JANUARY

Bistros with the word “Wine” in their names

Wine I Love You at Crystal Design Center opens to long queues and kicks off the trend of ridiculously named restaurants: Wine Me Up, Y Wine Y, X Wine Z, Wine Republic, Wine 33, Tell Me Wine, Wine Fusion, etc.

FEBRUARY

Thai Football

As the Thai Premier League Season kicks off, the local football scene continues to grow in leaps and bounds, with better stadiums, more fans, and growing media coverage.
Online Korean Shopping on Facebook
It’s all the craze: clever entrepreneurs are opening Facebook pages selling imported K-fashion.
Mono-Food Restaurants
Hot on the heels of BonChon Chicken, BKK Bagel Bakery opens, a sign of a growing appetite for mono-dish venues that do less, but do it right. Later in 2011, Bangkok Burger Company and Din Tai Fung also open.
Preah Vihear
All eyes were on the Khmer temple in February, as escalating tensions led to border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia.
Flood Prevention
Sukhumband announces a five-year plan to add three new drainage tunnels, with work set to begin in 2012. Right.

MARCH

Oskar

With comforting French food, a busy bar in the middle, and Bed as its neighbor, Oskar proves perfect for late dinners and pre-club drinks.
Planil Temban
After “Kid Dee Dee” climbed to #6 on the Fat Radio charts the band become one of 2011’s most exciting new arrivals.
Rich Kids Who Can’t Drive
First a hi-so 17-year-old, Orachorn Thephasadin na Ayudhya, runs a minivan off the road, killing nine of its passengers. Then a 19-year-old Rangsit student chops a Lao girl in half with daddy’s Porsche. The compensation police suggested he pay? B200,000.

APRIL

Songkran Titties

“It hurts the image of Thailand, in particular Silom,” says Bangrak District Office Director Surakiat Limcharern of the two teenagers who showed off their breasts during the water wars. Perhaps Surakiat was upset that no ping pong balls were involved, as Silom’s “image” would have warranted.
Maroon 5
After a string of old geezers (Scorpion, Eric Clapton, Santana), Maroon 5 was a slightly fresher inter band to grace Bangkok.
Income Gaps and Food Prices
While just 5.1% of those making under 15K per month saw their income increase in the first quarter of 2011, 24.1% of those making more than 75K saw their income rise. Also, 56% of those under 15K said they are actually making less! Meanwhile street sellers are complaining that ingredient prices have nearly doubled recently.
99 Rest Backyard & Café
It takes Ian Kittichai and a really cute garden setting to make a place out on Rama 9 this hot with the hi-so crowd.
Fujifilm Finepix X100
A beautiful object that takes compact cameras to a whole new level thanks to its fixed lens (no zoom) and larger sensor.

MAY

Reya

Seems like we like bitches. Or we’d like to be bitches. Or we love to hate bitches. Whatever it was, Reya struck a nerve.
The Drums
A genuinely hot young indie band took us all surfing at Muse.
Hangover II
Apichatpong show monks playing the guitar. And girls can’t take off their shirts in Silom. Then suddenly, monkeys are giving monks blowjobs while ladyboys do drugged tourists in the ass. Not that we cared. Or laughed.
Herbie Hancock
Here’s one old geezer we were happy to welcome. The granddaddy of electro funk is not only a virtuoso, but also a genuinely warm performer. Bravo!
Funny Campaign Posters

JUNE

Pop-Up Restaurants

WTF opens up a space across the street, Opposite, which soon plays host to pop-up restaurant nights. Later, Chef McDaeng also hosts a pop-up in the achingly hip Warp 54 Studio. The trend hasn’t exactly picked up steam since, but we’re still hoping it will catch on.
Campaign Promises
Remember the tablets, B300 minimum wage and B20 BTS and MRT rides? OK, that’s all Yingluck, but the Democrats too had some goodies: 12 high-speed rail lines and a 25% minimum wage hike.

JULY

Yingluck Wins

Thailand elects its first female prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra. This marks a return to power for the Thaksin clan since he was ousted by the military in 2006; and a massive vote of no confidence for the Democrats.
Kylie
The diminutive Aussie pop icon returns to Bangkok with a fabulous (and fabulously gay) extravaganza. Come back any time, Kylie!
Community Malls
As more shops open at City Viva, it’s clear that 2011 is taking the community mall trend to new heights. The tally for 2011: The Circle (although it soft-launched in 2010), CDC Phase 2, Seenspace, City Viva, Portico Langsuan and The Nine.

