FREE COPY TIMEOUT.COM/BANGKOK NO.091 21 February-5 March 2020
Cool things to do in Bangkok with your furry pals
Preventing the risk of contagion
City life
THE WORLD IS still reeling from the massive outbreak of the new coronavirus,
now dubbed COVID-19, which originated in Wuhan, China and has spread to other countries throughout the world. The rapid dissemination of the virus plus travel bans on flights coming from China has affected economic growth, and has impacted the tourism and hospitality industries within the region, including that of Thailand. While traveler fears can’t be avoided, the virus shouldn’t prevent tourists from enjoying a holiday in Bangkok, as long as they follow the guidelines shared by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to WHO, regularly washing your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds or rubbing a generous amount of alcohol or hand sanitizer onto your hands is the best way to avoid infection. They also advise against picking your nose or putting your fingers in your mouth unless your hands have been cleaned thoroughly. When booking accommodations, make sure that your hotel follows strict procedures in preventing and handling the virus. (Do they check the temperature of hotel guests or provide hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the property?) It is also helpful to keep yourself updated through reliable sources, and to cooperate with the authorities at the airports if they ask to perform extra screening—this is particularly relevant for passengers arriving from Singapore and Japan. ■
See this
See short films by local and international filmmakers at The 60 Second Film Festival at Whiteline on 28 Feb.
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Join this
Shop freshly-cut green produce and environmentally-friendly products at H dining’s farmers’ market on 29 Feb.
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Do this
Groove to house tunes all night long at a multi-genre party at Safe Room on 29 Feb
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30/2 Soi Sukhumvit 36 (Naphasap Soi 1), Klongtan, Klongtoey, Bangkok, 10110 Thailand Editorial 0909077455 Advertising 0918083619 E-mail editorial@timeoutbangkok.com
Editor-in-Chief Top Koaysomboon Art Director Narin Machaiya Features Editor Phavitch Theeraphong Digital Content Manager Onsiri Jirawuttipod Senior Writer Suriyan Panomai Junior Writers Khemjira Prompan, Kenika Ruaytanapanich
Time Out Bangkok 21 February - 5 March 2020
Photographers Sereechai Puttes Tanisorn Vongsoontorn Video creator Arunrote Auefue Contributing Sub-editor Ana Kalaw Contributor Etrin Basa Advertising Director Walaiporn Tantisak Account Executive Sasitorn Sengmoon
Event Sales Director Pavin Asavavichairoj Event Sales Executive Orachaporn Premrudeesanit Marketing Manager Kunlatida Chawengwan Marketing Executives Patcharat Ruenrutaikul Thanyaluck Komutrattananon Kanyapat Saengbuakaew Publishers Dujduan Hetrakul, Pongsiri Hetrakul
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Chairman Prida Hetrakul Director/Vice president Finance Mhienjun Hetrakul Time Out Group Founder Tony Elliott Group chief Exeutive officer Julio Bruno Global Creative Director Tom Hislop Head of Global Content Alex Plim
Cover Design Narin Machaiya Cover Photography Sereechai Putte Cover Photos Credit iStock Photos
Time Out Bangkok is edited by Phongsathorn Koaysomboon for Maeban Publishing Company Limited, 30/2 Soi Sukhumvit 36 (Naphasap 1), Klongton, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand. Color separated by 48 Film Process Co., Ltd. 66 Soi Ladprao 58/1, Ladprao Road, Wangtonglang, Bangkok 10240. Printed by Maeban Publishing Co., Ltd. 30/2 Soi Sukhumvit 36 (Naphasap 1), Klongton, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand.
City life
Carlton cometh
Singapore’s Carlton Hotel has now opened its doors in Bangkok, joining a long list of new hotel openings in the city this year. Located between Soi Sukhumvit 27 and 29, the 34-story property comprises 338 rooms and suites, and is equipped with comprehensive wedding and meeting facilities. Guests can unwind at the swimming pool, stick to their regular gym regimen at the fitness center, sip freshly brewed cuppas at Tuxedo, and enjoy Singaporean dishes at Plate. Soon-to-open venues are Wah Lok, a sister eatery of the dining institution that has been serving up Cantonese fare at Carlton Singapore for more than 30 years, and the Cooling Tower rooftop bar that promises an opportunity to sip refreshing cocktails while appreciating views of Bangkok’s skyline. à For more information, visit http://www.carltonhotel.co.th
Moving air filters
To tackle the ongoing PM2.5 dust particle problem, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is installing air filtration systems atop state-owned buses that can help produce fresh air while the vehicles traverse city streets. According to the director of Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), one bus can clean 10,000 cubic meters of air per trip. Many critics, however, have denounced the project, calling it a bogus pseudo-science introduced by the government.
