BK Magazine 718 December 15, 2017

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BK MAGAZINE NO. 718 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017. www.bkmagazine.com

HOT PLATES 2017

The year’s best new restaurants Cover_718_Dec15_17_New.indd 1

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page 3 6 cover story

This Year’s Finest

What We’ve Learned

4 upfront

16 avenue

Flagged Content

Members Only 18 bites

19 bites

Taste the Med

Tried & Tested

20 bites

22 BK Now

Farm to Table

On this Week

Who's in charge?

Managing Director Andrew Hiransomboon Managing Editor Oliver Irvine Digital Director / Deputy Editor Carl Dixon Subeditor Mai Nardone Digital Content Coordinator Nontaya Kumyat Digital Content Assistant Pakchira Bunphol Writers Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj, Wanvida Jiralertpaiboon Junior Writers Kankanok Wichiantanon, Kasidit Srivilai, Neon Boonyadhammakul Art Director Vatanya Bongkotkarn Production Supervisor Komkrit Klinkaeo Deputy Art Director Peeraya Sirathanisa Graphic Designers Anunya Chobnitas, Wirankan Saiyasombut Video Content Manager Chanon Wongsatayanont Video Designer Saranya Laowtrakul Videographer Nattapol Srisukh Junior Video Editor Pattanagorn Adirekkiat

Where to find us!

The Asia City Media Group

Advertising Director Wanida Akeapichai Sales Managers Tipkritta Chiraporncharas, Orajira Sukkasem Senior Sales Associates Tassanee Mahamad, Nattaya Bovornsettanon, Orakarn Laohakanjanasiri, Amarit Jinaya Marketing Executive Sarocha Satawiriya Junior Marketing Executive Narabhutr Thaemsiri ASIA CITY STUDIO Managing Editor Dietrich Neu Associate Editor Sureepak Janyapat Senior Project Manager Chayanap Tongdadas Project Coordinators Nutnicha Nuttanakorn, Peerada Chotiya Writer-Translator Tripop Leelasestaporn SOIMILK Editor Nathapong Suppavatee Senior Writer Rujiyatorn Choksiriwan Writer Theerada Moonsiri Brand Manager Onwara Sittirug Sales Associate Prawpraew Pairohg, Kornkanok Sriwaranant

Bangkok Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. 9/F, Sathorn Nakorn Tower 100 North Sathorn Rd., Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Tel: 02-624-9696 Fax: 02-237-5656 Email: bkmagazine@asia-city.co.th

Finance Manager Supaporn Bangmoung Assistant Finance Manager Anchalee Limkhamduang Senior Accountant Maneeya Kanthongdang Accountant Manita Bangmoung Admin Executive Yaovaluck Srisermsri Contributors Kathy MacLeod Interns Ratchaneekorn Sriamnad Cover design by Peeraya Sirathanisa

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Singapore Asia City Publishing Pte. Ltd. Block 211 Henderson Rd. #07-02 Henderson Industrial Park Singapore 159552 Tel: 65-6323-2512 Fax: 65-6323-2779 Email: contact@asia-city.com.sg

That Crying Thaiger is closing The Suk 51 dine-in space of Bangkok’s best-loved burger purveyor Daniel Thaiger will shut its doors on Dec 22. The Crying Thaiger team say they are on the lookout for a new space. For now, though, you can still find their burgers at the original truck on Sukhumvit Soi 30/1 and a kiosk at Sukhumvit Soi 11.

That Chula has introduced electric cars for getting around campus Chulalongkorn University has unveiled electric mini cars for students to get around the campus, according to a report

by PostToday. The Toyota Ha:mo project, which launched Dec 1, is a collaboration with Toyota to provide 10 mini cars with 20 more to arrive in mid-2018. They have also installed 12 parking stations and 10 charging stations around the university. The membership cost for using the cars is B100.

As far as rates, the cars cost B30 for 20 minutes, after which the fare increases to B2 per minute.

That the xx are finally coming to Bangkok After several visits to Southeast Asia, the English band known for their minimalist blend of soft electronic and indie pop sounds will make their Thailand debut on Jan 29, 2018, at Thunderdome Muang Thong Thani (Popular Rd.). Tickets for the show, part of the band’s world tour in support of their third studio album, I See You, go on sale Dec 17 at 10am for B2,800 through Ticketmelon.

That the Old Town’s beer geek haven is back Having closed about a year ago citing issues with neighbors, Let the Boy Die has just roared back to life. The new spot sits across the road from the bar’s former location on Luang Road, where owner/brewmaster Pipattanaphon “Pieak” Poompho and co. pour exclusively local tipples from upstart breweries like Devanom, Nectar Brewery and Taopiphop Ale Project.

That DPM Gens have bad taste in watches Deputy prime minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan really made himself look stupid the other day. Everyone knows the Richard Mille RM 002 (retail price B12.1 million) looks best in nano carbon fiber. And tourbillon watches are so 2010. Next time there’s a group cabinet photo, he should have a word with Somkid about borrowing a Jaeger. Much more subtle.

BK “Asia City Living” Magazine is edited by Andrew Hiransomboon and published 51 times a year, every Friday of each month by Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. Copyright ©2016 Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. The titles “BK Magazine,” “BK ‘Asia City Living’ Magazine” and their associated logos or devices, and the content of BK “Asia City Living” Magazine are the property of Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Article reprints are available for B50 each. The magazine may not be distributed without the express written consent of Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. Contact the Advertising Department for ad rates and specifications. All advertising must comply with the Publisher’s terms of business, copies of which are available upon request. Printed by Comform Co.,Ltd. 212 Moo 13 Krungthepkreetha Rd., Saphansoong, Bangkok 10250

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@bkmagazine BK Magazine Friday, December 15, 2017

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upfront HOT OR NOT The Michelin Edition

Hot: Hotels

Not: Street food

Michelin has arrived. And despite the opening speeches on the day all being about the wonders of Thai street food, it was the hotels who scooped big on the night. A coup for Mandarin Oriental and Lebua saw their flagship restaurants pick up two stars each, while The Okura Prestige, Siam Kempinski, U Sathorn and The Metropolitan all proved that hotel dining is still where it’s at. Which is a shame, because we can’t afford it.

Misaochan

INTERVIEW

Hot: Satay

Not: Thai food

When Michael Ellis, the Michelin Guide’s international director, took the stage at Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel for the awards’ big announcement, he left the the gathered crowd in no doubt as to whether Michelin has what it takes to judge Thai cuisine. “Thailand has so many dishes loved around the world,” he proclaimed. “Satay [pause]... pad Thai [pause]... tom yum [long pause]... and others.” That’s one to Indonesia. Thailand, zero.

Hot: Michelin Guide restaurants

What were you looking to get out of these banners?

Mew: We wanted to send a message by capturing some of the problems in our society. We wanted people, especially those who disagree with us, to be more open minded, to think and to ask questions.

Not: Michelin-star chefs

For years, Bangkok restaurants have been telling us that they have a “Michelin-star chef,” meaning they employ a former commi from some place longclosed that held a star around the same year Spice Girls were climbing the charts. Now though, there’s a new marketing buzzword in town: “Michelin Guide restaurant,” meaning you’re not one of the 17 star-holders, but rather among the 100-something others to get the red book’s nod.

Iudexvivorum

Iudexvivorum

Hot: Thipsamai then Not: Thipsamai now Bangkok’s bastion of reliable foodie opinion, the Facebook page Drama-addict, is outraged. OK, so Drama-addict is always outraged, but this time it’s because of Pad Thai Thipsamai appearing in the Michelin Guide. “Did the judges travel back via time machine to taste it or what?” asked one keyboard commentator—which just about sums up the opinion in this office.

THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID

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On Nov 12, Jaturamitr, the annual football tournament between Thailand’s four most prestigious all-boys schools, gained national attention when the Suankularb team unveiled a banner that read, “Thailand, land under the coconut shell”—an allusion to the proverbial frog trapped in the coconut shell of its own ignorance. Some on social media labeled the banner unpatriotic and ungrateful, while others argued that expressing political beliefs is beyond the purview of appropriate student behavior. Mew (16), Karn (17) and New (16)* are the three students behind the banners. Here, they share their opinions on political protest and free speech.

Were you trying to insult or look down on Thailand?

Mew: No, it wasn’t an insult to the country. I suppose that all Thai people love Thailand, but that love shouldn’t blind us from our country’s problems.

Who is politics for?

Karn: Politics is for everyone. Adults mostly talk about politics on a national scale, but politics begins in school with student president elections.

And politics has long-term effects. The younger generation needs a political voice to choose what kind of future we want to grow up into. Everyone needs to embrace freedom of expression. I think the problem in our society is that we create people who are capable of expressing different opinions, but incapable of accepting different opinions.

How do you feel about people telling you that you should never criticize your homeland?

Mew: We took the social media reaction as a lesson, as criticism to focus on to improve ourselves.

Maybe our problem was we didn’t send our message very clearly, or something else, who knows.

Under the current political climate, how important is freedom of expression?

Karn: Very important. Thailand would improve a lot if we were able to accept other people’s opinions. People should be more open minded. We shouldn’t just listen to our own side.

Mew: And when accepting differing opinions, we shouldn’t point a finger at what or who is right or wrong.

Karn: So, Thailand wants to become “Thailand 4.0,” a technological society where devices and systems are compatible with one another even though they are different. We should follow that example and be able to work and live together even though we don’t share the same opinions.

What would you like to see happen in Thailand in the future?

Mew: Everyone should be able to contribute to the direction of the country’s development. Of course, we don’t know what that direction will lead to, but it would be better if we could at least participate.

What is your next move? Are you planning another social movement?

Mew: We will use any available opportunities to speak out.

What would you like to say to other Thai students around your age?

New: Be more open-minded. Other people may have outstanding ideas that you didn’t know about.

Karn: Express your opinions, get familiar with politics. But more importantly, don’t be aggressive and don’t use hate speech. Take in information and think about it before responding.