AUGUST

Preppy Vintage

Checkered shirts and rolled up chinos, to be worn barefoot with loafers, were 2011’s obligatory look.
The On Nut Extension
After years of delays, the BTS line finally extends all the way to Soi Bearing (Sukhumvit 107) with instant success.
The Bangkok Burger Company
Despite mixed reviews (patty falls apart, buns not homemade tasting enough), BBC remains one of the rare noteworthy restaurant openings in 2011, a pretty bad year on that front if compared to 2010.

SEPTEMBER & AUGUST

Singapore’s Hot!

It’s not just the Formula 1 and the big-name concerts with cheesy inter stars, but Marina Bay’s 2011 openings from the Louis Vuitton shop and the ArtScience Museum to new club Avalon, have given us reasons to go back.
Heavy Rains
We were just about done erasing the 2010 floods from our memories when it started raining again, the September death toll quickly reaching 100.

OCTOBER

Casino Busts

Following up on Chuvit’s clips of illegal gambling dens, Chalerm seizes this golden opportunity to reshuffle the police force’s top brass. What about the casinos? They seem to have mysteriously disappeared when police show up.
Authentic Bistros
Screw Le Normandie. With the recent openings of Le Petit Zinc, Chez Pape, Surface and D’Orsay we now have more cheap and cheerful French options than ever.
Terminal 21
Just as the floods are starting to affect the capital, Bangkokians show that nothing can stop them from shopping, especially if it’s at a 9-story themed wonderland with plenty of cheap, no-brand shops.
Bangkok is Flooded
It won’t. Will it? Oh wait, it has? Yes, Bangkok did flood in the end, mostly in the West and North.

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER

Headshot

Pen-ek’s much anticipated noir has its moments, but the convoluted plot leaves no space for its characters to come to life.
Ikea
Hot on the heels of Terminal 21 comes another shopping marathon that packs in throngs of Bangkokians. Located in Bangna, the massive Ikea warehouse also signals the rise of the suburbs, where many recent community malls have opened, in part thanks to better public transport.
Electro Heavyweights
First Fischerspooner bring their exciting visuals and virtuoso electro sound to Bed; then its Brian Eno’s darlings, Ladytron, with an admittedly lackluster performance at LED.
Leaked Clips and Pics
From Sek Loso doing crystal meth to Utt showing off on his webcam, celebrities still don’t understand that they should avoid digital recording devices.
Primitive
pichatpon’s exhibition on the themes of his Palme D’Or winning Uncle Boonmee finally comes to Thailand.
 

DECEMBER

Supoj Saplom Robbed

They took 700,000! One million. Three million. 10 million. 20. 120! 120? Going. Gone! (Note to Japan, next time you lend us money, don’t give it to us in cash.)
Rooftop Parties
With the New Year's eve celebrations and cooler weather, rooftops are the place to end 2011 in style (see page 32). Happy New Year everyone!

Napa on 26

2/F Nihonmachi (behind K-Village), Sukhumvit 26, 02-258-2622. Available only Sun 11:30am-2pm.
The Californian restaurant has been doing a brunch for a few months now (B1,500 per person) which includes a free flow of sparkling wine and choice of six different red and white Californian labels. You can combine appetizers from the cold seafood buffet along with soup and a main course.

The Eugenia

267 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-259-9011. Available on Sat-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm.
This quaint boutique hotel has recently undergone a change in management and also a change to its set brunch menu, now with Asian influences. For B1,590 per person, you get a pastry and preserves spread, coffee, juice, a glass of sparkling wine and choices like oeuf a la bourguignonne (poached egg in red wine with white truffle sabayon) or homemade gnocchi with duck ragu.

Tables

Grand Hyatt Erawan, Rachdamri Rd., 02-254-1234. Available only Sun noon-2:30pm.
This old-school European restaurant now has a hot, new chef, and a brand new Sunday brunch offering a slightly different concept: live cooking stations that whip up dishes like risotto, scallops and steak tartare a la minute. You also get your choice of lobster thermidor or lobster salad as a main dish. B1,400 per person, B580 extra for free-flow prosecco, wine, beer and soft drinks.