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BMTA
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Japanese icon Yayoi Kusama has taken her famous Infinity Mirror Rooms, a series of immersive installations where the artist uses mirrors to produce repetitive reflections of colored lights and objects, on tour around the world, but for some reason these magical rooms haven’t found their way to Bangkok. So we can’t be blamed for being a little green-eyed that famous London art museum Tate Modern will be hosting not one but TWO of Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms. Starting May 2020, the Tate will exhibit Infinity Mirrored Room–Filled with the Brilliance of Life and Chandelier of Grief as part of its celebrations for its 20th year anniversary. The museum will also showcase iconic pieces and performance work by other famous artists, including Louise Bourgeois’s giant spider Maman and Our Labyrinth by Lee Mingwei.n
CITY ENV Y Great things that we love in other cities
London is getting two Yayoi Kusama Infinity Mirror Rooms 3
21 February - 5 March 2020 Time Out Bangkok
TO
BOOK
PREP
British R&B/soul band PREP returns to Bangkok. The quartet, which consists of Tom Havelock (vocals), Llywelyn Ap Myrddin (keyboards), Dan Radclyffe (guitars) and Guillaume Jambel (drums), is known for fusing modern R&B and electronica sounds with the sounds of
DON’T MISS
musical style, heard in hit tracks like “Who’s Got You Singing Again,” “Cheapest Flight,” and “Sunburnt Through the Glass,” has garnered the band an international fan base. à 29 May at Union Hall, Union Mall. Tickets priced at B1,200 and B1,700, via ticketmelon.com
Very Festival Spring Break
Local promoter Very is behind this one-day indoor festival, which will headline international artists Indonesian performer Niki and British musician Bruno Major. à 14 March at Thunderdome, Muang Thong Thani. Tickets start from B2,500 (early bird), via ticketmelon.com
Kolour In The Park
Annual outdoor music festival Kolour In The Park will once again take over Thai Wake Park in March, hosting international DJs spinning house, techno, indie, R&B, funk and disco tunes. So far, the line-up includes Black Coffee, Sabrina Claudio, ATMA, Dark White, and Gioli&Assia. Art installations, water activities, and loads of food and booze are also to be expected.■ Khemjira Prompan
Green Day
Heads up, Bangkok! As part of their Hella Mega Tour, Green Day is making a stop in Bangkok. This latest tour complements the band’s newest Father of All beloved songs include “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Boulevard of
à 7 March at Thai Wake Park. Tickets now on presale, starting from B1,200, via eventpop.me
à 11 March at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani. Tickets start from B2,000, via livenation.co.th Time Out Bangkok 21 February - 5 March 2020
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City life
SO YOU’VE NEVER NEVER BEEN TO... Also happening in Ari
Blacksmith
This huge brunch spot gets its name and design inspiration from one of its owners’ passion for cowboy apparel. The two-story steel structure is mostly decorated with leather rugs and metal chairs, giving the whole place the look of smithy in the olden times. àSoi Ari 3, 062 536 3888. Open Tue-Sun 11:00-24:00
Gump’s Ari Ari’s got a new cotton
candy-colored community mall ARI IS BENEFITTING from a recent
resurgence, as evidenced by hot new openings in the neighborhood. One of them is a community mall packed with cotton candycolored shops and an abundance of perfectfor-the-Gram corners. Located inside Soi Ari 4 (north side), Gump’s is a place that takes cute seriously. Pastel-washed store facades and muralpainted walls act as cheery backgrounds for carefully posited installations such as pink cacti, and a drained swimming pool that’s been filled with hollow plastic balls, inflatable flamingos and several other floaties. Colorful pennants hang from the ceiling and quirky murals decorate the walls. A quick look at the premises—and the mall’s social media accounts—marks Gump’s Ari as a haven for foodies and sweet tooths. The first floor is home to an abundance of dessert places such as Fuu, a Japanese shop known for its fluffy soufflé-style pancakes,
Fruit Bar – The Social Club
Chiang Mai-hailing bubble tea brand Tropi Hoola, and soft serve purveyor Kiss BKK. The second floor, meanwhile, is dedicated to more serious eats, featuring restaurants such as Kobe King, which is a destination for Japanese barbecue, and Yuppies’ Yummies, which churns out Western and Asian fusion fare. . ■ Phavitch Theeraphong
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The folks behind everything-avocado café Oh Vacoda has expanded into fruit juice-kissed tipples with Fruit Bar – The Social Club. The bar’s interiors, which combines gleaming neon lights with mismatched furniture, has a retro Miami vibe. Recommended drinks include the avocado-blended Pino Vocada, and a lemon cheesecakeinspired cocktail with shochu, limoncello and “cheesecake syrup.” àSoi Ari Samphan 4, 08 9497 8926. Open Fri-Sun 17:00-23:30
21 February - 5 March 2020 Time Out Bangkok
photo by Sereechai Puttes
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Time Out Bangkok 21 February - 5 March 2020
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Where to hang out with your pets in Bangkok by Khemjira Prompan and Phavitch Theeraphong
YOU WOULDN’T NECESSARILY call
Bangkok a pet-friendly city. Most public spaces are off limits to your fourlegged friends, thus spending time with them outside your home can be quite a challenge. But the city is developing a more welcoming attitude towards domesticated animals—cafés, shopping malls, and even staycation-perfect hotels across the city are now allowing fur parents to bring their canine and feline babies. New pet-centric businesses have also sprung up, including more grooming salons to make your pets pretty, and spas and swimming pools to make sure they remain healthy and in good shape. Here are some paw-fect activities you can share with your furry pals:
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21 February - 5 March 2020 Time Out Bangkok
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Take your fur babies to brunch Nothing’s better than starting off your day with a hearty brunch, a good cup of coffee, and your pup wagging its tiny tail by your side. Luckily, Bangkok has a few good pet-friendly brunch spots. Quince, tucked inside Siri House, welcomes pets at its outdoor terrace and airconditioned dining room. While the friendly staff serves you Mediterranean-inflected fare, your four-legged pal gets a bowl of water. You can also check out Luka, a chic brunch spot that offers a cool selection of gourmet food, coffee and tea. Savor a big serving of Breakfast Burrito and a cup of flat white while your pet pals hang out with their new furry friends. Vegan pet owners can make their way to Vistro, the only pet-friendly meatless venue in town—at the moment. The eatery’s second floor is a large,
airy and well-lit establishment that encourages you and your fur baby to unwind. He can have his doggie treats while you gorge on Vistro’s Breakfast Burrito and Golden Mylk Latte. H dining, the new Nordic-inspired hotspot in Sukhumvit also allows animal inside the premises. Hip food complex The Commons allows pets at its outdoor areas. Drop by anytime from Wednesday to Sunday so you and your pooch can groove to live music while noshing on tasty grub. While there are a few pet-friendly places in the city, few places offer an extensive menu of nutritious treats for your four-legged companion. At Coffee & Puppy, your pup can enjoy hearty, healthy dishes like salmon pancakes, grilled chicken with carrot sauce or roasted chicken balls.