Mew: The media moves fast, and you must be careful when taking new information. We are moving towards Thailand 4.0. Just as we modernize our technology, we should also modernize ourselves. Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj *Full identities withheld

by Kathy MacLeod (IG: @kathy_macleod)

BK Magazine Friday, December 15, 2017

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cover story Bangkok's Best New Restaurants 2017 This year's top restaurant openings… and a sneak preview of who might make it into our Top Tables 2018. By BK Staff

El Tapeo

100 Mahaseth Chef Chalee Kader (Surface, Holy Moly, Beer Bridge) has partnered with Randy Noprapa (Fillets) to bring nose-to-tail cuisine back to the Bangkok dining scene in dishes like pho with bone marrow (B320) and rice noodles with pig’s brain (fatty, crumbly, spongy and a not-too-pricey B220). The beautifully rich tom kee lek hang wua (ox tail braised in herb stock and cassia leaves, B290) comes with a salsa-like bolo maka fruit salad on the side.

Top Tables prediction: Local produce, cool setting, bold flavors and a concept it sticks to. In. 100 Mahaset Rd., 02-235-0023. Open daily 6-11pm

Arroz Spanish chef-owner Victor Burgos’ menu balances chef-driven specials with plenty of Spanish classics. There's a choice of seven paellas, such as the seafood (B1,200 for 2, B2,300 for 4), but also another eight dishes the menu describes as “brothy rice,” a translation of caldoso, which can be somewhere between a paella and risotto. The black creamy rice with monkfish cheek (B460) is an absolute must-order.

Top Tables prediction: Best paella in town and a BK four-star restaurant. We think Arroz will do well.

112 Sukhumvit Soi 53, 02-258-7696. Open Wed-Sun 5:30-10pm; Mon 5:30-10pm; Sat-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm

Birds This collaboration between French chefs Julien Lavigne (Oskar) and Jeremy Tourret (formerly of El Mercado and L’Appart) is all about chicken.

They cook up three day-marinated, free-range

chickens in a huge spit oven, then dish them out in a setting that’s industrially on-trend. For B280/ quarter to B790/whole, expect perfectly crisp skin and tender meat to go with sides like new potato tossed in the rotisserie dripping (B120) and coriander-pesto roasted baby carrots (B150).

Top Tables prediction: The single-mindedness on show is backed up by wonderful cooking—it will place.

Soi Amon, Nang Linchi Rd., 095-594-6675. Open WedSun 5:30-10:30pm; Mon 5:30-10:30pm

Canvas Texas-hailing chef Riley Sanders delivers inventive dishes which pack powerful originality. His gluten-free shrimp noodles (B360) are dressed in one of the most intensely flavorful seafood sauces we’ve encountered, their kaffir lime and a gentle dose of chili providing a familiar yet totally unique local kick. The crayfish (B440), charred with heady wood-fired notes, plays a similar local-flavor card in its dressing of lime-and-basil foam. And then there’s the complimentary purple-yam bread basket—one of the meal’s absolute high points.

Top Tables prediction: The opulent setting, the immaculate service and the remarkable attention to detail mean it would be a crime if it's not in.

113/9-10 Sukhumvit Soi 55, 099-614-1158. Open Sun-Thu 6pm-10:30pm; Fri-Sat 6pm-11:30pm

El Tapeo Chef Ruben Gonzalez (ex-sous chef from Arroz) serves up a menu of Spanish classics, from tostas (open sandwiches) and cold cuts to cazuelas (clay casseroles) and paella, most of which explode with the vitality of good produce. The tostas of pickled an-

chovies with tomato (B195) packs a zingy sharpness atop bread that’s crispy yet light and fluffy, while the spinach and cheese croquetas (B150/5 pieces) are intensely savory morsels that burst forth with bechamel.

Top Tables prediction: This Spanish communty-pick is exactly the kind of pretentioun-free spot the panel likes.

159/10 Sukhumvit Soi 55, 02-052-0656. OpenSunThu 11:30am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11:30-1am

FooJohn This old shop-house transports you to a retro Hong Kong diner like something out of In the Mood for Love. Downstairs' hip bistro currently serves cold cuts and crepes—order up a Parisienne (ham, raclette cheese, egg and chives, B220) or Feeling Blue (duck, blue cheese, walnuts, raisin, B240)—although starting early next year will have a full bistro menu.

Top Tables prediction: A fine place, but crepes and cold cuts do not a Top Tables make.

831 Charoenkrung Soi 31, 085-527-3511. Open WedSat 7pm-midnight

Gaa The brainchild of Gaggan’s ex-sous chef, Garima Arora (also an alumna of Noma), only serves tasting menus (B1,800 for eight courses/B2,400 for 12 courses). Modern techniques meet traditional cooking methods in a sandwich of translucent dehydrated cabbage with roasted bell pepper paste. Simpler-looking items pack no less flavor, like the grilled seasoned baby corn husks with corn milk dip, and the grilled pork ribs marinated with split-pea miso. Arora’s also revived the neglected mon kai (egg fruit) in a delicious soft serve topped with jackfruit.

Top Tables prediction: Gaa’s already cropped up on the Instagrams of many of the panelists, a good sign for a restaurant we expect to go far.

100 Mahaseth

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FooJohn

Jua

Insects in the Backyard Chef Somkiat Pairojmahakij (Seven Spoons) and chef Thitiwat Tantragarn (previously of Medicii, Sirocco and D’Sens) catch up with the sustainable global trend for edible creepy crawlies. Chow down on fresh cricket pasta with basil pesto and chorizo (B255), or a lobster grasshopper bisque seafood risotto (B340). Elsewhere, the creamy and corny-flavored silkworm pupae gets paired with coffee in a tiramisu (B195).

Top Tables prediction: Overlooked as a bugeating gimmick, this restaurant might place but not in the low numbers.

Chang Chui, 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd., 081-817-2888.

Open Thu-Tue 11am-11pm

68/4 Soi Lang Suan, 091-419-2424. Open daily 6-11:30pm

Jua

Haoma

Chef Chet Adkins’ wallet-friendly but impeccably prepared izakaya-style skewers are about two things: charcoal and produce. Luscious banana prawns are grilled to that medium sweet spot on aromatic longan wood and smeared with durian butter (B200), best enoyed with house-cured bacon-wrapped asparagus (B100). Adkins’ business partner, photographer Jason Lang, is an expert on sake and ensures the bar remains well stocked.

Two indian chefs, Deepanker Khosla (formerly of Charcoal Tandoor Grill & Mixology) and Tarun Bhatia (winner of San Pellegrino's Young Chef 2016 in Southeast Asia) have created a restaurant that posits all the right terms: zero waste, urban farming, sustainability. They grow 37 different edible greens in the kitchen garden, all of which go into a largely veg-driven menu of high-wire dishes whose presentation drills home the farmto-table concept. See our full thoughts on page 20.

Top Tables prediction: A strong contender for its urban farming approach to fine dining.

Arroz

Gaa

Top Tables prediction: Exceptional for a night out, and already on the to-do list of Top Tables panelists.

672/49 Charoenkrung Soi 28, 061-558-7689. Open Tue-Sun 6pm-midnight

231/3 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 093-014-3002. Open TueSun 5:30-11pm

BK Magazine Friday, December 15, 2017

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cover story

Le Cochon Blanc

Sushi Kappou Kitaohji Ginza born kaiseki specialist Kitaohji has opened a second Bangkok location for omakase. Hand over control to chef Shimuta Kunihiko, who has been with Kitaohji for over five years, and chef Maeno Junji. Their mastery isn’t reserved for perfectly sculpted sushi, but extends to the humble steamed egg, its mellow flavor spiked with pickled plum (B8,000 for nine courses).

Top Tables prediction: This restaurant’s Kitaohji seal of quality puts it in good standing.

G/F, Boulevard 39, 39 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-1600308. Open Tue-Sun 5-11pm

La Dotta Tastefully twee in eye-popping aquamarine, La Dotta’s uncompromising dedication to authentic pasta is writ large in dishes like the tagliatelle Bolognese (B590). This high-end take on a classic pairs juicy 24-hour-cooked wagyu beef shoulder with ribbons of daily-made pasta that are silky and smooth but firm to the bite. The crab meat bruschetta (B290)—an open-face sandwich of sweet crab and cherry tomatoes on deliciously charred wholewheat bread—makes a glorious light starter.

Top Tables prediction: Chic and cheerful but too simple? We doubt it. Pasta this good is worth any dining guide.

161/6 Thonglor Soi 9, 02-392-8688. Open Tue-Sun 11am-2:30pm, 5:30-11pm

Le Cabanon Le Cabanon brings promises of high-end Mediterranean cuisine in the comforts of an old-houseturned-restaurant. Its menu is packed top-to-bottom with the finest imported French and Spanish seafood to make dishes like a classic lobster soup (with plump strips of lobster claw, B690). The red mullet's (B980) crisp skin with soft, flaky flesh is about as well-cooked as any fish we’ve tried.

Top Tables prediction: Despite the top-end ingredients, the menu’s a little too safe to elbow out other fine-dining heavyweights.

Pagoda

Le Cochon Blanc Le Cochon Blanc brings an element of French refinement to live-fire, Southern American-inspired barbecue. A bright, purple neon sign lights the way to the theatrical grill pit where chef Chandler Schultz prepares the barbecue short rib (B1,250), made with 250-day grainfed black Angus beef that undergoes 3-5 hours of smoking on top of two days in the sous-vide machine. Issaya La Patisserie chef Arisara “Paper” Chongphanitkul's strawberry shortcake (B390) and bitter chocolate petit pot (B360) are also unbeatable guilty pleasures.

Top Tables prediction: An outstanding barbecue house that we wish people would give more props.

26 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-662-3814. Open daily 6pm-midnight

Menya Itto The specialty here is a seafood and chicken broth that’s smoother and less greasy than the tonkotsu (pork bone) version which has come to typify ramen in Bangkok. The tsukemen (dipping ramen B270/B350) has a rich and complex broth that unfurls with the flavors of chicken and shellfish, and carries a touch of natural sweetness. Be sure not to deprive yourself a deliciously fudgy half-boiled egg (B35).

