, Woodstock
is just a bar, though it has a few bar girls loitering around. Good jukebox,
pool. Good burgers. (2003)
World Trade Center Beer
Garden* -- in front of World Trade Center mall. Several beer companies set up
outdoor seating with music and pitchers/bottles of beer. Lively and fun with
Thai bar snacks and grilled foods. (2002)
Zarazine* -- on Thanon
Sarasin across the street from Lumpini Park. A few doors down from Brown Sugar.
Live music, of varied quality. Like many Thai bars, it has an extensive drink
menu, including many drinks they can't make. (2003)
Z/Ry Haus -- On the
Sarasin strip. New, bright and clean. Only been there at happy hour. (2002)
Brunches:
Café @2 -- Second floor
of Conrad Hotel on Wireless. Good combination of Thai, Western and Indian
specialties.
Dusit Thani -- Chinatown
Restaurant. Wide variety of Dim Sum and other Chinese specialties. Nice,
traditional Chinese atmosphere.
Four Seasons -- all you
could want. Best brunch in the world. A martini bar, grilled lobster, caviar,
sirloins, a foie gras bar, juices, individual dessert souflees etc. The Four
Seasons also has a great high tea.
Sheraton Grand Sukhumvit
-- Lots of fish, cheeses and a chocolate elephant spewing hot chocolate out of
its nose. Large, but very good.
Sukothai -- in
beautiful, trendy hotel. Great bisques and desserts. Foie gras also popular. A
variety of drinks, plus light jazz. Also, a chocolate buffet that starts in the
mid-afternoon.
Hyatt -- On Saturdays
too. Nice. Good desserts.
OUTSIDE OF BANGKOK
Chiang Mai
Aroon Rai -- just
outside old city wall Northern Thai cuisine. In most guides. Possible source of
my giardia and dissentery. (2001)
Khao Soi
Northern sausage
Chiang Mai Cultural
Center, Khon Toke Tourist show, but nice. Set up dining on floor w/
performances in the middle. (2002)
Sticky rice
Fried bananas
Fried chicken
Nam phrik ong
Pork rinds
Pork stew
The Gallery -- on the
other side of the Ping river. Also a gallery. On the river. Good northern Thai
specialties. (2003)
Steamed seabass
Chicken and vermicelli
in banana leaf
Tom kha gai
Vegetables and noodles
Duck curry
The Gourmet -- on other
side of river Near many nice furniture, art stores. Quiet during the day. Picks
up at night. Nice views of the river. (2003)
Shrimp chinese style
Egg rolls
Noodles with chicken and
gravy
Just Khao Soi --
downtown (March 2004) As the name implies, it only serves Khao Soi, the
northern Thai curry-noodle speciality. Attractive setting that appeals to
foreigners (the prices keep out most locals). Large portions with plenty of
meat (chicken or beef). You can add all sorts of condiments.
Chicken Khao Soi
Regent, Thai Restaurant
-- North of Chiang Mai Beautiful Four Seasons Hotel. View overlooking rice
paddies and mountains. Excellent breakfast buffet and wonderful room service.
Expensive. (2003)
Chicken penang
Banana leaf salad
Herbaricum salad
Fried spring rolls
Kaeng Hang Le -(northern
style pork curry)
Softshell crab
Softshell crab sandwich
Khao soi
Tom yum goong
Eggplant salad
Calamari
Corn soup
Pumpkin custard
Banana smoothie
Regent, Western lunch
place -- North of Chiang Mai See above. More casual, next to the pool. (2003)
Singapore noodle soup
The Whole Earth -- on
Soi Sri Dornchai Beautiful old house -- like a tree house. Take your shoes off
before entering. Combination Thai and Indian cuisine. Same owners as Whole
Earth in Bangkok. (2002)
Spring rolls
Chicken satay
Tofu w/mushrooms
Tandoori shrimp
Garlic Naan
Whole snow fish, spicy
Chicken masala
Chicken w/ cashews
Hua Hin
Brasserie d’Paris – Hua
Hin on the beach Small French restaurant. Can dine on balcony overlooking
ocean. Classier than many of the surrounding restaurants. Friendly French
owner. (2002)
Crab Hua Hin
Mixed salad
Sole
Shrimp w/ curry
Crème Brulee
Palm – Hua Hin, at the
Sofitel Very pretty, turn of the (19th) Century feel. International seafood
menu. (2002)
Marinated prawns
Rock lobster
Tandoori garoupa
Tiger prawns
Mango compote w/
mangosteen sorbet
Apple tart
Lom Fang – Cha Am at the
Regent Thai seafood. Pretty setting overlooking a pond. (2002)
Yam Som O
Crab claws w/ chili
paste
Fried cottonfish w/
mango sauce
Fried rice and fish in
banana leaf
Jomtien
Pannya* -- on side of
the road on Sukhumvit across from Ambassador City. Tiny roadside stand favored
by American Citizen Services section FSNs on trips to Pattaya. Very, very
spicy.(2003)
Crab omelette
Jungle curry
w/fish
Ko Samet
Sai Kaew* -- on Ao Prao beach.
A small bungalow hotel with a beachfront restaurant. Nice Thai food that you
can eat overlooking the ocean or under the stars. (2002)
Po Pia Thot
Yam wun sen
Whole fish w/chili
sauce
Grilled fish and shrimp
Penang chicken
Fried fish cakes
Seafood curry
Sundried, fried pork
Vegetables in oyster
sauce
Muubaan Thalee -- resort
on northside of the island. (2002)
Chicken larb
Grilled fish and prawns
Shrimp w/basil
Satay Spring rolls
Glass noodles baked
w/shrimp
Lemon tart
Ko Samui
Muang Kulaypan -- on
Chaweng beach Right on the beach. Nice bar. (2002)
Villa Bianca -- in Bo
Put beach On a charming street on a small, fairly quiet beach. Great view of
moonlight on the ocean from outdoor seats. Italian food is pretty good, but
service can be slow. (2002)
Pizza bread
Three cheese pizza
Grilled red snapper
Strawberry sorbet
Eclairs
Mae Chaen
Phuchai saj -- also a
beautiful hotel, restaurant is outdoors around a pool on a hillside overlooking
mountains and valleys. Thai food is pretty good. Western food is not the
greatest. (2002)
Mushroom salad
Fried shitake mushrooms
Pork and palm heart
salad
Hangle curry
Steak w/ pepper sauce
Lamb chops
Blueberry cheesecake
Banana cake
Mae Sai
JoJo -- small restaurant
on main drag, near Burmese border. In guidebooks, but mostly appears to attract
a local clientele. Large menu, with lots of ice cream. (2002)
Noodle soup w/pork
Vanilla milkshake
Mae Salong
Sakura -- Yunnanese
restaurant in Mae Salong resort. Real Yunnanese cuisine as Mae Salong is a
Yunnanese town. (2002)
Mantou - steamed
bread
Shitake mushrooms
Noodles mae salong (pork
and vegetables)
Black chicken w/
ginger
Mukdahan
Chalong -- overlooking
the Mekong, a little north of the main business area. One of a row of small
seafood restaurants with a good view of the river and Laos. There can be a nice
cool breeze in the evening. Fish is just out of the river. Friendly proprietess.