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Pamper your furry friend with a spa session Make your pet feel like a king or queen by treating him or her to a good pampering session. Hato Pet Wellness Center, located within pet-friendly community mall Trail and Tail, ticks all the boxes as a dog lover's paradise, offering spa treatments that are so next-level, you’d be tempted to ask if you can try them yourself. Each treatment, from the ozone jacuzzi spa to the mud spa, are done by professional pet therapists using premium organic products. If you want to get your best friend a fresh haircut, Hato also offers grooming services by a pet stylist with 15 years of experience. You can also head to Dog Vibes, another pet paradise that provides a gamut of activities along with unique spa treatments. When your canine pal is done playing in a giant natural mud puddle or exploring a sensory room, he can continue to enjoy any one of their pampering treatments, which includes an ozone spa, milk bath, green tea spa, and salt spa. Time Out Bangkok 21 February - 5 March 2020
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Go on a paw-friendly shopping spree You no longer have to feel guilty for leaving your furry friend at home while you’re out shopping at the mall. If you didn’t know by now, Bangkok has a few pet-friendly retail spaces. Open-air lifestyle mall K Village has pet shops, pet-friendly cafes, shaded areas, an open space for strolling and a small dog park where your dog can run around as you shop. A little further out of town is Central Festival Eastville, possibly Bangkok’s biggest pet-friendly mall. Here, pets can freely roam at the outdoor park or test their stamina and strength at the obstacle course at the dog playground. The mall also offers doggie carts, which allow you to push your pooch in designated areas within the mall while you window-shop.
Enroll your pet in school Experts say that obedience training may be one way to create a stronger bond between you and your canine buddy. Aside from getting to spend quality time with your pet, you will also learn more about their personality and how to better understand the body language they use to communicate with you. Your dog will also learn how to behave in public and will have the chance to develop healthy interactions with other animals. Tucked in Soi Sukhumvit 49, Dog Park 49 provides private dog-training lessons, as well as more complex training programs like behavior modification and aggression rehabilitation, in a modern and tree-filled venue. If you’re looking for a place that can train your pet in both basic and more advanced tricks, then K-9 may be your best bet. Start out learning how to instruct your puppy in basic obedience commands like “sit,” “heel,” and “stay” in a group class, but if you want to modify unruly behavior, such as excessive barking and destructive habits, then you can opt for a one-on-one consultation. Dogs of any breed, size, and age are welcome at both schools. For Kaset Nawamin owners, Dog Sport Club has all kinds of training courses, from the necessary commands to behavior modification, in both private and group sessions, for pooches four months old and older. The club also offers a boarding school program for folks who want to put their canine companions through a more intensive training curriculum.
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21 February - 5 March 2020 Time Out Bangkok
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Go on a staycation Weekend hotel stays take on a different meaning if you have your beloved pet with you. Surprisingly, a number of hotel accommodations in the city allow dogs and cats (apologies to owners of reptiles, birds or micro pigs) to check in. W Bangkok charges B750 per pet with an additional cleaning fee of B3,000 per stay, while DoubleTree by Hilton will ask you to pay B1,500 for a maximum of two pets. Grand Mercure Asoke Residence has friendlier rates at B300 per pet. They will also prepare a small bed and bowl for your pawed pal. If you want to escape additional charges, head to any Ibis hotel in Thailand, which is generous enough to let your pets stay for free! We recommend Ibis Riverside, which has an area where your dog can roam around (don’t forget to clean after your pets). You can also look for pet-friendly accommodations in Bangkok through AirBnb.
Make sure your furry pals are paw-fectly fit Just like humans, animals need to be fit to keep healthy. Walking your dogs or playing fetch with them is great, but one of the best and most fun ways to keep your fur babies in good shape is to take them for a swim. Swimming not only allows your dog to burn excess calories, it also tires them out (no more being woken up at 2 am for a potty run). A lot of dogs suffer from heatstroke, especially during the summer months, so taking them for a swim is also an ideal way to cool them down. Many veterinarians also recommended swimming as an ideal exercise for pets with joint problems. There are many swimming pools for dogs in Bangkok, each of which is monitored by a trained attendant. There’s Jojo House in Ramkhamhaeng. The training school/doggie gym has a 20-meter pool that assures a good work-out session for your furry friend. Closer to downtown Bangkok is The Dog Hotel in Ratchada, which has a salt-water pool for dogs. Up in Nonthaburi, Dog United boasts a 4x8-meter salt water pool that’s perfect for an intense swimming session. Time Out Bangkok 21 February - 5 March 2020
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photo by Sereechai Puttes
Adopt, don't shop
Why buy from a pet store when Bangkok has lots of homeless dogs and cats that need your love and care. PAWS Bangkok sets up a pop-up cafe at Union Space every Sunday where you can interact with little kitties that are up for adoption. (Before you adopt, the organization will put you through a screening process to find out if you’re a good fit as a fur parent.) Soi Dogs Matter rescues abandoned dogs and is devoted to finding them a safe home. You may just find your next pet at one of their adoption events. Check out their Facebook page for schedules and more information.