Mugendai Steakhouse

Penthouse Grill

This steakhouse spin-off from the Mugendai group spotlights premium sizzling meats. Watch the chefs working over teppanyaki or charcoal grills to prepare Japanese A4 wagyu striploin (B3,200/200g), A5 tenderloin (B3,800/200g) and Australian Angus short rib (B1,800) through to NZ lamb saddle (B1,200), Canadian lobster (B2,200) and taraba crab (B3,500), while throwing in the occasional Japanese twist.

All the walnut woods, marble and tufted leathers paint a very masculine picture in which to sink your teeth into US Prime grass-fed tenderloin (180g, B950) and Japanese Matsunaga A3 wagyu striploin (180g, B2,650). Have your protein with adept steakhouse sides like the deliciously crisp onion rings or the hi-so mac and cheese of porcini and morel mushrooms (both B160).

Top Tables prediction: Siam Paragon was crying out for a place to get top-grade steak, but there’s a world outside the mall.

Top Tables prediction: The back-end of Top Tables is crammed with hotel steak joints. This one being new, buzzy and with a top line of produce, we’re confident it’ll knock an older spot out.

G/F, Siam Paragon, 991/1 Rama 1 Rd., 090-5104555. Open daily 10am-10pm

34-36/F, Park Hyatt, 88 Wireless Rd., 02-012-1234.

Open daily 4:30pm-midnight

One Ounce

Phed Phed

The best reason to trek out to Chang Chui art complex, Once Ounce shares a name with its sister coffee shop on Ekkamai—but don’t expect drab, cafe-hopper fodder here. Head chef Parkorn "Tan" Kosiyabong earned his molecular gastronomy stripes in the three-star Azurmendi in Spain, but now helms a menu devoted to Thai ingredients used in completely new ways, whether it’s a Korea-referencing plate of gnocci (B300) or a tiramisu made with Chiang Mai coffee (B140).

Drawing mostly on co-owner Nattaphong Saehu’s Nakhon Phanom roots, the home-style Isaan dishes feature made-from-scratch ingredients like curry pastes and fermented delights, whether crabs, fish, pork and Isaan sausages. The heady somtam pu plara (B60) may not be for the faint-hearted, but it comes topped with plentiful kratin beans for a burst of freshness to balance out the fermented fish. Their take on the Isaan staple of larb moo thod (herbal minced pork balls, B80) is another revelation.

Top Tables prediction: This was one of our biggest surprises of the year—in a good way. We just hope its out-of-the-way location doesn’t count against it.

Top Tables prediction: This Isaan-food favorite is the real deal, but probably too casual for Top Tables.

460/8 Sirindhorn Rd., 02-116-6076. Open Tue-Sun 11am-9pm

Pagoda At this grand Cantonese restaurant, Hong Kong-native chef Oscar Pun adds creative presentation to traditional dishes, like “Chicken Beggar” (B1,280), which sees a whole stuffed chicken wrapped in lotus leaves and bread dough. The resulting chicken is juicy and falloff-the-bone tender, with a tasty stuffing of gingko nuts, dried scallops, shiitake and pork belly. Barbecue dishes are another highlight, especially the divine crispy roast pork (B400) is made with pork collar instead of belly.

4/F, Marriott Marquis, 199 Sukhumvit Soi 22, 02-0595555. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 6-10pm

Top Tables prediction: Is this the year ramen finally makes it into Top Tables? We hope so.

LG/F, Erawan, 494 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-250-7669.

Open Daily 11:30am-3:30pm, 6-9pm. BTS Chit Lom

BK Magazine’s Top Tables is the most independent and most respected diningguide in Bangkok. Here’s why.

How does BK select the restaurants in Top Tables?

2018

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Penthouse Grill

Top Tables prediction: An excellent restaurant that nonetheless falls short of Top 30 mainstay Chef Man.

La Dotta

44 Akhan Songkhro Soi 3, 092-568-0444. Open TueFri 5-11pm

HOW IS TOP TABLES MADE?

Phahon Yothin Soi 8, 097-918-1175. Open Mon-Sat 11am-8pm

Step 1: In January, the BK Magazine editorial team first creates a shortlist of some 200 restaurants. It includes: • Last year’s Top Tables restaurants • Major openings from the past 12 months • Good reviews from the past 12 months • Select advertisers Step 2: BK selects 45 panelists: • 4 BK food writers and editors • 30 foodies we know to eat out a lot.

Some of them may be involved in restaurants (more on that later).

Step 3: The panelists or judges are given the shortlist of 200 restaurants. For each restaurant, they’re given three options: • Yes, keep it.

• No, cut it.

• I don’t know.

We then apply a formula to keep only the places with the best Yes:No ratios.

Last year, we kept 100 places.

picked in two lists as #10, that’s better than getting picked by only one judge as #1.) We tally all that and we get the Top 30 list.

We always ignore any and all votes cast for venues that panelists' are involved with. That means that while we respect that Mrs. X is a huge foodie who really knows her stuff, we can’t count her vote for Chez Mrs. X Restaurant.

How do you select the Top 30?

No. Some of them don’t want the publicity. And we don’t particularly want them getting courted by award-savvy PRs.

Each panelist selects their top 10 restaurants. Every restaurant they rank #1 gets 20 points, down to 11 points for a #10 position. (So if a restaurant gets

Is your list of panelists public?

Phed Phed

Do advertisers get preferential treatment?

Beyond the fact that they’re included in the shortlist, no, they don’t. The panelists vote on the Official Selection and the Top 30 and we keep only the top ranked places.

I have a restaurant. How do I get in?

Making great food with excellent service in a beautiful location is a good start. Sadly, it’s not always enough. Also make sure your work gets noticed.

Buzz matters.

I want to be on the panel Email your Top 10 to editor@asia-city. co.th and tell us where and how often you eat out.

BK Magazine Friday, December 15, 2017

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cover story Sushi Matsuo This new brainchild of the Kanda brand sees Tokyo-born chef Matsuo Hirokazu serving his take on Edo-style sushi to eight customers. Unlike the sister sushi restaurant, this one limits itself to omakase sets (from B6,500-12,800) and bara chirashi (sushi bowls only available at lunch, B2,200).

Expect the likes of sake-poached abalone with its liver sauce, and fresh uni served in its shell with raw sweet shrimp.

Top Tables prediction: Sister restaurant Sushi Kanda missed out last year, unlike its katsuspecializing counterpart. Its biggest problem might be its low profile.

G/F, No. 88, 88 Sukhumvit Soi 53, 02 712 7619. Open Thu-Tue 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-11pm Tacochela

Sushi Zo Sushi Zo began in Los Angeles in 2006, and was awarded a Michelin star in 2009. Its third, New York City branch was also awarded one star in 2017. This is the fourth branch so far, and the only one outside the USA. An omakase meal (B7,0008,000) comprises about 20 courses prepared in Sushi Zo’s lively and fun style, with the use of many untraditional sauces, condiments and techniques.

Prelude

Sushi Ichizu

Sushi Zo

Prelude Wine, food and cocktails are each helmed by one of the three talented partners, friends from their Culinary Institute of America (CIA) days. Singaporean chef Cong Wen’s fascination with regional flavors is apparent in the amuse-bouche spread, such as a guava-filled puff, broken rice crackers, and grilled papaya with rosemary. His entrée Tartare is cubed catch-of-the-day with a kapi (shrimp paste) mayo, turmeric yogurt and dill oil. Dinner options are B750 for two courses, B850 for three, and B1,200 for a six-course tasting menu.

Top Tables prediction: Promising but maybe too new to generate enough buzz.

2/F, Arena 10, Thonglor Soi 10, 061-385-1067. Open Tue-Sun 6pm-midnight

Sabu Chan Kimizono Ryuji (of the one-starred Aichiya restaurant in Yokohama), works his magic on a medley of mollusks and crustaceans in an omakase-like setting. Different condiments play with the texture and form: spicy-tasting shoyu powder; pungent yuzu paste with steamed scallop; thick tofu sauce with a touch of sesame on a poached briny oyster in soy sauce. (B3,000, 16-course set menu).

Top Tables prediction: A place with great potential but little buzz. What a pity that people haven’t (yet) given it the love it deserves.

Sushi Ichizu highlights fresh produce from Tsukiji Market and the delicate knife-work of Toda Riku, former sous chef at Tokyo's one-Michelin-starred Sushi Sugita. Chef Riku's 16-course omakase dinner will set you back B8,000, which includes perfectly crafted bites of four-day-marinated kohada (gizzard shad), katsugo (small tai fish) cured in kombu (kelp) and Higashi Sawa’s seriously indemand uni (sea urchin) from Hokkaido.

Top Tables prediction: Riku helms the operation with grace and poise, but given the staunch competition by omakase heavyweights like Ginza Sushi Ichi or Sushi Masato, top 30 might be a reach.

1982 Petchaburi Rd., 065-738-9999. Open Tue-Sun 5:30pm-8:00pm, 8:30pm-10:30pm

Sushi Niwa This high-end shrine of omakase comes from the guy behind Kouen, a sushi chain known for its B599 all-you-can-eat smorgasbord. Head chef Somporn "Noi" Chaibuadaeng offers 16 courses of fish flown in from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market five days a week in a minimalist, though tech-savvy, house off Ruamrudee—an experience that comes in at B6,500/person. Expect the Edo tradition of marinating, searing and smoking fresh fish, served over vinegared rice, with added focus on fancy ingredients like China's N25 caviar.

Top Tables prediction: Sushi Niwa offers a modern take on omakase that’s entertaining and IG-friendly, but competition is tight and the steeper prices might count against it.

Ruamrudee Soi 2, 063-456-5656. Open Tue-Sun 6pm-midnight

Top Tables prediction: The untraditional style gives Sushi Zo a good chance of beating out the omakase competition.

ON TREND: 2017's BIGGEST FOODIE FADS

PURPLE RAIN

The indigo end of the color spectrum had a good year, especially in purple sweet potato, which proved so hot that chefs across the dining spectrum tried their hands on the modest tuber. Canvas served it up in the Josper-grilled purple sweet potato flatbread (free starter) and sweet potato entered the ranks of many a drink menu. At Bangkok Trading Post, purple found its way into a starchy cake of layers of sweet potato custard. The color trend extended beyond the potato to bluish butterfly pea in everything, from a latte at Blue Whale to the spicy purple-tinted glass vermicelli salad at Akart to the butterfly pea tea with milk at Flair.

