Yen Akat’s Cagette turns two this Dec 21, and they’re celebrating with a special dinner, charitable donations, and free drinks. Drop in from 5:30pm onwards for a buffet feast (B990) plus free prosecco, beers, and punch (glasses of wine from B99), as well as DJ sets from 6-10pm. Half of the restaurant’s income tonight will be donated to arrange Christmas celebrations for orphaned children in the community.

 

 

Yen Akart’s Clara has unveiled all-new menus that see chef Christian Martena going back to his roots. Choose from the five-course (B1,980), seven-course (B2,680), or nine-course menus (B3,080). Each feature dishes like the cacio e pepe bite, a spin on the classic filled with egg yolk confit, crusted in crispy guanciale, and finished with a mousse of pecorino cheese, and octopus served in tender chunks with chervil pesto, smoked eggplant, and almonds. A la carte is also available, offering highlights from the tasting menu plus other dishes like homemade gnocchi with baby lamb ragu, rosemary, and pecorino (B680).

 

The newly opened and already popular second branch of El Mercado has created special sets for Christmas. Drop in any morning for a truffle omelet, croissant, blini with crab, glass of orange juice, and either hot chocolate or a glass of prosecco (B399). The larger daily set includes foie gras on toast, gnocchi with shaved salami truffle and sage, and a slice of either the chocolate, strawberry, or pistachio Christmas log (B649).

 

 

The Waldorf Astoria’s Front Room has pivoted mid-pandemic. Gone are the Nordic touches. Now, the focus is Thai home-cooking—the food your mom would make, if your mom were renowned culinary researcher Dr. Niphatchanok “Ajarn Ning” Najpinij or chef Supanat “Ann” Khanarak. Those two consulted on a menu that includes dishes like seared Hokkaido scallops with lotus stem, pomelo, and chili paste (B580), kurobuta pork belly stir-fried with pickled garlic (B400), and stir-fried squid, tiger prawns, and stink beans with salted seafood sauce (B740). Try the set lunch (B900), which includes the standout coconut cheesecake plus starters and a main.

 

 

The folks from Here, who have been busy feeding Bangkokians with hearty Indian breakfast delights, have now launched a dinner and wine bar. From 5:30-11:30pm, indulge in dishes like lamb keema with potato salli and butter bread (B390), betel leaf chaat (B250), and pulled jackfruit with roti and pickles (B280). You can also relive past glory with the grilled Gaa corn (B350). The wine list, curated by Fredrik Wohlrabe, Gaa’s head sommelier, offers exclusive Old World wines from producers like Accomasso, Vincent Dancer, and Domaine Dujac. Bonus: Gaa is now open again in its new home on the second floor.

 

After a lengthy closure, Ian Kittichai has re-opened the doors to his iconic Issaya Siamese Club. The usual menu remains, but there’s a special twist: the restaurant has introduced a Sunday-only barbecue in the garden (B1,490). Feast on oysters, chef specials, various kinds of freshly made somtam, and an a la carte menu with choices like yum som-o, massaman curry, and grilled pork collar. Add the alcohol package for B990 to sip on Bloody Marys, G&Ts, bubbles, and wine.

 

 

Follow the aroma of freshly baked bread to Mille Malle’s J Cafe, where now you will find healthy options like the market saladloaded with Bulgarian cheese, cherry tomatoes, peppers, a roasted nut mixture, and lettuce (B219), and bigger bites like the Balkan shakshuka with poached eggs in a spicy tomato and bell pepper sauce, eggplant, and Bulgarian cheese (B259). Don’t miss the generously filled cheese bourekas (B189) loaded with pickles and hard-boiled egg. Pro tip: go on Friday when the bakery goes all out with everything from donuts to Jerusalem bagels. 3/F, Unit 302, Mille Malle, 66/4 Sukhumvit 20 Alley, 02-106-4930  

 

72 Courtyard’s Little Donkey has reemerged from a long hiatus with a new head chef in Arnie Marcella, the former head man at Bunker. The menu he’s come up with takes on a Mediterranean spin with dishes like cashew hummus with miso carrots, confit garlic, and za’atar bread (B280); the cheesy, herby brie and tomato pie (B320); and the lamb Parisian gnocchi (B480), featuring homemade pasta topped with braised lamb and kale.

 

 

Thanks to Vistro, you can’t treat the vegans in your life to a plant-based hamper this holiday season. The restaurant’s plant-based hampers (B875) include five gingerbread cookies, three stuffed red velvet cookies, three chocolate chip almond oat cookies, two brownies, and one raw Snyckers bar, blue mint truffle, sticky date muffin, and mini apple ginger cupcake each. Order at vistrobkk.com under the “retail” or “desserts” categories. Use the code VISTRO15 to get 15 percent off your goodies. On Dec 24-26, you can also drop in for a festive vegan meal featuring “beef” wellington, Christmas croquettes, truffle mash, and more (also available a la carte).