Take them for a walk in the park Parks in Bangkok are usually off-limits to pets, mainly for the reason that some owners refuse to scoop up after their dogs. Watcharaphirom Park in Bang Khae is one of the very few public spaces in the city that allows pets. But gaining access for your four-legged pal may not be as straightforward—you need to prove that your dog has been properly vaccinated and has been implanted with a microchip in case they get lost within the compound. In addition, dogs must always be on a leash and owners have to clean up their four-pawed kid’s mess or risk being banned from entering and having their membership cancelled. Following these simple rules, however, will gain your pooch access to mini playgrounds where they can meet and mingle with canines of different breeds. ■
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The high-rise life with pets
While many condominiums ban pets, there are a handful of properties that market themselves as pet-friendly. M Jatujak boasts lush compound grounds that are perfect for strolling with your four-legged pals, while Maestro 19 and M Thonglor Ten has a communal area where your pets can roam free.
21 February - 5 March 2020 Time Out Bangkok
YOUR PERFECT WEEKEND
DON’T MISS
Elephant Boat Race & River Festival
The charity sports event returns for its second run. Aside from boat racing, the event will also feature a wide range of on-ground entertainment and activities, including live music and art performances, a dry-rowing competition, fair rides, as well as creative workshops and interactive kid-friendly displays. Some of Bangkok’s top eateries and noted cocktail bars will sell tasty food and drinks. Proceeds from the ticket sales will go directly to the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, which, in turn, will donate the funds to elephantrelated projects throughout the country. à28 Feb-1 Mar at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort. Tickets priced at B200/day, B3,000/day (VIP), via eventpop.me. Free entry for children under 15 Time Out Bangkok 21 February - 5 March 2020
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La Dotta Pasta Class
Learn how to make authentic Italian pasta and sauce from scratch at pasta hotspot La Dotta. There are two classes to choose from: Pasta 101, which teaches you how to make both fresh and dried pasta, and Say Cheese, a class that shows you how to make classic Roman-style carbonara and four-cheese tortelloni. Classes will be taught by Italian chef Francesco Deiana. àEvery Saturday from 29 Feb-28 Mar, 14:30-16:30 at La Dotta, 161/6 Soi Thonglor 9, 0 2392 8688. B1,900
Healing Sunday with YAAN (Live)
If you think your tired soul needs an re-energizing, get yourself to Healing Sunday with YANN on 23 Feb. The local band, known for mixing organic and spiritual tunes with modern-day electronica, is performing an intimate live set at Studio Lam. à23 Feb, 21:00-01:00 at Studio Lam, 3/1 Sukhumvit 51. Free entry
Ping! Skewers by Andy Ricker
Head to modern izakaya Jua on 7 March to savor skewers, sandwiches and soups rolled out by noted chef Andy Ricker. A two-time James Beard award-winning chef and the author of three best-selling cookbooks, Ricker is the brains behind the famed eatery Pok Pok and Ping Yang Pow in Portland, Oregon.
World Margarita Day at Touché Hombre
Brazilian Carnival Street Party!
à22 Feb, 12:00-02:00 at Touché Hombre Bangkok, 72 Courtyard Soi Sukhumvit 55
à22 Feb, 15:00-21:00 at Havana Social, Soi Sukhumvit 11. B300
Drink, eat and dance the day and night away at this World Margarita Day event hosted by hot Mexican eatery Touché Hombre. Join the crowd on the terrace for tasty tacos, heady margaritas, Latin beats, and salsa and bachata dance workshops hosted by La Rueda Dance Studio.
Fem Film Festival 2020
Fem Film Festival celebrates International Women’s Day on its second year. The festival will showcase five films revolving around the struggles and achievements of women in the workforce, in politics, in love and in life. à6-8 Mar at Bangkok Screening Room, 2/F Woofpack Building, Soi Sala Daeng 1. B300/adult, B250/student, B240/BKK
Safe Room Serves: Marc Houle Live
For the next edition of Safe Room Serves, the nightclub has invited Canadian techno veteran Marc Houle to man the decks. Houle is best known for a signature sound that blends Detroit techno, Chicago house and new wave synth. à7 Mar, 21:00-03:00 at Safe Room, Soi Silom 8. B300 (inclusive of one shot), B200 (with a Kolour in the Park wristband)
The annual day-and-night Brazilian Carnival party returns to the street of Soi Sukhumvit 11. The stacked entertainment line-up includes salsa dancers, drag queens, capoeira fighters and batucada drummers. Come between 3 to 4 pm to enjoy free-flow drinks.
Waste to Worth: Turn Leftover Cacao Husks into Chocolate Tea
Asai Hotels teams up with famed Thai chocolate maker Kad Kokoa to host a workshop where students will learn how to make chocolate tea from leftover cacao husks. You’ll have your own jar of cacao tea to take home at the end of the class. à22 Feb, 10:30-12:00 at Kad Kokoa, 1076 Soi Narathiwas Ratchanakarin 17. B150
Homemade Umeshu Workshop
At this workshop hosted by Better Moon Cafe, learn how to make plum wine from fresh plums and get tipsy from tasting a variety of fruit wine made by the cafe over the years. As a bonus, you get to take home your very own 700ml jar of homemade umeshu. ■ Khemjira Prompan à7 Mar, 14:00-19:00 at Better Moon Cafe x Refill Station, Soi Sukhumvit 77/1. B2,000
à7 Mar, 18:00-23:30 at Jua, 672/49 Soi Charoenkrung 28, 0 2103 6598
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21 February - 5 March 2020 Time Out Bangkok
Shopping & Style SPOTLIGHT ON Hi Robin
The TB Bag, released as part of Burberry’s summer 2019 collection, was one of the first bags Ricardo Tisci designed for the English brand after he came onboard as creative director, replacing Christopher Bailey in 2018. This year, Tisci has refreshed the leather accessory, fashioning it just a little taller and a tad narrower—ideal for cross-body carrying—and naming it The Robin Bag. Making things even more exciting, you can see Thai model Jan Baiboon carrying it in Burberry’s latest campaign, alongside South Korean model Nic Kim. We’re expecting the first few drops to sell out fast so hold your breath for the second batch of stocks, which is expected to be released on 17 March. à Get The Robin Bag now at Burberry, Siam Paragon; www.burberry.com.
