Lunar Harmony

Lotus seeds represent prosperity and this rich little number uses them to great effect: House-made lotus seed paste and egg yolk are given a good shake and then mixed with vanilla gomme syrup, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve whiskey and Chinese five spice powder for a real creamy concoction. It’s only available from February 1-28, so sip it up quick.

$24 at Néktar.

Mandarin Mojito

The words for “mandarin orange” and “gold” sound alike in Cantonese, making the fruit a celebration essential. Get your dose of citrus with this zippy take on the classic mojito, which substitutes Absolut Mandarin Vodka for the usual rum. Brown sugar, orange, lemon and lime slices are muddled in a highball glass and then topped with mint, the vodka, orange juice, ginger beer and plenty of crushed ice.

$24 at Axis Bar & Lounge.

Oo La La

Bittersweet and refreshing, this caffeinated tipple starts with gin that’s infused with oolong ginseng tea (by Swiss company Tekoe). The spirit is shaken with Campari, sweet vermouth and lemon juice. Served in a martini glass, the deep vermilion creation’s just the right shade for Chinese New Year—red’s an auspicious color.

$22 from Da Paolo Bistro Bar.

HONMONO SUSHI BK PICK!
Honmono is an excellent sushi joint that’s worth the high prices and, thankfully, isn’t a bewildering experience for those of us who aren’t Japanese salarymen. After a year, almost every branch of Honmono still packs in hi-so Thais every night. The Take Sashimi platter (B1,500) is a favorite, and comes with seven kinds of assorted sashimi. The quality is great, and the pieces are enormous. You can also get a larger platter for B3,200. Their sushi and maki are also excellent, such as the dragon avocado and the grilled Matsusaka beef.
19 Thonglor Soi 23, Bangkok, 02-185-1447. Open Mon-Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat-Sun 11:30am-2pm
 

More Japanese restaurants in Bangkok

RUNNER-UPS (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

ISAO
Narrow and cozy with only a handful of tables and a sushi bar, ISAO has the vibe of a well-kept secret, even though it’s often packed. Trained by a sushi master in Chicago, the owner offers rolls with an American, indulgent slant like Winter (soft white crab meat, ebi shrimp, avocado and carrot wrapped in sliced cucumber) and sushi sandwich. The place offers a relaxed homey feel with booths run along the bamboo-clad wall while the rest of the space is dominated by the sushi bar and counter.
5 Sukhumvit Soi 31, Bangkok, 02-258-0645. Open Mon-Fri 11am-2:30pm, 5:30-10pm; Sat-Sun 11am-10pm
 

SUSHI TSUKIJI
Named after the famed Tokyo fish market, the specialty here is sashimi and sushi. The clientele is mostly Japanese salarymen, and although this place bears some kind of affiliation with the Fuji chain, this is clearly their little pet project, and operates on a whole other level. The décor is suitably bland, the no-nonsense kimono-clad waitresses efficient and the chefs masterful. Dinners can break the bank, but those in the know enjoy the much more affordable sushi sets (B198) at lunch, which sometimes run out by 1pm.
62/19-20 Soi Thaniya, Silom Rd., Bangkok, 02-233-9698. BTS Sala Daeng. Open daily 11:30am-2pm; 5:30-11pm
 

MUGENDAI
Claiming that their produce is imported to them five days a week (most places only get two deliveries), Mugendai seems to be the closest competitor to Honmono. Owned by a group of friends who have eaten all around Japan, the location is really hip, high up on the rooftop of Grass. Recommendations include the Aburi Seven (B2,200), comprising seven sushi varieties like Matsusaka beef, otoro and engawa, unagi foie gras (grilled eel sushi stuffed with foie gras, B1,500) and kinki shioyaki (grilled rockfish with salt, B3,200).
7/F, Grass, Thonglor Soi 12, Bangkok, 02-726-9222, 087-996-8888. www.mugendaibkk.com. Open Mon-Fri 5:30pm-midnight; Sat-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-late
 

TORORO
Tororo takes up a cozy spot in Ekkamai, with its high ceilings and minimalist décor. With the menu put together by the former chef of Miyatake, the popular haven for sushi lovers at MBK, you can expect a wide range of sushi, from the cheapest tamago (Japanese omelet, B35) to the more expensive—and justifiably so—otoro (fatty tuna, B400). They also recommend the uni (sea urchin, B100-380), foie gras (B270-330) and Matsusaka beef (B320).
1/F, The Horizon Destination Mall, Sukhumvit Soi 63, Bangkok, 02-714-2228
 

More Japanese restaurants in Bangkok

GOTO
Delivery on Tuesday and Friday.

