Malaysia 

Hong Kong

Singapore

Thailand 

Meet the Author: Catherine Breillat
The notorious French filmmaker, who is most well known for pushing the boundaries of sex and femininity through her extreme and explicit films Fat Girl and Romance will be in town for an unflinching discussion on her themes and influences. Not to be missed.
Nov 2, 6pm. Screening Room. Admission by festival pass. $15 from Bytes.sg.

Singapore Writers Festival Fringe Films
Alongside Catherine Breillat’s fairtytale-themed Bluebeard and The Sleeping Beauty (both shown for the first time here), other gems previewing include local filmmaker Tzang Merwyn Tong’s A Wicked Tale and Jean Cocteau’s classic Beauty and the Beast.
Nov 2-6, various times. Screening Room. Admission by festival pass. Check the website for full lineup.

Nocturnal Wanderer
Nobel Prize-winning author Gao Xingjian narrates from his book of the same name about a wanderer who encounters surreal characters through a series of daydreams and love stories.
Nov 2-3, 8pm. Play Den. Nov 8-9, 8pm. Chamber. $10 from Sistic.

A Guide to the Flora and Fauna of the World by Zhao Renhui
Local artist Zhao Renhui’s fascination with zoology is well-evidenced in this installation of a miscellany of photographs and objects including man-made frogs and even square-shaped apples.
The Peranakan Museum.

Crystal Palace: The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nuclear Nations by Ken and Julie Yonetani
As a response to the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station incident in Japan, the husband and wife duo created a majestic work comprising 31 chandeliers fitted with uranium glasses which illuminate a haunting green tinge.
National Museum of Singapore.

Road to Nirvana by Po Po
This site-specific work covers 1,000 sq. m. of Fort Canning Park, comprising plastic strings, brass bells and iron bars wrapped around various trees, creating a catacomb-like imagery that is at once dreamy and creepy.
Singapore Art Museum.

Sorry for the Inconvenience by Manny Montelibano
A biting political commentary, this. The young Filipino artist through his subversive multi-channel work features a myriad range of public figures like Mao Zedong interspersed with everyday figures like local priests making public apologies—investigating the context of why these apologies were made.
Singapore Art Museum.

Specula by Nguyen Oanh Phi Phi
This installation made from Vietnamese lacquer on epoxy and fibreglass composite covers a whole room. The majesty of the piece is achieved through its spacious layout with cleverly placed mirrors which force visitors to examine themselves as they walk through it.
Singapore Art Museum.

All exhibitions at The Singapore Biennale are on Oct 26-Feb 16, 2014. Various venues, www.singaporebiennale.org. $10.

Strike a Pose
The much delayed Vogue Club will finally open next month (although the exact date is yet to be confirmed). The 11,000 sq. ft. club will be housed in a two-storey cylindrical glass structure, and boast 360° panoramic views of the city from 200 meters above ground. Far out.

Sonic Youth
Just announced, this. The good guys from Amnesty and Fred Perry are holding a Sub-Sonic 2013 live music gig under the flyover near Thomson on Nov 1, 8pm. There will be three performance areas at the event featuring homegrown acts like Anechois, Sub:Shaman & Horns and These Brittle Bones. Tickets are only available by invite when you sign up at their Facebook page.

Art Beat
Sick of stuffy art galleries? Head over to pop-up art show Frames by famed Tokyo-based product designer Shigeki Fujishiro, who presents a series of sculptures influenced by Marcel Duchamp at a temporary space at Gillman Barracks. The works, made from cypress wood, appear to levitate from the ground out of nowhere and are certainly one of the most interesting works we’ve seen this year. On through Nov 15 at the ad-hoc space Gallery 38, Gillman Barracks

At the Fringe
More good news for arts enthusiasts. The M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2014, which takes place Jan 18-19, will boast affordable tickets from just $19, down from this year’s $30. It will also feature 15 new works, including commissioned pieces by Japanese filmmaker Hiroshi Sunairi and Portuguese theater company Mundo Perfeito.

