Bangkok Restaurant tips...places worth trying

[mcfish]

3 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Interesting comment, MCA...

 

I've been many times to both the Robinson's food court and the T21 food court. Overall, the T21 food court has lower prices, a much wider selection of food counters/food choices, and is a busier, more social environment.

 

Overall, I think the T21 food court is one of the better value ones I've found in BKK, and the crowds that flock there seem to reflect that. But I also buy regularly at the Robinson's one, mainly from the Mrs. Balbir's counter there and the roast pork place next to the cook to order place you mention.

 

Yes T21 is the value option with chicken soup starting at 25 baht. I go there most days but either at 11am or 2pm to avoid the luch crowds and difficulty in finding a seat

[anotheruser]

Tried to go to Sfizio again tonight but they aren't open on Monday apparently. It pissed me off because I have a bad back and had to make the walk to get to them as they aren't located near a station other way. They are sort of in the middle of no man's land. Luckily I wanted to go get a snorkel from a dive shop nearby so it sort of worked out. 

 

Last time I tried to visit this place the skies opened in rain so I guess it isn't meant to be. FML

 

I did however go to Bangkok Betty's and have had the pizza from Pastrami on Rye now. These are the only two deep dish style pizzas available in Thailand that I am aware of. 

 

P&R is in Pattaya but I will give my thought on it against it's Bangkok counterpart. 

 

I will give the verdict after the baseball is finished. I have pictures of both now

 

Edited September 5, 2016 by anotheruser

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I've been caught out by the dead Mondays thing a number of times, so have learned to always check first, especially for a Monday outing. That seems to be the day a lot of restaurants use for their weekly holiday, since they usually want to be open during the weekends.

 

[ExpatOilWorker]

On 7/13/2016 at 1:49 PM, MrJohnson said:

Marcel on Sathorn Soi 10. French apparently but with a Tapas style approach. Have only eaten there once. It was very pleasant. We had the steak tartar - ehcih was fantastic. We also had the home-made terrine which was also very good. All washed down with a very affordable Rose wine from Provence. Service was prompt,efficient and friendly. Enjoy.

 

Thanks for the tip.

[anotheruser]

So Bangkok Betty's is it  if you are looking for a well cooked pie with molten cheese is the winner. 

 

P&R is the more traditional of the two pies with the sauce on top and still has enough cheese. You will taste the herbs more in the PR version and it can be a little bit too rich if you aren't accustomed to it. 

 

The Betty's version is all about the browned cheese and many people will prefer this style. The ingredients used at P&R are better quality . The variety of ingredients at Betty's is lacking to say the least.

 

P&R has meat lovers, supreme or bacon cheeseburger options and is more in line in what you would find in the midwest. In this sense they offer the more authentic of the two. The bacon cheeseburger is a much more mild pie and would probably be more comparable to Betty's which over all is milder because of the cheese on the top. 

 

The crust with out a doubt is better on the P&R pie. It gets a little too crispy if you reheat it but is the better of the two. In this sense it isn't even close. The toppings and the way it is done makes it have a bit of cheese melted into it and rather than something you leave behind it can be a very nice finishing thing to eat.

 

Over all I would say P&R wins the deep dish war but Betty's isn't too bad. The spicing is also ahead on the P&R version. I think it is because of their sauce on top approach. If you love melted  brown cheese  on the top Betty's is the place, if you like  a deep dish with a little bit better mix of seasonings, better toppings and an old school taste P&R is better.

 

I would eat at Betty's again it is one of the better pies in town.

[smokie36]

On Mondays I go to Isao for sushi...its usually quiet and the food is superb.

 

I would urge you to give Sfizio snother try....the food is most definitely worth it.

 

Edited September 5, 2016 by smokie36

[smokie36]

Bangkok Betty pizza is cheese heaven...one pie is more than enough for two.

 

Are they still running their deal on Sun/Mon evenings?

[anotheruser]

No idea I just came from there and it is Monday but I wasn't aware of the deal and didn't ask. 

[smokie36]

2 minutes ago, anotheruser said:

No idea I just came from there and it is Monday but I wasn't aware of the deal and didn't ask. 

 

I think from memory it was 30% off which brought the price down to about 400 Baht...with that much cheese a decent deal I think.