(2001)
Grilled fish w/spicy
dipping sauces
Fried fish w/mango sauce
Tom yum plaa
Noodle stand -- in small
downtown area. One of many noodle stands, known for its homemade egg
noodles. (2001)
Egg noodle wonton soup
w/ pork
Nakhon Phanom
Noodle stand -- in
downtown area, one block from river, near Indochinese market (2001)
Beef noodles
Pork dumplings (dim
sum)
Po pia tod (fried spring roll)
Nong Khai
Udom Rot -- located
overlooking the Mekong next to the ferry to Laos Service wasn't that great,
though they were repairing the roof after a recent storm. Not all of the menu
was available, but we enjoyed what we ate. (2001)
Fish larb
Fish curry
Gai Yang
Stir fried morning glory
Phuket
The Boat House – Kata
beach Beautiful setting right on the beach. Kata is not as crowded or
downmarket as Patong. One of the best wine selections in the world. (2012)
Seafood cakes
Shrimp
Spicy beef tenderloin
Sea bass in nutmeg
butter sauce
Lamb chops w/ five
spices
Mixed desserts –
souffle, chocolate mousse, sorbet, fruits
Banana tart
Buffalo Steakhouse -- on
Patong Beach Scandinavian steakhouse, filled with northern Europeans. Crowded
during the high season. (2003)
Cabbage salad
Steak
________, north of
Patong Very pretty. Also right on the ocean. You sit outside as the tide
crashes on the rocks. It’s at a campground (2002)
Crab in chili sauce
Shrimp cakes
Fish cakes
Spring rolls
Mixed vegetables
Tom Yum Goong
Krajok See, in Phuket
Town Very quaint, romantic. Slightly hidden away. Next to a nice little
gallery. (2002)
Chicken satay
Battered shrimp
Fish w/ chilis and
basil
Eggplant salad
Marriott, north of
airport Italian restaurant. Beautiful surroundings. Good food. Needs a service
shakedown as it just opened. (2003)
Crostini
w/mushrooms
Fusilli amatriciana
Ruen Thong -- at Dusit
Laguna resort. Very pretty, on the
laguna in back of the hotel. Wooden frame building w/outdoor seating. Pleasant
atmosphere, very good variety of Thai food. (2001)
Chicken satay
Fish cakes
Fried shrimp
Mee krob w/shrimp in
tangerine sauce
Grilled cottonfish
w/thai herbs and tamarind sauce
Curried seafood mousse
Prawns and vegetables in
yellow curry
Five spice chicken
Salaloy -- on the ocean
in Rawai beach. Casual, Thai seafood place. Nice for lunch overlooking the
water. (2001)
Mussel salad
Seafood soup
Fried sea bass w/garlic
Tatonka -- behind Laguna
resort on Surin beach, in small roadside mall complex Interesting, eclectic
menu. German chef w/ native American décor. (2002)
Crab cake
Sashimi spring roll
Chicken quesadilla
Pollo ranchero
Blackened pork
Cheesecake w/ mango and
passionfruit
Jackfruit samosas
__________, at spa at Banyan Tree, part of
Laguna resort. Pretty, outdoor seating, by the pool. Light menu. (2001)
Miso soup w/ grouper
Chicken yakitori
Mango smoothie
___________, in _______,
on the south of the island Pretty, also on the beach. Quiet. Recommended by our
driver. (2001)
Dried shimp in shrimp
paste – wait out for this – it may have made me ill.
Softshell crab w/ garlic
and black pepper
Tom Yung Goong
Songkhla
BP Samilan hotel
restaurant -- nice view of beach, cheesy cover bands. Ok food. (2002)
Steamed snakehead fish
w/peppers
Green curry
Chicken penang
Stir fried vegetables
_________ - on the lake,
outdoor seating. Very good grilled lake fish (2002)
Grilled prawns
Grilled garoupa
Shrimp balls with
vegetables, including sea bamboo
Kaeng som
Fried rice
Fried fish w/garlic
Steamed crabs
Sukothai
Dream Café -- in middle
of downtown New Sukothai. Ok food. Interesting décor, a mix of kitchy knick
knacks, like you would find in the US. Pretty good ice cream menu. (2002)
Wingbean salad
Steamed butterfish
w/plum sauce
Eggplant with basil and
shrimp
Vanilla ice cream
w/butterscotch and cookies
Ubon Ratchatani
Im Em -- downtown Modern
Thai restaurant, popular with upscale residents, plus a few farang. Features a
few Isaan specialties (2001)
Mee krob
Boiled fish w/ spicy
sauce
Shrimp penang
Kale w/ oyster sauce
Lai Thong -- Nice hotel,
downtown Buffet lunch at the ground floor restaurant. Decent variety of Thai foods, with Isaan
appetizers. (2001)
Udon Thani
Al Elephant Blanc --
located downtown European restaurant run by a Frenchman. Popular with the local
expatriates. Authentic food at very affordable prices. (2002)
Beef goulash
Wissada -- small hole in
the wall near the government center. Small place, serving grilled chicken and
som tam. Does a large turnover, plenty of take away. Very good grilled
chicken. (2002)
Grilled chicken (Gai Yang)
Yala
Baan Khun Paa -- small
restaurant, we went with local reps during Cong. Staff Del. Some nice local
dishes. (2002)
Tom yam goong
Blossoms w/garlic
Pork and kale soup
Fried tofu w/vegetables
Stuffed shrimp w/crispy
basil
Fried fish
VIETNAM
Bac Giang
Hai Dang - Probably
nicest restaurant in provincial capital about 40 km north of Hanoi. Several
private dining rooms set above lake. Food was ok, but I didn't like that the
menu contained several endangered species -- porcupine, civet cat etc. (01/08)
Pumpkin buds w/garlic
Noodles w/vegetables
Chicken and mushroom
hotpot
Dalat
Evason Ana Mandara --
resort just on the outskirst of town. A collection of restored colonial era
villas. Wonderful and inventive kitchen that makes full use of the high-quality
local produce. Every single dish was excellent -- western, Vietnamese, and
fusion. Though we usually like to go out and explore, the food was so good,
that we never ventured out to eat. One of the best food values I've ever
experienced. (8/09)
Chicken pho
Local jams --
strawberry, blackberry, ginger
Spicy chicken club
sandwich
Hamburger
Papaya salad with spicy
seafood
Lemongrass chicken
Spicy tofu and mushroom
wonton
Spicy beef salad
Pumpkin soup
Beef with black pepper
and lemongrass
Apple streudel
Coconut agar agar and
mango sorbet
Grilled sapa over wasabi
vegetables
Steak Lemongrass
creme brulee
Green tea chocolate
mousse
Tomato essence with
cumin shrimp and salmon
Soy marinated tofu with
sesame drizzle
Caramelized sapa with
panadan rice
Artichoke souffle
Orange braised duck with
tamarind sorbet
Beef tenderloin with
garlic almond reduction
Home-made cottage cheese
Assorted fruit and
chocolate desserts
Haiphong
Dai Thong* -- downtown,
mixed Vietnamese dishes. We went with a group of people living with AIDS and I
spent more time trying to speak Vietnamese and less focused on the food. It
seemed fine. (10/07)
Pumpkin buds and garlic
Steamed shrimp
Beef and vegetables
Spinach and oyster
soup
Hanoi
Al Fresco's* -- on Lang
Ha, right across the street from the Embassy. U.S.-style place, with everything
from burgers to ribs to Italian. U.S. style menu and portion sizes. Food is not
bad for what it is -- a replica of American casual dining. Seems to be popular
with Vietnamese for lunch, though not cheap by their standards. Excellent ribs.
(02/08)
Bacon, cheese, egg
burger
Burrito
Pumpkin soup
Ribs
Au Lac Do Brazil -- Cao
Ba Quat -- a block away from our apartment on a medium busy side street
Brazilian steakhouse. Very high quality. Pleasant surroundings. As much as you
can eat. Can bring your own wine for a six dollar corkage fee. Many expats, but
also large groups of Vietnamese families. Not cheap, but you can eat your way
into a bargain. (02/08)
Lots of meats on sticks.
