Look no further than the City of Angels for a high-end eat fest holiday that doesn’t break the bank
By Mavis Teo
Bangkok is one of Singaporeans’ favourite spots for a weekend getaway, especially for cheap street food and bargain shopping. But why go cheap when you can go chic in Bangkok for a fraction of the prices you would pay for similar offerings in other cities?
For just half of what you would pay in Hong Kong or Taipei, you could retire in five-star hotels for the night. You could also feast like a king on tasting menus or at the chef table helmed by chefs of international acclaim for much less than you would pay in Singapore. Whether it’s traditional Thai or innovative Indian you are after, you can have your pick of cuisine. The launch of Michelin Guide Bangkok last December further validated the city’s position as a gastronomic city.
Seventeen restaurants won stars in the 2018 guide, 28 was given the Bib Gourmand while the Michelin Plate introduced in 2018 to acknowledge good quality was conferred on. But because there’s only so much one can eat in a weekend, we have picked out a few we think you shouldn’t miss:
1. Issaya Siamese Club
Bangkok’s street food may be cheap and good, but we are here for a refined weekend. To enjoy fine Thai cuisine prepared with finesse away from the dust and bustle of heavy traffic, dine at this restaurant housed in a beautifully decorated 1920s colonial house nestled in a tropical garden – just one of 15 owned by renowned local chef Ian Kittichai. Though it got a Plate, as far as local and international foodies are concerned, the food ranks top for a Thai dining experience. During a recent lunch, I found the Saengwa Phoo salad of mango tossed with blue swimmer crab salad and seaweed caviar in a chili-coconut dressing to be the right mix of tart, umami and natural sweetness. The tender veal went beautifully with a rich red curry in Gaeng Kua Nua “Veal a la presse”.
ADVERTISEMENTS