Meii Sushi
Delivery on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Sakuraya Fish Market
Delivery on Tuesday and Friday.

Sushi Ichi
Delivery on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Tatsuya
Delivery on Tuesday and Friday.

more Japanese restaurants in Singapore

[ INDONESIA ] Ayana Resort and Spa
Some top notch wellness facilities can be found at this luxury resort’s on-site Thermes Marins Bali Spa. It includes cold plunge pools, an aerobics and yoga studio, an aquatonic seawater therapy pool, seven hydrotherapy rooms and twenty four treatment rooms (with cleansing seven-chakra facials as well as balancing hot and cold jade stone treatments).

[ INDONESIA ] MesaStila
This Javanese coffee plantation turned holiday destination and spa offers coffee grown on-site at the resort—a definite pick-me-up. They also have an extensive range of detox, relaxation and fitness plans. After experiencing it all, retreat to one of their Dutch colonial style villas, decked out with charming Javanese antiques.

[ INDONESIA ] Yoga Barn
At this holistic wellness retreat, expect yoga, cleanse and meditation programs. There are two yoga studios at the getaway: an upstairs loft for up to 30 folks and a downstairs space for 20. Foodwise, there’s a real focus on raw vegan recipes such as raw tacos, raw chocolate mousse and raw carrot cake. All meals are free of animal products like meat, eggs and dairy, and instead include rich avocado, cashews, sesame seeds and dates.

[ MALAYSIA ] The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat
Just a two-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, within the Tambun mountain range, this eco-friendly retreat does spa cuisine meals, has a meditation center (located in one of Ipoh’s 280-million-year-old limestone caves) and a geothermal dipping pool. The spa menu spans traditional Chinese, Malay and Indian techniques such as hibiscus-scented massages, cleanses and wraps, plus, treatments involving Himalayan rock salt.

[ THAILAND ] Samahita Retreat
The name of this getaway “Samahita” translates to “balanced” in Sanskrit, and the smoke- and alcohol-free facility offers an array of programs to help guests find balance in their daily habits, weight and stress levels. Founded by American yoga expert Paul Dallaghan, it specializes in yoga and detox programs, and is equipped with an herbal steam room and salt water swimming pool.

Coriander Leaf

[ASIAN, FUSION]
Free on Tuesday.

Crystal Jade Kitchen

[CHINESE]
First two bottles free. 2 Lorong Mambong, 6469-0300.

Da Paolo Ristorante

[ITALIAN]
First bottle free on Tuesdays.

The Disgruntled Chef

[EUROPEAN]
Free on Tuesday.

Jumbo Seafood Restaurant

[CHINESE]
First two bottles free. #01-06, 11 Dempsey Rd., 6479-3435.

Kim Choo’s Kitchen

[PERANAKAN]
Free daily. 109/111 East Coast Rd., 6741-2125.

La Braceria Pizza & Grill

[ITALIAN]
Free Tuesday-Thursday.

LP+Tetsu

[FRENCH-JAPANESE]
Free daily.

Otto Ristorante

[ITALIAN]
Free Monday-Wednesday.

The University Club

[EUROPEAN]
First three bottles free.

Song: “Cut and Run”

Artist: Katsue
Label: Samutprakarn Sound
It’s been far too long between drinks for Katsue. Since releasing their debut album, And So It Goes, back in 2006, the electro duo—Joni Anwar and Jay Monton Jira—have been regulars behind the turntables at many clubs and parties in Bangkok, but there’s been no hint of new material. Until now. Thankfully, their comeback single “Cut and Run” rewards on all counts. The beat- and bass-heavy track has a much harder edge than previous offerings, but the melody, delivered by intertwining shared vocals, will quickly worm its way into your subconscious. A very welcome return.

Song: “Rong Tao Pha Bai”

Artist: Seal Pillow
Label: Parinam Music
The members of this brand new band from Parinam Music—Chalerm (vocals and synth), Aron (guitar), Pakorn (bass), Makara (guitar) and Araya (drums)—say they have a “college pop sound.” And, sure enough, their debut single, “Rong Tao Pa Bai [Sneaker],” shows them to be highly enthusiastic students of pop-rock. OK, the influences are there for all to hear—classic post-punk guitars, hints of surf-rock and more than a passing resemblance to a recent Cults hit—but something so catchy can only pass with flying colors, in our books. (And it’s accompanied by a very simple yet affecting film clip.)

