This time I will tell you a little about food and restaurants in Bangkok. I have a feeling; I haven’t done anything else than eating lately. Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not at all complaining, I love to eat and to find out about, to me, new culinary places.
The story of Opera
One evening, I was invited to the legendary restaurant Opera on Sukhumvit soi 39. This restaurant has existed as long as I know. Back in 1984, late Sig. Gennari Rossano decided to open Opera in Bangkok and it became quickly a popular Italian restaurant and it revolutionized fine dining in Bangkok.
In 2005 Gennari sold the restaurant and decided to retire, but his genuine passion for the culinary arts, drew him back into business and three years later he opened Cucina. The restaurant became more famous under the name Rossano’s. It was, and still is, located on soi 21/3 off Asoke Montri Road. The Tuscany inspired restaurant offers a cozy ambiance and genuine Italian food. It is still today, a very popular restaurant worth a visit. The portions are big, so no chance you will leave the restaurant still hungry.
Restaurant Opera, has lately received a real make over. It is a huge restaurant on two floors, with several private rooms, lots of paintings from late Sig. Rossano and his culinary journey, famous guests who visited etc.
It is well known that its “Gelateria” serves the best ice-cream in Bangkok. Italian ice cream has a great reputation and is often said to be the very best.
If you haven’t been visiting Opera since its renovation, you should. New GM is the former owner of ABOUT EATERY Giulio Saverino (always one of my favorites) today changed into Cato Nero and more like a trattoria. Giulio is, in my opinion, a top GM for this place. He’s a known sommelier and absolutely the right person to guide you through the menu and wine list. Me and my company were enjoying a pasta with truffle and it tasted delicious. Sig. Giulio suggested a middle light red wine from Tuscany and it was a perfect match.
The prices are quite high, but offer value. It was a delightful dinner with some young musicians and opera singers entertaining the guests.
Oskar
Another evening I was invited to restaurant Oskar on Sukhumvit, soi 11. This restaurant and bar have become very popular and it’s not hard to understand. The food is very good, the staff friendly, prices modest and the atmosphere easy going. Here a disc jockey starts playing relatively early and often you see people dancing like in a discotheque. I have noticed that more and more restaurants have engaged DJs in the evenings. If you have the wish to have a discussion at the table, you should not eat too late.
Suda forever
Well, there are not only fancy, elegant and expensive restaurants worth visiting. In Bangkok you will find, what mostly is called “Hole in the wall” restaurants everywhere. A very popular place is Suda. This restaurant has been opened for ages. You sit on plastic chairs, long tables and mostly outside. Suda has always been a favorite among the SAS staff and employees at the Swedish embassy. The food is basic, Thai and some European dishes. Here you mostly come for big cold beers and a taste of Thailand. Suda is located on 61 Sukhumvit 14 Alley, not very far from Asoke BTS station.
A small, maybe a bit more upscaled kind of “hole in the wall”, is MINDMADE on Sukhumvit soi 10.
The Chef is a Thai lady, Khun Chutii. She has put together a creative, fresh and healthy menu. Among her dishes you can find the “Drunken beef” a red wine Bolognese, might not sound too healthy, but is supposed to be. Are you a vegan, you will also find some tasty dishes at her place? A small, unpretentious restaurant worth to visit.
Most of you have probably seen, or visit the famous BLUE ELEPHANT restaurant at Sathon Road. This exclusive Thai restaurant is very elegant and the beautiful building is listed by Thailand’s Fine Arts Department.
You will also find Blue Elephant nowadays on Sukhumvit soi 13, a smaller version of the flagship on Sathon. The ambiance is warm and elegant and here you will also find “the Monkey Pod Garden Tapas Bar”. It is like a natural sanctuary amidst Sukhumvit concrete jungle, beautifully lighted up in the evenings.
The building is an old teak house and, in the garden, stands a unique, giant Monkey Pod (Chamchuri) tree. This place is, I would say, a must to dine at by visiting the Sukhumvit area and longing for Thai food cooked and prepared to perfection. Prices are accordingly….
It would be easy to write a whole book about Bangkok’s many restaurants. Some are closing, but many new are popping up. When you stroll along in Bangkok, you every day get surprised how the city changes.
Bangkok makes up for the name, the city that never sleeps!
Hi khun Agneta. Was just reading your impressions about some of the restaurants you lately visited. It was a very interesting and refreshing reading ! !. Interesting because you wandered outside the Shopping Malls and made us dine along in your eclectic selections covering the vivid diversified food world of Bangkok.
Refreshing because your style is easily accessible encompassing a wide variety of readers just walking along in your trail. I’ll surely keep reading you again !!