CITY PULSE | best of bkk
Into the Hood: Suan Phlu
From star-studded to street food, here is an update of venues in Suan Phlu to suit everyone’s palates
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bustling, somewhat bohemian Bangkok suburb, Suan Phlu, is sandwiched between leafy and genteel Yenakat and the commercial district of Sathorn. The main artery, Suan Phlu Rd, leading to its pumping heart of Soi 8 and the numerous barely navigable capillaries conceal a multitude of food offerings at both ends of the dining spectrum.
A burgeoning reputation as a rather edgy and ‘real’ foodie destination has seen it move rapidly up the ladder. Whilst we all know its established players, there are also many must-visits from the heady heights of potential Michelin stardom to the humble mom and pop stalls Beginning at the Sathorn Road end, on a corner of Soi Phra Phinit, lies Plu (1), a classic Thai modern bistro from the Water Library staple of clever concepts. Chris is a former Michelin Guide Inspector, Returning to the main road following an international career in and prior to passing the Michelinhospitality spanning 30 starred Saawaan (3) where years in both the Middle Chefs Aom and Paper serve up East and Asia, has now exquisitely reinvented Thai dishes, settled in Thailand and at the end of Soi 2, an exclusive contributes to ‘Into for Bangkok 101, I am delighted the Hood’ column in to reveal Restaurant Keller (2) by Bangkok 101. Chef Mirco Keller, former chef of IG: xmichelinman the Water Library. The venue is 22 | SEP/OCT 2019
7 scheduled to open in early 2020. Surely one to watch! Continuing along the tree lined road, one sees a sandwich board boldly scribed, “Best bread in Bangkok!”. Holey Bakery (4), presided over by Porag and an essential pit stop for lovers of French butter croissants, English sausage rolls and memorable sour dough. A few steps further is a relative newcomer, Olta (5), the latest venture from Jamie Wakeford, also Chef/Patron of Bampot in Phuket, offering up modern British dishes in a hip setting. Heading to Soi 8, one passes two Arno’s outposts (6), favoured amongst dedicated carnivores and on the corner of Soi 1, the landmark thirties cocktail lounge plus, Smalls (7), where you will invariably find the proprietor, bangkok101.com