[anotheruser]

Did you ever have the deep dish from the Jomtien place, Smokie?

[anotheruser]

It is an okay deal either way. It is enough calories to feed the town of Ubon for three days.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

4 minutes ago, smokie36 said:

Bangkok Betty pizza is cheese heaven...one pie is more than enough for two.

 

Are they still running their deal on Sun/Mon evenings?

 

When I visited there, I woofed down an entire deep dish pizza of theirs, all by myself. No problem at all. But then, I have a big appetite, it WAS good, and I was hungry that night.

 

Only thing is, I haven't been back there since my original visit. Absent their special, the prices are a bit high for my tastes. But more to the point, they DO put A LOT of cheese on their pizza, and so when I ate it, it really was a MAJOR guilty pleasure.

 

If I had their pizza too often, I'm afraid I'd end up keeling over of a heart attack at an early age and/or, I'd end up having to re-do my wardrobe due to an expanding waistline! 

[smokie36]

I agree John...we ordered one for delivery and it arrived a little congealed but was still tasty.

 

Had two slices myself and my gf managed a couple and she reheated the other two the next day...she reckoned the reheating rejuvenated them....bearing in mind the first time we tried it was in house and we both thought it excellent but were unable to finish it.

 

You have a prodigous appetite!! 

 

Lol.

Edited September 5, 2016 by smokie36

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

This was their prior promo...don't know if it's still going.

 

And their menu prices from back during my Nov. 2015 visit. I had their pepperoni.

 

The photo at left is a pretty good indicator of the actual size of their pizza. The photo at right makes it look bigger than it actually is. The dimensions around are not large, but it is DEEP/THICK.

 

 

Edited September 5, 2016 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[anotheruser]

1 hour ago, smokie36 said:

I agree John...we ordered one for delivery and it arrived a little congealed but was still tasty.

 

Had two slices myself and my gf managed a couple and she reheated the other two the next day...she reckoned the reheating rejuvenated them....bearing in mind the first time we tried it was in house and we both thought it excellent but were unable to finish it.

 

You have a prodigous appetite!! 

 

Lol.

 

Any deep dish you must heat up again. It defies the cold pizza theory that is applicable across universities worldwide. Of course it will be congealed if you don't put it in the oven.

 

To put in another light you wouldn't be able to sell either of these in the midwest. They aren't bad but you wouldn't be able to sell them back home.

Edited September 5, 2016 by anotheruser

[SooKee]

On 5 September 2016 at 10:40 PM, anotheruser said:

So Bangkok Betty's is it  if you are looking for a well cooked pie with molten cheese is the winner. 

 

P&R is the more traditional of the two pies with the sauce on top and still has enough cheese. You will taste the herbs more in the PR version and it can be a little bit too rich if you aren't accustomed to it. 

 

The Betty's version is all about the browned cheese and many people will prefer this style. The ingredients used at P&R are better quality . The variety of ingredients at Betty's is lacking to say the least.

 

P&R has meat lovers, supreme or bacon cheeseburger options and is more in line in what you would find in the midwest. In this sense they offer the more authentic of the two. The bacon cheeseburger is a much more mild pie and would probably be more comparable to Betty's which over all is milder because of the cheese on the top. 

 

The crust with out a doubt is better on the P&R pie. It gets a little too crispy if you reheat it but is the better of the two. In this sense it isn't even close. The toppings and the way it is done makes it have a bit of cheese melted into it and rather than something you leave behind it can be a very nice finishing thing to eat.

 

Over all I would say P&R wins the deep dish war but Betty's isn't too bad. The spicing is also ahead on the P&R version. I think it is because of their sauce on top approach. If you love melted  brown cheese  on the top Betty's is the place, if you like  a deep dish with a little bit better mix of seasonings, better toppings and an old school taste P&R is better.

 

I would eat at Betty's again it is one of the better pies in town.

 

I'm sure this is staring me in the face somewhere in the thread but where / what is P&R?  Gone back a couple of pages and still can't see it?

 

I got caught out by the Sfizio closing Monday too   No big deal for me as I'd walked from Soi 20 to grab a bite at the Queen Vic but thought I'd divert for a change and try Sfizio.  Wrong 5555.  Oh well, next time.