Electric MINI dreams
Thailand is the first country in Asia Pacific to publicly release the MINI Cooper SE, the English car brand’s first automobile with an electric engine. Built on the body of the famed 3-Door Hatch, the MINI Cooper SE is powered by a 184-horsepower electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack of 12 modules. A fully electric car doesn’t mean you’ll lose the fun of driving that MINI offers—the car can go from zero to 60km/h in only 3.9 seconds, and as fast as 150km/h. It can travel 217 kilometers with a single charge—enough for a week’s use if you spend most of your time in the city. The first 25 units have been pre-sold, but you can still put your name on the waiting list for a hefty 2.29 million baht.
The flip phone returns
à Visit www.mini.co.th for more information.
U bet
Acclaimed product designer Satoshi Wada has once again collaborated with Issey Miyake on a new timepiece for the fashion brand. The U watch, which comes after successive tie-ups for the Issey Miyake W watch series, is inspired by the concept of the unknown or “unidentified.” Wada’s subtle minimalist style is reflected in the unisex wristwatch’s curved surface, sleek white 41mm dial, and clean-cut face. à Try the U watch at leading department stores near you.
If 2019 was the year for smartphones with gigantic screens and over-the-top cameras, 2020 may just be the year of the flip phone. After successfully launching the Galaxy Fold, its first phone with a foldable screen, last year, Samsung surprised gadget geeks with a newer, smaller version: the compact mirror-sized Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, a style that’s reminiscent of phones during the millennial years. Presented in sleek purple or black, the Flip features a foldable 6.7-inch screen made of “ultra thin glass” and equipped with a 21:9 picture ratio. The phone also comes with two top-notch cameras that promise great color and detail in all still and moving images. Technology doesn’t come cheap, though—the Flip will retail for B44,900. >>Check out the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip at Samsung retail stores near you starting 6 March .■ à www.samsung.com/th.
Time Out Bangkok 21 February - 5 March 2020
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Eat & Drink
WHAT IT IS... A Japanese restaurant that redefines kaiseki cuisine WHY COME... Fun and creative creations that boast distinct flavors and creative presentations
Kintsugi 3/F The Athenee Hotel, Wireless Road, 0 2650 8800. BTS Phloen Chit. Open Tue-Sun 18:00-22:00
BANGKOK HAS NO shortage of Japanese
restaurants, from casual mall eateries targeting diners on a tight budget to swanky omakase joints packed with well-heeled gourmands. But despite all these options, Bangkok is still missing out on key players that provide progressive Japanese creations that break boundaries and showcase an appropriate treatment of delicate high-quality ingredients. Kintsugi, one of the newly opened restaurants at The Athenee, may just be the one to fill in the gap. Run by Japanese-American chef Jeff Ramsey, this upscale outlet is introducing a new concept inspired by the ancient Japanese art of mending broken porcelain. The Japanese word kintsugi translates to “connect with gold”. According to tradition, the true purpose of repairing broken ceramics is not to fix it, but to give it a new lease in life by enhancing it with gold. In similar fashion,
Ramsey has no intention of “fixing” kaiseki cuisine; rather, he wants to reinterpret it by incorporating his unique artistic vision into ancient culinary art forms. The acclaimed chef’s deep understanding of Japanese ingredients, combined with his creative vision, guarantee a memorable dining experience. The start of the meal gives a hint into the culinary adventure Ramsey provides. The creamy shirako (cold milt or seminal fluid) is a revelation, cooked with potato, and topped with a dressing of yuzu juice and egg yolk. The whole combination, made to be enjoyed with kombu-shaped bread and crispy fish, is literally a mouthgasm. Ankimo (monkfish liver) is also given the five-star culinary treatment. The delicate meat is washed with salt and sake, caramelized with sugar and then topped with a tangy granita of passion fruit-kissed ponzu. An abalone dish comes next, and is just as sumptuous as you’d
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expect. Steamed with sake, it is served with an intense broth made with its own liver. Ramsey’s walnut soba, where lightly flavored noodles are tossed in walnut paste and herbfilled dipping sauce, also deserves a big round of applause. The succeeding dish is an unagi that’s been perfectly braised then grilled, and then paired with roasted sunchoke puree. The meal ends with Kin Kat, a fun take on monaka, a classic Japanese sweet treat that traditionally sandwiches bean filling in between two thin wafers. At Kintsugi, the bean filling is replaced with a rich foie gras ice cream. As expected, a meal at Kintsugi doesn’t come cheap (B2,488 for a nine-course meal). However, the use of premium ingredients and Ramsey’s excellent treatment of each dish won’t have you asking why. This is one of those places where every bite serves as a justification for every satang that you pay. ■ Phavitch Theeraphong 21 February - 5 March 2020 Time Out Bangkok
Eat & Drink
Clara 69 Soi Prasat Suk, 09 5879 6257. MRT Khlong Toei. Open Mon-Sat 18:00-24:00
THE COUPLE BEHIND this new fine-dining
contender in Yen Akart definitely knows what they’re doing. Christian Martena gave us Sensi, one of Bangkok’s most lauded Italian restaurants a few years ago. He’s also the executive chef at paradise resort Six Senses Koh Samui. Recently, the veteran chef, together with his wife and business partner Clara del CorsoMartena, has opened a new restaurant that serves reinterpreted Italian fare amidst some of modern and stylish interiors Clara takes up the massive space vacated by the Bauhaus-style Villa Yenakart exhibition hall. Its white walls feature awe-inspiring art pieces by local abstract artist Somboon Hormtientong, while the surrounding garden teems with sculptures by the late French sculptor VAL—best appreciated at night when they’re illuminated by lighting designed by Matteo Massevry. A private chef’s table section boasts a sleek wooden table and leather chairs tattooed with drawings of fresh produce. Each element combines to make Clara one of the most beautiful restaurants in Bangkok. Once again, Chef Christian blends modern vision with meticulous techniques and balanced