Song: “Hom Pa”

Artist: Yellow Fang
Label: Independent
After first single “Unreal” spent four weeks atop the Fat 40 chart, and came in second in Fat Radio’s list of best songs for 2012, stylish female garage rock trio Yellow Fang return with another doozy to get you weak at the knees. Opening with some soft cooing and plaintive strumming followed by sweet lyrics that tell of a girl waiting for her lover’s return, the pace picks up around the two-minute mark and builds to a heart-racing crescendo.

Song: “Who am I”

Artist: Proud Kraturerk meets The Photo Sticker Machine
Label: Independent
This breezy slice of pop-rock is the first offering from the Music Therapy project launched late last year by The Photo Sticker Machine, the solo electronic project of Vichaya Vatanasapt aka Nong T-Bone. The project invited Facebook fans to submit their self-produced songs for the chance to have them rearranged and presented to a wider audience. The first to receive this treatment, “Who Am I” is the work of Silpakorn University student Proud Kraturerk and the catchy track hints at bigger things to come.

Song: “Son [Hide]”

Artist: Mana Manee Piti Choojai
Label: Independent
“Son [Hide]” first aired a few years ago as part of the soundtrack for the Faculty of Architecture at Kon Kaen University’s annual stage play. Now the band behind it, Mana Manee Piti Choojai, who have made something of a name for themselves with occasional gigs at Cosmic Café and Fat Festival appearances, have chosen to offer it up to the general public. Though relatively upbeat in sound, the song takes on quite a brooding edge thanks to lyrics about a girl who must hide her weaknesses deep inside, which are complemented by some nice piano tinkling late in the piece.

Song: “Brahma Brahma” 

Artist: Chladni Chandi
Label: Panda Records
Panda Records’ Chladni Chandi—comprising Chawalit “Yong” Saowapakpongchai (vocals and guitar), Sompop “Ben” Suwanwattanakul (bass) and Thanawut “Meng” Sriwatthanah (drums)—are known for their psychedelic rock that incorporates Indian instruments, like the sitar, and poetic lyrics that espouse Buddhist beliefs. This first single from their debut album Tri opens with something akin to a Buddhist prayer before layering on the percussion and guitars for stronger emotional resonance. 

Roast Duck at MK

It all started with one tiny shophouse in Siam Square a half-century ago, which the owner took over from a woman named Makong King Yee. We won’t comment on MK’s suki (we’ll leave that to the Japanese), but some of Bangkok’s best (and most affordable) roast duck (B148 for small, B290 for big) can be found here. The tender, juicy slices of meat are basked in a secret sauce that hits all the right notes—sweet, salty and umami—which has us licking our plates clean every single time.
www.mkrestaurant.com

Complicated Noodles at Greyhound

Greyhound is always reliable: same menu, same reasonable prices and same touches of creativity that don’t take you out of your comfort zone. The classic signature dish, Complicated Noodles (B150), comes on a wood board with rice noodle sheets layered with lettuce, shredded pork and a spicy, garlic-infused green sauce that isn’t too sweet. Putting it all together is half the fun, but it also happens to taste great.
Try 3/F, Siam Center, Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-1129. Open daily 11am-10pm. Or visit www.greyhoundcafe.co.th.

Khao Ob Nam Liab at Seefah

All-time classic family restaurant, Seefah boasts over 70 years of history, starting with their khao naa gai (rice topped with chicken in gravy) since their first location on Ratchawong. Their khao ob nam liab (baked rice with herbs and Chinese olive, B85) is even better. The rice is baked to be moist and tender and is topped with the lovely cubes of ginger and shallot, while the overall flavors are well-balanced with the Chinese olives.
www.seefah.com

Pla Muk Pad Prik Gluea at Baan Ying

You might remember Baan Ying from its days at Siam Theatre many years ago, where it was run by a friendly uncle. Today, the chain goes for a fairly minimal, blond wood, Japanese look, but it’s the same old homemade-tasting fare on the plate. Everyone orders the omelets here, but our top pick is actually the crispy, salty, totally addictive pla muek pad prik gluea (fried calamari with chili and salt, B160).
Try 2/F, Silom Complex, Silom Rd., 02-231-3262. Open daily 11am-10pm. Or visit www.banying.com