 

I see Bangkok Betty no longer has the shisha they used to do    Don't often indulge but often enjoyed listening to the band there with a 'double apple' and a beer.  Guess it's just the arabic places around Soi 4 for shisha now.

 

Tried Aryass's restaurant.  Very busy. Only one member of staff.  Took long time to get anything by why of service and two things we tried to order "today no have".  Walked out.  maybe just a bad day / time.  Went to Dosa King.  Atmosphere and surroundings better.  Food quite nice but quite bland despite asking for spicy.  Would go again but I normally don't go big on veggie only restaurants.  More OK for a lunch for me I guess.  Never got to try Indus.

 

Had the pork knuckle at Bei Otto.  Quite nice, cooked a bit drier than many places would do it with a nice crackling on it.  Not sure which style I prefer to be honest.  The Bei Otto one had quite a lot of globby / stringy fat on it which wither many other places would be rendered down by the cooking process.  OK though.

 

Tried 'No Idea' again too.  Didn't fancy one of the mains there as the menu is a bit limited for me.  Tried their Pepperoni Pizza.  Quite nice, tastty with a nice crisp base.

 

Also had another Mexican and Tacos and Salsa.  Excellent meal.  Love the guacamole there and the burritos.  Great price too.  I just seem to be getting not too lucky these days with ADD kids screaming and howling the place down with parents doing little if anything to control them.  On the  'checklist' of things to check before taking a table.

Edited September 7, 2016 by SooKee

[anotheruser]

P&R or Pastrami on Rye is in Jomtien. I only included it here because I was comparing it with deep dish and it is the only other one in Thailand that does it. Also I knew Smokie36 likes deep dish so I put it where he would see it as he has given some good suggestions on places to eat in the past. 

[SooKee]

Ah I see.  Will stick it on the list when visiting Jomtien later in the year.

[54321]

Banglampu/Soi Ramabuttri

 

To follow are not the fanciest places ever, but good honest food.

 

Ko Lanta Pizza, excellent Pizza, salads..... and good value, but cant remember theprice (have not been for a while as just spent 6 months away from Thailand).

Santi Indian restaurant- stumbled across it yesterday, went there again today. The best Naan I have tasted in Thailand- cost 900 odd yesterday as we ordered way too much, and today it was 485 baht. friendly staff, clean  and tidy place and on both occasions a mixture of tourists, thais, and a couple of Indians. they have just 9 tables and all were occupied this evening

[BookMan]

Met a friend at the Emerald Hotel tonight for their Seafood buffet. I'm not a huge buffet fan but I was very impressed with this one for the price. 650 baht ++, it is called the Emerald Coffee Shop and is on Eatigo for a 10% or 20% discount. Check the buffet hours as you can get a 50% Eatigo discount but the buffet is closed at that time.
 

You easily get the 650 baht value out of the seafood. Alaskan king crab Crab, Some other crab, 2 types prawns, Korean Oysters, Large snails, smoked salmon and Tuna, various sushi pieces, Green mussels and the smaller black mussels. Various Sushi offering, about 8 Thai hot dishes, half a dozen farang style dishes, Roast beef ( i didn't try it), some bolagnase and pasta, Noodles with duck, dim sims (delicious)...various other chicken and pork pieces in various styles. Cold cuts...a lot more stuff I didn't try, Free tea & coffee. Desserts. Dessert range looked good but was average tasting. You pay 60 baht for bottomless soft drink or 30 baht for water.
The value is in the seafood and various other dishes

 

[SooKee]

On 15/05/2016 at 3:17 PM, smokie36 said:

Food porn you say?

OK scallops volcano at Isao to start....




A few pics from Charcoal at Fraser Suites on Soi 11....this is the "taster menu" for 1000 Baht.







It's good food...but better value Sunday lunchtime for the buffet...I think it's 850++ still.

Sunday buffet at Charcoal is now 1,000 ++ but includes a free glass of Prosecco.  In all honesty for me the kebabs were OK, but not outstanding.  It's not really buffet style now either with dishes being prepared to order, same as Indus.  Better I think as the food is fresher and hotter.  

 

Still prefer Indus in Soi 26 or even Maya at the Holiday Inn for Sunday buffet lunch Indian style.

