REVIEW: Twinings (TWG) at Emporium

I’ve been eyeing the very posh-looking TWG tea-focused establishment for some time. Located at the area formerly occupied by the Oriental Cafe on the ground floor of Emporium (Sukhumvit 24), TWG is all yellow and gold:

I’ve heard that TWG is actually Singaporean, but it certainly tries hard to look European. Well, customers seem to not care.

TWG’s got tons (and I mean TONZ~!!!!!!) of kinds of tea~!!

Its tea list is truly exhaustive~!!!

Everybody got dizzy just attempting to make a choice~!!!

REVIEW: The Local (Sukhumvit 23)

I can totally tell that foreigners will fall in love with The Local, a Thai restaurant in Sukhumvit 23 which uses organic ingredients and is bedecked with traditional wooden “Thainess”.

First, you’ll be greeted by this oh-so-rustic-and-charming house:

Step inside, and you’ll feel like you’re in a museum:

The main dining hall is open and airy, with soft beige and cream colors:

If you really want to impress, you can also opt for a private room (this room spells S-E-R-I-O-U-S with a capital S~!!):

There’s also outdoor seating:

OK~!! Enough with all the pretty furniture~!! What about the FOOD at The Local~?!?!

REVIEW: Vanilla Cafe

Vanilla Cafe in Sukhumvit 63 is THE place to be if you’re into retro kitsch and comforting fusion dishes done Japanese-style.

Located within the complex of Vanilla Garden inside Ekamai 12, Vanilla Cafe softly convinces patrons to “stay here, stay here forever” with its comfy furniture, soothing vibes, and comic books.

Outdoor seating is also available:

However, the food and drinks in Vanilla Cafe are quite weak. And they ain’t exactly cheap.

REVIEW: Above Eleven

What is Japanese-Peruvian food?

Above Eleven (in Sukhumvit 11) has the answer. Located at the rooftop of Fraser Suites, this bar and restaurant combines breath-taking Sukhumvit views with fusion Japanese-Peruvian fare.

The elevator to reach the rooftop is a bit hard to find (when you get to the lobby of Fraser Suites, go to the back). Look for some jungle-like foliage:

Then press the button to the 32nd floor:

Then climb some stairs:

Finally you’ll be rewarded with some really awesome night views of Sukhumvit:

With a dizzying view like this, you might have to concentrate hard on the menu, especially since it’s quite DARK up there:

(psst, use the flashlight~!!)

REVIEW: Gastronom

After soaking up the hot water and getting a Thai massage at the Yunomori Onsen and Spa (read my review HERE) inside A-Square in Sukhumvit 26, I was RAVENOUS.

Gastronom and Torajiro were connected to Yunomori, but since I’ve often eaten at Torajiro already, I decided to give Gastronom a try.

First I ordered organic juice (carrot and passion fruit) and soy sauce chicken. The juice was quite yummy, though expensive (120 baht!!):

However, I was shocked to find out that the chicken dish was PUNY:

(and this was 80 baht~!!)

Curry Challenge in Sukhumvit 39~!!!

Are you a champion eater? Do you have a gigantic appetite? Eager for some extra ca$h~?? If yes, then please please please try the CURRY CHALLENGE~~!!!!!

I checked out “Gold Curry”, a somewhat new eatery in Sukhumvit 39 which specializes in Japanese curry. This place has a sense of humor. The management is challenging ANYONE to finish eating a dish of curry rice in an allotted amount of time. If you succeed, you either get the dish for free or get cash. If you lose, you’ll have to pay some to the shop.

THE CHALLENGES

(you can pick one, or more):

* Finish a dish of 2kg curry rice in 15 minutes, and the dish is FREE. If you fail, you’ll have to pay 699 baht as punishment.

* Finish a dish of 4kg curry rice in 30 minutes, and the dish is FREE. If you fail, you’ll have to pay 1,299 baht.

* Finish a dish of 6kg curry rice in 30 minutes, and you’ll receive 10,000 baht. If you fail, you’ll have to pay 1,899 baht.

* Finish a dish of 8kg curry rice in 45 minutes, and you’ll receive 20,000 baht. If you fail, you’ll have to pay 2,499 baht.

* Finish a MOUNTAIN of 10kg curry rice (OMG~~!!!) in one hour, and you’ll receive 40,000 baht (yummy~!!). If you fail, you’ll have to pay 2,899 baht.

I must say, this pic of the 10kg curry rice is SO INTIMIDATING~~!!!

MY BLOOD RUNS COLD JUST BY LOOKING AT IT~!!!

Creative Orphanage For ADULTS in Sukhumvit!!!

It’s called Mr. Jones Orphanage, and it’s truly HILARIOUS!!!!

Located in Thonglo 13 (Sukhumvit 55), this “orphanage” is actually a dessert shop (or a “milk bar”, if you want to be more exact hahaha) dressed up like a Dickensian orphanage, complete with miniature furniture, a merry-go-round, tin plates and cups, a giant ceiling clock, toy cars and LOTS and LOTS of teddy bears.

There’s a long row of tables and chairs at the “Dining Hall” section (it’s actually not THAT long – it’s just a trick of the mirror at the back – so clever!!):

REVIEW: Chez Pape (Sukhumvit 11)

Chez Pape in Sukhumvit 11 specializes in comforting, French home-cooked meals. And it does them reeeeeally well~!!

I guess Chez Pape MUST differentiate itself, since its location is in THAT nook in Sukhumvit 11 where there are a lot of other very good and creative restaurants.

REVIEW: Smith (Sukhumvit 49)

The same people who brought Hyde & Seek (NOT on Sukhumvit Road, by the way) to Bangkok have graced my beloved Sukhumvit with their newest offering – Smith (as in “food smith”, get it?), located in Sukhumvit 49).

Smith sticks to a nose-to-tail philosophy – which believes that when an animal is killed, ALL its parts must be eaten (not just the “popular” or “acceptable” ones = more eco-friendly).

I’ve actually passed by its unique facade a couple of times already, but I heard that it’s tough to get a reservation there since it’s still new and so hyped-up.

Well well well… one of my friends managed to squeeze us in, but let me just get to the point here – I was not so impressed.