Stir-fried pork with kimchi at Ootoya

We’re not sure that the food here really tastes like "what our mom made", as the Ootoya motto says, since mom isn’t Japanese, but we do know that their stir-fried pork with kimchi (B240 for a set) is up there with the best. The pork is very tender, while the pungent kimchi brings a bit of sourness to cut through the fattiness of the meat.
www.ootoya.co.th

Bacon Bits at Sizzler

We can’t say we’re huge Sizzler fans, but if we do end up there, it’s not for a big juicy steak. It’s for the bacon bits. We’re just addicted to the stuff. We ladle it onto our salad. We put some more into the corn chowder. We heap them onto our baked potato. Crispy, salty and oily, they’re simply irresistible.
www.sizzler.co.th

French Fries at McDonald’s

Ronald McDonald’s fries are a bit like Coca-Cola. We don’t know what they do to them—and maybe we’d rather not know—but they are simply the best. Salty, crispy on the outside, puffy inside, the McDonald’s fry (B27) is a heavenly reward.
www.mcthai.co.th

Egg Tart at KFC

There are plenty of boutique bakeries out there doing their own carefully crafted, homemade egg tarts. But in a blind taste test we organized, KFC actually came in second. It’s got the silky, eggy and sweet filling, a crispy, flaky crust, and a lovely caramelized topping. The perfect sugary companion (B20) for a black coffee (ideally bought elsewhere).
www.kfc.co.th

Chocolate Devotion at Cold Stone

The Chocolate Devotion (B129 for small) comes with chocolate ice cream, chocolate chips, brownie and chocolate fudge. Super rich and creamy, it can cure heartbreak, depression and anxiety—we guarantee it.
Try 6/F, CentralWorld, Rama 1 Rd., 02-252-3952. Open daily 10am-10pm. Or visit www.coldstone.co.th.

Kraprao moo bacon mo din at Lee Cafeé

Uncle Lee has been around for about 20 years now, doing single-dish Chinese food like fried-egg noodles with crabmeat, koay see mhee (fried egg noodles with chicken and bamboo shoots) and our favorite, kraprao moo (rice topped with stir-fried pork with basil and bacon, B90). Unlike the rest of the menu, the kraprao here tastes very Thai, with a solid dose of chili. The addition of bacon to this ubiquitous dish is simply genius.
Try 3/F, CentralWorld, Rama 1 Rd., 02-646-1838. Open daily 10am-10pm. Or visit www.leecafethai.com.

Garlic Chicken at Bonchon

This global chain flew from Busan in Korea to the US before it ended up in Bangkok three years ago. The chicken (B161 for small) really does live up to the hype. It’s crunchy batter on the outside holds up marvelously against the restrained slathering of piquant, not too sweet sauce, and moist, tender and flavorful meat on the inside.
Try Silom Complex, Silom Rd., 02-231-3129. Open daily 10:30am-10pm. Or visit www.bonchonthailand.com

Pancakes at Little Home

Little Home Bakery is the sort of diner that time has forgotten, remembered mostly by long-time expats and Thai-Chinese families who come here for their dimsum and solid American breakfast offerings. They do a very cheap American breakfast set (starts from B140) but their specialty is the pancakes. Fluffy, served with a scoop of creamy buttery and available in a ton of awesome combinations (with bacon, ham, pineapple, bananas—you name it, starting from B120), it’s a great way to start your Sunday without breaking the bank.
Try 413/10-20, Soi Thonglor, Sukhumvit Soi 55, 02-185-1485. Open Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat-Sun 8am-9pm. Or visit
www.littlehome.co.th

Tonkatsu Ramen at Chabuton

Chabuton is the brainchild of 2002 TV Champion Award-winning Yasuji Morizumi, a former French cuisine chef who has combined his Gallic culinary background with Japanese traditional noodles. Even fans of Ramentei (four branches in Bangkok) have to admit that this mall-dwelling chain is just as good, if not better. The signature tonkatsu ramen (B175) is a big bowl of noodles in concentrated pork-bone soup that’s been cooked for more than 15 hours, topped with Japanese bunching onions and slices of a special, decadently fatty grilled pork. The soup is delicious and the pork’s grilled notes are just superb.
Try Siam Square, next to Lido Theatre, 02-252-9353. Open Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-10pm.