Chicken, Sausage, Cuts
of beef, shrimp, plus plenty of side dishes.
Au Lac House -- 13 Tran
Hung Dao -- In beautiful old, two-story colonial-era building. Lots of wood.
You can sit outside on broad porch sheltered from busy street by trees.
Attracts western guests. Better surroundings than food, though salads pretty
tasty.(8/07)
Morning glory
Cashew chicken
Spicy beef
Banana flower salad
Lotus salad
Bangkok Hanoi
Restaurant* -- 52A Ly Thuong Kiet. Among
the best Thai I've tasted in Hanoi. Pretty authentic and even had some spice.
Dishes were well prepared. Good representation of variety of Thai foods.
(03/08)
Tom yum goong
Noodles w/soy and
vegetables
Fried shrimp cakes
Fried spring rolls
Yum plaa duk foo
Som tham
Grilled eggplant
Chicken in green curry
Grilled banana in
coconut cream
Le Beaulieu -- in the
Sofitel Metropole Hanoi's fanciest restaurant. Fine, European food. Traditional
or innovative dishes listed on the menu. Attentive service. (01/08)
Salmon w/blue cheese
soup and asparagus
Langoustine lasagna
Poached pear w/caramel
BarBetta* – 35C Cao Ba
Quat. I’m pretty sure this is in the
location where I used to get my haircut.
Now, a casual, lounge bar. A bit
grubby looking, but comfortable, low end.
Some interesting cocktails and beer drinks and a friendly kitten in the
couch area. Basic bar food, but good
fries, potato wedges etc. (10/13)
Bi Do* -- Lang Ha, up
the street from the Embassy. Popular lunch spot. Good variety of Vietnamese
dishes. Air conditioned, two story spot. (9/07)
Pumpkin greens with
garlic
Clam soup
Beef with onion and
green pepper
Banana flower salad
Fried tofu
Bia Hoi Lan Chin* - Lang
Ha, up the street from Embassy One of Hanoi's ubiquitous bia hois (outdoor beer
halls). Off the street and larger than most. Many evenings, tables are filled
with local workers enjoying a beer or five before heading home. Many more men
than women, but not completely unisex. Food can be good, but watch out -- some
things on the menu will horrify westerners --steamed chicken ovaries or broiled
beef penis, for example. (12/07)
Fried tofu
Morning glory with
garlic
Bok Choy with garlic
French fries
Bien Pho* -- 8 Trang Thi
-- fresh seafood, near Sword Lake. Broad menu of seafood dishes. Many
Vietnamese customers. (8/07)
Fried scallops in chili
sauce
Grilled clams
Bleu du Thuy -- on food
street around corner from our apartment. Chic, stands out among local food
stalls. Attractive bar downstairs. Very nice happy hour with decent martinis
and very good margaritas. Friendly staff. (12/07) [Update: owner/chef sadly
passed away. Restaurant closed]
Mushroom salad
Goat cheese salad
Bobby Chinn's -- 1 Ba
Trieu --Very chic restaurant run by an American expatriate across from Sword
Lake. Nice decor. Really livens up at night with an eclectic, but expensive,
menu. Extensive and high-quality bar. (03/08) [Update: now moved out by
Westlake. Still popular, but no longer
in middle of town]
Salmon burger
Crab three-ways
Caramelized
catfish
Japanese eggplant salad
Lemon creme brulee
Green tea roasted duck
Brother's Cafe -- 26
Nguyen Thai Hoc Outdoor dining in a courtyard off the busy street. Sort of an
upscale version of Quan An Ngon, with a Vietnames buffet, plus four women
making various soups to order. Very pretty to look at, but food only OK (except
the soups, which are quite good). Attracts many Japanese and Chinese tourists.
Good for short-time visits as you can sample a wide variety of food.
(12/07)
Bun cha
Pork noodle soup
shrimp toast
fried tofu
Shrimp on sugar cane
Fried spring rolls
Sweet young rice
Bun Bo Nam Bo, No.
67 Hang Dau. Delicious!
Bun Cha - Bun
Cha Hang Manh , No. 1 Hang Manh Street); Look for red awning: Street food
bun cha and nem. Maybe best in Hanoi. Lunch only.
Cafe Moca -- 14-16 Nha
Tho -- on Nha Tho street, filled with trendy shops and boutiques. Many
westerners reading Lonely Planet, along with a few Vietnamese customers. Casual
dining. (10/13)
French toast
Mango smoothie
Cafe Pho Co
("Hidden Cafe"), No. 11 Hang Gai. Coffee spot with one of the most amazing
views of the city. You have to wander through a shop and many winding
staircases to get there. Liz’s favorites: coffee with egg yoke and cafe
sua chua da (coffee with yogurt and ice). See article at this
link with a picture of what the shop looks like (best way to find
it): http://pufflist.blogspot.com/2009/08/hidden-cafe-hanoi.html
Cay Cau* -- 17A Tran
Hung Dao Attached to small, boutique hotel, the DeSyloia, near the Opera House.
Recommended by friends. High-quality Vietnamese food. Well-prepared,
medium-priced. Nice variety. One of the better dining options in town.
Some outdoor seating and lunch specials. Vietnamese music in the evenings.
Became one of our go to spots to bring out of town guests. (10/13)
Grilled scallop salad
Grapefruit and shrimp
salad
Fried duck
Banana leaf salad
Stir-fried chayote
w/garlic
Steamed fish w/ginger
and soy
Fried shrimp
Fried duck
Guangdong style duck
Steamed catfish in soy
sauce
Clay pot pork
Claypot fish
Spicy tofu
Stir-fried chayote
Steamed fish with ginger
and soy.
Cha Ca Anh Vu* -- on
Lang Ha about two blocks from the Embassy Small, Cha Ca (fish) restaurant. Only
one dish, with turmeric and fresh dill. Mixed in with vermicelli, peanuts,
green onions, fish sauce and (for the brave) shrimp paste. Very tasty. Good lunch spot. (10/13)
Cha Ca
Che Thap Cam 1976* --
72G Tran Hung Dao Long-time traditional dessert spot in an alley off main
street. Popular, though some bad smells in the alley. Bean, coconut, banana
dishes. Very good. (12/07)
Chim Sao: 65 NGO hue.
Old-style place with antiques. Sit on floor. Good food, but some strange items.
Club 51 - 51 Ly Thai To
Sumptuous surroundings in this new restaurant and club owned by a prominent
local family. Very comfortable high end furnishings. Likely a place to see and
be seen. At this point, the food was fine, but nothing special. (12/07)
Chicken soup with spices
Grilled beef wrapped
around asian pear
Com Chay Nang Tam* --
79A Tran Hung Dao. Vegetarian restaurant. Not only regular vegetarian dishes,
but also several "mock" meat dishes. Pretty interesting stuff. Not
all completely succeed, but some quite good. Many different set menus, with plenty
of food. (09/07)
"Salmon"
"Shrimp" with
onions
"Pork" in soy
sauce
"Snail" and
banana curry
Potato and tofu
croquette
Mock satay
La Croix Bacalan – 88
Xuan Dieu. Beautifully done 4 story
bar/restaurant. Elegant yet casual
furnishings. Very high end feel. Partially owned by the boyfriend of a good
friend of Liz’s. (10/13)
Roast pork
French fries
Salad
Don’s Bistro – Opened in
2009 on West Lake. Four levels, with
open air dining on top. A huge variety
of dishes. Popular for drinks in the
evening as well. Lost my list of dishes,
but a fun dinner spot. Comfortable place
to relax on the fourth floor patio and look out over the lake. (10/13)
Ete -- Small
French-owned restaurant and bar. In midst of redocoration. Good for lunch and
burgers. (05/10)
Gallette w/pork, eggs,
and potatoes
Burger
Potatoes w/aioli
Fanny's ice cream*: 48
Le Thai Tho. Right on Hoan Kiem lake. Been
there for years. Wide variety of local flavors. Favorites include cinnamon and
young rice
5: in old quarter. Was
owned by friend, but he may have moved. We hosted party there. Also good for
lunches and dinners.
