8 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Now what was the adjective I was looking for? I have it, pretentious.

IIRC doctors are advising people your age to lay off the salt.

Salt is good for you, actually very essential. I would ignore that advise, and have. Especially since I don't do a lot of processed foods, so adding salt to my diet is essential for me.

Docs state a lot of things, I chose to ignore, and better for it.

My sodium level ...

Edited September 6Sep 6 by KhunLA

So many gourmands here! I never knew. I guess that's why one can buy Michelin Stars in the Lad Prao Night Market to hang at home.

El Gaucho is a fun place to go, even if pricey. They have, inter alia, a nice wine selection. The decor is kind of funky, but pleasing. Nice place to bring a date. Is it pricey? I guess. It's still less than Smith & Wollensky in midtown Manhattan or Mr Stamp's Wine Garden in Roppongi. Also, I doubt the rent is cheap in its flagship shop on Soi 19. People expect Thailand to be cheap, when about the only difference in price structure is labor cost.

As for hygiene, one always risks adulteration eating at any restaurant anywhere in the world, along with critters such as cockroaches. El Gaucho is not an exception. Where there is food and food waste, there are critters. Where there are workers, there are varying personal hygiene habits, whether in Bangkok or London or NY or Sidney. People who'll eat a seafood som tam with squid and octopus that's been sitting in the hot sun for hours, maybe days, attacked by flies or alley cats, are at lesser risk at El Gaucho. People will eat sashimi sliced from sea creatures who live in horribly polluted water. Health inspectors haven't the time to hit every small restaurant or street food stand; their time is spent mostly at major restaurants.

The main oddity about El Gaucho is that while calling itself an Argentinian steakhouse, it serves Japanese, US and Australian beef, is staffed by Burmese and Nepalis (from Mogok, Myanmar), has primarily Italian wines, and is owned by an Israeli.

I've never had a bad meal there. To each his own.

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

If anyone's interested in trying a seasoning that's the best I've tried, if you want more than just salt and pepper, this is available in Thailand and I've used it for years. https://britishop.com/product/mccormick-grill-mates-montreal-steak-seasoning96g-175-thb

50 baht cheaper everywhere else. No Big C or Makro where you live?

60 baht cheaper via Lazada: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/pdp-i2849221309.html

4 minutes ago, Wingate said:

So many gourmands here! I never knew. I guess that's why one can buy Michelin Stars in the Lad Prao Night Market to hang at home.

El Gaucho is a fun place to go, even if pricey. They have, inter alia, a nice wine selection. The decor is kind of funky, but pleasing. Nice place to bring a date. Is it pricey? I guess. It's still less than Smith & Wollensky in midtown Manhattan or Mr Stamp's Wine Garden in Roppongi. Also, I doubt the rent is cheap in its flagship shop on Soi 19. People expect Thailand to be cheap, when about the only difference in price structure is labor cost.

As for hygiene, one always risks adulteration eating at any restaurant anywhere in the world, along with critters such as cockroaches. El Gaucho is not an exception. Where there is food and food waste, there are critters. Where there are workers, there are varying personal hygiene habits, whether in Bangkok or London or NY or Sidney. People who'll eat a seafood som tam with squid and octopus that's been sitting in the hot sun for hours, maybe days, attacked by flies or alley cats, are at lesser risk at El Gaucho. People will eat sashimi sliced from sea creatures who live in horribly polluted water. Health inspectors haven't the time to hit every small restaurant or street food stand; their time is spent mostly at major restaurants.

The main oddity about El Gaucho is that while calling itself an Argentinian steakhouse, it serves Japanese, US and Australian beef, is staffed by Burmese and Nepalis (from Mogok, Myanmar), has primarily Italian wines, and is owned by an Israeli.

I've never had a bad meal there. To each his own.

Have you eaten at the Pattaya branch?

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

https://britishop.com/product/mccormick-grill-mates-montreal-steak-seasoning96g-175-thb

You really do need to get to that Makro, well worth the drive

Edited September 6Sep 6 by KhunLA

12 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Salt is good for you, actually very essential. I would ignore that advise, and have. Especially since I don't do a lot of processed foods, so adding salt to my diet is essential for me.

