The aptly named Café Bicycle (Mahatun Plaza, 888/5-6 Ploenchit Rd., Bangkok, 02-651-5188. BTS Ploenchit. www.cafebicycle.com) provides yet another spot to park your bike and enjoy a fine brew.

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There’s a lot of talk around new gastro bar Gossip (313 Thonglor Soi 15, Bangkok, 02-185-3093), run by the same people behind Oskar Bistro. The menu from chef Julien Lavigne promises New American and Mediterreanean influences, with dishes like chicken ballotine with rocket and potato (B340) and barracuda carpaccio with Granny Smith apple and fennel salad topped with yuzu soy dressing (B220) to go with the soul and jazz soundtrack.

The newly-opened Johann Bistro (No. 88, Soi Paidi Madi [between Thonglor Sois 5 and 9], Bangkok, 02-712-5070) presents seasonal dishes like fried white sea bass with mushrooms, bok choy and white wine sauce (B500) and pan fried lamb cutlets served with ratatouille and fried potatoes (B850) in a glass dining room with an open kitchen. It’s owned by Christian Johann Kostner, who previously worked in many Michelin-star restaurants such as Don Alfronso 1980. Before you leave, swing by their deli section for Italian cheese, wagyu beef, escargots and Valrhona chocolate.

Through Nov 24, La Scala (The Sukhothai, Sathorn Rd., Bangkok, 02-344-8888) welcomes two-Michelin-star Chef Andrew Fairlie of the eponymous restaurant in Scotland. Well known for its use of the best local produce, such as handdived scallops and Scottish lobsters, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie was just named the best restaurant in Britain by the Sunday Times Food List. Lunch is B3,500 or B5,700 with booze and dinner at B5,500 or B8,700 with booze.

Michelin-star chef Igor Macchia from La Credenza in Piedmont, Italy, is back in Bangkok for a stint at Italian restaurant La Tavola (Renaissance Bangkok, 518/8 Ploenchit Rd., Bangkok, 02-125-5000. www.renaissancebangkok.com), through Nov 24. It’s B3,800 for a 6-course dinner with booze, with dishes including marinated lamb in coffee, sweet corn ragout and cress or lobster carpaccio with lemon and tomato confit paired with wines from Italy’s Frescobaldi family.

The tea house trend that recently gave us TWG at Emporium and the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf has now delivered Twinings Tea Boutique (1/F, Atrium Zone, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., Bangkok, 02-613-1230-1. www.twiningsmoment.com). Spot the big Twinings sign right after you come in from Ratchadamri entrance, then plop yourself down on their blue sofa for an afternoon tea set (B450) or signature iced tea such as the wild berry tea (B140) and Diamond Jubilee (blended tea of Assam and Yunnan, B180).

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Khao Soi Chiang MaiIt’s not easy to find the perfect khao soi, but khao soi Soi Haa (as it’s also known) has a really rich, hearty soup due to the homemade paste the owners have been concocting for more than 20 years. The fried noodles are really nice, too, and don’t carry the odd smell you sometimes find elsewhere, while the boiled egg noodles are well cooked. Just take a sniff of the highly aromatic, homemade dry chili paste, and you know you’re guaranteed a flavorful bowl (B30-B40).

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Sukhumvit Soi 36’s very romantic In The Mood For Love just opened In The Mood For Love One (69 Ekkamai Soi 1, Bangkok, 02-392-8477), a brand new location in a beautiful two-story house with a spacious terrace. All the sushi and sashimi faves are present, along with new additions like spicy shrimp rolls topped with crab stick (B360). Meanwhile, their other venture, 2046 at Rain Hill (Sukhumvit Soi 47), is currently closed for renovations.

Drip coffee is all the rage; so it’s about time that hip restaurant Pla Dib got in on the act. They’ve just launched sister branch Coffee Roasting (1/1 Soi Ari Samphan 7, Paholyothin Soi 5, Bangkok, 02-279-8185), as evidenced by a big shiny coffee roaster sitting in the glass room. Try their drip coffee hot or cold (both B80) along with breakfast selections like waffles and double eggs (B100) from 8am till 4pm.

French bistro Le Petit Zinc (110/1 Sukhumvit Soi 23, Bangkok, 02-259-3033. www.lepetitzinc.com) is adding new dishes to its menu, such as egg cocotte with bell pepper, tomato and bacon (B130) and Tournedos Rossini (B990). Call ahead and reserve a table on a Monday with the code “Crazy Monday” for a 25% discount.

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