While everyone's currently up in arms about the impending demise of Sukhumvit Soi 38, last year's lost old-school dining landmark, the Rex Hotel at the top of Thonglor, has been forgotten. 

The gloriously stuck-in-time hotel, best known for its dated decor and the Rexa Coffee Hall, its 24-hour restaurant staffed by immaculately turned-out old-school waiters, was another victim of the mushrooming condo developments in the area. A firm clubbers' favorite thanks to its hearty khao tom gui (boiled rice soup) and hall-of-mirrors-effect interior, the restaurant disappeared with little fanfare but left more than a few heavy hearts.  

Thankfully, some of the kitchen staff—many of whom must be well past retirement age—haven't given up just yet, taking up arms in the equally outdated (though slightly less charming) Malaysia Hotel in Sathorn.

The Malai Coffee House on the hotel's ground floor is also open 24/7, provides just as many—if not more—sexpat people-watching opportunities, and even reinstates Rex's popular nam liab moo sub (stir-fried pili nut with minced pork, B90), pickled crab spicy salad (B220) and ped palo (five-spice duck, B100), as well as the familiar boiled rice soup (B15). Banana fritters (B60) are also available on the sweet side.

Our tip: Visit in the afternoon—that's when the Rex chefs do their thing!

54 Soi Ngam Duplee, Rama 4 Rd., 02-679-7127