Food Shop 45 -- 11B Tran
Te Xuong -- Indian restaurant overlooking Truc Bach lake on the north side of
town. Inside dining upstairs with a/c or outside dining downstairs. Can watch
lights of traffic sparkle across the water. Good food, but not as good as in
Uganda. (8/07)
Palak paneer
Goat vindaloo
Chana masala
Chicken kebab
Samosas
Garlic naan
Aloo mattar
Food Street* -- around
corner from our apartment, between Tran Phu and Dien Bien Phu Several small
restaurants with seating on a small, no-car (but a few motorbike) paved
pathway. I usually stop at a small spot for beef pho in the mornings on
weekends. Tasty and cheap. A bowl plus a bottle of water is $1.35. No frills,
but a nice view of life with storekeepers playing with babies and tofu sellers
and fruit peddlers hawking their wares. (12/07)
Goethe* -- part of the
Goerthe Institute, attached to the library. Eat indoor or outdoor on the patio.
German and Vietnamese dishes. Mainly Vietnamese patrons. I did not like my beef
stew, but the other dishes looked appetizing. (8/07)
Beef stew
Green Mango -- 18 Hang
Quat Street Newly opened in old quarter. Modern interior opens into back
courtyard and casual bar area. I've only been for lunch, but looks good for
drinks in the evening. Upstairs two plush private rooms. Western and Vietnamese
dishes. Not amazing, but fine for now. Nice presentations. (12/09)
Scallop salad
Claypot fish
Shrimp pizza
Singapore chicken
Green Tangerine -- 48
Hang Be -- In a beautiful, restored colonial building. Indoor and outdoor
seating. Only fans, no AC. Excellent Asian-influenced French cuisine. Beautiful
presentation. Interesting combinations. Expensive for Hanoi (03/08)
Scallops
Grilled salmon mousse
w/lemongrass and ratatouille
Shrimp with Chinese
spices
Rocquefort and pepper
tower
Grilled Lamb
Mango charlotte
Halia – In Pacific
Place. Hanoi version of Singapore
restaurant. High-end Asian and Western
dishes. Sophisticated surroundings. Had special martini nights. Sadly, I deleted my Hanoi updates from
mid-2008 to 2010 and so have lost specific dish recommendations, though I
remember the Singapore chili crab pasta was very good. Update – now on Westlake, next to House of
Son Tinh. Looks out over the lake. Maybe a little more affordable. (10/13)
Pork in Asian spices
Hanoi Cinematheque --
22A Hai Ba Trung, across street from American Club Hidden away in a courtyard
off the street, is one of Hanoi's gems -- a modern movie theater showing
classic films of all sorts. Attached to the theater is a nice outdoor bar area
and inside dining space. Limited, western menu, but what I've had, I've
enjoyed. French fries really are good. (12/09)
Steak
French fries
Beef quesadilla
Hanoi Garden -- Hang Be
Street -- Huge menu. Gets Western tourists, but many Vietnamese families were
there celebrating. Very good food. Large portions. Ok decor, but its nice to
have restaurants that focus more on the food. (09/07)
Fish w/mango sauce
Shrimp and banana flower
salad
Pork ribs and spices
Fish steamed in banana
leaf
Highway Four – 4
restaurants in Hanoi. Another casualty
of my accidental deletions as I can’t list all the dishes we ate. However, lots of fun. Many authentic dishes from the far north,
including some for the not so squeamish.
Also, excellent variety of fortified rice wines. A favorite.
(10/13)
Catfish spring rolls
Fried locust
Smoked pork
Hoa Sua School -- 28A Ha
Hoi Street. Restaurant that trains former street kids catering and restaurant
skills. Pretty building in quite alley. Pleasant outdoor seating available
under trees. String quartet in the evening. Both western and Vietnamese dishes.
We've used them for catering and they do a really nice job. (03/08)
Warm goat cheese
salad
Zucchini soup
Shrimp and avocado salad
Tofu in spicy sauce
Eggplant and goat cheese
on blinis
Pork in caramel sauce
Fish in banana leaf
White tuna w/coconut
Lemon tart
Mixed creme brulee
Hot Rock* -- Gian Vo
About 1 kilometer up the street from the Embassy. Newly opened in late 2007
(another, older branch is across the street). Schtick is cooking meat and
seafood over a hot rock on the table. Has various other western dishes, pizzas
and a few Vietnamese plates. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the
steak, reportedly imported from the U.S. (12/07)
Steak
French fries
Fried spring rolls
Il grillo: 116 Ba Trieu. Excellent Italian. Cozy, particularly good in
winter. Best are pastas. I remember a crab pasta that was quite good. (2009)
Kamon – 104 Van
Phuc. Japanese spot across from Japanese
embassy. Specialized in
okonomiyaki. Very good, though I’m not
as big a fan of mayo on my pancake as many Japanese apparently are. (07/09)
Khazaana -- 1C Tong Dan
Eat in or delivery. Not the most beautiful spot, but it seems to do good
business, with several South Asians eating when we visited. Has a weekend
buffet. Main dishes all ok, but not outstanding. However, the garlic naan was
great. (12/07)
Fish tikka
Chicken tikka
Cheese naan
Garlic naan
Korean Restaurant* -- in
Oasis hotel, next to Embassy Traditional Korean food with numerous side dishes.
Service can be mixed, but we like the food. (02/08)
Be bim bap
La -- 25 Ly Quoc
Su. One of the few places that was able
to serve high-quality Western and high-quality Vietnamese dishes. One of our favorites. Canadian owner, though
he might have moved on. Good wine. (2010)
La Badiane -- 10 Nam
Ngu. –Opened in 2009. We went there quite frequently. One of the more inventive European
restaurants. Very tasty food. Lost my list of dishes, but everything was
good. Friendly chef. (06/10)
Latino* -- 102-C8B-Giang
Vo Serves Spanish, Cuban, and Mexican food. Pan-Latin decor, as well. Owner
supposedly spent time in Cuba. At the end of an alley filled with shoe-shiners.
Food not bad. Not exactly Mexican, but no less authentic than what you get at
most U.S. places. (01/08)
Chicken burrito
Le Tonkin -- 14 Ngo Van
So. Another beautiful, but so-so Vietnamese restaurant. Pretty garden seating
or indoor in the A/C. Very broad menu. Popular place for Vietnamese tour guides
to bring their wealthy foreign guests.
Bun Bo
Fried fish rolls
Leone D'oro -- 2 Co Tam
(across from the Opera) Great location. Small, traditional Italian restaurant
with owner/chef. Interior could use some updating. Not very busy when we went.
Food generally good. (12/07)
Chickpea soup
Risotto with Porcini
Cannoli
Little Hanoi -- in the
heart of the old quarter Popular with expats and tourists, but the food
actually is quite good. They will deliver sandwiches to the Embassy for lunch.
One of Liz's favorites and a good place to stop for lunch while shopping in the
area. (04/10)
Fresh spring rolls
Chicken pho
Banana flower
salad
Beef pho
Grilled salami and
cheese sandwich
Little Hue* -- 41 Tho
Nhuom Small spot close to our house. Hue style food. Not heavily trafficked.
