We didn't have to wait long for an authentic Thai dish as my sister rustled up a Thai green chicken curry on our first night with an English twist - broccoli. It surely beat, both hands down, the sad excuse for the red curry version of that dish on the flight over.
We had a need to be in downtown Bangkok on the Wednesday morning and eventually ended up in the MBK shopping centre - seven floors of retail therapy. On the 5th floor is a food emporium where you can literally have food cooked fresh for you from all over the world.
Small kitchens are set up where you can walk through and choose which cuisine you want. The dishes are presented pre-cooked, you choose then a fresh meal is cooked for you brought to your table - simple but effective - we chose the food of Vietnam.
My sister lives in the Chatrium residence next door to the hotel of the same name where every evening you can sample an exquisite buffet and free flow drinks for approximately £32 per person. I started with the sushi bar. Never tried it before but it looked exquisite, it tasted so too. It was then a case of decisions, decisions as the choices were all first class. I went for a build your own surf and turf off the BBQ selection. I matched Australian Wagu beef with lamb and chicken accompanied by giant prawns and squid. An international cheese selection and ice cream finished me off.
Did I mention a free flow bar? I think we were the last to leave.
The next night I was treated to an Indian curry at a small unimposing place literally across the street from the Chatrium. Spicey by Nature is on the busy Charoen Krung Rd, getting across it in one piece is quite an achievement but once you do the food you are about to taste is worth the hassle getting to it.
I'm a Lamb Rogan Josh type of a bloke, it's just about my level of heat. I went for it here and although the spice and heat levels were fine, the taste was something else. I'd get another taste of India later in the week. In case you are wondering, Lynn was at a Take That concert - as you do when in Bangkok!
The following morning we were tempted to try the breakfast buffet at a downtown landmark - Dean & Deluce. Being a truly international city Bangkok hosts some great eateries, this place doesn't disappoint. It's basically a top of the range American deli come high class diner come restaurant, a bit pricey but so worth it if your going to be here for a while. We went for the all American Breakfast Griddle. It did what it said on the tin - thick ham, two eggs, fried potatoes and crispy bacon, all served in a griddle pan. Add pancakes with maple syrup, coffee and orange juice and it was £12 per person - not bad value for a high class joint.
That night we looked after our 10 year old nephew Louis who took us to one of his favourite hang outs, simply known as the Pad Tai lady next door to the Indian. That meant another attempt crossing the Charoen Krung Road. That duly achieved we were greeted by the staff of an unimposing street food cafe, a place you probably wouldn't entertain in England. Don't ever judge a book by its cover, this place cooked up the freshest, most tastiest and filling food you'd ever come across - as local as you could possibly get. The confidence to try it came from the other Westerners that were eating there as unlike so called decent places back home (alledgedly), here you can actually see the food being cooked - right in front of you. We had shredded pork with rice and veg, stir fried dark greens and something Louis liked - we did it the Thai way and all shared.
The following evening was my sisters birthday celebration. We didn't go out. I wasn't being tight. The restaurant came to us. Spicey by Nature as it turned out plus our very own cocktail barman - Mr Mojito! The spicey Indian buffet was superb, a treat to the sences, I was now converted.
Sunday was Mothers Day so I treated us all to Sunday lunch at Kai, a New Zealand restaurant downtown. We were seated upstairs in what I can describe as "warehouse chique", lots of distressed concrete and chains. We all ordered the monkfish chowder, a great choice. Firm pieces of fish, potato, carrot and muscles swam in a creamy liquor, almost perfect for a chowder fan like me. Two of us ordered Beef and two ordered pork, Louis ordered Kiwi sausage and mash. Sadly the roasts were not really all that hot, a big let down although the beef was melt in the mouth, maybe the icey aircon cooled down our plates too quick? Price wise it came to £140 for five of us including drinks and two desserts, again, good value for a capital city.
So ended our Cullinary journey through Bangkok - next stop the north!
A great way to begin our culinary adventure - my sisters Thai green curry - and broccoli.
Sushi in the Chatrium.
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