Whole rack of ribs with cornbread at Smokin Pug (B825)

Surawong Road’s undisputed king of smoky Bangkok barbecue delivers its full-racks of baby backs (B825) with a slide-guitar soundtrack and side order of delicious cornbread. The meat is tender without being too fatty, and glides from the bone with a little lubrication from a house-made barbecue sauce. The chili beans are just as delicious.

88 Surawong Rd. Tel. 083-029-7598

Gumbo at Bourbon Street (B140-210)

Ekkamai's Cajun and Creole food institution goes well beyond full racks of tender pork ribs to offer such hard-to-come-by comfort food pleasures as hearty, New Orleans gumbo, Louisiana pork sausage and chicken jambalaya. The result? Tables packed with nostalgic Americans and locals, all friendly, welcoming and willing to share a few stories. That gumbo comes in two varieties, either with shrimp or—our pick—chicken and andouille sausage for a smoky hit. So moreish that ordering the large portion is essential. 

9/39-40 Ekkamai Soi Tana Arcade. Tel. 02-381-6801-3

Lobster Roll at Crab & Claw (B950)

In all its buttery goodness, the B950 lobster roll at EmQuartier's runaway success seafood restaurant more than justifies the price tag. Served without the slathering of mayo you find elsewhere, the buttered house-made bread lets the sweet, subtly smoky—and plentiful—lobster meat truly star. It’s rivaled by the generous helping of perfectly crisp and seasoned fries. No wonder the place is always packed with cutomers baying for the type of seafood you’d usually enjoy sitting by the shore in Maine, USA.

7/F, The Helix Quartier, Emquartier. Tel. 096-197-5769

Exclusively for Citi credit card members: Get a complimentary on the beach mocktail or I saw the dragon mocktail valued THB 140 when spending via Citi credit cards (limit 1 glass /card /table /sales slip) Today – 31 Mar 18

North American Oysters at The Oyster Bar (B100-160)

Bill Marinelli has a serious incentive for Bangkok to switch to the kind of sustainable fisheries and oyster farms he exports from the USA and Canada. But it’s hard to disagree with an oyster from Nootka Sound that’s “plump and rich, with a sweet, cucumber like finish” or one from Samish Bay that’s “fat and lustrous.” Flown in twice a week from North America, his bounty also includes king and snow crab, lobsters, mussels and clams.

 395 Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Soi 24. Tel. 02-212-4809

Blueberry pancakes at IHOP (B195)

Sending locals and American expats into an equal frenzy, the IHOP megachain (count some 1,600 branches around the world) arrived in Siam Paragon this year to immediate queues. First on most people’s to-order list was the blueberry pancakes, delivered in giant stacks for B195 and drizzled in sharp, fresh fruit compote.

G/F, Siam Paragon

USDA Angus Prime New York Strip at The District Grill Room & Bar (B1,950/250g)

What other places call a sirloin, the Yankees call a New York strip—a juicy cut known for being tender yet still with plenty of texture, as well as a thick, flavor-imparting rind of fat. District Grill serves its NY strip in 250g chunks at B1,950, cut from premium Angus cattle and served in an imposing, upscale and modern take on a classic steak restaurant. Arrive in time to knock back a couple of aniseed-rich Gimlet’s at the bar first (B375).

2, Soi Sukhumvit 57. Tel. 02 797 0000

Exclusively for Citi credit card members: Get 25% discount for Sunday Brunch Today – 30 Nov 17

Medium Bag of Chicago Mix Popcorn at Garrett Popcorn (B230)

The queues at Siam Paragon may have died down, but the buttery, rich, caramel-coated popcorn of Chicago-born Garrett is just as tasty as ever. Thanks to the downstairs kiosk, it’s almost impossible to step inside the mall without being hit by the powerful scent of CaramelCrisp being turned out all day long. Sinfully good.

G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-8333. www.facebook.com/GarrettPopcornTH,

www.instagram.com/garrettpopcorn_thailand/

Exclusively for Citi credit card members: Get 10% discount and get a complimentary tiny treat bag Chicago Mix valued THB 60 when ordering medium sized bag and above (limit 1 bag /card /sales slip) Today – 31 Oct 17

Sliced Beef Burger at Chunky (B370)

The smell of fresh bread baking fills a dining room that's light, sophisticated and well versed in coffee-shop cliches.  Those in the know get the sliced beef option (B370), which features slithers of sirloin doused in a three-day simmered jus, mushroom and caramelized onion. 

110/1 Sukhumvit Soi 23. Tel. 091-742-4094

Exclusively for Citi credit card members: Get 10% discount on food only when spending THB 1,000 or more /sales slip Today – 31 Dec 17

Chicken Waffle at Clinton Street (B340)

New York magazine called the pancakes at this Lower East Side-hailing cafe's mother branch the best in the Big Apple, and the crowds at Siam Paragon agree. Drop by first thing in the morning (it opens two hours before the rest of the mall) to enjoy the awesomely crispy fried chicken waffle (B340) and stacks of soft, syrup-drenched pancakes without the hordes of shoppers. Thanks to its own private entrance you could truly be dining at a standalone. No one leaves without trying the decadent milkshakes, either. 

G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd. Tel. 02-129-4861

Exclusively for Citi credit card members: Get a complimentary beverage valued up to THB 130 when spending THB 500 or more /sales slip (limit 1 glass /card /table /sales slip) Today – 30 Sep 17

The T-Bone steak at The Chop (B2,500)

This elegant steakhouse with an industrial age decor, red banquettes and views of downtown Bangkok serves both its generous steaks and juicy burgers on slate framed in wood--a fittingly masculine gimmick. The Chop's signature is a massive tomahawk (or cote de boeuf as the French call it) but they also take great pride in their Billionaire Burger, a decadent tower of wagyu beef, truffle seasoning and foie gras.

The Chop, 9/F, Emquartier. Tel. 02-003-6275

Exclusively for Citi credit card members: Get 10% discount on food only Today – 31 Oct 17

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