The owner was thrilled to serve us, but the food wasn't great. Not bad, but
nothing special. (12/07)
Banana flower salad
mussel dip
Pork wraps
Luna D'Autunno -- 11B
Dien Bien Phu Pizza and pasta. Quite good, with delivery. Around the corner
from our house. Broad pasta menu. Attracts Europeans. Very reliable quality.
We've actually eaten a wider variety than listed below, but I'm not the
greatest at keeping up. Great for lunch or dinner or delivery. One of our top standbys. (03/10) [Update: Moved to West Lake]
Salami and hot pepper
pizza
Sausage and ricotta
pizza
Amatriciana pizza
Tortellini w/prosciutto
Pizza w/speck and
taleggio cheese
Pizza w/sausage,
gorgonzola, and fennel
Eggplant ravioli in
butter and sage sauce
Four cheese ravioli
Pasta with speck and
taleggio
Mai Anh* - 32 Le Van Huu
Popular chicken pho shop. Doesn't sell any other food. Open early. A favorite
of some of our Vietnamse friends. Very tasty. We would frequently go there
after runs. Particularly good in the
chilly winter. (06/10)
Chicken pho
Maison d/Vanille --
French patisserie and cafe. Good selection of large salad plates, sandwiches
and other western dishes. Solid option for lunch. Can also take out breads,
cakes etc. Large open window on the second floor is pretty, but attracts
smokers. (12/07)
Salami sandwich
May Manh – second floor
in Fortuna Hotel across street from US embassy.
All you can eat dim sum. Great
deals, great variety, great food. Also,
good noodles. We would roll back in to
the office completely stuffed. (06/10)
Mediterraneano: On Nho Tho,
around corner from cathedral. Tapas and
Mediterranean food. Good for people
watching. (2009)
Melia -- large, European
5 star hotel. Sunday brunch. Wide selection of western and Asian dishes, with a
few distinctive Spanish plates. Food tasted fine, but I got food poisoning.
(8/07)
Metropole – beautiful
old colonial hotel. Attentive service. Very upscale. Expensive. Good wine list.
Fancy Sunday brunch. Very nice a la
carte dinner menu. Again, losing 2 years
of my updates prevents much detail.
(10/09)
Lobster
Pear in caramel net
Mmm cafe* -Tran Phu
Across street from our apartment. Fast food and drinks. For younger Vietnamese
in a pseudo-hip atmosphere. They go all out on Christmas and Halloween
decorations. OK for a snack and a drink. French fries w/garlic butter actually
good. (12/07)
French fries with garlic
butter
Mango smoothie
1911 - built into the
Opera House Owned by the creator of Highlands coffee, extremely well appointed
with drinks available outdoors and tables within. Set up designed as a place to
see and be seen. Just opened with many wealthy Vietnamese customers and expats.
Chef from bleu du thuy is consultant. Had many other dishes than those listed
below, but details accidentally deleted.
(03/10)
Mushroom soup with
crispy wanton
Basil risotto
Ngo Sy Lien* -- small
sidewalk lunch stall -- eat sitting on small blue plastic stools. Food prepared
in front of you. All local Vietnamese. Very cheap. Proprietess had blackened
teeth. (8/07)
Noodle soup with sausage
and pork liver
Oh My God* -- a few
blocks from the Embassy, just off of Lang Ha, across street from Duty Free
liquor (11/07) Interesting (and somewhat risque) photograph collection may be
the best part of the restaurant. Western, Vietnamese, and Korean menu. Lunch
place. So so.
Fried rice
Chicken quesadilla
Oregano -- small
Vietnamese run European food store, near the Daewoo. Has meat counter in front.
Can get sandwiches or main dishes. Delivers. Small, uncomplicated place.
Largely western clientele. Only down side was soundtrack of muzak versions of
soft rock. Will help cater. (2010)
Serrano ham and gruyere
sandwich
Grilled bananas and
chocolate sauce
Petit Bruxelles -- Near
Ha Hoi Belgian-french cuisine. Particularly nice in winter, when you can sit
near the fireplace. Normal menu is good, if not spectacular. I love the cheese
fondue. Cosy seating, friendly Belgian owner. (2010)
Cheese fondue
Parma ham salad
Sausages
Sauteed shrimp
Pho Bien*-- Trang Thi
Large, affordable seafood restaurant. Can get fish and shellfish in a variety
of preparations. (03/08)
Grilled clams
Steamed snakehead fish
w/ginger and scallions
tofu w/seafood and chili
Pho Cali*-- In the
courtyard of a three-star hotel in a small street near the Embassy. Huge menu,
ranging from western to Japanese to Korean to Indonesian to Vietnamese. Pho was
fine and my friend enjoyed his club sandwich. Not sure about other Asian food.
(8/07)
Beef pho
Gyoza
Shrimp
Congee
Nem
Pho Ngon* -- Lang Ha,
near the Embassy -- Casual lunch spot attracts local Vietnamese workers. Old
reliable, though very crowded in the winter. (02/08) [Update: changed owner in
2009 and went downhill]
Pho
Chicken pho
Fried rice
Pho 24 -- several outlets
around town. Part of a chain throughout Vietnam, now expanding internationally.
Clean and A/C, as opposed to many street side stalls. Pho was fine. (02/10)
chicken pho
Beef pho
Pho Vuong* -- another
small chain. I've been to the one on Giang Vo. Similar to Pho 24. I think
slightly better. (03/08)
Beef pho
Press club: 59a Ly thai
To: western dishes in modern surroundings. Good burger. Sandwiches and
soups.
Puku: On food street, off of Tran Phu. We had our goodbye party here in 2010. Downstairs, casual coffee house with western
breakfasts and lunch/dinner menu.
Upstairs, a large area for catered events. Apparently, now big for viewing Western
sports. (10/13)
Quan an Ngon* --
interesting and clever idea. In essence, a collection of clean and upscale food
stalls. You sit in the dining area and choose from a wide variety of mostly
simple Vietnamese dishes. On the periphery, a group of food stalls specialize
in each of the dishes. You can get food from many different stalls brought to you
by the waitstaff. Very good food. Popular with middle-class Vietnamese.
(03/08) [Update: ate there several times after 3/08, but lost write
ups. Food stayed good.]
Fried spring rolls
Mango salad with seafood
Shrimp stir fried with
lemon grass and chilis
Bun cha (noodles and
grilled pork pattie soup)
Papaya salad with beef
jerky
Banh Xeo
Fried shrimp
Chicken pho
Dumplings with shrimp
Banh cuon
nhan tom
Black beans and coconut
milk
Quan Com Pho* -- 29 Le
Van Huu. Attracts many Vietnamese, plus some Japanese. Not great English spoken
and no A/C. Came highly recommended and some of the dishes were very good, but
not all. (8/07)
Fish spring
rolls Shrimp and pork spring rolls Grilled snakehead fish Deer with lemongrass Pork
Saigon Milan -- in
InterContinental Hotel on Westlake Gorgeous new hotel on the edge of Westlake.
Modern, sleek, showy. Restaurant has open kitchens along with a view over the
pool and, in the distance, the lake. Both Vietnamese (+Asian) and Italian
dishes on the menu. Very expensive for Hanoi. On first try, food was mixed.
Great appetizer, so-so (and overpriced) entree, and good dessert. (03/08)
Cantonese duck Hanoi
fish stew (snakehead fish in claypot) Mango pudding
Seasons -- Another
upscale Vietnamese restaurant that attracts tourists. Has a variety of set
menus. Food was good, but nothing special. (8/07)
Softshell crab Seafood
soup Shrimp in sweet and sour sauce Duck and taro Banana flower salad
Tandoor -- 24 Hang Be.