Edible color was in.

G/F, Athenee Tower, 63 Wireless Rd., 02-168-8490.

Open Tue-Sun 5:30pm-midnight

Tacochela Danish microbrewery Mikkeller combines tacos and beer at this Ari venture exuberantly decked out in rainbow-colored chairs and window frames. Corn and flour tacos come heaped with toppings like fried barracuda drizzled in spicy mayo, or beef steak with herby chimichurri sauce.

Mexican-born chef Jimmy Rojas Lopez also whips out spice-heavy dishes such as longaniza (Spanish sausages with smoked chipotle) to go with 20 different beers on tap.

Top Tables prediction: A worthy addition to Bangkok’s Mexican scene, Tacochela is perhaps too fun and laidback for its own good.

Ari Samphan Soi 1. Open Tue-Thu 5-11pm; Fri-Sat 5pm-midnight

HIGH TIME FOR TEA

The tea game took great leaps this year, advancing the bubble tea territory beyond BTS-side stalls to the trendy likes of ATM Tea Bar, Tsujiri, Osaka Milk Tea and Halo Koffee. Although perhaps the innovations should have stopped short of Guangzhou-born chain Heekcaa’s invention: tea-based drinks topped with whipped cream cheese.

Tonkin Annam In the ever-charming Tha Tien neighborhood, this shop-house serves up Vietnamese cuisine courtesy of the owner's grandparents' recipes.

The nem nuong (B250) features extra thin flour sheets that don’t need to be hydrated, while the banh hoi (thin rice vermicelli with grilled pork, B190), banh cuon (minced pork and chive wraps, B130) and pho (B150 with chicken/B220 with beef) are not to be missed.

Top Tables prediction: Definitely the best Vietnamese contender for Top Tables. We’re positive about its chances.

69 Maharaj Rd., 093-469 -2969. Open daily 10am-10pm

G/F, Rain Hill, Sukhumvit Soi 47, 02-258-0578. Open Tue-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, 6-10pm

WONG-KAR-WAI-IFY

Indigo food, sultry red lighting. This year saw six places get the In-the-Mood-forLove treatment. Yaowarat counted two in Ba Hao and Rabbit Hill. The others included the new offshoot of legendary beef noodle stall Yih Sahp Luhk, the Vietnamese-themed bar and restaurant Happy Endings on Saladaeng Soi 1, and the bars Ninetails and Figure 8 (although admittedly less red). People, it’s really too much.

Sri Trat This restaurant specializes in one of the lesser-known regions of Thai cuisine: the eastern provinces. Here you’ll find the Eastern staple of moo chamuang (stewed pork belly with chamuang leaves, B220) and crab roe chili dip (B250). Beautiful seafood also features in dishes like the barracuda spicy salad (B220), which is made like a lime ceviche and served with peanut-brittle dressing.

Top Tables prediction: The eastern origins give this place an edge, plus it's already super-popular.

Read our full thoughts on page 19.

90 Sukhumvit Soi 33, 02-088-0968. Open Fri-Sat noon1am; Fri noon-1am; Sat noon-1am; Sun-Thu noon-11pm

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GO LOCAL

It’s been a year for chefs finding their roots. Included in this are the six chefs featured in our "Are You Local" issue, and the team behind Arena 10’s Prelude.

Sri Trat

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escapes ESCAPE ROUTES

By Kankanok Wichiantanon

CHIANG MAI

Take Cover File this one under “Hidden woodland Chiang Mai cafes,” which, yes, is a category we invented (goo.gl/frvTzh). The homey Munchies Cafe (www.fb.com/MunchiesCafeChiangMai) is surrounded by farms and foliage and set southwest of the city. The pastoral vibes continue within: farm-animal murals, exposed brick, raw wood and lots of plants. The cakes and jams are homemade, which is probably why the sticky date pudding (B75) and exotic fruit cheese cake (B105) are so fresh and fruity. Take your pastry with a latte (B60) made from beans sourced from Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son. Open Tue-Sat from 9am-6pm, the cafe is 15-20 minutes’ drive from the city center.

VIETNAM

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If, like us, you’re torn between the beach and a night of electronic music to celebrate New Year’s Eve, Epizode Festival (www.epizode. com) has you covered. The Dec 31-Jan 10 festival has the backdrop of Vietnam’s most beautiful, and biggest, island: Phu Quoc. Artists to look out for are Ricardo Villalobos, Jamie Jones, Richie Hawtin, Carl Cox and Dixon. At 11 days, the festival’s a music marathon, and performances stretch into the sunrise. For those inclined to concentrate their party time, a three-day pass is available from US$120 (B3,922/person) at www.epizode.com. We recommend timing your visit for Berlin-based techno brand HYTE’s Jan 5-9 takeover of the main stage, which will feature DJs Mathew Johnson, Nicole Moudaber and Marcel Dettmann.

PHILIPPINES

Carried Away Starting Dec 2, the beaches of Cebu in the Philippines will be a mere four hours away. Philippine Airlines is beginning direct flights between Bangkok and the gorgeous island, home to a 196km-long beach, the 15-meter Kawasan Falls and downtown Cebu, a colonial-inflected city with myriad bars, eateries, shops and historical sites. Good adobo (the sweet-and-sour local specialty), Spanish architecture, famous dive spots and an opportunity to swim with whale sharks are just some of what’s available here that you might not find at your go-to Phuket spot. The three weekly flights operate on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, clocking in at less than four hours of flight time for about B10,515 round-trip on www.philippineairlines.com.

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JAPAN

Play the Night

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Since unveiling its first Asia hotel in Bandung, Indonesia, Moxy, sibling of hotelier Marriot Internationals, has expanded to two new branches in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan.

Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho (goo.gl/kg979u) and Moxy Osaka Honmachi (goo.gl/3WDFTD) maintain the signature bold and cheeky, but sleek, vibe with exposed brick walls, polished concrete floors and punchy furniture. The 205-room Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho (B4,100/night) is located in Kinshicho district, close to Tokyo Dome and only a five-minute walk from Kinshicho Station. The 155-room Moxy Osaka Honmachi starts at B3,060/night and is near Honmachi Station and the nightlife and food hub of Shinsaibashi quarter. True to the brand’s party-hard reputation, the bar stands in for a check-in counter and every stay comes with a complimentary cocktail.

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avenue FASHION

Fine Print Central Embassy’s high-end multi-label store Siwilai has just rolled out a major collaboration with London-based print designer Lisa King, best known for her signature motif Screwprint. King’s prints now adorn products by some of our favorite local brands, such as Erb, the luxury spa name that’s produced a limited edition Siamese Jasmine Candle (B2,500) to go with a box that’s done in King’s Screwprint. The collaboration with swimwear specialist Timo yields a pair of playful swim shorts (B6,700), while the Jim Thompson pairing produces a 90 x 90cm silk twill scarf with (no, not elephants) Screwprint and Siwilai’s river-inspired logo (B7,900). fertile ground for those looking for holiday gift inspiration. 5/F, Central Embassy, Phloen Chit Rd. Open daily 10am-8pm

SHOPPING

FASHION

PERFUME

No More Pink

Stand Apart

Star Gaze

Daddy and the Muscle Academy is (mostly) done with pink. It’s moved on to baby blue, as well as a new, bigger store, now on Siam Square Soi 2. It’s still like stepping into a life-sized doll house though, with props including a bunk bed, a dresser and a vintage television. The deliberately cluttered space packs in more of the cute clothes and accessories from Instafamous local brands like J.C. Co’s tied crop top (B790) and Frung Fring Girl’s shell clutch (B690) and daisy flower sunglasses (B500). We’re not done yet: take the secret door to Pixie Dust Cafe, the land of fairy-tale foods made real, such as the Magic Butterbeer (B100) and a rainbow vanilla cake (B100). Siam Square Soi 2. Open daily 12pm-9pm

The new store for Lonely Two Legged Creature, the fashion brand of Thai starchitect Duangrit Bunnag, occupies a corner of Gaysorn Tower. It’s smaller than the original in Warehouse 30, but stocks the same line of goods by designer Amphai Kerdhnongmon, a young creative from Loei province whose style caught Duangrit’s eye. Lonely Two Legged Creature’s collection has looks for men and women, ranging from neutral-toned minimalist items to lavish, tropical full-prints on shirts (B,1250-1,850) and pants (B1,450). What’s better: you can now find a shirt for under B2,000 in Gaysorn. 2/F, Gaysorn Tower, Ratchadamri Rd. Open daily 10am-9pm. BTS Chit Lom

Forget Christmas crackers and gingerbread men, French perfumery Diptyque has collaborated with French street-artist Philippe Baudelocque to create a beautiful set of holiday candles, and a limited supply is available in Bangkok. The candles come in three of Diptyque’s well-balanced scents: Fiery Orange (citrus fruit), Frosted Forest (Hinoki wood) and Incense Tears (mint). Equally remarkable is the artwork on the black glass exteriors, where Baudelocque reinterprets cosmic constellations into the shapes of three mythical creatures: the unicorn, the phoenix and the dragon.

6.5oz candles start from B2,950. G/F, Emquatier, Sukhumvit Rd. Open 10am-9pm

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avenue SHOPPING GYMS

Chain Reaction

Fitfac Muaythai Academy

Find the right gym membership for you with this handy guide to Bangkok’s fitness empires. By BK Staff Virgin Active

Fitness First

Virgin Active

Launched in Thailand 10 years ago, Fitness First now has 28 outposts across the country with two types of club—six Platinum and 22 regular.

Most Platinum branches are around inner Bangkok (Sathorn Square, Q-house Lumphini, AIA Capital Center, Siam Paragon, Landmark hotel, Bio House Sukhumvit 39). Only one regular club is located in inner Bangkok at Terminal 21.

The gym chain from British billionaire Richard Branson now has six branches around Bangkok that focus on upper-middle class areas at a higher-than-most membership rate.