Merrell Trail Glove 2
The original Merrell Trail Glove was a great a minimalist trail shoe—it features a lightweight, breathable upper, 0mm heel drop, and a Vibram outsole—but it didn’t look very exciting. So Merrell gave number two a dramatic aesthetic facelift fusing a subtle neon colorway to make it cooler than ever. It’s available at Royal Sporting House.
$149 from Royal Sporting House

New Balance 1400v2
If speed is what you need, New Balance’s update of the cult-favorite 1400 should do the job—after all, Olympians like Jenny Simpson have worn them. The new model retains its predecessor’s responsive REVlite midsole for a fast, efficient stride, but improves on the weight as well as the upper with less seams and a breathable mesh.
$165 from New Balance

Nike Free Flyknit
Pull them on like socks, and you’re ready to hit the pavement. These ultra lightweight kicks feature one-piece uppers that conform to your feet like second skin (as with the Nike Flyknit Lunar 1+) and the super-flexible sole of Nike Free+ 5.0 to provide support and cushioning.
$259 from Nike store

Puma Mobium Elite Glow
An upgrade of the award-winning Mobium Elite, designed to adapt to your natural movement by expanding and contracting according to the way you run. Its new glow-in-the-dark reflective features also ensure visibility at night (and that you look pretty darn cool).
$189 from Puma
 

Still don't have a copy of Top Tables 2013? Get it here.

1. Opposite Mess Hall

Under chef Jess Barnes’s stewardship, Quince placed third in Top Tables 2013. So really, there’s not much suspense as to whether his new venture, Opposite, will make the cut for Top Tables 2014. It’s the same wonderful Aussie-influenced European cuisine he was doing at Quince, and even if it’s been copied a lot since (see This Needs to Stop), he’s still the guy doing it best. The bigger issue is that Opposite is super noisy (a problem they’ve promised to address) and the bench seating is not the most comfortable. Also, the kitchen is tiny, meaning Barnes can’t do some of his more elaborate, or slower-cooked dishes in there—no bone marrow risotto, for example.

Eat this: Steamed Chinese bun with pork belly, slaw, shrimp mayo and pickled cucumber (B140).

27/1 Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-662-6330. Open Tue-Sun 7pm-midnight

2 Paste

Paste is one of the most exciting openings this year. For one, it’s Thai food, which always gets extra points in our book. Secondly, the Australian-Thai couple in the kitchen isn’t shy of personalizing recipes (please don’t call it fusion). Thirdly, the food is delicious. The space, a narrow shophouse, is definitely cozy, but the separation between back and front of the house is a tad clumsy. We had to put up with the din of waiters putting away cutlery in the cupboard next to us for nearly an entire meal once. We’ve also been awkwardly seated with a view on the open kitchen, despite never interacting with the chef (in a place this tiny, trust us, it can feel odd).

Eat this: Stock-poached pork neck with chili, red grapefruit, local flowers and toasted sticky rice (B380).

120/6 Sukhumvit Soi 49, 02-392-4313. Open Wed-Sun noon-2:30pm;Tue-Sun 6pm-midnight

3 Chef Man

The first Chef Man opened at the Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn where it generated instant buzz as the new go-to place for dim sum. Chef Man’s second branch, at the Eastin Hotel Makkasan has done it again, with reservations an absolute must if you’re hoping to sample a steamed cream bun with salted egg or a pork dumpling with abalone. As for the piece de resistance, Chef Wai Yin Man likes to boast about his B2 million kiln made especially for peking duck (B1,200) and his Beijing-native cook who serves up the dish. Do be punctual as the duck will be ready the very minute you booked the table—but note that there’s now also a third branch in Bang Na.

Eat this: Steamed cream bun with salted egg (B110).

3/F, Eastin Grand Sathorn, Sathorn Rd., 02-212-3741. BTS Surasak. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm; 6-10pm

4 Hong Bao

Run by the high-rolling investor behind Water Library, this Chinese restaurant is another place stirring people into a dim sum delirium. While the food leans towards a decidedly Cantonese direction, the decor is quite lively and, unlike most typical Chinese restaurants, features Shanghainese accents like dark red and black lacquer and basket ceiling lamps. Noon is the best time to visit as, while some of the regular dishes are merely OK, their expertly prepared dim sum packs some serious wow factor.

Eat this: Steamed buns stuffed with lava cream and salted egg (B110).

G/F, Thanya Shopping Park, Srinakarin Rd., 02-108-6055. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 5-10pm

5 Maya

You wouldn’t expect a Holiday Inn to be the center of a big buzz, but Maya’s striking cantilevered structure on the 29/F of the new hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 22 has certainly been turning heads. The kitchen serves up the North Indian culinary creations by Chef Ramneek Singh Lamba such as murgh chandi kebab (marinated chicken with yogurt, cardamom and mace, B380) and crispy okra with cashew and mango powder (B320). Is it going to be competition for heavyweights Indus and Rang Mahal? It’s a still a bit early to tell.

Eat this: Jhinga khada masala (king prawns with shallots, tomatoes, spring onion and spices, B800).

