Curt the Soi Hound's Profile
Single Female Diner - Bangkok, Angkor Wat, and Hong Kong
Unfortunately, can't help you around Sukhumvit; I avoid it like the plague. But, everywhere in Bangkok, carts, stalls and small shops abound. "Thonglor" seems to be quite popular.
http://thonglor-ekamai.com/map_thonglor_ekamai.html
First and only one night in Bangkok
You might consider Sala Rim Naam, the Oriental's own Thai dining venue.
Just south of the Oriental is the Saphan Taksin BTS "skytrain" platform. You might head there and purchase a fare to "Sala Daeng". Here you will experience all the neon and people watching Bangkok is famous for.
In "Thaniya Plaza", seen from the Sala Daeng BTS platform, you'll find Rengaya, a Japanese BBQ joint, towards the rear of the 2nd floor. If you like such venues, you might give it a try. We enjoy it.
Tipping [moved from China/Southeast Asia]
"after explaining all our mindset and you still insist on what you want to believe, it means only one thing... some cheap foreigners will try to find any excuse not to pay those extra few bucks. no one will ever tell it to your face but that's what we are actually thinking."
It appears that we only have one sensitive person, possibly an current or ex-waitperson.
As an American, and a former waiter, I am well rooted in the tipping culture. Hell, back in the 60's, I used to drop a buck for a 25¢ cup of coffee.
But now, living in Bangkok, I have become sensitive to the effect that rich foreigners can have on local socioeconomic standards. Thais are often ignored in favor of "rich" tourists.
That's why I asked the manager. I don't want to go against local customs, whatever might be customary for me.
Rather that try to put down those who might question the policy, maybe you should educated the staffs at the restaurants.
Tipping [moved from China/Southeast Asia]
"i have to disagree with cheeryvisage. i'm born and raised in hk and i can assure you that it's customary to tip in restaurants in hk even though there is a 10% service charge."
This is surprising. Because I wasn't familiar with HK customs, after finishing a nice meal, at a 5 star hotel restaurant, I inquired about tipping, by asking the restaurant manager. He said that tipping isn't customary.
Bourdain vs. Deen
What's most absurd is that this topic has generated so many replies.
Bangkok - Good area for street eats near Peninsula Hotel (Saphan Tak Sin)
Although a bit of a boat ride, Cook Chom's is a very short walk. All you will need to do is take the ferry to the express boat pier, then take an orange flag boat, north, to Cook Chom's, at Thewes, Pier #15.
Cook Chom's is one of the strangest shop house eateries there is. Cook Chom got tired of the grind of "working for the man" at hotel restaurants. So, he serves up "plates" at his own eatery now.
http://gourmetsnob.blogspot.com/2009/11/cook-chom.html
http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/pualla/food/cook%20chom/
Baan Rim Pa - Phuket, Thailand - beware rice weevils!
"Upon pointing out the rice weevils (both times), no from the restaurant seemed surprised, or perturbed, much less apologetic"
Pretty much sums it up; they weren't surprised.
How food is handled, transported, and stored, here in Thailand, is a bit different than the West. Many residents buy their rice from the back of pick up trucks, kept open burlap bags, that seem to be permanent fixtures in the truck bed. Many restaurants buy the same way. Unless the bugs are moving, few will toss the cooked rice. Most will simply pick them out.
Were the bugs alive, or were you concerned with the "contamination"? I hope it wasn't the latter.
If you saw where most Thai restaurants get their supplies, you would probably bring your own food. Even celebrity chefs, who will go nameless, will shop at markets that few foreigners would even think of entering.
I'm not trying to say you wrong to give the rice a pass. I'm just explaining the perceived lack of compassion.
First Time in Asia- 3 nights Hong Kong, 2 nights Bangkok
5~6 Kilometers per hour. That's not too bad.
My mother-in-law once take over an hour to drive up Narathiwat, from Central Rama III to Surawong! Get on the west side of Narathiwat, and Sathorn can become a parking lot.
First Time in Asia- 3 nights Hong Kong, 2 nights Bangkok
By Thai standards, Seafood Market is an expensive dinner. It's not a "regular" spot for dinner. Its set up is as much a draw as the dinner itself. Its somewhat of a novelty.
Such venues can draw quite a few Asian visitors, from Japan, China, Singapore and such.
First Time in Asia- 3 nights Hong Kong, 2 nights Bangkok
You found Thais that would go to Seafood Market?!
An interesting place a neighbor took us,was Bann Phuengchom. It's a short walk from the ARI BTS Platform. Read some right ups on the place:
http://tinyurl.com/83efvdg
First Time in Asia- 3 nights Hong Kong, 2 nights Bangkok
I used to be a proponent of Somboon's curry crab. But, the last two visit proved it as average as the rest of it's menu. Somboon's pricing makes no longer worth a visit, IMHO.
You might try Lek Seafood, directly beneath the Chong Nonsi BTS station.
Hua Hin,Thailand - Any great meals besides great golf!
Don't mean to leave you hanging. It's just in the couple of trips I've made to Hua Hin, we haven't found anything memorable.
Chiang Mai trip report and request for help (2012)
You might try Bann Phuengchom or Rosabieng.
Thailand: can anyone recommend good places to go for cooking courses and good places to eat
For a cooking course, you might consider "The Thai House".
http://www.thaihouse.co.th/home.htm
Since you have 3 weeks to work with an overnighter could be fun.
Thailand: can anyone recommend good places to go for cooking courses and good places to eat
" they are very different meals theatre both great in ther niches."