There’s There are no membership tiers at Virgin Active since the clubs all feel high- end. Locations include Siam Discovery, Empire Tower, Wireless Road, EmQuartier, Central Eastville and Central Westgate.

Membership: The regular club costs B2,680/month (five-month contract) and B2,252/month (one-year contract), while the platinum club costs B3,087 (five-month contract) and B2,659 (one-year contract).

Love: So many branches, the range of weight training machines, the sauna.

Classes from Zumba, yoga and spinning to the music-led strength training Body Pump.

Hate: Best branches reserved for Platinum membership. Too packed at after-office hours. Some equipment outdated. www.fitnessfirst.co.th

BK PICK!

Membership: B2,860/month (oneyear contract) or B3,260/month (sixmonth contract).

Love: Virgin Active’s app allows members to conveniently book classes. We also love the climbing wall, creative workout classes like Piloxing (Pilates + boxing), Power Plate Cardio and Broga (yoga for men), the full-size swimming pool, Jacuzzi aqua lounge and, of course, the sleep pods.

Hate: Too packed at after-office hours.

The Wireless Road gym doesn’t have a pool, Jacuzzi or sauna.

We Fitness This chain came out right after the closure of the notorious California Wow. Yes, it’s from one of California Wow’s former owners, Vicha Poonworaluck, who’s also an owner of Major Cineplex. So it’s no wonder this gym chain is at every Majorowned mall: Pinklao, Ekkamai and Ratchayothin, as well as J Avenue and Esplanade.

Membership: B2,700/month (fivemonth contract) and B2,100/month (one-year contract).

Love: Less crowded than Fitness First and Virgin Active after office hours.

Plenty of credit card promotions.

Classes like taichi, various dance workouts, spinning, Body Pump and various yoga offerings from welltrained Indian yoga instructors.

Hate: Mainly old machines from California Wow, though some branches have installed newer ones. You need to pay B50 to use a towel. www.wefitnesssociety.com

Absolute You

Fitfac Muaythai Academy

BUDGET PICK!

For those who want to lose weight through Thai boxing, Fitfac merges fight training with sport science to help members lose weight and build muscle. There are six Bangkok branches: Belle Condo Rama 9, Parc 39 Sukhumvit Soi 39, Seacon Square Srinakarin, Zpell Rangsit, Foodvilla Ratchapreuk and Talingchan, as well as one in Khon Kaen.

Membership: B2,500/month (fourmonth contract) or B2,000/month (10month contract).

Love: Veteran instructors, with one trainer for every three attendees.

Affordable membership that allows you to attend unlimited classes with access to all facilities like the shower room and locker room. Multi-location access with a single membership.

Hate: You better like boxing, because there’s nothing else on offer. www.fitfacmuaythai.com

Fitness First

Absolute You This biggest yoga studio in Bangkok has nine branches and one in Phuket.

Now that it has rebranded from Absolute Yoga to Absolute You, it has expanded to Pilates and spinning, too.

Locations: Amarin Plaza, Liberty Square, RSU Tower, The Commons, Central Ladphrao, Crystal Park Raminthra, Beehive Muang Thongthani, Central Pinklao, Jas Srinakarin and Phuket.

Membership: Starting at B9,500/20class entry (valid within three months).

Love: The huge range of yoga, from Hot Yoga and Vinyasa to Yin Yang with other added options like Pilates, cycling and Coreblast. Luxury decoration and spacious bathrooms. Every yoga instructor here has a certificate (while other places may not if you don’t check). Multi-location access.

Hate: With so many attendees per class, when one finishes and the crowd leaves, you have a long wait for a free shower. www.absoluteyou.com

www.virginactive.co.th

PERSONAL TRAINING One-on-one wellness centers

HAUS NO.3

MAX FIT PERFORMANCE

FORM FITNESS AND REHAB

Phra Khanong’s personal training studio comes from the Swedish trainer Henrik Olofsson who won Fittest Man in Thailand three years in a row from 2014-16. At his new Haus No. 3 fitness studio, you get tailor-made training programs in a gym that looks like an Ekkamai coffee shop, all white-washed walls, soft wood accents and dangling bulbs amid the green and shady Naiipa Complex. Sessions don’t come cheap. A consultation (B1,800) is required prior to the private training, which costs from B2,190-2,950 per visit. Or you can get semi-private training for B1,390-1,950.

A gym that specializes in boot camps, personal training and small group sessions, Max Fit has just relocated from Sukhumvit Soi 26 to Soi 39. You won’t find any exercise machines at this home-like studio, whose functional training routines make use of truck tires, sledge hammers, battle ropes and more to get you in fighting shape. Call ahead for a free consultation with their trainers, who received their qualifications from ACPE Academy back home. It’s B1,500 an hour per private session, while group classes run for B500.

Form Fitness and Rehab is all about getting you back in the gym safely after injuries or other health-related issues. Its founder, Partha Mazumder, earned his credentials as a certified personal trainer from the American College of Sports Medicine, and now offers courses tailored to various rehab requirements all designed in collaboration with in-house physiotherapists. They also do basic gym programs, with personal training offered at the promotional rate of B3,500 for three sessions, group training at B600 per session and private group training at B750 per session. Book a free assessment at www.formfitnessrehab.com.

Naiipa Art Complex Sukhumvit Soi 46, 083-295-2112. www.hausno3.com

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36/7 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-007-1006. www.maxfitbangkok.com

1/F, Polaris Tower, Sukhumvit Soi 20, 02-258-0695. www.formfitnessrehab.com

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Okurimono （テイスト オブ オークラ） ：Baht 2,900 Hoseki （スパークリング ジャパニーズ クリスマス） ：Baht 4,900 Takara （オークラ クリスマストレジャー） ：Baht 7,900

SPARKLING NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AT THE OKURA PRESTIGE BANGKOK Celebrate the New Year with family and friends at The Okura Prestige Bangkok and enjoy gourmet international cuisine, live entertainment, and breathtaking views of Bangkok.

Up & Above welcomes 2018 with a New Year’s Eve Brunch, Dinner Buffet and a New Year’s Day Brunch while Yamazato offers authentic Japanese Gozen lunch and Kaiseki dinner menus, and Elements serves an indulgent set dinner of signature French cuisine with Japanese influences.

Contact 02 687 9000 for more details or email fbreservations@okurabangkok.com

Park Ventures Ecoplex, 57 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand T. 02 687 9000 F. 02 687 9001 E. info@okurabangkok.com okurabangkok.com facebook.com/theokuraprestigebangkok

Reach Thousands of Hungry, Affluent Diners in BK Magazine’s Top Tables • • • • •

Bangkok’s most trusted guide for discerning foodies 100 top restaurants chosen by an independent panel The no.1 Google result for “Bangkok best restaurants” Distributed to over 350 hightraffic venues in Bangkok Extended exposure through digital PDF Version

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2018

Book before February 21, 2018 Call: 02-624-9696 #601, 615, 620 Email: advertising@asia-city.co.th

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bites & blends RESTAURANT

Tapas Roulette Julien Lavigne and Sanya Souvanna Phouma know good food. Lavigne originally headed the once fine-dining kingpin D’Sens (see 2008) before opening Oskar Bistro and more recently Birds (recipient of a rare four-star BK review). Sanya, meanwhile, was one of the original masterminds behind Quince, not to mention Bed Supperclub. Now they’ve collaborated in the making of the Spanish-influenced Kika Kitchen and Bar in Silom. Displayed on chalkboard walls downstairs is a menu of small plates, all seasonally-oriented and rotating nightly.

As executive chef, Lavigne works with Argentinian chef de cuisine Joel Banino (from San Sebastian's Arzak and Ibiza's El Portalon). The newcomer to Bangkok’s dining scene has taken to local ingredients, sourcing from the Royal Project Foundation and Pla Organic among other places.

Although the rotating menu might keep you guessing, look out for the ham croquetta with mushroom mayonnaise (B80/ piece), spiced pastrami barracuda with chick pea salad and Sriracha mayo (B360) and the slow-cooked spice-crusted baby lamb neck with ginger carrot puree (B360).

14/2-3 Convent Rd., 095-592-0510. Open Tue-Sun 5pm-1am

RESTAURANT

CAFE

NEW COKTAILS

Bowled Over

Down Time

Razzle Dazzle

Taking over part of a spacious, blue house deep inside Ekkamai Soi 15, Mamarin dishes out steaming bowls of noodles made in the Ban Bueng style from Chonburi. The noodles are renowned for two things: a mellow, "surf and turf" soup derived from pork bone and dried shellfish, and toppings like a variety of tender pork, fish balls and entrails. A plain bowl starts at just B79 or B99 for yentafo (pink soybean noodle soup) that comes with a satisfyingly crunchy shrimp fritter. However, we recommend swapping out the noodles for fish dumplings (B109 for plain, B129 for yentafo), whose dense texture and fresh flavor put other noodle stalls to shame. Ekkamai Soi 15, 093-689-2424.