Easy delivery with full menu listed on line. Located in heart of the old
quarter. Good location, but not the most attractive interior. Excellent take
out. Food was flavorful and spicy. (9/07)
Garlic naan Mutton Rogan Josh Spicy
chick peas Murgh malai tandoor Chicken Irani Cheese
paneer Palak paneer
Thai Vine -- 31A Xuan
Dieu New, upscale Thai, owned by the Vine Group. Fanciful Thai decorations.
Broad Thai menu. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality and spiciness of the
food. (04/08)
Grilled eggplant salad
Pork w/basil Thai omelette w/shrimp Beef penang curry
Verticale -- 19 Ngo Van
So Converted townhouse with spice shop, two floors of dining, and a lounge on
top. Owned by former chef at the Metropole. Creative French/Asian food.
Meticulous preparations with beautiful presentation. Very inventive, but not
every dish works – I had monkfish that was freezerburned once. A good place to
celebrate. Expensive.
(2009)
Raw scallop stuffed
w/pate and mango
Goat cheese
Molten chocolate cake
w/strawberry ice cream
Beef three ways- filet, skewered,
jerky
Shrimp on
lemongrass
Raw fish with
horseradish broth
Mushroom soup
Seabass in banana leaf
Passionfruit sorbet and
biscuit
Vine -- 1A Xuan Dieu.
Beautiful, well-appointed wine-bar and restaurant. Very sleek and chic. Lots of
wood and silk. You can even reserve a table in the wine cellar. Western dishes
with some Asian influences. Huge menu.
Some great, but a few misses. Liz
once got venison that had turned. (2010)
Hanoi pizza with
barbecued pork
Khi mau spaghetti
Bruschetta
Vegetable lasagna
Lamb shank
Onion soup au gratin
Calzone Risotto
Venison -- meat was off
Wild Lotus -- 55 Nguyen
Dieu Beautiful three story restaurant with open courtyard. Dining upstairs
indoor or out. Wonderful in the fall when the weather is cool as the porch is
three stories up and more or less quiet. Well-decorated. Upscale Vietnamese
food, but quality is mixed. (03/08)
Grilled shrimp
Seafood soup
Beef with lemongrass
Duck with black pepper
Lamb with black pepper
Beef with sesame
Shrimp cakes
Red snapper in banana
leaf
Fried crab spring rolls
Pork and vegetables with
noodles
Asparagus
Wild Rice -- 4 Ngo Thi
Nham. Sleek, modern style. Well-appointed, with a back wall of back lit bamboo
trees. Pricey for Hanoi with all foreign clientele. Not sure that it accurately
reflects what actual Vietnamese eat, but I thought the food was excellent.
Well-seasoned, tasty, and fresh. Well-prepared creative combinations.
(04/08)
Barrimundi in lime and
mushroom sauce
Hanoi spring rolls
Spring rolls
w/banana
Spring rolls
w/duck
Spring rolls w/shrimp
and cashews
Fish in claypot
Tuna in banana leaf
Sauteed sweet potato
buds with garlic
Beef salad with herbs
Tofu w/chili and seafood
Tofu tu xuyen
Grilled beef
skewers
Grilled chicken w/fried
rice cakes (rice cakes excellent)
Eggplant
Morning glory with
garlic
Beef stew
Coconut ice cream
Ho Chi Minh City
Camargue -- Pretty,
outdoor dining. Upstairs over popular bar. Fancy preparations. (01/08)
Creperie -- between
Cathedral and Unification Palace. Outdoor dining. Nice breakfast menu, with
french and American dishes. (09/07)
Crepes with syrup
Mango smoothy
Manderine -- Vietnamese
surroundings, Chinese food and French atmosphere. Romantic dining. (10/01)
Sauteed chinese mustard
w/oyster sauce
Roasted duck Manderine
style -- in citrus butter sauce
Steamed fish Imperial
style
Crab and asparagus
soup
Seafood wonton soup
Shrimp paste on sugar
cane
Nam Phan -- a block from
the Park Hyatt. Owned by the Khai Silk company. Very upscale, with servers in
beautiful outfits. Focus on upselling is a little off putting. I enjoyed my
dish, my Vietnamese co-worker thought her noodle dish was OK. (09/07)
Claypot fish
Grilled bananas
Nha Hang Com Ngon -- 88
Nguyen Du. Same owners as Quan An Ngon in Hanoi. Straight-forward Vietnamese
food. Our friends in HCMC really like it. (09/07)
Soft-shell crab
w/peppers
Beef with pepper
sauce
Fried spring rolls
Papaya salad
Opera -- in Park Hyatt
hotel. Very modern decor, could be in D.C. or New York. Open air kitchen in the
middle. Very expensive for Vietnam, but very good and authentic Italian
cuisine. Also, serves a wonderful breakfast every morning for hotel guests.
(09/07)
Linguine w/gorgonzola
and walnuts
Roasted chicken
Pho 2000* -- across
street from Ben Thanh market Clinton visited in 2000. Fast-food atmosphere.
Quick service. Decent southern style pho. (04/08)
Beef pho
Refinery -- 74 Hai Ba
Trung -- in a courtyard across the street from the Park Hyatt. Comfortable,
french bistro with an excellent menu of French classics and a few different
dishes. Good beer and juice selection. (01/09)
Pumpkin soup
Black and white sesame
chicken salad
Chicken and avocado
sandwich
Sea bass w/olive oil
mashed potatoes
Strawberry, mango and
banana juice
Saigon Saigon -- on top
of Caravelle hotel across from the old Opera House. Old colonial feel, open air
seating overlooking downtown area. Great for a drink and food is good too.
(10/01)
Beef on lemongrass
Stuffed chicken
wings
Meat salad
Fried spring rolls
Taro chips
Skewers -- Greek and
Middle-Eastern food. Modern decor and service. Good food and a nice change of
pace from Asian cuisine. (2008)
Grilled salmon
Baba Ghannoush
Temple Club -- around
corner from Sedona Suites. Upstairs, candlelit, moody. Excellent Vietnamese
food -though friends of ours in Ho Chi Minh City say the food has gone downhill
since we ate there in 2001. Still has a great, comfortable lounge for drinks as
of 09/07.
Pumpkin ginger soup
King prawn in hot pot
Grilled fish Vang
Southern beef salad
Saigon chicken salad
Mustard leaf spring
rolls
Caramel pork
Bean cake
Tibb -- Hue style food.
On little alley. Great food, was not crowded for lunch. (10/01)
Hue style fried shrimp
Vietnamese steak
Ground shrimp pancakes
Shrimp mousse and rice
rolls
Chicken salad
Tofu w/garlic and chilis
Warda -- Lebanese
restaurant owned by the same people who own the Temple Club. Very chic interior
with dimmed lights and wooden furniture. Food was mixture of Lebanese and other
middle-eastern and Persian specialties. (09/07)
Shaslik beef
Baba ghannoush
Kefteh in tomato sauce
Fish and Pear
tagine
Lemon and mint drink
Almond stuffed dates
Baklava
Lang Son
Cam Xoi 126 Ga Doi* Only
serves "hill chicken," Vietnamese for free range chicken. The bird is
served in a variety of ways, some pleasing to Western tastes, some not. Also,
has some vegetables for sides, but no other meats. The night we visited it was
filled with one large group of men and one large group of women, both happily
drinking and eating across the room from one another. (03/08)
Fried corn
Stir fried greens
Roasted chicken
Fried salted chicken
Chicken innards
New Century Restaurant*
-- on an island in a small lake in center of town Large, banquet hall type
place. Used for special occasions, such as weddings. Had a group of French
tourists in it for lunch when we visited, so it occasionally gets foreign
guests. Had several shelves full of local liquors, in which were pickling
lizards, bees, and other insects. Food was ok. (03/08)
Roast duck
omelette w/onion
Stir fried greens
w/garlic
Vit Quay* -- on broad
boulevard, recommended by Dept. Ext Affairs driver Serves the local specialty,
roast duck. Semi-open air when we went as they were tearing down the back wall
to expand. Also, filled with jars of insects and reptiles in liquor. (04/08)
Roast duck
Stir fried greens
w/garlic
Pickled bamboo shoots
w/peppers (spicy)
Duck foot salad
Duck liver and
noodles
Ninh Binh
Thuy Anh -- Very nice
two star hotel (three star quality) with a friendly, English-speaking owner.