Viu

12/F, St. Regis Hotel Bangkok, 159 Ratchadamri Rd., 02-207-7777. BTS Ratchadamri. Available only Sun 12pm-4pm.
St. Regis now brings its “New-York style” brunch to Bangkok. The brunch (B2,400) features your expected gigantic spread, with an never ending menu of gourmet dishes; and if you’re a cheese lover, their choice of cheese is unbeatable. They also have free flow cocktails (martinis and Bloody Mary) to end your weekend properly hammered.

Rain Tree Cafe, Plaza Athenee

61 Wireless Rd., Plaza Athenee Hotel, 02-650-8800. Available only Sun 12pm-3pm
Plaza Athenee’s Sunday Brunch is not new, but it has just been touched by the molecular gastronomy bug going around Bangkok. That means ingredients have been foamed, liquified or even thrown into liquid nitrogen. The results? Molecular smoked duck or nitro poached cocktails. But if you prefer your brunch less meddled with, there’s still the Alaskan king crab, Maine lobster and Swiss raclette station to keep you happy. B3,040 with free flow sparkling Jeanne D’Arc blanc de blancs brut, cocktails, wine and Illy coffee.

Be Your Guest

24, Sukhumvit Soi 53. 081-637-9047. BTS Thonglor. Private car park. www.villabeyourguest.asia. Available only Sun 11am-4pm
Nestled in leafy Sukhumvit Soi 53, Be Your Guest is a private residence turned gourmet cafe, private restaurant and boutique guesthouse (clearly they like to multi-task). Sit next to their lush garden and private swimming pool while enjoying no less than four different brunch sets with a free-flow of hot coffee, tea and juice: Thai (B590), Parisian (B890), Gourmet (B1,190) or Children’s (B300).

Chu

Room 204-206, 2/F, Exchange Tower, 388 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-663-4554. BTS Asoke. Breakfast menu available only until 11am on weekdays, 3pm on weekends and public holidays.
Although Chu gets its name from its churros (B90/plate, add chocolate or dulce de leche for another B20) and is well known for its variety of desserts, they’ve recently rolled out a breakfast and an all-day brunch menu, both with some serious egg recipes. The egg white fritatta with smoked salmon, mozzarella, caramelized onions and rocket (B260) and french toast with berries (B230) have sparked our interest. If you’re hungover and need that calorific blow out to recharge your batteries; try the breakfast set with two eggs (fried, scrambled or poached) with grilled tomato, crispy bacon, Virginia ham, German Bratwurst, toast, orange juice and hot coffee or tea (B220)—enough protein to make a T-bone look vegetarian.

Hungry for more? For genuine egg breakfast options, such as our faves Roast and RMA, visit http://ow.ly/7YN8J.

OPENINGS

Without a doubt the most noteworthy opening in Singapore’s dining scene for 2011 was the launch of L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Joël Robuchon Restaurant at Resorts World Sentosa back in April, courtesy of Frenchman Joël Robuchon, the most decorated Michelin-starred chef in the world.

Another biggie as far as we’re concerned is tapas bar Esquina by Jason Atherton of London’s one-Michelin-starred Pollen Street Social, which threw open its doors on December 10.

Duxton experienced a serious renaissance and began to resemble a UN conference (in a good way) with the opening of Buyan Russian Haute Cuisine & Caviar Bar, Sabio Tapas Bar & Restaurant, Brit gastropub The Jackson Plan, Singaporean-inspired bistro Wok & Barrel and most recently, Latteria Mozzarella Bar on December 1.

This was a year for joe addicts with plenty of coffee spots sprouting up like Loysel’s Toy, jimmy monkey, Jewel Coffee, Brunetti, Toby’s Estate and Oriole Coffee Roasters, and the list goes on (read our story all about them at here).

The Sugar Daddy Group made their presence felt with American-style diner Pique Nique and French patisserie and salon Antoinette (with three outlets so far, and counting), helmed by owner and pastry maestro Pang Kok Keong.

We might not subscribe to an open door policy at home, but we’re definitely fans of the bistro and coffee bar Open Door Policy in hip ‘hood Tiong Bahru from Tippling Club’s Ryan Clift.

If you’re a lush, you’ve probably enjoyed new watering holes in the form of cocktail spots (28 HongKong Street, Bartini, The Studio and Barkode), wine bars (The Stomping Ground, TWINE and Verre Wine Bar) and specialists (Absinthe Artisan, The Auld Alliance, JiBiru Japanese Craft Beer Bar and Señor Taco).

