Thursday, May 30, 2013

Sushi Den @ Food Passage, Siam Paragon, Bangkok

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

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

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

Sushi Den @ Food Passage, Siam Paragon, Bangkok

inside atmosphere

sushi counter (outside)

price tag for sushi belt

just the recent promotion

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

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

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

Salmon Nigiri from sushi belt (THB57)

sushi don to try ^^

Salmon Sukimi Don - ข้าวหน้าปลาแซลมอนสับ (THB170)

3 Syoku Don - ข้าวหน้าปลาทูน่าสับ ปลาแซลมอนและไข่ปลาแซลมอน (THB225)

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

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

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

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Belle Glos 'Clark & Telephone' Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010

Date of Tasting: 25 January 2013
Wine Type: Red
Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 14.3%
Origin: California, USA
Appellation: Santa Maria Valley
Expect to Pay: THB1,800 – 2,500 (retail price in Thailand)
Web: http://www.belleglos.com/
Chubby Score: 90/100
Value for money: 5/10
Professional Rating: WS - 93/100



Appearance: deep and dark purplish red
Aroma: intense and strong aroma of berries jam, gums, and vanilla
Palate: Striking dark berries scent with aromatic spices, dark and thick that almost jammy and leathery like and sweet in fact, supple but high tannins with silky touch, really long length of finish, indeed a heavy-bodied pinot noir

This is sure a non-traditional type of Pinot Noir. It is rich, sweet, and dramatic. If you do not like the thick liquid syrup style, then stay away from this California pinot noir. Personally, I do not like this one, though it is delicious. This is a wine to drink over a decade but I will like to see it lay down to soften for a few years more.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Khua Kling + Pak Sod @ Thonglor 5, Bangkok

Cuisine: Thai (Southern)
Price: THB350 per person without alcohol (what I paid for)
Visited: 8 April 2013
Food: 7/10
Atmosphere: 5/10
Value for money: 7/10
Services: 4/10

Khua Kling + Pak Sod in Soi Thonglor 5 is one, but rare, of the famous Thai restaurants that serves Southern style dishes. Pretty much similar to Phuket Town, which is located as well in Thonglor area but dishes here at Khua Kling + Pak Sod are a little stronger in taste.

The place is not so big with probably around 10 tables and 2 private rooms. There are also garden seats that can be delightful during non-Summer period. The decoration of this place is kept minimal, it looks like an old house converted into restaurant but comfy enough.

Khua Kling + Pak Sod @ Thonglor 5, Bangkok

notice the yellow sign upon arrival

small restaurant with around 10 tables only

a private room

garden seats for alfresco

Though we did not have a chance to jot down each dish separately, we could confidently say that every dishes were really nice. I especially like the Crab Meat Curry, thick and rich in texture and not so spicy and hot in taste, which can go pretty well with either rice or noodle. The other dish that I would like to recommend is Rice Noodle with Fish Curry Sauce: savoury, creamy, and rich.

I have nothing much to say this time but see below pictures and judge for yourself whether you should give it a try. For me, hell yeah.....I am sure a regular customer there.

Crab Meat Curry with Chapoo Leave - แกงปูใบชะพลู (THB350)

a close up look on crab meat

Orange Soup & Deep-fried Cha-ohm with Crab Meat - แกงส้มปูชะอมใต้ทอด (THB350)

Rice Noodles with Fish Curry Sauce - ขนมจีนน้ำยาปักษ์ใต้ (THB120)

Khua Kling with Minced Pork - คั่วกลิ้งหมูสับ (THB120)

Khua Khling with Soft Bone - คั่วกลิ้งกระดูก (THB150)

Thai Style Omelette with Sweet Basil - ไข่เจียวใบโหระพาและพริกสด (THB70)

Deep-fried Fish with Turmeric Flavor - ปลาทอดขมิ้น (THB380)

Fried Crab Meat and Cowpea with Yellow Chilli - เนื้อปูผัดพริกเหลืองใส่ถั่วฝักยาว (THB350)

Khua Kling + Pak Sod @ Thonglor 5, Bangkok
98/1 Soi Thonglor 5
Sukhumvit 55 Road
Khlong Tan, Wattana
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

Open Hours: daily 11:00am - 02:30pm for lunch and 05:30pm - 09:30pm for dinner
Tel: +66 (0) 2185 3977, +66 (0) 86 053 7779

Sunday, May 19, 2013

La Fornarina Valdobiadene Prosecco Superior Millesimato 2011

Date of Tasting: 6 April 2013
Wine Type: Sparkling White
Grape Varieties: 100% Glera
Alcohol: 11.5%
Origin: Veneto, Italy
Appellation: Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)
Expect to Pay: THB750 – 1,000 (retail price in Thailand)
Web: n.a.
Chubby Score: 86/100
Value for money: 6/10
Professional Rating: n.a.





Appearance: pale greenish yellow
Aroma: toasted almond and flowers
Palate: abundant of effervescence that rather fine, modest acidity and tangy fruits

Not even sure how I grab my hand on this bottle of prosecco by La Fornarina. Anyway, this is an enjoyable aperitif type of sparkling wine which shows some level of elegant but still lack complexity. This is for drinking now. Perhaps sushi or light fish course or oyster should match well with it.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Gastro 1/6 @ RMA, Sukhumvit 22, Bangkok

Cuisine: International (breakfast/brunch)
Price: THB400 per person without alcohol (what I paid for)
Visited: 24 March 2013
Food: 7/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Value for money: 8/10
Services: 5/10 (partly self-service)

First of all, I have to say that Gastro 1/6 is more than just a place for breakfast or brunch. It actually makes you feel like you are out of town, whilst you are actually right in the middle of city. Gastro 1/6 is just a small bistro located in Soi Sukhumvit 22. It can be rather difficult to come here if you are not driving as the location is quite deep in the Soi. The concept of Gastro 1/6 is to serve breakfast/brunch daily except Monday. So expect it to close around 3pm in the afternoon. Oh oh....there is one thing you may need to be aware if you have never been there. The service here is like half self-service, meaning you make your order at the counter as well as picking up your order and making payment. However, they may serve right at your table if they are not so busy as most of the time there will be just 2 or 3 friendly staffs around.