[SooKee]

On 13/05/2016 at 12:25 PM, smokie36 said:

Hot Rod on Ekkamai is a great place doing Thai style tapas dishes....one or two OK dishes and some simply outstanding.

The wings there were great....I had three portions all to myself.

Browsing this thread today.  Was interested to try Hot Rod but I notice their Facebook Page says 'BKK restaurant relocating, new venue coming soon'.  That was in May 2016.  No sign of anything yet AFAIK.  There's soon and there's 'soon' I guess. 

[SooKee]

Couple of updates for folks still reading through this:

 

Bangkok Betty: Now permanently closed.  It's been turn in to some kind of steak house that doesn't look to appealing and I've never seen it busy.

 

P&R: I know it was mentioned only in passing and was in Jomtien.  Permanently closed.

 

Zaks: Soi 11.  There 'buy one free one' offer had changed last time I went.  It's now (or at least was) only Tuesday / Thursday.  The tapas are quite good there but unless it's BOGOF I think it's not good VFM at 200 baht for a small dish.  Not been in a while (too many others to try) so the offer may have changed again, or maybe gone completely.

 

Few others I've tried and taken a fancy to:

 

El Mercado: Near to the Queen Sirrikit MRT in Phai Singto Alley.  Great restaurant with wonderful ambience and superb for a whole range of dishes but esp their fish which is always very fresh.  Pan fried sea bass fillet 690 baht (two good size pieces) and a whole load of others.  Specials change daily.  Great for cold cuts and cheeses and they have a brilliant on-site shop.  Supply a lot of hotels and restaurants AFAIK.  Wines great value too.  Had a meal there again the other night: 2 x fried sea bass; roast potatoes (these are wonderful, if not on the menu you can ask the chef for them - basically the patatas bravas without the paprika), small plate of cheese (around 150g); 2 deserts; bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon - 3,500 baht.  Closed Sunday / Monday and essential to book (can do through their Facebook page provided not for the same day), especially at weekends.  Opens from around 8am IIRC, closes around 12:

 

No Idea:  Gastro pub in Soi 22.  Not cheap but has some great dishes on offer.  Ranging 300 - 800 baht mostly.  Great range of beers and good wide selection at great prices too.  Beers often have promotions and their Happy Hour is 3-8 (or 9) pm IIRC.  Again great ambience and good service. Again, essential to book at weekends.

 

Rossi di Serra: (Yet another) Italian I've tried in Soi 15.  Not bad but I find it better in the evenings than at lunch times.  300-400 baht for mains with good choice of pastas and pizzas.  Not at all bad for a mid-range restaurant.  I've been to Sfizio several times and for me it's Ok, I prefer the pasta over the pizzas there.  Pizza bases are OK but the toppings seem to lack something for me.

 

Charlie Brown's Mexicana: Alley off Soi 19.  OK for Tex-Mex style Mexcian with a range of dozens of different chilli sauces.  OK to try if you're in the area and reasonable prices too.  Quite a pleasant interior and atmosphere.  For Mexican though I still prefer Tacos y Salsa in Soi 18.

 

One pace I've been recommended by several people now but yet to try is Freebird, an Italian restaurant in Soi 47.  Benn told that that the food is excellent and again, nice ambience to the place.  Trying to slot it into the schedule still.

Edited September 19, 2017 by SooKee

[smokie36]

12 hours ago, SooKee said:

Browsing this thread today.  Was interested to try Hot Rod but I notice their Facebook Page says 'BKK restaurant relocating, new venue coming soon'.  That was in May 2016.  No sign of anything yet AFAIK.  There's soon and there's 'soon' I guess. 

 

Yes Hot Rod had the best wings in Bangkok but looks like a permanent closure sadly.

[Number 6]

On 05/12/2016 at 12:52 PM, bubba1 said:

No different than using farang

It's very different.

[The manic]

The meat factory on Sukhumvit. Better food and service tha  Gauchos.

[MrJohnson]

About Eatery. Tapas-style bistro in a very minimalist atmosphere. Very good selection of 'craft' beers and a great wine list with some unusual labels.Mid-range prices. Nice food and great service. Sukhumvit Soi 19 right down near the junction of Asoke and Sukhumvit Soi 19 opposite Rossano's.