flavors to create sumptuous Italian fare. A seven or nine-course menu is available (B2,680/ B3,080). We opted for the latter, which kicked off with an amuse bouche that included a delicate scampi tartare and creamy parmesan panna cotta. This was followed by a dish that explores four ways to treat tomato; the panzanella salad with tomato jelly and tomato kombucha were the most memorable. A very flavorful risotto came next, cooked with nettle leaves and caramelized red onions, and topped with bottarga (salted fish roe), followed by a decadent ravioli filled with foie gras and sweet peach bits. The main dish is a tender porchetta, which came with earthy daikon puree and black garlic mousse. Clara also has a wine pairing option for each meal and we suggest you take up on the offer. The tomato course was certainly more enjoyable in between sips of the refreshing and slightly dry Ribolla Gialla Primosic 2018, while the flavors of porchetta were heightened by a glass of Masseria Li Veli, an elegant red made with rare Susumaniello grapes from Puglia in Italy. Clara has only been in business for a few months but we’re already looking forward to many great things yet to come. ■ Phavitch Theeraphong Time Out Bangkok 21 February - 5 March 2020
WHAT IT IS... Probably the most stylish Italian finedining restaurant in Bangkok WHY COME... An impressive culinary showcase paired with striking interiors and professional service
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Eat & Drink
TIME OUT’S HOT SPOT
WHAT IT IS... The Thai restaurant at Movenpick BDMS Wellness Resort
Khum Hom Movenpick BDMS Wellness Resort, Wireless Road, 0 2662 3333. BTS Phloen Chit. Open daily 12:00-15:00, 17:30-22:00
IAN KITTICHAI, THE chef who built his fame on
presenting gimmicky fare at Thai restaurant Issaya and appearing on multiple cooking reality shows, has recently put his unique touch to the cuisine at Khum Hom, the Thai restaurant at urban wellness resort Movenpick BDMS. The resort is well-known to many for its homeaway-from-home feel despite being located in the heart of the Bangkok CBD. Khum Hom, likewise, offers a sense of respite with a wide glass window that looks out to the property’s lush garden. The restaurant evokes comfort and coziness with the use of wooden furniture, local handicrafts and a warm color palette.
Khum Hom puts an emphasis on the quality of its produce, focusing on premium, organic, responsibly sourced ingredients to create delicious regional dishes that pay respect to Thailand’s rich food heritage, while keeping in line with the resort’s focus on health (even condiments like soy sauce are made in-house). Diners can order à la carte or opt for the tasting menu, which includes dishes like a salad of local mushrooms and cashew nut with mint dressing, and beef short ribs in gaeng khua yellow curry with preserved heart of palm. For dessert, Chef Ian gives a modern tweak to som chun (a traditional Thai dessert of seasonal
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fruit in syrup). His version is presented as a pandan-flavored sphere encasing mousse of lychee and orange, and flanked by shallot-topped lychee sorbet.■ Phavitch Theeraphong
WHY COME... Thai fare with healthy and modern twists in a somewhat secluded setting
Pattarawit “Park” Junthai veers away from the traditional ramen offerings found throughout Bangkok at his “experimental” ramen joint Chim Ramen. The best-selling item at Chim Ramen (chim is the Thai term for “to taste” and is also a pun on the word “shrimp”) is a rich, slightly salted soup with al dente noodles and plump, succulent river prawns. It’s perfect after a long work day, when both your tired body and hungry belly need some soothing.
River Prawn Ramen at Chim Ramen ttttt
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21 February - 5 March 2020 Time Out Bangkok
Eat & Drink
Matcha buffs might also be interested in…
Peace Oriental Teahouse
Tea lovers hail acclaimed minimalist tea house, which offers a wide selection of premium Japanese and Chinese tea. Their matcha green tea latte perfectly blends bitter, sweet and milky tastes.
WHAT IT IS... A specialty matcha bar in soi Phahonyothin 2 WHY COME... Well-crafted matcha drinks and desserts
MTCH
Seven Suns
This local tea shop offers a variety of classic matcha drinks alongside more creative matcha-based options like matcha frappe with Oreo cookies and dark chocolate houjicha frappe.
Soi Phahonyothin 2, 06 5691 3584. Open Wed-Sun 10:00-19:00
MATCHA AFICIONADOS Sorawit
“Jev” Phankasem and Chettida “Ja-ae” Netmukda have put up MTCH, a contemporary matcha bar that specializes in premium singleorigin matcha. Here, the focus is on the various flavors of the finely grounded powder rather than the rituals and traditions associated with drinking the tea. There are different types of matcha, and each one has a distinct flavor profile that’s dependent on where it’s cultivated and how it’s brewed. Some matcha are good with hot water while some are better with cold milk. The pair experimented with different brewing techniques to discover how to best bring out the flavors of each type. MTCH currently serves nine
matcha varieties sourced from various regions in Japan, including Uji, Yabe and Fukuoka, which are all top producers of the tea. As you come in, tea sommeliers carefully explain the profiles of each variety. We tried the MTCH Latte Tsuyuhikari (B160), a layered drink with a smoky aroma, a slight umami flavor, and a sweet corn and chocolate aftertaste; and the MTCH
Time Out Bangkok 21 February - 5 March 2020
Cold Whisk Latte South Yabukita (B150), a thick, full-bodied dark green drink with a bittersweet flavor. For something completely unique, try the MTCH Sparkling Samidori (B110), a drink that mixes soda with matcha. It may seem like a strange combination, but the tea’s earthy and fruity notes are offset by the freshness of the soda. Desserts are also included in the menu. Try the MTCH Cheesecake (B200), a super creamy and rich treat made with South Yabukita matcha and served with unsweetened fresh cream, or the Komegura South Yabukita (B180), which wraps matcha ice cream and Japanese red bean paste in a crispy waferlike shell.■ Khemjira Prompan
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Nana’s Green Tea
This famed cafe from Japan offers tea sourced from Uji, Kyoto, a region known for its first-rate matcha. Don't miss their classic matcha latte, and sweet treats like matcha nama chocolate parfait and matcha warabimochi (jelly-like mochi covered in soybean powder and sugar syrup).
