January 2010

The Lake House

18 Sukhumvit 39 Soi Phrom Mitr, 02-662-6349. Open daily 5pm-midnight
When The Lake House first opened, it had residents of the neighborhood flocking to enjoy the wine tastings and the loungey sala-like tables perched over the khlong running under this 100-year-old house. A storm and a fallen tree meant an enforced closure but they’re now open again, and we’re looking forward to returning for the wine, tapas, giant turtle and tropical jungle vibe.

Iron Fairies

394 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thong Lor), 084-520-2301. Open Mon-Sat 6pm-2am
The Dickensian-style, soot-laden fairy factory that serves burgers, potato wedges and lethal punch has been a runaway hit this year, managing to be successful across diverse ages, style groups and income brackets. It’s also a rare tiny standalone with a legit jazz band that plays regularly. And with the opening of its sister bar and eatery, Fat Gut’z ten paces away, leading to the addition of fish and chips as well burgers to the menu, our gastronomic esteem for Iron Fairies is quite high.

February 2010

Triplets

6/F, Parnjit Tower, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thong Lor), 02-712-8066. Open Wed-Sun 6-10pm
It may be tucked away in an office building, but Triplets is the only Western place to stock all-Thai ingredients (save for their olive oil and chocolate). That and Chef Nate’s warmth and expert handling from within the open kitchen makes Triplets a delightful opening this year.

April 2010

4 Garcons

1/F, Oakwood Residence, 113 Thong Lor 13, 02-713-9547. Open daily 11:30am-11pm
Who doesn’t love success stories involving wealthy professionals deciding to open a vanity restaurant that actually ends up being legitimately good and expertly-run? Especially when they’re so rare. Here, a doctor, a chemist, a lawyer and a finance guy got together to reignite Bangkok’s long-cooling love affair with French food, avoiding stuffy atmospheres and high prices, in favor of a brasserie serving simple fare: mussels, stews, cheeses, tartes and baguettes. And they don’t compromise on the details, evident in the exquisitely trained waitstaff who offer D’Sens levels of service.

JULY 2010

Phuket Town

160/8 Thong Lor Soi 6, 02-714-9402. Open daily 10:30am-10pm
Just a cute Thong Lor shophouse that’s packed every night and serves fiery and pungent dishes from down South like kanom jeen nam ya poo and kai thod kamin. The young owner, the little Sino-Portuguese touches and the wall-sized Phuket Town mural distinguish this homey place from other mom and pop shops.

Boran

2/F, Exchange Tower, 388 Sukhumvit Rd., 088-022-4022. Open Mon-Fri 7:30am-8:30pm, Sat-Sun 10:30am-8:30pm
A throwback to good, simple Thai food in this year full of fanciness, Boran (not to be confused with Bo.Lan) serves khao tom in the morning and kway tiaw reua and dim sum during the day and evening, in a relaxed space in the otherwise business-like Exchange Tower. It’s cheap, delicious and a bit of a master stroke by a first-time restaurateur. That and it manages to reminds us of both Chinatown and floating markets.

SEPTEMBER 2010

Soul Food Mahanakorn

56/10 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thong Lor), 085-904-2691. Open Tue-Sun 6:30pm-1am
A Scandanavian-decked shophouse serving regional dishes, Soul Food Mahanakorn has been a huge hit in the last third of the year. It packs both floors most nights with the young and the beautiful clamoring for Jarrett Wrisley’s strong signature cocktails and small plates of conscientiously-executed regional dishes like kai thod Hat Yai, khao soy, Muslim chicken samosas, shrimp satay and a whole host of daily specials.

Nahm

G/F, Metropolitan, Sathorn Rd., 02-625-3333. Open daily 7-11pm
Yes they’ve been the flashpoint of a minor controversy among Thai foodies and writers making some ridiculous claims about ethnicity and authenticity. But we don’t care. We think the food at Nahm is special and delicious and, considering it’s a seven-course meal in fine dining surroundings, not that expensive. David Thompson and Tanongsak Yordwai should be congratulated for ressurecting old-school recipes and executing them with long-lost time, care and attention.

Sra Bua

Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, 991/9 Rama 1 Rd., 02-162-9000. BTS Siam. Open Tue-Sat 6-11pm
We had a slight hesitation over adding a second Michelin-starred place to our list, especially considering the high prices (at least B1,800) you have to pay to experience their set menu of innovative Thai dishes. Then again, you won’t find the likes of red curry ice cream, or tom yam separated into a simple broth to be sipped with bite-sized herb jellies, being served elsewhere in town. Throw in soaring ceilings, soft, shimmering lighting, mini-rice fields and smooth service and you’ve got a good argument for why god invented sugar daddies.

OCTOBER 2010

Serenade

G/F, Grass, 264/1 Thong Lor Soi 10, 02-713-8409. Open daily 5:30-midnight
This astroturfed mini community mall has been all the rage this year, and its shining light, for us at least, has been this bar and tapas place by the former chef of Embassy. We like the strong double-pours of their inventive signature cocktails and the ever-changing menu of innovative small plates like seared pork belly on pickled radicchio and grilled longan salad.

What 2011 Needs

1. A soul food buffet (Southern African-American cuisine)

2. Something like Noma, the Danish restaurant
 

3. A Jamie Oliver 15-style restaurant that serves amazing food and trains underprivileged young adults in cooking and service.