Open Tue-Sun 11am-3:30pm, 5:30-9pm

Loose-leaf tea specialist TE has finally found a home in the leafy, multi-story cafe and workshop TE Time and Space. You’ll find hot brewed tea as well as refreshing tea-based mocktails, like the Midsummer Dream (B140), a blend of mulberry green tea, rose and hibiscus with passionfruit juice, or a milky latte made from their roasted purple rice blend (B120). Complement your tea with a buttery scone (B45) from Scone and Me, which comes with whipped butter and tangy raspberry jam, or a financier (B80) infused with Earl Grey or rose. Upstairs is a workshop space, where the masters craft new tea blends. Come for one of the tea tasting workshops, held twice a month for B2,000 per person. 50/5 Thonglor Soi 25, 081-700-7176. Open Tue-Sun 10am-7pm

One of Bangkok’s top jazz venues, The Bamboo Bar, has released a new cocktail menu to go with the music. Called "A Capella," the new 10-cocktail menu is inspired by legendary jazz singers of the last century: Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday and more. Time After Time pays homage to Frank Sinatra's hit song. The drink belongs to Sinatra’s favorite class of cocktail: the digestif. It comes with Zacapa rum, La Quintinye sweet vermouth, chocolate cherry syrup and Fernet-Branca (an Italian herbs-and-spices spirit). All cocktails are B520. There are also five mocktails that march to the same tune, all priced at B290. 1/F, Mandarin Oriental, 48 Charoenkrung Soi 40 (Oriental Avenue), 02-659-9000. Open Sun-Thu 5pm-1am; Fri-Sat 5pm-2am

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FOOD REVIEWS

Jamie’s Burgers HHHH Burgers. 1/F, Naplab, Chulalongkorn Soi 6, 097001-1108. Open Mon-Sat 5-11pm. No corkage charge. B-BB

From a humble kiosk at a futsal complex in residential Ari, Jamie’s Burgers forged a name for reliable, back-to-basics burgers. This second branch, at the base of Naplab, a Samyan co-working space renowned for its sleeping nooks, sticks to the same premise of burgers, steaks and beers at prices that won’t obliterate your wallet. It’s a butcher-restaurant concept similar to Arno’s, and Jamie’s display cabinet showing off imported and locally-reared slabs of steak certainly recalls that Narathiwat-born beef empire, as does the bustling, beer-garden vibe. Think of this, then, as an evenmore-budget Arno’s for Chula kids. For the price (starting at a dirt-cheap B99 for a pork patty, B119 for beef), we dare you to name a more satisfying burger.

Jamie’s menu largely steers clear of hyper-detailed descriptions of ingredients, but we’ve been assured they use the good stuff. Our order of the signature Jamie’s Burger (B159 for beef) came with a nicely crusted, slightly sea-

Sri Trat HHHH Thai. 90 Sukhumvit Soi 33, 02-088-0968. Open Sun-Thu noon-11pm; Fri-Sat noon-1am. Corkage B400 for wine and B900 for whiskey. BBB F

Sri Trat is in. A success. Even weeknights, your reservation might get turned away if it’s not made early enough. It’s luxurious rooms of azure, button-backed leather sofas and louvered wooden panels welcome a buzzy, high-end crowd to dine on recipes drawn from Thailand’s eastern provinces. It’s a specialist cuisine whose Bangkok market had previously been sewn up by the relaxed-yet-intimate Supanniga Eating Room. Here at Sri Trat, you get a chamuang leaf curry (B220) that hits equally well-stewed, delicately sour notes, and packed with plentiful chunks of melt-in-the mouth braised pork. Like several dishes we’ve tried at Sri Trat, the flavor skews too much towards the sweet, but it also demonstrates quality produce. Make sure you also order the house specialty of lon pu kai (B540), a creamy chili dip made with a whole mud crab whose sweet flesh makes every bite. Accompanied by plentiful Laos coriander and

soned patty they say is a mixture of Thai and Japanese wagyu squished between a super-soft, charred bun. Throw in some bacon, cheddar cheese, jalapenos, a tangy, tomato-based house sauce and a generous portion of crisp, chunky cut fries (an extra B50), and you’re in business. It’s a simple formula, but why mess with it? A warning: burgers are on the small side, but you can upgrade to a Double Monster (B219) or simply double-order—at these prices you can afford to. In addition to burgers, they do hot dogs (from B49) and an ever-changing variety of steaks at a range of price points, from Australian wagyu tomahawk to USDA ribeye. Our cheapskate order of a medium-rare Thai-French ribeye came in at B930 for just over 300g, and drew few complaints: juicy, fatty, and served with a jim jaew-mayo hybrid that doesn’t feel forced. Of course, there’s nothing refined about eating here—see the mayo-smeared iceberg lettuce that passes for salad with your steak—but there’s a place for that sometimes. Service is also haphazard, in relatively inconsequential, even charming ways (fries that arrive once your burger’s gone, multiple waitresses attempting to take your order). Forget about it all with an Asahi “Golden Ball” tower (B750/3 liters) or one of a modest selection of craft beers (Birra Roma, B240). For times when Chef Bar or even Daniel Thaiger are out of your price range, you can do far worse to fill your burger craving than Jamie’s Burgers.

other fresh local vegetables, it straddles the line between rustic and refined. It’s not all eastern seaboard specials. The menu here reads like a phonebook— some 18 pages of savory dishes alone.

Staples like the tom ka gai (B220) are competent but nothing special, dare we say slightly bland. But then Sri Trat doesn’t really go for bold flavor assaults.

T h e o n l y d i s h we ’ ve t r i e d t h at approached anything like spicy is a stirfry of chicken in Siam cardamom (B180), its tangy sauce scattered with the woody remnants of flavor-imparting herbs and spices. More often, you’ll be tucking into the safer ground of vinegar-dressed barracuda salad in sweet peanut sauce (B220), or sticky, pad Thai-esque stirfried noodles with deep-fried soft-shell crab (B220 on the section of the menu dedicated to admirably cheap single-plate dishes). The drinks menu steers you in the direction of cocktails with a Thai twist (elsewhere, wine by the glass starts at B290 and Thai craft beers from B190). In the case of our O-Liang (B320)—a Thai coffee-spiked mix of whiskey, port, apricot brandy and spices—the flavors taste watered down, which is a good reflection of some of the food. Because while Sri Trat postures rustic, countryside cliches—a grocery store out back selling Trat produce, tableware drawn from your backwater auntie’s kitchen cabinet—this is, after all, somewhere with a valet to park your BMW.

Ratings

Price guide

PPPP Forget it PPPP Only if you’re in the neighborhood PPPP A pleasant dining experience PPPP Not to be missed

B BB BBB BBBB

BK pays for its meal and does not call ahead or sit with the chef.

Under B500 B500-900 B900-1,500 B1,500 and up Price per person, including one drink, appetizer, main course, dessert, charges and tax.

Symbols

H Reservations recommended F Parking B500 E Dress requirements G Live music

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bites

OPEN DOOR

Haoma

Two green-thumbed chefs attempt urban farm fine dining in Bangkok.

The buzz: Haoma is equal parts urban farm and modern finedining restaurant. They grow 37 different edible greens for use in the kitchen, hope to turn carbon negative by 2019 and produce high-wire dishes of simple elegance.

The decor: You’ll get a short tour before the professional staff escort you to the modern house with backyard views. Every detail is a reference to the green mission of the restaurant, from the faint chime of recycled water coursing into the fish tanks, to the abundance of natural light, to furniture fashioned to emphasize the wood grain, to the earthy brick tones of the outdoor tables set amid the kitchen garden. Although the decor is very polished, the vibe is nonetheless down to earth, and pets are welcome outdoors.

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The food: The kitchen is in the hands of executive chef and proprietor Deepanker “DK” Khosla ( formerly Charcoal Tandoor Grill & Mixology) and sous chef Tarun Bhatia, winner of Southeast Asia’s San Pellegrino Young Chef 2016 award. Every dish is immaculately plated. The flavors, similarly, accentuate the taste of the ingredients rather than covering them in sauces. Try Stick to the Roots (B370), which evokes a vegetable patch with delicate beetroot puree "roots," 90-day-heated black garlic "dirt" and heirloom carrots. Although the menu emphasizes vegetables, this is not a vegetarian restaurant, as evidenced in the Hungarian Gulash (B850) made with Thai-wagyu beef (more on what that means here: goo. gl/3TG1xq) accompanied by pickled cucumber and pearl onions.

Desserts include a Belgian chocolate Black Forest mousse that’s complemented with a tangy roselle gel and roselle sorbet (B350).

The drinks: Joseph Boroski, the one-man mixology institution, has incorporated Haoma’s no-vegetable-left-behind mentality into the cocktails. Fruit peel and seeds are here repurposed into the zesty, spicy Bell Pepper (B350), a Bloody Mary-like concoction of whiskey and bell pepper with pink peppercorn. The gin-based Kale (B350) is smashed avocado and apple topped off with parmesan.

Why we’d come back: The novelty of Haoma’s bold, urban farm and zero-waste dining is enough to warrant a return trip, but we’d also come for the vibrancy and beautiful plating of the veg-forward dishes. Plus, it’s the only fine-dining venue in Bangkok that allows pets. Wanvida Jiralertpaiboon 231/3 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 093-014-3002. Open Tue-Sun 5:30-11pm

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Rong Si

Thai Niyom

Tea Salon by Escape Nomade

NEW AND NOTED

River Life The riverfront Lhong 1919 (248 Chiang Mai Rd., Khlongsan, 091-187-1919) has just welcomed three dining outlets, all of them offshoots of existing restaurants. Rong Si (an iBerry spin-off) occupies a pier-side warehouse beautifully redecorated with relics from the old Chinese shrine. The menu skews with the traditional, like the miang with condiments and a lotus petal wrap (B250), and the yellow curry with lotus stem and barramundi (B420). If you’re in a hurry to hit the shops, try S&P’s offshoot Nai Harng where the focus is on simple, single dishes like pad Thai with crab (B215) and the steamed river prawns with glass vermicelli (B325). Plearnwan Panich matches its classic setting with an 80s Thai playlist and has all the afternoon-cafe favorites like hot sweetened coffee (B75) and sweet crispy roti (B60).

Easy Eats Thai comfort food specialist Thai Niyom (Mahatun Plaza, 888/26 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-044-1010) has a new home.

Patrons of Jubei, the izakaya that once occupied the space, will recognize the clean, light-wood bar and backlit shelving.

The real change is in the kitchen, where Kasama "Ao" Laopanich cooks up “comfort food” that's far from typical. Take the stir-fried raw papaya noodles with minced pork (B125), a crispy-chewy and fresh melange that goes nicely with Jasmine rice (B25).

Camp it Up Bali's luxury tent designer Escape Nomade pops up with a tea salon serving "nomadic-style" high tea and afternoon delicacies on the riverside. Step into the luxuriously decked out tent of Tea Salon by Escape Nomade (Anantara Riverside, 257/1-3 Charoennakorn Rd., 02-476-0022) and sip special tea blends from Ronnefeldt (B495 for one, B850 for two): the Morgentau tropical fruit tea that uses green sencha, or a fruit infusion of kiwis, pineapples and strawberries, or stick to simple darjeeling or ayurvedic tea. A variety of alcohol-infused tea starts at B290 while a chacuterie and cheese platter for two is B1,499 with two glasses of wine. Wanvida Jiralertpaiboon

TABLE TALK

Kitaohji Ginza Thailand This kaiseki (Japanese fine dining) specialist traces its roots back 70 years to Tokyo's chic Ginza district. Unlike its Japan counterparts, the Bangkok branch accepts walk-in customers for its meticulously-presented, multicourse meals. Kaiseki follows a set order according to dish type, beginning with immaculate, cold appetizers through a fresh array of sashimi before peaking at mains like the rich, charcoal-grilled wagyu beef or the steamed hairy crab.