Pretty much sums it up. I'll stick to my little niche. Never had to defend it.
What I like about my little niche is that the food can be dumped in a plastic bag, taken home and enjoyed on its own. It doesn't have to be dressed up and sent to school!
"Curt may be "down home" but if you like variety try a range."
You have no idea of my "home", or my "range". Personal digs are not appreciated.
Thailand: can anyone recommend good places to go for cooking courses and good places to eat
Sorry, not familiar with any cooking courses.
If you can, try to make it to Krua Apsorn. The Samsen Branch is the one we always visit. I have yet to see anyone there but Thais. I have been told that the Dinsor Road shop is just as good.
Being a cook, have you ever visited Aw Taw Kaw (often spelled "Or Tor Kor") market? It's a large open market with plenty of offerings to sample. If you like bamee, stall 12/5, at the food court, dishes up one of my favorites.
Aw Taw Kaw is an easy trip, taking the MRT subway to Kamphaengphet and using exit #3. If you are in Bangkok over the weekend, Chatuchak Market is also accessed from this station.
BTW, more Thai eateries probably use prepared curries rather than make their own. Some do, however, buy prepared "private label" concoctions, from places like Aw Taw Kaw.
"David Thompson" has become a bit of a dirty word to some. His, "definitive authority on Thai cuisine" attitude doesn't sit well with many Thais. There was even one interview where he was pointing out what Thai cooks were doing wrong!
Personally, I'm into down home Thai. Most of the cooks I love with would laugh themselves sick at the plates that Nahm or Bo.Lan serve up.
Thailand: can anyone recommend good places to go for cooking courses and good places to eat
Krua Apsorn is one of the very few places raved about in the foreign press that lives up to the hype. There are 2 branches, one near Samsen Road soi 9 and another just south of Democracy Monument. Although I haven't had anything that wasn't great, I strongly recommend the curry crab and the crab omelet. Add a side of steam rice and two people should be set. Krua Apsorn is closed Sundays.
Down Sukhumvit soi 11, across from the Ambassador Hotel, there is a branch of Rosabieng. Rosabieng offers great food in a nice atmosphere.
For very reasonably priced seafood, there's always Lek Seafood, directly beneath the Chong Nonsi BTS station.
Google "Baan Phuengchom". This is a nice place with some great, interesting food. It's easily accessed from the ARI BTS station. One of the Google hits will surely have a map. Reservations are a must.
Here's my map of eateries and other POI's around greater Bangkok: http://g.co/maps/94r4u
Crocodile Bangkok
I don't know if they serve crocodile, but there's a great restaurant on Rattanatihbet, Nonthaburi, that serves up a tasty, 3 alarm ostrich!
Bangkok Airport restaurant?
Personally, I would point you towards Magic Food Point, the airport's "local's" oriented food court. The prices are great and the food is classic Thai fare.
Crocodile Bangkok
One might easily assume that, because of the farming of the animals, besides the leather, they might also market the meat. They do, but it hasn't really taken off locally.
Thais eat anything that provides protein. In different regions, Lizard, snake rats and bugs are an everyday part of the diet. But, being a limited commercial product, for the most part, crocodile is too costly for many.
Crocodile Bangkok
Although I haven't seen it on any menus, I have seen it on sale, for home use, at places such as Big C. Big Cs will usually have an "exotics" frozen case, with crocodile, ostrich, frog, and such.
Phuket town
You can copy and paste the URL here if you use anything else:
http://translate.google.com/
Bangkok- Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin at Siam Kempinski
"We'll stick to smaller restaurants like Krua Apsorn or the street in the meantime."
These are always my recommendation; definitely Bangkok's strong suit.
Vietnam and Thailand Foodie Google Maps
Here's my Google map of greater Bangkok. Lots of food and some other things too.
http://g.co/maps/94r4u
Best japanese BBQ Bangkok?
About the only "Japanese" BBQ I have tried is Rengaya, on the second floor of Thaniya Plaza, Silom. I'm not an expert on such places, but I found it quite tasty.
Best Upscale Thai Dinner in Bangkok?
Cheap! We're talking 120 baht cruise surcharge, and food is priced per entree. None of us are drinkers, so we usually come away well under 500 baht PP. Food is cooked onboard, to order.
We live up river. Riverside Bangkok is the closest. Loy Nava and Manohra won't pick us up! Downtown, few taxi drivers have a clue to its whereabouts.
The boat is huge, "the largest dinner boat on the Chai Phraya". The only entertainment, besides the shoreline, is a lounge band doing Thai pop.
Best Upscale Thai Dinner in Bangkok?
To be honest, we have never been on either. We always go for Riverside Bangkok Hotel's cruise. This cruise doesn't have ambiance of the other two, nor does it offer hotel pick up. It's a bit out in the sticks.
Loy Nava is probably the most popular. I have read many good reviews.
BANGKOK- good intro to BKK restaurant
Although good, Baan Klang Nam is heavy on the seafood and a bit out of the way.
BANGKOK- good intro to BKK restaurant
I will assume that Sukhumvit will fit "central".
Up Soi 11 there is a branch of Rosabieng, across from the Ambassador hotel. The food is quite good and varied, with a very nice setting.
MBK's 6th floor food court is a good start for a "local" food court. MBK also has a more tourist oriented "Fifth Floor Food Avenue", that features more "international" offerings at substantially higher prices. At food courts, you can see the ingredients that will go into the dish.
Here are some food allergy cards. Print out what you need:
http://www.beachsiam.com/food.html