Pizza with Parma Ham and Rocket at Scoozi

Maybe Pala or Limoncello keep you up at night, but in a pinch, you can always count on Scoozi. The tangy sauce, blistered, smoky crust, and rich cheese are top-notch. But when money is no object, we like to top it all off with parma ham and arugula (B425). Delicioso.
www.scoozipizza.com

Whopper at Burger King

Last year was all about the gourmet burger trend (think Escapade, Burger Factory), but we’re still partial to a good old Whopper (B175 for set) at Burger King. The juicy “flame-grilled” ground patties are big on size and flavor. As far as junk food goes, we still love the Big Mac, but when we’re in the mood for a burger that actually tastes like cow, Burger King rules.
www.facebook.com/burgerkingthailand

Spicy Chili Dog at Mos Burger

It’s not easy to even find a half-decent hot dog in this town. So when Japan’s Mos landed in Bangkok with its weird burgers, we felt their spicy chili dog (B89) was their best kept secret. It has a similar tomato sauce, that slightly sweet, almost Bolognese like stuff, and crunchy pickled chili slices on top. The sausage is made with beef. And chicken. And seemingly a whole lot of love.
www.facebook.com/mosburger.thailand

Mee Pad Krached at Je Ngor

This well-regarded seafood establishment is among the best. The decor is a bit aged, but you don’t go to Je Ngor for the atmosphere. Their mee pad krached (stir-fried noodles with water mimosa, B100 for small) is cooked to perfection. The water mimosa is lovingly sorted so that you’ll never find any sticky old greens.
Try 68/2 Sukhumvit Soi 20, 02-258-8008-9. Open daily 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-10pm. Or visit www.jengor-seafoods.com

Bamee Kha Moo at Hong Kong Noodles

Famous for its egg noodles, Hong Kong Noodles started off as a small street stall some 30 years ago in Yaowarat. The chewy and eggy noodles are delightful. Top them with the recommended khao moo (braised pig trotter, B79) and you’ve got a match made in heaven. The pork is braised to near perfection, making for deeply flavored meat chunks. They also offer delivery on orders above B250.
Try Siam Square Soi 10, Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-4154. Open daily 9am-10pm. Or visit www.hkndgroup.com

Crepe Cake at Secret Garden

Set in a beautiful house on Sathorn Road., the flagship restaurant started about seven years ago before Secret Garden spread to all over town. Our favorite is the crepe cake (B125). The cream is rich and smooth, the crepes fluffy, it’s not overly sweet, and it comes with this very natural tasting, slightly acidic, strawberry coulis. The combination is heavenly. The only question is, peel it apart layer by layer or cut right through it? Your call.
Try Sathorn Rd., 02-286-2464. Open daily 11am-10pm

Double Chocolate Chips Muffin at Au Bon Pain

We quite like the soups at Au Bon Pain, but their patisserie masterpiece has to be their chocolate muffin. Bitter and sweet, it actually tastes like real chocolate (an incredibly rare thing for chocolate muffins in Bangkok). It’s also decadently dense and rich.
Try www.aubonpainthailland.com

Salapao at Waraporn

Despite it being a pretty big chain, Waraporn is always consistent with its salapao (Chinese bun) even though (or perhaps because) they’re made in an industrial kitchen before delivery to the chains.. The salapao (B22) has that most wonderful spongy mouth-feel and tastes incredibly homemade, given that it’s anything butt. The stuffing, too, are fresh and tasty. Do try the pork with garlic and taro with gingko.
Try www.warapornsalapao.com

Roti Gaeng Kiew Wan at Kalapapruek

Probably the most popular dish at this family restaurant, Kalapapruek’s authentic gaeng kiew wan nuea (green curry with beef, B85) comes with crispy fried roti—a voluptuous combination. (Do end your meal with their chocolate fudge cake that is equally impressive.)
Try 27 Soi Pramual, Silom Rd., 02-238-4002

Spicy Chicken at Chester’s Grill

Chester’s Grill is our kind of fast food joint. There’s cutlery, the staff almost always carry the tray to your table for you. They serve rice. It’s as if it had been designed as a transitional experience for uncles and aunties not quite ready to make the jump to McDonald’s yet. They also have a delicious spicy grilled chicken (B79). Sure the flesh is a bit waterlogged—free range gai baan this ain’t—but that spicy MSG marinade is certainly finger licking good.
www.chestersgrill.co.th

Rocky Road Ice Cream at Swensen’s

Ice cream is another food we’ve actually put through blind taste tests. You’d be surprised at how cheap brands can outperform Haagen-Dazs and Movenpick. In particular, we can’t get enough of Rocky Road’s crunchy, chocolatey goodness (B50 for a scoop). Richy, sticky, and packed with almonds and marshmallows, Swensen’s Rocky Road is everything ice cream should be. And their revamped venue at the ground floor of Paragon looks pretty swanky, too.
Try G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-7527. Or visit www.swensensicecream.com