Docs state a lot of things, I chose to ignore, and better for it.

My sodium level ...

What you are posting is not the most significant parameter, eGFR is.

Salt is a burden on the kidneys. If your eGFR is lower than normal, that's not good for life expectancy.

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

You really do need to get to that Makro, well worth the drive

I have a jar here I brought back from Texas last year. I sometimes go to Central in Ubon, along with Makro and Tops, for foreign foods I can't get closer.

45 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

WTF is Kosher salt? NaCl, nothing more.

Don't bother wasting your time and money looking for Kosher Salt. It's just a Jewish description for drawing out blood.

In Thailand, for coarse grain quality salt, look to the Kob Fah Keaw brand of either; Flower of Salt(Fleur de sel) or Natural Sea Salt.

Around 27 and 25 baht respectively for 500 grams. Of course if you are a complete idiot, you can choose to spend a lot more on 'Kosher Salt'.

https://shopee.co.th/Khob-Fah-Kaew-Brand-Natural-Sea-Salt-เกลือบริโภค-ตรา-ขอบฟ้าเขียว-500-กรัม-i.93178555.5837102682

https://www.lotuss.com/th/product/khob-fah-keaw-flower-of-salt-500g-51389118

Edited September 6Sep 6 by G-String

20 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Salt is good for you, actually very essential. I would ignore that advise, and have. Especially since I don't do a lot of processed foods, so adding salt to my diet is essential for me.

Docs state a lot of things, I chose to ignore, and better for it.

My sodium level ...

Salt, or sodium chloride actually, is necessary but easy to go overboard on, especially if you eat a lot of processed foods. Some things have enough sodium in one serving for a day's supply, so it's always best to become a label reader. The same goes for sugars added. I've never listened to any doctors, as their studies only include a basic course on nutrition they rarely use.

1 minute ago, G-String said:

Don't bother wasting your time and money looking for Kosher Salt. It's just a Jewish description for drawing out water.

In Thailand, for coarse grain quality salt, look to the Kob Fah Keaw brand of either; Flower of Salt(Fleur de sel) or Natural Sea Salt.

Around 27 and 25 baht respectively for 500 grams. Of course if you are a complete idiot, you can choose to spend a lot more on 'Kosher Salt'.

https://shopee.co.th/Khob-Fah-Kaew-Brand-Natural-Sea-Salt-เกลือบริโภค-ตรา-ขอบฟ้าเขียว-500-กรัม-i.93178555.5837102682

https://www.lotuss.com/th/product/khob-fah-keaw-flower-of-salt-500g-51389118

I don't waste my money on seasoning meat. Cloves, ginger and cinnamon for stewed apple, yes.

I regard whole steak here to be inedible. I mix egg and beef to make hamburger, that's all my palate needs with some tomato sauce.

I once watched a chef prepare a Christmas dinner, doing two days of reductions. To me, it did not taste any better than a few minutes on a barbecue. Maybe my taste buds are not interested in fancy.

8 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

I have a jar here I brought back from Texas last year. I sometimes go to Central in Ubon, along with Makro and Tops, for foreign foods I can't get closer.

Here's an easy explanation about salts for steak, as some are better than others for the reasons I listed earlier. https://heatherlea.ca/best-salt-to-use-for-steak-and-cooking/All of the best steak houses I've visited use Kosher, especially the ones in New York, New Jersey and Texas. https://www.foodrepublic.com/1791382/best-worst-salts-season-steak/

Edited September 6Sep 6 by fredwiggy

9 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

I have a jar here I brought back from Texas last year. I sometimes go to Central in Ubon, along with Makro and Tops, for foreign foods I can't get closer.

I love Makro ❤️

3 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Salt, or sodium chloride actually, is necessary but easy to go overboard on, especially if you eat a lot of processed foods. Some things have enough sodium in one serving for a day's supply, so it's always best to become a label reader. The same goes for sugars added. I've never listened to any doctors, as their studies only include a basic course on nutrition they rarely use.