Exclusively for Citi credit card members.

Get a complimentary seasonal dessert valued THB 500++ when spending via Citi ULTIMA, Citi Prestige, Citi Preferred and Citi Select (limit 1 dish /card /table /sales slip) Today-30 Apr '18

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now WED Tropical Coachella Wonderfruit, Thailand’s celebration of unbridled individuality, returns to The Fields at Siam Country Club, outside of Pattaya this Dec 14-17. Wild Beasts, Roots Manuva and Yeasayer are just some of the musical highlights, but don’t party too hard—you’ll need your appetite for the awesome lineup of feasts from the likes of Gaggan Anand, Supanniga, Nahm and a few Michelin-credentialed blow-ins. Tickets are still available from B4,500. See page 23.

SAT Indier than Thou

FRI Talk of the Town

Festival season doesn’t get more indie than Kodindy. The annual underground concert returns for its 13th edition on Dec 16 taking over The Walk Kaset-Nawamin with 8 stages and over a hundred indie bands: Hugo, Stylish Nonsense, T Bone, De Flamingo, you get the drill. Be there or be a mainstream bore. See page 23.

The Creative District, the neighborhood formerly known as Chaoenkrung, has a lot going for it. Shop-houses transformed into bars and galleries, TCDC and, erm, did we mention shop-houses transformed into bars and galleries? We jest. It’ll be the subject of TedxCharoenkrung, a talk this Dec 17 at Duangrit’s Warehouse 30, led by some of the city’s foremost creative minds. See page 24.

WED Fairy Lights Sansiri's Winter Market Fest returns on Dec 16 with gifts, clothing, food and much festive spirit to T77 Community (also known as On Nut). Look out for live music from Season Five, Lipta and Sqweez Animal, and an art installation called “Light&Sound” by local artist Kob B.O.R.E.D. See page 24.

SAT Penny Wise Barely-legal grunge-rockers Penny Time are getting a lot of love in Bangkok indie circles for their combination of driving guitars, angry teenage lyrics and deceptively simple melodies. Catch them with fellow next-gen rockers Diaries and Phum Viphurit when they launch new single “I Wanna” at the city’s hottest new live music joint, De Commune, on Dec 16.

See page 23.

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now NIGHTLIFE

MUSIC

Trasher

DJ Maftsai Folk9

DJ Justin Mylo

DJ Krit Morton

BASS CULTURE #2

WESTIN POOL PARTY

MELA AT DE COMMUNE

The drum 'n' bass night returns with artists Jonathan And Calvin (Thailand), Tennis Brown (Japan), Lioness Izasha (UK), Vibe Soundsystem (UK) and Sticky Keys Music (Malaysia). Dec 15, 8pm.

Jam, 41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 089889-8059. B200. BTS Surasak.

Local DJs Groove and Honey G are joined poolside by international DJs Benji (Brazil) and Jerome G (France). Dec 16, 2pm. The Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok, 259 Sukhumvit Rd. B400 includes 1 drink.

The techno collective featuring DJs Kova O’ Sarin and Krit Morton takes over the decks at the allnew live music venue. Dec 22, 9pm. De Commune, 1/F, Liberty Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 061-717-4365. B200.

SOUND SYSTEM CULTURE

TOPROCK PRESENTS: "BEYOND THE BEAT"

A night of cheap beers, drum 'n' bass and reggae from DJ Bangkok Riddim Syndicate. Dec 15, 9pm.

Overstay, Charan Sanit Wong Soi 80-82, 02-883-4836. Free.

Bangkok-based DJs Maft Sai, Dangdut Banget and Kanehbos offer up eclectic hip-hop beats. Dec 16, 10pm.

Studio Lam, Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02261-6661. B200. BTS Thong Lo.

CIROC PRESENTS SYZZ

VERBAL KINT & DJ STAXOFWAX

The Dutch DJ spins upbeat electronic music. Dec 15, 10pm. Insanity Nightclub, 32/2 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 087-804-9542. B300-400 includes 1 drink. BTS Nana.

NYC’s acoustic band teams up with the crate-digging DJ. Dec 20, 9:30pm. Studio Lam, 3/1 Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-261-6661. B150.

BRAZILIAN NIGHT

The Cambodia-based DJ takes over the decks with hip-hop music. Dec 21, 10pm. Sugar Club, 37 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 082-308-3246. B300400 includes 1 drink.

Brazilian sounds from DJ Mizuyo, samba dance from Dance Queens Entertainment Bangkok and a live performance from Butucada drummers. Dec 15, 9pm. Havana Social, Sukhumvit Soi 11, 061-4503750. B300 includes 1 drink.

THE FLYING GROOVE CREW

Dance through the night with funk, disco and boogie sounds from DJs Ska, RabbitDisco, Tatexpression, Deejai, Parkin and Wutti. Dec 15, Studio Lam, 3/1 Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-261-6661. Free.

FUTURE SOUNDS AND HOUSE JAM COLLABORATION

A night of electronic music from DJs Nastanet, Systimatic, Jamie James, Local F and Paul Reed.

Dec 15, 10pm. Whiteline, Silom Soi 8, 087-061-1117. Free before midnight.

DJ MAILY

JUSTIN MYLO

The Dutch DJ, who’s worked with Martin Garrix, returns with his electronic beats Dec 21, 9pm.

Levels, 6/F, Aloft Hotel, 35 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 082-308-3246. B500 includes 1 drink.

ISAN DANCEHALL

The night of Northeastern Thai music returns with DJs Red-i and Maft Sai. Dec 22, 9pm. Studio Lam, 3/1 Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-261-6661.

B150.

WE PLAY

International DJs Sabura, Cortex and Banjo team up to fill the night with techno-house sounds. Dec 22, 10pm. Club 15, 43 Sukhumvit 15, 083-094-0650. Free.

GET_A ROOM: UNDER A BLANKET

DOTT and Jaydubb spin techno beats. Dec 22, 10pm. Whiteline, Silom Soi 8, 087-061-1117. Free.

SUNJU B2B KOISH

The two DJs go head-to-head with techno music. Dec 23, 9:30pm.

Glow, 96/4-5 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 086-614-3355. B350 includes 1 drink.

TRASHER : CHRISTMAS HERO : BATTLE OF THE BITCHES

The renowned party thrower hosts a night filled with dance music from pop divas under a superheroes dress code. Tickets available at www.fb.com/trasherbangkok.

Dec 23, 7pm. GMM Live House, 8/F, Central World, Rajdamri Rd., 02-640-7000. B500.

PHATFUNK DRUM & BASS

DJs Dragon, Azek, Instinct and DeLorean are joined by visuals from GorbVisuals for a night of drum 'n' bass. Dec 23, 9pm. De Commune, 1/F, Liberty Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 061-717-4365.

B150.

FEDERBRAU RED FEATHER CLUB: THE CLUB OF PERFEKTION

A night of German food from Bei Otto and beer along with live music. Through Dec 31, 5pm.

CentralWorld, 4, 4/1-4/2, 4/4, Ratchadamri Rd., 02- 635-1111.

BTS Chit Lom.

Phum Viphurit

Gigs

NU METAL ALL STARS

FOCK AND ROLL #2

The night of folk and rock music returns with Mai Siblor, Zero Hero, Southern Boys Thai Rockabilly, Asss and Kitties Peace. Dec 15, 5pm. Sixty Two-Next Gen Bar, Saimai Soi 26, 098-975-6588. B100.

THE FOOLEST LIVE AT NONG TAPRACHAN

The old-school hip-hop collective showcase their flow. Dec 15, 8pm.

Chang Chui, 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd. Free.

FOLK9 LIVE AT NONG TAPRACHAN

The dream-pop band perform songs from their latest album, Morning Day. Dec 16, 7pm. Chang Chui, 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd. Free.

I WANNA: THE RELEASE PARTY

Bangkok grunge-rock band Penny Time throw a party for their latest single, joined by fellow indie artists Diaries and Phum Viphurit. Dec 16, 8pm. De Commune, 1/F, Liberty Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 061717-4365. Free.

EXPERIMENTAL WAR #05: HUGE NOISE BOMBING

Noise music from Harald Fetveit (Norway), Havard Skaset (Norway), Kiran Arora (USA), VX Bliss (USA), Arnont Nongyao (Thailand) and Gamnad737 (Thailand). Dec 17, 8pm. Jam, 41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 089-889-8059.

B200. $AT PARTY

Indie bands Penny Time, Artist Focus and The Kastle throw a gig with all proceeds going to Toon Bodyslam’s charity campaign. Dec 20, 6pm. Play Yard by Studio Bar, Lad Phrao Soi 8, 081-173-3616. Free but donation is welcome.

Local nu metal bands perform covers of Korn, Linkin Park and more. Dec 23, 7pm. The Rock Pub, 93/26-28 Hollywood Street Building, Phayathai Rd., 099-191-5666. B250-300 includes 1 drink.

ZERO HERO LIVE AT NONG TAPRACHAN

A night of alternative rock from the band known for their unique Suphan accent. Dec 23, 7pm. Chang Chui, 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd. Free.

DEATH VISIONS - NOISE & SHIBARI

Noise music from Gamnad747 and Unnamedminor. Tickets available at bit.ly/2k0dQT9. Dec 23, 9pm. Maison Close, 397/399 Charoenkrung Soi 45.

B350-450.

Concerts BENEFIT CONCERT FOR ROHINGYA

Rockers Nga Caravan, Hugo and Mai Siplor team up for a charity concert for Rohingya refugees. For more details visit bit.ly/2Ag0lbt. Dec 19, 7pm. Thammasat University (Tha Phra Chan Campus), 12 Phra Chan Rd., 02-613-3333. B200.