CLOSED

Raw Kitchen Bar bid adieu to their spot at the old firestation in Bukit Timah, but reincarnated as Kilo by Kallang Riverside Park (just above Loysel’s Toy).

The most expensive restaurant in the city (think $750 for a seven-course tasting menu), Michelin-starred Kunio Tokuoka’s namesake establishment closed in May.

Less than six months after The Jackson Plan’s launch, the il Lido/Forlino group waved the white flag and resorted to Plan B aka Latteria Mozzarella Bar.

The doctor left the house and controversial Clinic flatlined. Time of death: December 7. In its place, rose Aquanova Restaurant Bar, also from LifeBrandz.

Excuse us while we mourn the upcoming loss of A Curious Teepee, which closes its physical space at *SCAPE come December 31, but will be launching its website; so you can still get your hands on their cool goods.

1. The Bose QuietComfort15 Acoustic noise cancelling headphones are perfect to blot out the dull roar of the jet engines, B16,900
2. The Tank travel bag from Mandarina Duck’s handy compartments will keep your stuff nice and safe in transit. B22,000
3. Different continents, airport lounges and pressurized cabins can mean fluctuating temperatures, be ready for them all with this poncho from Muji, B1,690
4. Step off the plane bright eyed and feeling fresh by applying this anti-fatigue cooling eye gel roller from Clinique, B1,200
5. Stuck on a low-cost? Make your own in-flight entertainment with a Nintendo 3DS, B7,590
6. Big enough to show a movie, small enough to fit easily into a (large) jacket pocket, the new Samsung Galaxy Note also doubles up as a phone and sketch pad, B22,900 from Jaymart
7. Keep your feet snug and comfy with the Happy Socks @UnCENSORED, B390 each.
8. No more neck ache with the inflatable travel pillow from Ikea, B259.
9. Real books don’t have to be switched off during takeoff. Nor do they run out of batteries or dislike sun and sand. Try The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton, B483 at Asia Books
10. Always smell fruity and fresh with the cherry blossom solid perfume from L’Occitane, B450
11. Fight dry, pressurized air with this Shea Butter for face and body moisturizing, B400 from L’Occitane
12. In it for the long haul? Pack a Mipow Power Tube battery for iPhone, iPod, iPad, Galaxy Tab and Galaxy S, B2,790 from iStudio

ESSENTIALS

L’ Occitane. 1/F, J Avenue, Thonglor Soi 15, 02-712-6444. www.loccitane.co.th
Bose. 2/F, Siam Paragon, 02-129-4301. www.asavasopon.co.th
Ikea. 38 Moo 6, Bangna-Trad Rd., 02-708-7999. www.ikea.co.th
Clinique. 1/F, Central Chidlom, 02-655-7198. www.clinique.co.th
Nintendo. Try Happy Console, 884/19 Rama 3 Rd., 086-701-5677. www.happyconsole.com
Mandarina Duck. 1/F, CentralWorld, 02-251-2418. www.mandarinaduck.com
Muji. 3/F, Central Chidlom, 02-793-7777. www.muji.com
iStudio. Try 2/F, Esplanade, Rachadapisek Rd., 02-660-9259. www.istudio.in.th
Happy Socks. UnCENSORED, 2/F, CentralWorld, 02-646-1448. www.uncensored-bangkok.com
Asia Books. 3/F, Emporium, 02-664-8545. www.asiabooks.com
Jaymart. 4/F, MBK, 02-611-5734. www.jaymart.co.th

SG Malls

Need to know what stores are in the Plaza Singapura but can’t be bothered to scour the ground floor for a directory? This app helps you do just that—for some 188 malls—and even includes the unit number, telephone and website information.
Free from iTunes Store and Android.

Carpark@SG

If lower carpark fees are more important to you than the gifts themselves, get this app before you hit the road. It tells you the parking rates around town so you can plan your route, solving your Christmas woes without burning a hole in your wallet. The app frequently updates its database and allows you to submit new carpark entries.
Free from iTunes. Android Market alternative: “Singapore Parking” app.