Ribs at Tony Roma’s

Worldwide chain restaurant Tony Roma’s has a laidback family vibe. And serious rib enthusiasts in town would probably prefer standalones like Roadhouse Barbeque. But we just love Tony Roma’s platter of babyback ribs with the original barbecue glaze (B395 for half). It’s fall-off-the bone tender, which can be a sign of boiled meat, but Tony Roma’s claim they don’t do that—and the flavor is intact so we believe them. The sauce is not too sweet and nicely caramelized in places.
Try G/F, Siam Paragon, 991 Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-9311. Open daily 11am-11pm. Or visit www.tonyromas.com

Klua Gling at Taling Pling

The flagship restaurant recently relocated to Baan Silom, and they have branches at Sukhumvit Soi 38 and CentralWorld. In case you’re getting all nostalgic, the new place has a similar décor and, of course, all the favorite dishes including the delicious klua gling moo gradook on (Southern style stir-fried baby back ribs with herbs, B150), a perfect combination of salty and mildly spicy.
Try 60 Silom Soi 19, Bangkok, 02-236-4829-30. www.talingpling.com 

The Bank Bar + Bistro

The Bank Bar + Bistro is full of old world charm. Its drinks list offers a bit of everything—draft beers (from $9.50), wines (from $13 a glass) and over 60 spirits with respectable selections of single malts and rums (from $12). There’s also a range of bar bites from waffle fries ($7.90) to grilled beef kofta ($16.90) along with platters and typical international and Western restaurant fare (from $13.90).

Beer Market

Based on the concept of a stock exchange, this bar hadthe motto “Buy Low, Drink High”. That means the more a drink is purchased, the higher its price gets. Look out for the “Crash Px” (Crash Price) sign, which flashes when there’s low demandfor a particular drink. Hungry?Tuck into Western and Asian dishes (from $7) like pasta and even kushiyaki. Live music performances are on from 8pm onwards on Mondays to Saturdays.

The Vault

Its discreet entrance is marked by an actual vault door from OCBC Bank, which used to occupy the premises. This sophisticated two-story joint houses a bistro on the ground floor and a lounge-bar on the second, serving beer, wine, and spirits (from $12) as well as pub grub like marinated olives and truffle fries. Here, lounge lizards can indulge in sultry jazz before resident soundmasters take overafter 9pm, with guest DJs appearing on Saturdays.

The Exchange

Touted as the CBD’s largest brasserie and bar, this suits-attracting spot has an impressive wine list ranging from house pours at $15 a glass to a $1,688 bottle of Krug Clos du Mesnil. Pretty much every varietal is represented, too, including single malt whiskies ($16-72), top shelf spirits (from $14), liqueurs ($13), cocktails (from $16) and great coffee ($3.20-4.80). Food-wise, there’s a spread of Western fare, like the smoked duck and poached pear salad with Roquefort cheese ($18).

Brewerkz
This pioneering microbrewery—open since 1997—will screen the Super Bowl live from 6am. As you watch the game, dine on their full menu, and chug down a wide range of suds (from $5) such as the golden ale and pilsner. To sop up the booze, try their burgers (from $20); the patties are among the best in town.

Botak’s American Diner
Detroit-born (but now Singaporean) Bernie Utchenik offers up affordable easy drinking beers (from $6.50) and a cool track classic rock and blues at this laid-back joint. Plus, they serve humongous helpings of authentic diner grub like mozzarella-stuffed jalapenos ($8) and their signature Cajun chicken ($8.80) too. Friendly servers who chat with you freely—in typical American style—add to the atmosphere.

Chili’s
Sure, it isn’t exactly a groundbreaking concept, but everything at this comforting mid-priced joint is generous and hearty. Order up their famous margaritas (from $16) or American brews such as Budweiser ($12) or Miller Lite ($12) to wash down grub like nachos ($19) and the hulking Texas Chili Burger ($22).

Hard Rock Café
Decked out in music memorabilia from superstars such as Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley, this place offers filling chow from the good ole US of A including their justifiably famous burgers (from $26). There’s plenty of Budweiser ($13) to make it go down easy, too. Once you’ve filled your belly, take to the dance floor and groove to Top 40s for a rocking good time.