Restaurant has limited options, but perfectly acceptable food. Small breakfast
buffet for guests. (10/07)
Fried noodles with tofu
Fried meat and vegetable
rolls
Mixed fried rice
Whole fish steamed in
beer and herbs
Trau Vang (Golden
Buffalo) -- two story, wooden structure on main street (Highway 1A as it passes
through town) Large, seemingly popular with families and groups. Bia hoi with
menu offering basic dishes and interesting animals/cuts. (10/07)
Fish w/mushroom sauce
Crispy rice with
internal organs
OTHER SOUTHEAST ASIA
Nepal
Kathmandu
Chez Caroline - in Mahar
Baber mall, south of government offices In upscale (yes, upscale in Kathmandu)
little mall, with outdoor seating and excellent French food. (2003)
Lemon and ginger
soda
Toast w/reblochon cheese
Raclette
Lemon chicken
Apple crumble w/vanilla
cream
Dwarika's -- beautiful
hotel near airport, with two restaurants Casual dining, with Nepalese, Indian
and western dishes. Also, a nice breakfast which you can eat in the courtyard. (2003)
Chicken in Nepalese
spices
Vegetable momo (dumplings)
Vegetable burger -- fresh and outstanding
Masala tea
Ghar-al-kabab -- Part of
Anapurna hotel. Upscale Indian, popular
with local well-to-do. Good Indian. (2003)
Chicken kabab
Cheese and vegetable
kabob
Lentils
Spinach and cheese
Krishnaparpan-- In
Dwarika's hotel Beautifully furnished with Nepalese silver and platewear.
Waitresses wear traditional attire. Excellent food served as part of six, nine
or twelve course meals. You will not leave on an empty stomach. (2003)
Roasted mushrooms
Roti
Spinach w/Nepalese
herbs
Pan-fried fish
w/Nepalese risotto
Bottle-gourd stuffed
w/marinated vegetables
Rice pancake stuffed
w/marinated chicken
Meat Momo
Vegetable puree
Lentils
Chicken curry
Pumpkin curry
Stir-fried green bean
and onion
Stir-fried mini-gourd
Tomato pickle
Vegetable pickle
Pumpkin pudding
Mike's Breakfast -- in
Nawar section of town Outdoor dining, focused on breakfasts, but also lunches
and dinners. A nice gallery of Nepalese art is attached. (2003)
Scrambled eggs w/potatoes,
onions, cheese and herbs
Muffins
Temple View -- Patan
Across the street from the Patan Museum. Open-air seating on the roof. Go for
the view, not the food. (2003)
Vegetable momo
Mango milkshake
Laos
Luang Prabang
Auberge Ca Lao -- on the
Mekong. Also, a very nice small hotel. Not crowded for dinner, perhaps
because its not on the main street. Can eat and watch the Mekong. Food is good,
but not remarkable. (2002)
Luang Prabang mixed
vegetable soup w/ meat
Chicken in coconut broth
Tamarind sherbert
Dao Fa -- on Thanon
Sakkalin, next to Healthy and Fresh Bakery Small, European owned restaurant.
Mostly mediterranean menu. Good tapas. Some nice non-alcoholic drinks. (2002)
Green olives in garlic
and chili oil
Chicken crepe
Healthy and Fresh Bakery
-- on main drag, Thanon Sakkalin. Nice Lao staff. Good western foods,
especially baked goods. Popular for breakfast and lunch. (2003)
Vegetarian pizza
Banana bread
Le Café Ban Vat Sene --
across the street from Villa Santi. Pretty converted French colonial building.
Light meals. Liz says excellent capuccino. (2002)
Scrambled eggs
Greek salad
Breads
L'Elephant -- one block
from the river, around the corner from the Villa Santi. Same owner as the Café
Ban Vat Sene. Pretty, can eat outside. Mix of European and Lao food. As of
2003, probably nicest dining in city. (2003)
River algae
Watercress soup
Fried camembert
w/watercress salad
Wild boar w/local
mushrooms
Catfish w/mustard
sauce
Honey ginger and
cinammon banana ice cream
Coconut crème brulee
Tamnak Lao -- Lao
restaurant in middle of main drag, Thanon Sakkalin. Good Lao food. (2002)
Eggplant and chicken
stew
Pak bung faj daeng
Sticky rice
Villa Santi -- pretty
hotel on Thanon Sakkalin, in middle of wats and french colonial buildings.
Beautiful bar in inner courtyard. Second floor restaurant has Lao and European
food with Lao music and dancing. Seating on the terrace overlooks the main
street. A small buffet breakfast. Decent food. (2003)
River algae
Garlic onion soup -- strong, but I liked very much
Pork w/lemongrass
Seafood mousse
Burma
Pagan
Pagan Hotel -- Very
nice, traditional style hotel on the Irawaddy river. Can dine by the pool. Food
is OK, but a little oily.
Chicken curry
Chicken consomme
Sarabha -- Just outside
the gate to old Pagan. Outdoor dining. Burmese food. I liked my dishes; Liz's
was greasy.
Fried shrimp curry
Special soup (beef,
pork, sausage, seafood, fish and vegetables)
Chicken kebob
Rangoon
LePlanteur -- Though
perhaps the best restaurant in town, its not easy to find. Down a windy lane.
Beautiful décor. Outdoor dining. Excellent, painstakingly prepared French
cuisine. Pricey. (2002)
Rack of lamb w/stuffed
mini-vegetables and potatoes
L'Opera -- Outdoor
dining. Near diplomatic housing. Upscale Italian. Surprisingly broad menu, with
good quality ingredients. (2002)
Barbecued pork and
chicken
Rigatoni w/tomato sauce
Stuffed shells
Pizza w/parma ham
Seafood salad
PanSea Hotel -- near
U.S. Cultural Center. A beautiful hotel,
redone in a colonial style. Great place for a drink. We had a very good
lunch. (2002)
Eggplant and smoked mozzarella
Chicken kebobs
Rum raisin ice
cream
Strand Hotel -- on the
Strand in downtown Rangoon, near the U.S. Embassy. Redone Raffles hotel. Old world dining area.
Very good food. Popular bar. (2002)
Tea leaf salad
Fish cake salad
Cuttlefish salad
Tomato salad
Lentil soup
Butterfish curry
w/stirfried roselle leaves
Sesame cake
Cambodia
Phnom Penh
Elephant Bar -- in the
Le Royal Hotel Beautiful hotel. Old colonial style bar. Expensive, but powerful
drinks.
Java Café and Gallery --
Sihanouk street, near Independence monument Pretty, airy, with some outdoor
seating, overlooking park by monument. Mixed quality food. (2002)
Foccacia w/mushrooms and
three cheeses
Khmer Kitchen -- near
Street 360 Khmer and Thai specialties. Outdoor seating. Affordable.