Holiday Inn Sukhumvit, Sukhumvit Soi 22, 02-683-4704. BTS Phrom Pong. Open daily 6pm-1am

6 Rocket

Rocket is bordering on annoyingly hipster, with its marbletop bar, brunch-y menu and Scandinavian-style furniture. Still, it’s definitely one of the more handsome places out there, and the food, while very simple, is both tasty and fresh. Lunch is usually expedited with a salami-cheese on homemade focaccia (B175) or gravlax on Danish rye (B175) but there are also breakfast options from omelettes (B95) and eggs benedict (B185) for those lazy weekend mornings. But while Rocket is a lovely coffee shop with its own in-house bakery, can it offer enough choice to really be considered a restaurant? We’ll have to see how the planned expansion pans out.

Eat this: Gravlax on Danish rye (B175)

149 Sathorn Tai Soi 12, 02-635-0404. Open Tue-Sun 7am-7pm

7  Scalini

With its dark hues and clandestine corners that evoke 1920s prohibition era New York, it may surprise you that the kitchen here is really extroverted and inclusive—you can actually help shape the pasta or just sit back and enjoy watching the loud and lively Italian chefs cooking up dishes like the stellar paccheri pasta with duck ragout, black truffle and pecorino cheese. Need help with pairing your cheese platter with wine? Ask the restaurant manager, Roberto Visaggio, who will impress you with his extensive knowledge.

Eat this: Oven-baked black cod fillet with caramelized white asparagus, Sicilian couscous and black mussels sauce (B600).

Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok, 11 Sukhumvit Soi 24, 02-620-6666. Open daily 7am-11pm

8 The District

Meat-loving Bangkokians already know all the best steakhouses in town. But, compared to the up-scale competition, The District’s real draw is their claim of cheaper prices, with classic dishes ranging from the 240-day grain fed Australian Angus or tender tenderloin (180 grams, B1,350) to the seafood platter (B2,800). It may help you impress your date but does the quality stack up against the likes of New York Steakhouse at JW Marriott? And is it enough to make up for the pretty tired industrial New York-style décor (again, see This Needs to Stop, page 11)?

Eat this: 240-day grain fed Australian Angus (B1,350 for 180 grams).

2/F, Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, 2 Sukhumvit Soi 57, 02-797-0000. Open daily 6-11pm

9 Aston: Dining Room & Bar

Run by the young Chef Zra Jiraratana, this modernist kitchen has moved into a more hip neighborhood and into a very striking building that’s a chaotic blend of concrete beams, ferns and steel cables. Head up to the second floor, sit down at the counter in front of the large kitchen and witness the fancy kitchen tools in motion whipping up some molecular tricks. If you’re not that hungry for a full meal, there’s also a wine bar with an interesting snack menu downstairs.

Eat this: Yarra Valley lamb rack in red wine jus, seared with eggplant paste and tomato (B2,800 as part of the set menu).

68 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-102-2323, 084-551-5559. www.astonbkk.com. Open Tue-Sun 6pm-1am 

10. Appia

Appia actually opened early 2013 and made it into Top Tables 2013. And you can rest assured it'll be in Top Tables 2014. It's the brainchild of Jarret Wrisley of Soul Food Mahanakorn on Thonglor and Chef Paolo Vitaletti, who wanted to open a trattoria doing “Roman-style family recipes.” The decor is warm and avoids the industrial trend through a wood-paneled ceiling with beams, ceramic tiles behind the deli-style counter, turn-of-the-century bistro chairs and rustic chandeliers with little lamp shades. The homemade pasta has a lovely al dente texture that no other restaurant in town can rival. The other notable presence in the kitchen is a beautiful rotisserie, which roasts pork and chicken to a perfect crisp. One of the partners in this venture is a European who owns vineyards in the South of France. As such, you can expect a carefully curated wine selection.

20/4 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-261-2056. Open Tue-Sun 6-11pm

You’re Fired! : Restaurants That Could Get The Boot in the 2014 Edition

La Table de Tee

We cut Chef Tee a lot of slack when he opened. Here was this scrappy kid opening a French-influenced restaurant using Thai ingredients—how bold! It was also incredibly cheap. But truth be told, we’ve never been as impressed with the food as with the ideas behind it, and with his prices shooting up, this love affair is now on the rocks.

Signor Sassi

Did Bangkok really need another expensive Italian hotel restaurant, moreover one that’s an imported brand from London, where the place doesn’t even have a Michelin star to its name? Not really. And recent feedback is that Signor Sassi, while not bad, is really nothing to get excited about.

Johann Bistro

Johann had big shoes to fill, being the son of the Mandarin Oriental’s Chef Norbert Kostner, one of the forefathers of Bangkok’s fine dining scene. And despite plenty of buzz initially, Johann fell way short of expectations. “Mains are beset by a bizarre inattention to detail and ill-considered sides,” we wrote in our review.