If I had not listened to doctors, I would be dead 20 years ago.

6 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Salt, or sodium chloride actually, is necessary but easy to go overboard on, especially if you eat a lot of processed foods. Some things have enough sodium in one serving for a day's supply, so it's always best to become a label reader. The same goes for sugars added. I've never listened to any doctors, as their studies only include a basic course on nutrition they rarely use.

Most of their diet advice, 'warnings' doesn't apply to me. As I don't eat all the junk, processed food they warn people about. Though they do omit that advice at times, just stating, less salt, instead of source of.

I pay attention to their 'eat healthier' advice, just common sense, and should pay more attention to there exercise advice 🙄

Edited September 6Sep 6 by KhunLA

Just now, Lacessit said:

If I had not listened to doctors, I would be dead 20 years ago.

Doctors are there for a reason,as nutritionists are also. Doctors kill more people yearly from over prescribing than most any others, and most aren't promoting nutrition but medicines, for a reason. They are the only ones that can prescribe certain medicines, especially in the west, so are necessary in that respect, but second opinions after researching is always the best course before you commit. Doctors over prescribing eventually killed my ex wife in Texas.

Just now, KhunLA said:

Most of their diet advice, 'warnings' doesn't apply to me. As I don't eat all the junk, processed food the warn people about.

I pay attention to their 'eat healthier' advice, just common sense, and should pay more attention to there exercise advice 🙄

As I always promote the Blue Zone lifestyle, you can't argue with results.

3 hours ago, Lacessit said:

I doubt very much you have experienced Gippsland grass-fed eye fillet, we keep that for ourselves. 96% of what Australia exports to the USA is hamburger grade, blended with fattier American feedlot beef for McDonalds etc.

I was in Australia three years ago. A 300 gm eye fillet in a restaurant was 1000 baht.

Not steak but I've been very impressed with the consistent, excellent quality of Ayo Australian Wagyu frozen Hamburg patties sold at Makro. Always flavorful and juicy. Even the residual fat is so good that I save it and use it for other sautes. Reasonably priced as well: B129/2

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

As I always promote the Blue Zone lifestyle, you can't argue with results.

I get my Blue Zone diet (focuses on 95% to 100% plant-based eating) after the animal eats it 😂

Hence the daily multi vitamin 🙄

On topic, had a clone of the Gaucho grill model down here in PKK, but didn't go over well with the locals. Tasty & inexpensive, but a bit more than locals would pay for. Nice buffet with grill meats served at table.

Corner Brazilian (Churrasco) Steak House & Pizzeria

Nice expansion attempt from same Hua Hin vendor, shame it failed.

Edited September 6Sep 6 by KhunLA

11 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I don't waste my money on seasoning meat. Cloves, ginger and cinnamon for stewed apple, yes.

I regard whole steak here to be inedible. I mix egg and beef to make hamburger, that's all my palate needs with some tomato sauce.

I once watched a chef prepare a Christmas dinner, doing two days of reductions. To me, it did not taste any better than a few minutes on a barbecue. Maybe my taste buds are not interested in fancy.

Point being to not waste your money on salt with fancy names and high price tags.

Pink salt: Fleur de sel

'Kosher Salt': Natural sea salt

The best thing I ever did in my life was to give up smoking just on 50 years ago. It all started like this, a close friend of mine was having open heart surgery. In those days the actual surgery looked gruesome. So after departing the hospital after visiting him I threw a full pack off smokes away and I've never smoked since. Two years later I ran 4 marathons, even now I'm 81 yo and I still walk 12 hours every week. For those who drink and smoke give the smokes away. The booze makes you fat but that can be eliminated whereas in time the smokes will eliminate you.

38 minutes ago, Wingate said:

As for hygiene, one always risks adulteration eating at any restaurant anywhere in the world

H.Pylori which is spread through food contaminated with saliva and feces is high in Thailand with 50% precalence on average and in Isaan it is 60% plus.