(2002)
Khmer style fish soup
Thai red curry
Khmer red curry
Spring rolls w/taro
Chicken w/cashews
River House -- Street
110 Right on the river. Good spot to people watch from the balcony.
Mediterranean food. (2002)
Mezze platter
Topaz -- Sothearos
Pretty, French and Thai. Popular. Very good French food. (2002)
Watercress soup
Roast Pork in Mustard
Cream w/onion and mushrooms
Banana crepe w/chocolate
sauce
Siem Reap
Angkor Village --
Beautiful hotel. Nice, open air restaurant w/ views of pools and Khmer style
buildings. (2003)
Shrimp
Pumpkin lemongrass soup
Fish salad w/lemon and
mint
Chicken curry
Pear sorbet w/pear
liquor
Spring rolls
Chicken w/lemon grass
Beef rolls w/lemon grass
Beef w/basil
Pineapple pie
Café D'Angkor -- right
in front of Angkor Wat. Little boutique and restaurant. Clean w/ very good
food, both Cambodian and Continental. (2002)
Chicken satay
Khmer style roasted
chicken
Amok fish (fish in coconut broth w/amok leaves)
Foreign Correspondents
Club -- in downtown, near the Grand Hotel D'Angkor and across from the PanSea.
Beautifully remodeled. Open air dining with a beautiful bar. Varied and
interesting menu. Great, modern kitchen. Good food. (2002)
Grilled chicken w/mashed
potatoes
Beef and turkey salad
Chicken souvlaki
sandwich
Grand Hotel D'Angkor --
Classic hotel, redone but carries on grand colonial feel. Beautiful dining
room, good food. Also see the Elephant Bar, downstairs, with a colonial feel
and great drinks. (2003)
Beef skewers on
lemongrass
Snakehead curry
Pork tenderloin w/mixed
vegetables
Apple tart
Pan Sea -- new hotel, on
main street in Siem Reap Pretty dining area off the entrance hall. Indoor or
outdoor seating. Largely western menu. (2002)
Smoked salmon
Fish in mustard curry
cream sauce
Pistachio cookie in
almond cream
China
Beijing
Apothecary: Upscale bar near our hotel – Opposite
House. Serves well-prepared designer
cocktails with an emphasis on drinks with roots in Asia. (04/09)
Da Dong*: Specializes in Peking Duck. Does not disappoint. Don’t recall the side dishes, though I
remember that I tried duck brain. Each
duck has a unique number. Had to wait
for table. (04/09)
Din Tai Fung: Beijing branch of Taiwanese chain. First time I tried it, though I subsequently have eaten several times in KL and Jakarta. Famous for soup dumplings – dim sum filled with soup that explode in your mouth as you eat them. Other dumplings also tasty as were veggie and noodle sides. (04/09)
Dongbei Tiger: Northeastern Chinese
cuisine. Spicier than I had
thought. Mostly local Chinese
patrons. Enjoyed everything. Not sure if menu was in English. (04/09)
Noodles with sesame
Kunming
Ginkgo Elite: So
good, we ate there twice. Really tasty
food. Not heavy or gloppy. Well-spiced.
Nice, clean environment. Recall
one dish, which we did not order, was “braised, dried frog sperm.” (05/08)
Pizza da Rocco: On street with most Western restaurants. Much better than expected. Food really tasted authentic and not just
because we had set a low bar. Wait staff
couldn’t speak English, though menus were easy to read. I think I had lasagna. (05/08)
Salvador's: Named after Dali. In quarter with Western backpacker. Popular for Western breakfasts. Downscale, but good food. (05/08)
Shipping Huiguan: I think we had seen a write up in the
NYTimes. Hard to find, even though a
block from our hotel. Excellent
southwestern Chinese cuisine. Menu was
not in English. English-speaking at
customer at another table saved us from ordering donkey. (05/08)
Shanghai
Lost heaven:
Da li chicken. Burmese dishes. Tasty.
Well-designed décor. (2009)
South Beauty: Sichuan, beautiful setting, spicy. Windows out onto gardens. Upscale.
All dishes were good. (2009)
Indonesia
Semanyak (Bali)
Metis: Upscale with art and jewelry store as you
walk in. Bar and restaurant in back. Open air with view of paddies. Seems like it was on a crowded street, but I
am not sure how close to beach or other sights.
Rated very highly. Food was very
good and affordable. (01/14)
Arugula,
pine nut, feta, pumpkin salad
Wagyu
cheeseburger
Ubud (Bali)
Bunute Cafe: Western and local
dishes. Open air on one of main
streets. Acoustic guitarist accompanies
at night. Our friends did not like, but
my rice dish was actually ok. (01/14)
Pomegranate Café: On walking path through the rice paddies just
outside of town. Open air, nice view out
over the paddies. Very casual. Our drinks were fine. Did not try food, but dishes on other tables
looked pretty good. (01/14)
Sari Organic: Also on walking path through rice paddies
just outside of town. Apparently, makes
its own wine and (possibly) beer. We
just had smoothies, which were good.
(01/14)
Three Monkeys: On one of the main drags. Long and narrow, but opens up in back with
view over rice paddies. Seems like a
good date place, though we showed up in a group with 5 kids. Large menu of local and western dishes. Not cheap for Ubud, but still a bargain
compared to the US. I liked my
pizza. (1/14)
Mushroom
white pizza
Thai pumpkin bisque
Umah Pizza: Small pizza place on sidestreet. Our friends who live there like it. Has its own wood-fired oven. I only had the chicken Caesar salad, which
was fine. (01/14)
Chicken Caesar salad
Singapore
Breadtalk -- on Orchard
street, near the malls A take away pastry shop, with western and Asian dinner
and dessert pastries. Smells great walking by. (2002)
Coconut custard pastry
Apple pastry
Pumpkin pastry
Spicy shrimp pastry
Shrimp pastry
Hali -- in botanical
gardens. Pretty, outdoor seating, next
to the Orchid gardens (2002)
Nasi Goreng
Indochine -- Club
Street, near the business center On a street of restored shophouses, now bars
and restaurants. Sleek, mixture of Lao, Cambodian and Vietnamese food. (add
2013 update)
Fresh spring rolls
Beef in betel leaves
Squid in spicy sauce
Duck curry
Beef in butter and
pepper
Chicken laab
Lamb Pumpkin custard
Northern Indian
restaurant (name?)-- off of Orchard, near California Gym Outdoor dining, among
several other restaurants in food court. (2002)
Mango lassi
Chicken masala
Chicken curry
Garlic naan
Kashmiri rice
Rogan josh
Cauliflower curry
Ocho -- in Chijmes, near
Raffles Spanish, tapas in a beautiful restored monastery, now a collection of
shops, restaurants and bars. Very good food for lunch. (2002)
Gazpacho
Stuffed mushrooms
Spicy shrimp
Spicy beef tostada
Bars: Cold Beer -- in
area off of Orchard. Converted shophouses, now bars. Lots of expats and some
Singaporeans. Upscale beers. Outdoor seating.
Taiwan
Taipei
Qin Wei Guan – on Yanji
Street. Shanxi food. Spicy with strong Central Asian
influences. Absolutely delicious. Very casual atmosphere. As I recall, largely stucco, with large table
for group. (2010)
You Po noodles
Pao Mo lamb
Roast pork
Fried potatoes with sour vinegar
Villa 32: Spa in the beginning of the hills. Can have a long soak in the mineral hot
springs and then a healthy meal. Western
and Chinese. Don’t recall the specifics,
but it was enjoyable. (2010)