Hot Chefs : Old Places, New Faces

Feed us : What do people want more of?

Get your digital copy of Top Tables Bangkok 2013  from the BK iPad app or as an e-guide here. 

This Needs to Stop! The Three Most Tired Dining Trends in Bangkok

Essentials

Low-cost airlines have revolutionized travel in the region, making it easier and cheaper than ever. But our love for AirAsia, Tiger Airways and Nok Air might have blinded us to the competition, particularly from what is called “last-leg flights”—direct regional flights departing from Bangkok which are not offered by regional airlines. These flights offer all the comforts of a traditional carrier—meals, miles, higher baggage allowance—at prices comparable to (and sometimes even better than) the low-costs.

What Are They?

International airlines flying to Bangkok from outside of the region occasionally continue on to another Southeast Asian destination. For example, a flight from Lufthansa might depart from Frankfurt, stop in Bangkok and then continue to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. That second part of the flight is what’s called a last-leg flight and because some of the passengers will have gotten off in Bangkok, the airline is eager to pick up new passengers here for the second part of the trip. That’s why tickets on last-leg flights tend to be fairly cheap.

The Benefits

Last-leg flights are not always cheaper than 

low-costs, although that can be the case, particularly when booking at the last minute, when low-costs tend to get more expensive. But even at similar, or slightly higher prices, they come with all the perks of a regular carrier: a choice of seat, free meals and free 20kg baggage allowance (as opposed to having to pay for 15kg on a budget airline). The final point is slightly down to where you live but all of these flights leave from Suvanabhumi Airport rather than Don Mueang. Still it’s definitely a nicer airport, has better duty free and the option to get there via the Airport Link.

Where to Find Them?

You can use all the usual booking engines, such as Expedia (www.expedia.com), routehappy (www.routehappy.com) and hipmunk (www.hipmunk.com), which provide you with comparisons of all the flights flying from Bangkok to your destination.  At that point, you can either book through that website or double-check the carrier’s own website. If you’re just curious about what cities Bangkok has direct flights to, and who offers them, routehappy.com is your best bet. (You’ll see an option towards the bottom of the homepage called “Nonstops from your city.”) But it can also be a good idea to subscribe to the newsletters of those airlines who routinely offer cheap last-leg flights from Bangkok, such as Lufthansa.

HANOI

Qatar Airways

B8,110

Qatar is flying to the lovely Vietnamese city of Hanoi nearly every day for the coming weeks, with flights leaving around 1pm and arriving around 3pm. Check out flights QR614 or QR828. www.qatarairways.com

HO CHI MINH CITY

Lufthansa

B5,505

This flight is only available three days a week but what a price! The flight will leave Bangkok at 4:25pm and arrive at 6:05pm. Tickets must be purchased seven days in advance. www.lufthansa.com

Turkish Airlines

B6,048

Named the best airline in Europe by Skytrax in 2012, Turkish Airlines is one of our favorite ways of getting to Europe (we’d much rather stop off in Istanbul than Dubai). It’s also got this fairly good deal from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City (takeoff 4:15pm). Hurry, this deal ends Oct 31 (for the outbound flight, you’ve got a bit more time to get back). www.turkishairlines.com

KUALA LUMPUR

Lufthansa

B5,510

Flying Mon, Wed and Thu with a departure at 4:25pm and arrival at 7:40pm, this flight is becoming a bit of a worst-kept secret for travelers wishing to reach the Malaysian capital on a dime, but without putting up with AirAsia’s no-frills comforts. You need to purchase the ticket in advance for seven days. www.lufthansa.com

HONG KONG

Emirates

B8,240 

(from Nov 1)

Daily direct flights from this much-loved airline that makes even economy feel comfy. Flight EK0384 operates a giant Airbus A380-800, meaning you can also go jogging in the aisles. www.emirates.com

Kenya Airways

B8,480

Not that well known in this region Kenya Airways are actually a very solid carrier with a decent fleet. It’s a bit more expensive than Air Asia, but it does come with more perks. www.kenya-airways.com

GUANGZHOU

Kenya Airways

B11,090

For not even B1,000 more than AirAsia, Kenya Airlines is offering a direct flight to the largest city of Guangdong province. www.kenya-airways.com

SINGAPORE

Cathay Pacific

B8,475

Despite being Hong Kong’s carrier, Cathay also operates daily direct flights from Bangkok to Singapore. The flight codes, to look for are CX713 to Singapore and CX712 on the way back. www.cathaypacific.com

Note

While accurate at the time of writing, prices and flight codes change all the time.