Gastro 1/6 @ RMA, Sukhumvit 22, Bangkok


counter for ordering and picking up

slender menu

We particularly like the atmosphere of Gastro 1/6. It is kind of relax and cool, even on a hot day it is not so hot here. Really good for a lazy weekend breakfast: for example while Chubby Penguin was jotting down this note, Deadly Bunny was enjoying her favourite crime fiction (><). This place is organised in the way that resemble garden/forest. Various kind of tables and chairs at different corners (around 10 tables only). Trees and plants are all around to keep the temperature down.





Honestly, Gastro 1/6 perhaps serves the best breakfast in Bangkok. Ingredients are of good quality such as butter is Lescure from France. For the first dish, we surely had ordered Full English Breakfast with Juice and Coffee (8/10). If you like English Breakfast, do not miss out this one: holy yummilicious. At first, a glass of orange juice would be served. Followed by healthy type toasts with butter and jam and a choice of coffee, in our case we went for coffee latte. For the full course English Breakfast, there were sausage, bacon, sautéed mushroom, spinach, baked bean, roasted tomato, and a choice of egg in which we chose to have scramble egg. This set was fabulous, especially the fine scramble egg. Even coffee latte was well prepared but it was more like French cafe au lait rather than Italian caffe latte. Must try, I insist.

Full English Breakfast with Juice and Coffee 1 (THB380)

Full English Breakfast with Juice and Coffee 2 (THB380)

Next was Baguette with Cheddar and Bacon (6/10). This one was nice but not to my liking though. It was because the baguette was kind of chewy (T.T), wish I went for croissant instead. Nevertheless, the filling of bacon and cheddar was delightful: really crisp bacon and melted cheddar. We also had a chance to try Poached Egg with Mushroom Asparagus Truffle Oil (7/10). If mushroom is your favourite ingredient, then just go for it. It was yummy with poached egg. In fact, I really like the grated parmesan on top, cheesy cheesy indeed.

I also ordered a glass of Hot Chocolate (6/10) to try. Well, it was enjoyable with rich texture and acceptable sweetness. If it were melted chocolate bar instead of just cocoa powder, it would be even better.

Baguette with Cheddar and Bacon (THB180)

Poached Eggs with Mushroom Asparagus Truffle Oil (THB320)

Hot Choc (THB95)

Overall, I pretty much like the concept of this place of being slow life, slow food. Life in the city has already got too much of the "rush" word. Well, atmosphere is great, food is delicious, and price is decent, so there is no reason for me to keep coming back to Gastro 1/6. Just wish it will remain its concept in the future. A must try place indeed.

Gastro 1/6 @ RMA, Sukhumvit 22, Bangkok
238 Soi Sainamthip 2
Sukhumvit 22 Road
Khlong Toei
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

Open Hours: Tue - Sun 08:30am - 15:30pm
Tel: +66 (0) 80 603 6421

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Gyunoya @ Nihonmachi, Rama 4 Road, Bangkok

Cuisine: Japanese
Price: THB155 per person without alcohol (what I paid for)
Visited: 17 March 2013
Food: 4/10
Atmosphere: 3/10
Value for money: 4/10
Services: 3/10

It was a hot hot Sunday in March and we both were wondering what we should have for a quick lunch. We then headed to Nihonmachi in hope of finding a place that offers a quick good meal. Spotted on, Gyunoya with its luminated bright orange sign. Without hesitation, we agreed to give it a go.

Gyunoya, from our quick first glance, is pretty much similar to Yoshinoya in term of looking, menu, and style: a place that offers quick gyudon meal. Well, copy or not is not our point here. How it taste is what does matter. Gyunoya is very compact with perhaps around 12 seats only (seats are in U-shape counter). Foods are served fast. The concept is perhaps a quick nice meal to create turnover. Things are really fast here. You will probably get your order within a few minutes.

Gyunoya @ Nihonmachi Mall

Slender venue with approx. 12 seats

Menu of Gyunoya

We went for Beef Bowl with an additional Soft Boiled Egg (THB140 + THB30) and Sukiyaki Beef Bowl (THB140). Beef Bowl was more flavourful for us (5/10). An additional of soft boiled egg was no mistake. Really an enjoyable quick dish. Sukiyaki Beef Bowl was as well pleasant but lighter in taste (4/10). But with more dimension in term of texture and taste due to variety of ingredient.

Beef Bowl with Soft Boiled Egg - ข้าวหน้าเนื้อต้มซีอิ้วกับไข่ลวกออนเซ็น

Runny yolk from soft boiled egg

Sukiyaki Beef Bowl - ข้าวหน้าเนื้อสุกี้ยากี้

Well, don't expect much about this place but just enjoy your quick meal: service is not surely outstanding and quality of ingredients is just ok. In fact, we think that Gyunoya is a lot better than Yoshinoya in Thailand. Anyway, just our opinion though, try it yourself to see whether you will like it.

Gyunoya @ Nihonmachi, Rama 4 Road, Bangkok
Nihonmachi Mall
115 Soi Ari (Sukhumvit 26)
Rama 4 Road
Khlong Tan, Khlong Toey
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

Open Hours: daily 11:00am - 10:00pm
Tel: +66 (0) 2203 0807
Web: n.a.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Blogging tips