In the West, it is around 15% or so, depending on the country, which is actually surprisingly similar to Southern Thai population who have a far lower prevalence.

Always ironic when I hear an Isaan person talk crap about southern cuisine because it is "islam food," yet it is the cleanest in the country, and theirs is the dirtiest.

Better get yourself tested guys! You know where your tongues have been!

11 minutes ago, G-String said:

Point being to not waste your money on salt with fancy names and high price tags.

Pink salt: Fleur de sel

'Kosher Salt': Natural sea salt

We buy bags of local sea salt, although use iodized table salt also, for the iodine.

20 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

If I had not listened to doctors, I would be dead 20 years ago.

Yeah I did the not listen thing, for the most part it has been peachy except for two tiny black dots that showed in a chest x-ray early 2022, I ignored the request for a follow the following month.

2023 had be jump started 3 times whilst unconcious in ICU due to severe phuemonia in both lungs.

.

These days I listen.

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

We buy bags of local sea salt, although use iodized table salt also, for the iodine.

I mentioned them earlier, Kob Fah Keaw.

1 hour ago, dddave said:

Not steak but I've been very impressed with the consistent, excellent quality of Ayo Australian Wagyu frozen Hamburg patties sold at Makro. Always flavorful and juicy. Even the residual fat is so good that I save it and use it for other sautes. Reasonably priced as well: B129/2

I have not seen them in Chiang Rai Makro. Are they in the deli section with the sausages and hams, or the beef section?

55 minutes ago, NewGuy87 said:

H.Pylori which is spread through food contaminated with saliva and feces is high in Thailand with 50% precalence on average and in Isaan it is 60% plus.

In the West, it is around 15% or so, depending on the country, which is actually surprisingly similar to Southern Thai population who have a far lower prevalence.

Always ironic when I hear an Isaan person talk crap about southern cuisine because it is "islam food," yet it is the cleanest in the country, and theirs is the dirtiest.

Better get yourself tested guys! You know where your tongues have been!

I always cook my meat using a thermometer. > 65 C for pork, beef and fish. > 70 C for chicken.

6 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

No steak on earth is worth 3000 Baht. I've had them from Argentina, Japan, Texas, and Australia and the highest I've ever paid was $40 ( 1300 baht). The Japanese Wagyu was along with a variety of steaks from various locations in one restaurant. It costs more in most restaurants.

Perhaps you should try eating in a decent restaurant and not the Golden Corral or Ed's All You Can eat Buffet.

4 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I always cook my meat using a thermometer. > 65 C for pork, beef and fish. > 70 C for chicken.

Most of it comes from kissing someone , dirty water or contact with feces. Partners or parents to children. Once a child gets it, it stays forever unless it's stopped by meds. I got it here, likely from my ex. The majority has it, but it only affects those 15-20%.

Edited September 6Sep 6 by fredwiggy

3 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Perhaps you should try eating in a decent restaurant and not the Golden Corral or Ed's All You Can eat Buffet.

I always eat at good restaurants for steak. Or make it at home. Golden Corral or all you can eats aren't for a steak dinner but a variety when you're really hungry, like after smoking a doobie.

Edited September 6Sep 6 by fredwiggy

1 hour ago, Rams86 said:

The best thing I ever did in my life was to give up smoking just on 50 years ago. It all started like this, a close friend of mine was having open heart surgery. In those days the actual surgery looked gruesome. So after departing the hospital after visiting him I threw a full pack off smokes away and I've never smoked since. Two years later I ran 4 marathons, even now I'm 81 yo and I still walk 12 hours every week. For those who drink and smoke give the smokes away. The booze makes you fat but that can be eliminated whereas in time the smokes will eliminate you.

Alcohol was designated a Class 1 carcinogen in 1989 by the WHO. It causes various cancers, and liver failure with prolonged abuse.

It depends on what lens is used. Smokers mostly do harm to themselves. OTOH, alcohol does far more societal harm, via road accidents and violence.