The Christmas List

Keep tab of your progress with this app, including price, photos and the store where the gifts are available (there’s a preloaded list of retailers, but you can always add to it). You can separate your “people” into groups like “Family” and “Colleagues,” and even track your spending for each of them. Our favorite feature is the password protection option—the e-version of the “Don’t Open Until Christmas Morning” note.
$0.99 from iTunes.

Gene Kasidit

Spinning fashion icon

Can’t live without: Cash, Chanel lipstick, cotton buds, tissue paper and a pack of cigarettes.
Favorite themed party: Dudesweet: Dragsweet.
Craziest outfit: A t-shirt and a pair of jeans and sandals.
If your music was a look: Miss & mash with a glimpse of sex.
Stupidest trend: Crocs!
Favorite place to shop: A vintage shop on the corner of Khaosan Rd. and Ratchadamneon Rd. and of course, net-a-porter.com
Style icon: Tilda Swinton.
Favorite brand: At the moment, I adore Dolce & Gabbana.
Catch him at: Club Culture, Cosmic Cafe and Bed Supperclub.

Lady Soma

Mistress of Club SomaCan’t live without: My iPod.

Favorite themed party: French Navy/Sailor Party.
Favorite themed party you’ve hosted: Neon Sporty Night.
Craziest outfit: A sexy tracksuit for Trasher’s Lady Gaga party.
Craziest outfit you’ve seen: Mr. Pacman at a Dragsweet party.
If your music was a look: Vintage preppy chic.
Stupidest trend: Wearing a vest, short skirt and high heels to a party. Why not be more creative?
Style icon: Karen O.
Favorite brand: None. Mum’s 80s. shoulder pad jackets, Grandma’s closet and vintage markets.
Catch her at: Club Soma parties (see updates at: www.facebook.com/clubsomaparty).

Matt Smith

Shaded Standards Frontman

Can’t live without: People will roll their eyes at this but it’s got to be my sunnies!
Favorite themed party: Popscene’s 60s night, Backbeat.
Favorite themed party you’ve hosted: Backbeat, Popscene’s 60s night. You can’t beat some Northern Soul!
Craziest outfit: Too many to mention!
Craziest outfit you’ve seen: That would have to be at last weekend’s event, when we had a certain party goer think that his birthday suit was what we all needed to see.
If your music was a look: Smart!
Stupidest trend: Glasses without lenses.
Style icon: Steve Marriot (Small Faces era, of course).
Favorite fashion brand: John Smedley, Paul Smith and Fred Perry.
Catch him At: Popscene Indie Night (see updates at: www.facebook.com/thestandardstunes).

Jojo Trasher

Guilty Pleasure PusherCan’t live without: Headphones.

Favorite themed party: The Great Gatsby.
Favorite themed party you’ve hosted: Coyote Ugly.
Craziest outfit: Wrestler outfit.
Craziest outfit you’ve seen: See-through unitard.
If your music was a look: Ke$ha.
Stupidest trend: That big bow or some bird headband on girls’ heads. Ridiculous.
Style icon: Wes Anderson And The Gang.
Favorite place to shop: Siam.
Favorite brand: Topman.
Catch him at: Trasher party (see updates at: www.facebook.com/trasherbangkok).

Jay Montonn Jira

International Party Producer

Can’t live without: I can live without most things.
Favorite themed party: Boxer Bowtie Party in Davis, California.
Favorite themed party you’ve hosted: Boxer Bowtie Party in Davis, California.
Craziest outfit: Too many to describe. Evil Queen from Snow White? Aerobics instructor? Geisha? Zombie? Prostitute?
Craziest outfit you’ve seen: I’ve seen a lot of strange ones. I went to a party with Michel Gondry and he was dressed backwards. There was a wizard at a Suzan Barsch party in NYC at the Copa Cabana that I thought was pretty crazy looking as well.
If your music was a look: Formal Attire.... for some of the music I play. Mix N Match Couture for most of what I produce.
Stupidest trend: Planking.
Most inspirational style icon: Kraftwerk.
Favorite place to shop: The Internet.
Favorite brand: Elektron.
Catch him at: Resident DJ at Kacho Bar. 37/F Imperial Queens Park Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 22. 02-120-9000.

