Absolute Fit Food Cafe

One of the pioneers of the much-hyped clean eating scene, this food arm of the Absolute wellness empire (also known for their yoga and Pilates studios) started out as a delivery service back in 2012. With a mission of offering healthy food that also tastes yummy, the kitchen team developed a bunch of low-calorie recipes that they say are high in nutrients while free of chemicals, trans fats, artificial coloring and refined sugars. The concept has now expande with two all-day dining cafes at The Portico Langsuan and The Commons Thonglor. Expect rotating dishes ready for both dine-in and to-go including the superfood-heavy spicy zucchini quinoa salad and green curry quinoa risotto (both B280) as well as leafy options like Thousand Island salad with salmon (B220). There are also guilt-free desserts like blueberry chocolate tart (B180), made using spelt flour instead of wheat, with cocoa powder, blueberry, almond and coconut oil. On top of freshly squeezed juices (B150), tea from TE is available at B150/pot.

Avra

Run by Greek owners, and helmed by a Greek chef, Avra promises the authentic Mediterranean flavors Bangkok has been waiting for. From its Santorini-evoking blue-and-white color scheme, it’s not hard to guess this is the place for some dips and pita bread. Chef Konstantinos Sarrimavrogenis, from the port city of Thessaloniki, goes beyong Greek salad (B220) with crispy fried appetizers like tigani feta (feta cheese wrapped in crispy rolls, served with honey, sesame and orange, B235) and dolmadakia (grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs, B225). The pita bread (B50) is some of the softest in town, and comes with delicious best friends tzatziki (yogurt dip), melitzanosalata (eggplant dip), fava (split peas dip) and taramas (cod roe dip), at B135-195 each. Or opt fot a dip plate at B250 for three dips of your choice. Mains span moussaka (layered minced beef with eggplant, potato and zucchini, B390), xtapodi me fava (grilled octopus and caramelized onion on yellow split pea spread, B395) and gyros kotopoulo (grilled chicken kebab with onion and tomato, B290). There are also desserts like sokolatopita (chocolate cake smothered in chocolate cream, B150) and drinks like Greek-style coffee (B70) and traditional aperitif ouzo (B180).

Chicon

At Sathorn's new French restaurant nestled just above Le Cafe des Stagiaires, French chef Aurel Termini creates fine traditional food in the relaxing bistro setting. Some of the offerings include his take on poulet ecrevisse (B510), which sees a king prawn and prawn-meat-stuffed chicken with mashed green pea and bisque, and the highlighted pork feet (B620), which are cooked for six hours and then wrapped with mushroom in pork belly fat, served with Marjoram sauce and herbs. Not only is the food menu completely different from the first floor bar, but the restaurant also has its own petite craft cocktail-centric bar manned by a bartender from Vice Versa family. Here you can chat with the guy for special custom-made cocktails or start with one of six creations on the list like Half and Half (B390), an Absolut Elyx-based drink mixed with plum syrup and white peach puree served in coupe glass coated half in icing and half in plum powder.
 

Chu (Sathorn)

One of this city’s first brunch institutions, Asoke’s Chu, has finally expanded to rising Sathorn. The second branch sees a warm space tucked inside Trinity Complex, a short walk from BTS Chong Nonsi. Starting off as a dessert shop specializing in churros (B100) and hot chocolate (B120-140), Chu has long since established itself as an all-day dining spot. Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef/owner Chirayu Na Ranong whips up breakfast favorites like eggs Benedict (B250-290), as well as crab linguine (B280), chicken pesto salad (B220), tuna melt sandwich (B170) and barbecue pulled pork burger (B320), using artisanal products from baker Maison Jean Philippe and butcher Sloane's. Beyond the churros, don’t miss the signature chocolate lava (B220) or its peanut butter variation (B240). To drink, choose from the signature hot chocolate (B120-140) or coffee from Roots (starting at B80). Also stay tuned for the overnight yeast-raised waffles.

 

Lady Brett x 72 Courtyard

Not just a replica of what’s being done over on Sathorn, the Lady Brett at Thonglor's new 72 Courtyard community mall moves the brand forward thanks to the arrival of Opposite Mess Hall’s former head chef, Jess Barnes. The menu retains the barbecue focus while throwing in a few of Barnes' signature tapas-style small plates with a heavy focus on veggie dishes to go with
all that grilled meat. Stay tuned for BK's full wrap of the new mall.
Sukhumvit Soi 55, between Thonglor soi 16 and 18, 02-635-0405. www.ladybrett.com

Siam Spring Bistro

The team behind riverside fine-dining restaurant Praya Palazzo have expanded their services into town. Siam Spring Bistro aims to serve high-quality recipes from the Royal Thai kitchen, many of which are hard to find in Bangkok. These include main dishes like kaeng run juan (Thai traditional spicy beef soup with shrimp paste, B260), nam prik kha pla salid (galangal and chili paste served with crispy fish and vegetables, B270) and recommended rare appetizers like khang khow pueak (deep fried stuffed taro, B170) and chor muang (flower-shaped chicken dumpling, B180). They also offer Western dishes and an extensive wine list (starting at B195).