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Drink
Bar 335 5/9 Soi Phrom Sri 1, 09 2545 6419. Open Mon-Sat 19:00-2:00
SET IN A quasi-residential lane that connects soi Sukhuvmit 39 and 49, Bar 335—named after a song by American jazz-rock musician Larry Carlton—offers an escape from Sukhumvit’s more chaotic bar and club offerings. Bartender/ owner Throntan “Pae” Siriwittayacharoen has drawn inspiration from his travels, personal preferences and cherished aspects of Japanese sensibility to put together an space where you can sip well-made cocktails, rendezvous in relative intimacy, and appreciate an eclectic playlist that includes disco, rock, afro jazz or electronic tunes. The drinks menu is limited, some parts changing constantly according to Pae’s immediate inspiration. The aim is to offer cocktails that are similar in presentation to the neat and simple tipples offered in Tokyo cocktail bars, but have the bold flavors of Western cocktail culture. Most of the ingredients are finds from Pae’s own travels around Thailand. There’s a short list of classics and highballs, but you’d do well to try some of Pae’s creations. Green Garden (B380) is an herbal gin and
tonic that takes its profile from marigold leaves and the spirit called “Overproof Thyme”, while New York Lemon Cream (B360) is Pae’s take on New York Sour—his version replaces American whiskey with gin and clarified mix of cream cheese and homemade limoncello. Late Night Coconut (B380) evokes the taste and aroma of the fruit its named after—rum infused WHAT IT IS... with burnt fig leaves Your new hideout in gives it a toasted the city coconut flavor, coconut water adds WHY COME... refreshing sweetness, Cocktails that are and clarified coconut easy-to-drink but cream gives the drink bold in flavor and its slightly rich texture. easy to savor Bar 335 is not just another bar. With its serious subtle interiors, comforting drinks and discreet ambiance, it could very well be your next hideout. ■ Etrin Basa
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21 February - 5 March 2020 Time Out Bangkok
Pain and Glory ttttt A GORGEOUSLY CRAFTED memoir of a jaded
filmmaker past his prime, Pain and Glory could be Pedro Almodóvar’s most autobiographical work since Law of Desire. The grand irony, of course, is that there’s nothing jaded about the filmmaking on display: it’s drenched in a passion for cinema and shows Almodóvar right at the peak of his powers. There’s no sense of waning creativity, only a mood of longing and nostalgia that’s unmistakeably from a deeply personal place. You could call it Almodóvar’s Cinema Paradiso. The man at its heart is Salvador Mallo (Antonio Banderas), a Madrid filmmaker suffering from all sorts of aches, pains and maladies that make him a prisoner in his own body. He questions his mortality as a matter of routine, but his immortality – professionally, at least – is guaranteed by Taste, a big arthouse smash from the ’80s that’s being celebrated with an upcoming screening. He’s been invited, along Time Out Bangkok 21 February - 5 March 2020
with the film’s stormy star Alberto Crespo (Asier Etxeandia), and asked to participate in a Q&A afterwards. The wrinkle is that the pair fell out making the movie and haven’t spoken since, and when Salvador initiates a reconciliation it ends in a heroin-addled fug with the ageing auteur availing himself of Crespo’s supply. The Q&A, inevitably, doesn’t go well. Banderas is terrific. He’s Almodóvar’s on-screen alter ego right down to the greying rebel hairdo and strikingly coloured outfit of polo shirt and trainers. He inhabits the character with a sense of haunted distraction; a man in his sixties belatedly trying be reconciled with his earlier life and clear his emotional debts. There are touching scenes with the old friend he fell out with and the boyfriend who drove him to despair. Most movingly, we see his mother (played as an elderly woman by Julieta Serrano) in ghostly flashback, untangling rosaries in an armchair as she tells him how she wants to be dressed at her funeral. Pain and Glory dips repeatedly into Salvador’s past, with old memories floating through the film like a breeze through an open window. The film begins with his mother (played by Penélope Cruz in her younger years) singing along to a
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flamenco song as a group of women wash white sheets by a river. There’s a sexual awakening as the young Salvador spies a bare-skinned builder showering himself in a garden surrounded by whitewashed walls. We see him as a child with his seamstress mother in a station as the town around them celebrates a local holiday and sets off fireworks. Almodóvar fills this poignant tapestry of recollections with bold colors and infuses them with emotional detail. It’s a deeply intimate experience and it’ll pierce your heart.■ Josep Lambies à Pain and Glory is now in cinema
Art
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WHAT'S ON Tooth and Nail
In her latest photography exhibition, Bangkok-based, award-winning American photographer Amanda Mustard takes a closer look at the tiger tourism industry in Thailand and its implications on the conservation of these wild creatures. àUntil 15 Mar at JAM, 41 Soi Charoen Rat 1
Naked Beauty by Sylvia Blumß
We Will Have Been Young ß
This exhibition displays a series of photographs taken by Austrian model-turned-photographer Sylvie Blum, who is noted for beautifully conveying women in a distinctive way, regardless of their shape or form. The exhibition features over 300 images, including 100 original prints from her Naked Beauty exhibitions, her iconic Big Cat series, and 200 intimate Polaroid images accumulated over 20 years from 1999 to 2019.