Note Dudesweet

Booker, Party Clown and Themester

Item you can’t live without: None.
Favorite themed party: Dragsweet: Drag Me Across the Universe, the girly-alien gay themed party.
Favorite themed party you’ve hosted: The Great Gatsby, three years ago.
Craziest outfit: Ballet dress with small lights all over it.
Craziest outfit you’ve seen: Superman.
If your music was a look: Smart Casual.
Stupidest trend: K Pop.
Most inspirational style icon: Jean-Paul Belmondo in the 60s.
Favorite brand: Raf Simons.
Catch him at: Dudesweet party (see updates at: www.facebook.com/busypartyboy).

Takeaway look

Animal prints

Get yours at:

Khao San Rd.
Dolce & Gabbana. M/F, Siam Paragon. Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-9770. BTS Siam.
www.net-a-poter.com

Vintage Jackets

Get yours at:

Wanglang Secondhand Market. Charansanitwongse Rd. Pier Siriraj, open daily 6am-7:30pm.
Topshop. G/F Centralworld. Ratchadamri Rd., 02-640-7000. BTS Chit Lom.

Check Shirts

Get yours at:

Paul Smith. 1/F, Siam Paragon. Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-9770. BTS Siam.
Fred Perry. G/F Centralworld. Ratchadamri Rd., 02-640-7000. BTS Chit Lom.

Sexy Shimmer

Get yours at:

Topshop/Topman. G/F Central World. Ratchadamri Rd., 02-640-7000. BTS Chit Lom.

Funky Headgear

Get yours at:

Daiso. Siam Square 3 Rama 1 Rd., 02-654-6303. BTS Siam.
Be Trend. 3/F Siam Paragon. Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-9770. BTS Siam.

Smart Casual

Absolutely Fabulous

Get yours at:

Raf Simons. Grande Hyatt Erawan, 494 Ploenchit Rd. 02-250-7750. BTS Chit Lom.
Greyhound. 3/F Siam Center, Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-1000. BTS Siam.
Siam on Third. 3/F Siam Center, Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-1000. BTS Siam.

Mind Memory

Apart from the scrapbook and papercraft products, they also offer a 3-hour hands-on workshop on scrapbooking for beginners. If you feel like it’s not worth buying all the tools to make a single card then you can opt for their scrap lab hour, when you can borrow their stamps, inks, punchers and scrap materials. An instant DIY scrap kit costs from B495 to B1,250 for a 12”x12” card size.
505, 5/F, Central Rama 9, 086-622-1006. www.mindmemorystore.com. Open daily 10am-10pm.

Scrap it!

This place offers a selection of step-by-step kits which cover different themes from sporty to granny. Some products come in bag sets but there are also cute-pattern papers and cardstock, stamps, stickers, ribbons, and other accessories sold separately. If you’re too lazy to do the work yourself, just get one of their beautifully wrapped scrapbook kits (B695-B1,795).
1/F, K Village, Sukhumvit Soi 26, 084-005-0739. www.scrapitscrapit.com. Open daily 10am-10pm.

Spoonful Zakka & Café

This cafe-cum-stationery place won’t only settle you down with gift ideas from their imported kitchenware and random home accessories from Japan but also sell some stationery and scrapbooking tools like their cute multiple-purpose masking tapes (starting B90).
2/F, The Portico, Soi Langsuan, 02-652-2278. www.spoonfulzakka.com. Open daily 11:00am-7:00pm.

Goose

Goose is far from cheap, but definitely our fave. It sells everything scrapbook and DIY craft-related with a special emphasis on tools like embossing paper punchers as well as the more basic stuff like cardstock. Besides all the technical equipment that can be found here, like burnishing tools, rubbers stamps, brad clips and more, GOOSE offers scrapbook workshops which last two-hours and cost between B1,100 to B1,750. Call in advance to reserve a seat for the workshops.
405, 4/F, Siam Discovery, Rama 1 Rd., 080-201-9421. www.goose-store.com. Open daily 10am-10pm.

Scrap@Love

This place is particularly popular when it comes to scrapbook supplies from cute paper, 3D stickers, and cartoon stamps, to fancy-patterned paper punchers from Martha Stewart (B690). Although there isn’t much workshop space for customers, you can pay for the supplies and let the staff finish the piece for you (prices start around B300).
1/F, Major Avenue Ratchayothin, Ratchayothin Rd., 089-478-7855. www.scrapatlove.com. Open daily 11am-9.30pm.