Classical IN VIAGGIO CON KEROUAC

Italian singer/songwriter Luca Seta and saxophonist Gabriele Buonasorte lead a live quintet performance. Reservations available at bit.ly/2AeLorL. Dec 15, 7pm. Music Hall, Culture Building, Chulalongkorn University, Rama 4 Rd. Free.

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FESTIVALS

Wonderfruit

KODINDY

THAI DANCE MUSIC FESTIVAL

WONDERFRUIT

The 13th edition of the indie music festival welcomes Hugo, The Note, Ugoslabier and Stylish Nonsense.

True to its indie vibe, the event includes an outdoor market of over 300 shops with wares both music related and not. Tickets available at B350 via bit.ly/2iAlXps with B50 of each purchase goes to the charity project of Bodyslam’s front man. Dec 16, 12pm. The Walk Kaset-Nawamin, Pradit Manudharm Rd. B350.

A music festival with a distinctly Isaan vibe headlined by The Paradise Bangkok Molam International, Srirajah Rockers and Rasmee Isan Soul. Tickets available at B700 via bit.ly/2AB5AAZ. Dec 23. Fortune Town, 1,3,5,7 Ratchadaphisek Rd. B700.

The festival promises food, crafts, art, music and wellness featuring highlight acts Roots Manuva, Yeasayer and Wild Beasts. Grab tickets at wonderfruitfestival.com. Dec 15, 16, 17, 4pm. The Fields at Siam Country Club, B4,500-6,000.

In collaboration with the Rap is Now crew, Blaq Lyte owner Nick Supreda throws an artsy and environmentally-friendly party for charity on Jan 13, 2018.

To mark Children’s Day, the party kicks off at 12pm with live performances from hip-hop artists Autograf, Cherub, Paper Diamond, Cozy Boys, Southside, Younggu x Rahboy and Nicecnx x Fxrd x Estee. The event also offers workshops, crafts and a variety of food. Early bird tickets are on sale at B900 via bit.ly/2nxUSbo. Door price is B1,500. Jan 13, 2019, 12pm-12am. A Square, Sukhumvit Soi 26, 098-253-9356. B900-1,500.

TALK TedxCharoenkrung

THEATER & DANCE SOMETHING MISSING

A physical performance delves into questions of society and politics in both Thailand and Korea. For further details, visit bit.ly/2jZJct6. Through Dec 17, 7:30pm. BACC, 939 Rama 1 Rd., 094-494-5104. B600.

Ten artists and influencers host a talk centered on Bangkok’s emerging creative community in Charoenkrung. Contributing speakers include Vichit Saiklao from Chit Beer, Dujdo Wattanapakorn from B-floor Theater and Atinut Tantiwat from Atta Gallery. Grab tickets at bit.ly/2jtrP7b. Dec 17, 11:30am-9:30pm. Warehouse 30, Charoenkrung Soi 30. B1,500.

TRACK OF THE WEEK Plot - “Phook Phan Kaa Khun”

SPORTS

Nong Toom

BANGKOK GAY FESTIVAL

We named this post-punk trio a band to watch... in 2010. Since then they’ve appeared on Nawapol “Ter” Thamrongrattanarit’s Mary is Happy, Mary is Happy soundtrack, yet here we are still waiting for Plot’s debut album. The second single from Anon (set to finally be released in early ‘18), “Phook Phan Kaa Khun (Intimacy Kills)” is a relentless tangle of high-pitched keyboards, skittering drums and buzzsaw guitars that sounds like

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a lost track from Factory Records circa ‘82 given a Thai twist. The barked lyrics tackle the pitfalls of attachment in relationships and in other aspects of life (“The attachment will slowly and coldly kill you”). Aggressive yet thoughtful, weird but approachable, Plot are one of the most forward-thinking Thai bands around. Here more at www.fb.com/plotband. Neon Boonyadhammakul

A gay pride event promising sport highlights such as a parade of muay Thai fighters led by Parinya "Nong Toom" Charoenphol, the first ever transgender muay Thai fighter, along with a full molam band providing live music. Tickets available at bit.ly/2jm4b9V. Dec 23, 3pm. BTS National Stadium. B900-1,500.

THAILAND INTERNATIONAL HALF MARATHON 2017

This run covers 5,10 and 21km distances. Tickets available at bit. ly/2zSDos7. Dec 17, 4am. Rama VII Bridge. B400-900. www.fb.com/ events/360398304375475

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now FILM Opening (Dec 14)

ART

Nasty Noise: Sonic Arts Exhibition

NASTY NOISE: SONIC ARTS EXHIBITION

Tarach Treekunprapa uses sounds and other media to explore the topic of noise pollution. Dec 21-23. Siam Gallery, Ladprao Soi 122-124, 02-514-0600. Free.

BEAUTIFUL BANGKOK

Limelight, a group of Hungarian artists whose complex 3D projection mapping artworks have lit up iconic buildings from Portugal to the UAE, have announced their

Beautiful Bangkok

ALL I SEE IS YOU (USA)

SUBURBICON (USA)

Drama/Mystery. A blind woman’s relationship with her husband takes a dramatic shift when she starts regaining her sight.

Crime/Drama. Set in 1959, a peaceful, white neighborhood is frightened by a mysterious murder and the arrival of an African-American family.

latest project in Bangkok. The artists took top place at iMapp 2016, considered the biggest international video mapping competition in the world, and will here take over Ratchaprasong’s 60-story Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard building with their work titled “Beautiful Bangkok.” Through Dec 31. Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard, Ratchadamri Rd. Free.

SALES AND FAIRS

MARROWBONE (USA)

ENGLAND IS MINE (UK)

Drama/Thriller. Four motherless children are threatened by a mysterious menace.

Biography/Drama. A look back at the early life of rock singer Morrissey before he became the frontman of The Smiths.

URBAN EATERY CRAFT BEER4 AT EMQUARTIER

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI (USA)

Shop crafts and grab a Thai beer on the rooftop of the mall. Dec 20-Jan 2, 3pm. 5/F, Helix building, Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-269-1000.

Action/Fantasy. The latest episode in the space epic sees Rey develop her newly discovered abilities under the guidance of Luke Skywalker.

SELECTION MARKET AT YELO HOUSE #BDF2017

A market showcasing the creative works of Thai artists and designers. Through Dec 17, 11am. Yelo House, 20/2 Kasemsan Soi 1, 089-777-2322.

Winter Market Fest #5

WINTER MARKET FEST #5

Sansiri's fairy light-strewn market returns with gifts, clothing, food and much festive spirit. Look out for live music from Season Five, Lipta and Sqweez Animal, and an art installation called “Light&Sound” by local artist Kob B.O.R.E.D. For further details visit bit.ly/2hRlB0t. Dec 16. T77 Community, Sukhumvit Soi 77.

Upcoming (Dec 21)

CHANG CHUI FEST-TAKE OFF Chang Chui Fest-Take Off

To celebrate this festive month, the creative hub fills its 11 rai with live music, art, crafts and food. Dec 16-Jan 2. Chang Chui, 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd. Free.

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

Bou (Bride)

Sound of Torture

BOU (BRIDE) BY MAHI RAMAKRISHNAN

THE 2ND GLOBAL MIGRATION FILM FESTIVAL

Sea-Junction hosts a screening of the 30-minute documentary about the plight of Rohingya child brides in Malaysia. The screening starts at 5:30pm on Dec 15 and is followed by a discussion. Admission is free but donations are welcome. For more information, visit bit. ly/2BLBcE1.

To mark International Migrants Day, IOM screens 10 selected films from the Global Migration Film Festival on Dec 14-18. The films, which depict the life and struggles of immigrants, include Kshitij (India, 2016), Problemski Hotel (Belgium, 2015), Sound of Torture (Israel, Egypt, Sweden, 2013), Twelve (Canada, 2009), Era O Hotel Cambridge (The Cambridge Squatter) (Brazil, France, Spain, 2016), The Lucky Specials (South Africa, 2017), The Isthmus (Thailand, 2013), The Forger (USA, 2016), Home (England, 2017) and Hevêrk: The Circle (Turkey, 2016). Bookings are available online via bit.ly/2B3sAf2 and admission is free.

Dec 15, 5:30pm. SEA-Junction, BACC, 939 Rama 1 Rd., 097-0024140. Free.

APICHATPONG WEEKEND

Alliance Francaise de Bangkok screens several of Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s short films and his selection of French films followed by a discussion on the topic of “The Figuration and Modality of the Ghostly Figures in Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s movies” with the director himself. For more details, visit bit.ly/2AnDGIj. Dec 15-17. Alliance Française de Bangkok, 179 Witthayu Rd., 02-6704200. B60 for members and B120 for non-members.

Dec 14-18. Bangkok Screening Room, Saladaeng Soi 1, 090-9063888. Free. BTS Sala Daeng exit No. 4 or MRT Lumphini’s exit No. 2.

HUMAN FLOW (GERMANY)

JEEPERS CREEPERS 3 (USA)

Documentary. Artist Ai Weiwei examines the global refugee crisis, which has seen over 65 million people forced from their homes.

Horror. Sheriff Dan Tashtego must protect his town from demons known as Creepers who return to hunt for humans.

YOUR LIE IN APRIL (JAPAN)

REALMS (THAILAND)

Drama. After losing his mother and falling deaf, a former piano prodigy attempts to regain his skills when he meets a girl who plays violin.

Horror. Two robbers, two hostages and a driver whose fate brought them to an abandoned penthouse try to escape from paranormal attacks.

FERDINAND (USA)

LOVING VINCENT (UK)

Animation. A gentle but giant beast must evade his captors in order to return home.

Biography/Animation. Depicted in oil painted animation, this story explores the final days of Impressionist master Vincent Van Gogh.

MEMOIR (THAILAND)

PITCH PERFECT 3 (USA)

Horror. A woman encounters a series of scary events after getting in touch with her old friend to sell insurance.

Comedy/Music . After winning the world championships and going their separate ways, the Bellas reunite for one final singing competition.

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