I am not allowed to live in your reality
Thai artist Jirawut Ueasungkomsate uses virtual reality and augmented reality technology to explore the situation of refugees living in Thailand’s urban areas, particularly Bangkok.
àUntil 25 Mar at Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), 499 Kamphaeng Phet 6 Road, 0 2016 5666.
This group show examines the themes of youth and the ambiguity of the future as reflected in the images taken by 12 emerging photographers from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Myanmar. These photographers were all participants of the Southeast Asian Photography Masterclass by German photographers Jörg Brüggemann and Tobias Kruse.■ Khemjira Prompan àUntil 20 Mar at RCB Galleria 3, River City Bangkok. Free entry
àUntil 1 March at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
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21 February - 5 March 2020 Time Out Bangkok
Travel SPOTLIGHT ON
Andara Resort & Villas Phuket A holiday resort above Kamala Beach promises luxurious stay and top-notch service
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PHUKET IS KNOWN the world over as a paradise island, but at Andara Resort & Villas, the concept of “paradise� takes on an entirely different concept. Nestled on a hill above Kamala Beach, this luxurious five-star boutique hotel offers the height of tropical living with private infinity pools, world-class service, invigorating spa programs, and swanky suites and villa residences. The property features a variety of accommodations, ranging from one to seven bedrooms, to cater to couples on a quiet sojourn or families and groups of friends looking to spend quality time together. For the latter, you have the Terrace Suite, a posh space spanning up to 241 square meters and boasting up to three bedrooms, or the Luxury Pool Villa which has up to seven bedrooms and 2,500 square meters of luxurious tropical accommodations. Each villa comes with in-house villa attendants and a private chef! Despite the heavy use of dark wood, each residence is far from looking dated, benefitting from warm earth tones, intricate Thai touches and plush Jim Thompson silk accents. While at Andara, make time for a treatment at the spa. For utmost relaxation, go for a Swedish Massage, where therapists expertly use their palms and fingertips to Time Out Bangkok 21 February - 5 March 2020
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Travel
Things to do near Andara
SPOTLIGHT ON
Southeast Asia’s best hikes
From the volcanoes of Indonesia and stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site in Borneo, these are the region's most spectacular hikes to test your limits.
Café del Mar
This Ibiza-born beach club brings a fun yet classy party vibe to Kamala Beach. Unwind on a lounger, sip on your favorite tropical cocktails under a thatch-roofed bar or dance along to groovy beats played by well-known DJs. à 118/19 Kamala, 06 1359 5500. Open Wed-Thu 11:00-24:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-2:00, Sun-Thu 11:00-24:00
improve blood circulation, or the Andara Signature Massage, which combines Thai, Indian and other Asian therapies for a more intense session (expect heavy pressure) that releases tense muscles and relieves congestion. If you want to take your holiday to another level of swank, Andara’s private Celebrity Yatch takes up to 15 guests to Phang Nha Bay, where you can gaze at magnificent limestone karst landscapes, swim in calm turquoise waters and indulge in scrumptious local fare. The luxury yacht is equipped with five sleeping cabins, and can be chartered for half a day, the full day or overnight (price starts from B225,000 net during the low season, and is inclusive of transfers, food, drinks and park fees). à Thai resident rates start from B10,400. http://www.andaraphuket.com
Porto de Phuket
Mount Batur, Bali
Length of hike: 1,717 meters up the summit (approximately two hours)
This open-air retail space is the new purveyor of world-class dining and shopping in the city. Porto de Phuket is home to the third outlet of Suay, the famed modern Thai restaurant by Phuketian celebrity chef Tammasak Chootong.
Located in Bali, Mount Batur is probably the quintessential Southeast Asian hike. The active volcano forms part of UNESCO's Global Geopark Network and is a two-hour drive from the tourist hub of Seminyak. Head to the base early and trek up to catch a stunning view of the sunrise set against the island's surrounding rugged landscapes.
à Choeng Thale, 076 368 291. Open daily 10:00-22:00
Kalaw to Inle Lake, Myanmar
Mount Kinabalu, Borneo
Length of hike: 4,095 metres up the
Length of hike: 61km
summit (approximately over two days)
(approximately over 2 days)
BOOK THIS
Perched on the Western Shan State of Myanmar stands the idyllic town of Kalaw. Here, you can look forward to a 2-day hiking trail to the scenic Inle Lake, promising unforgettable experiences at every ascent and descent, as you make your way through canola and chilli fields; and back and forth across the train lines. Take in the sights of the place where time seems to have stopped, as you hear the laughter of children playing in the paddy fields, water buffalos and cows roaming the area, and farmers working the paddy fields tirelessly under the sun. While the trek is not one that is too difficult, it would be wise to go with a guided tour due to the lack of signposts.
Experience your perfect island holiday with the help of Fin Deluxe Travel. The company is a trusted name for tailor-made inbound and outbound trips, and is known for pampering guests with luxurious excursions and transportation options. For a stay at Andara, complete with a Celebrity Yacht experience, and culinary offerings paired with organic and natural wines, contact Fin at +66 2653 0154 or info@fin-event.com
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Want to really challenge yourself? Try conquering the highest mountain in the Malay Archipelago (and Malaysia). This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts a rich and diverse ecology, surrounded by a rainforest full of plant and animal species such as orangutans and the stinking corpse lily indigenous to the region. Choose from two trails to the Low's Peak summit: the Ranau Trail or Kota Belud Trail. But take note that only 135 climbing permits are issued each day, so you need to book in advance. ■ Dewi Nurjuwita and Aiko Tun
21 February - 5 March 2020 Time Out Bangkok
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