Cassoulet

The French like to slow cook. Boeuf Bourguinon, pot au feu, cassoulet—all that stuff ends up in a pot where you cook it for hours (and even then it always tastes better the next day, reheated). Cassoulet is made with white beans (ideally from the small town of Tarbes) and chunks of meat: lamb, duck confit, Toulouse sausage. Although a Southwestern dish, it’s a heavy winter food: rich, fatty and filling.
Have it at: Chez Pape for B430. 110/1 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-255-2492. Open Mon-Sat 4pm-midnight, Sun 11am-10pm.

Cold Cuts (Assiette de Charcuterie)

You can probably get better ham in Spain and Italy, but France does do marvelous prepared pork specialties called charcuterie: rillettes, terrine, saucisse and saucisson. What does it all mean? Rillettes is pork slow-cooked in its fat and served cold, as a spread. Terrine (and pate) are similar, but usually using chunkier cuts of meats, and not quite as much fat. Saucisse and saucisson are dry, cured sausages that one cuts in thin slices, like salami. Have them before a meal, with red wine.
Have it at: Le Petit Zinc’s assiette de charcuterie is B290/550 (small/large) and includes Serrano cured ham, saucisse seche, rosette de Lyon (a kind of saucisson), rillettes de porc and some duck or pork terrine. 110/1 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-259-3033. Open Tue-Sun 11am-midnight. Closed Dec 23-Jan 3.

Croque Monsieur

This is comfort food for the kiddies but the difference between an American cheese sandwich and French fast food is the sharp Emmental cheese from Switzerland. Toast the bread, slather with butter and béchamel, add a slice of proper ham, top with the cheese, and finish browning in the oven. Fried egg optional for the protein-hungry.
Have it at: Café Tartine for B190 (B215 with an egg). G/F, Athenee Residence, Soi Ruamrudee, 65 Wireless Rd., 02-168-5464. Open daily 8am-8pm. BTS Ploenchit.

Steak Tartare

This is a classic, a favorite and a deceptively simple dish. You take raw ground beef (snobs hand chop it) and mix in a bunch of stuff (chopped shallots, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, capers, an egg yolk). But because it’s so simple, the seasonings’ proportions are a high-wire act, and because it’s raw, the beef has to be perfect.
Have it at: Le Bouchon for B580. 37/17 Patpong Soi 2, 02-234-9109. Open Mon-Sat noon-3pm; daily 6:30-11pm. BTS Sala Daeng.

Confit de Canard

Confit de canard is becoming pretty ubiquitous on Thai menus. It’s made by slow-cooking a duck’s leg in the duck’s own fat. Snobs complain that local ducks are too lean, not free-range or not fed the right stuff, but honestly this is one dish that a lot of places get surprisingly right if they can resist the urge to overcook it.
Have it at: Oskar has an unusual presentation for its confit, serving it as morsels layered with mash potatoes and then oven-baked. Duck parmentier, B250. 24 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-254-6357. Open daily 6pm-2am.

Moules Frites

To the rest of the world, mussels and French fries are as Gallic as Gallic gets. But even the French will admit this stuff is really from Belgium. The dish is a shockingly simple, but dazzling, combination of mussels (usually cooked in white wine) and fries. The problem is that in Thailand most places serve green mussels, which aren’t nearly as good as the kind growing on the northern shores of Europe.
Have it at: Bouchot, where a pound of blue fin mussels is B620. 110/1 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-259-3033. Open Tue-Sun 11am-midnight.

Novus Bar & Courtyard

Occupying half of Novus Restaurant overlooking its courtyard, this small bar offers customers a selection of fine beers and cocktails. Perfect before or after a meal though it does have a menu of light bites of its own. The outside courtyard with its chill alfresco setting with blossoming frangipani trees is charming and Friday and Saturday evenings see live acoustic sets, soothing busy souls till 11pm on both days.

Mr Punch Restaurant & Winebar

Located at the roof of Mint Museum of Toys, this cozy hangout features retro and vintage furnishings—complementing the old school allure of the toy repository downstairs. While there’s not much of a view, this gem of a place is an ideal spot to kick back with some cocktails while enjoying the breeze and its accessible location.

Timbre @ The Substation

The closest watering hole to the local scene’s indie arts stronghold and a great place to unwind with a couple of pints after a play or gig. The laid-back alfresco bar is mostly dark wood furnishings amid a garden setting, and the crowd, predominated by yuppies in their twenties and thirties, who are here to enjoy the live music from some of the finest local musicians includings Goodfellas and Michaela Therese.