I tried a new Korean-Mexican fusion restaurant in Ebisu, Korico. Some of the dishes were better than the others. For example the fusion quesadillas and Bulgogi tacos were good. Ironically the beef tacos weren't all that appealing.
Here's another winner-yangnyeom-tongdak - extra-crunchy deep-fried chicken with a sweet and spicy coating. Here it's served with a sour blue-cheese spread that has the consistency of cream cheese.
Found a new burger spot in Nakano, Extreme Burgers, and tried the cheese burger (¥1400 lunch set with drink and fries)-a bit too much mayo and the burger had some gristle in it. Not sure if I'd give it another chance.
Finally made it over to Hatagaya to try Toyoda Cheese Steak-it's probably the best in Tokyo. I also got a side order of pulled pork.
Double Bubby's Burger was tasty but cost performance was poor-¥1900.
Some interesting architecture.
Outside Vesper cocktail bar near Sala Deng BTS station-one of the few on my list that I missed on my last visit.
I was attracted by the bourbon in this drink-however, it was overpowered by the scotch-Ardberg...need to pay more attention to details.
One doesn't often see these old style wood shop houses in the city.
I was really impressed with the Namsaah Bottling Trust, a modern style dinning experience in a bright pink colonial style house with several playful touches in the details.
The colorful cocktail menu.
For example, the bar's "Ground Rules".
Sangsom Salted Caramel Whiskey Sour.
Cool menu cover.
Himalaya spiced Wagyu momo-this appetizer was amazing.
Mai Chai Just Mai Tai-love the presentation, this refers to roadside stalls that sell drinks in plastic bags for portability.
Here's another craft beer joint, Hair Of The Dog: Liberty Yakima Monster APA.
Wishbeer is a new craft beer/hostel on Thonglor with a large international selection of craft beers-this is Little Creatures Dog Days Pale Ale.
My plan for the day was to visit M.R. Kurkit Heritage House (the former house of a Thai intellectual) which was said to be open from 10 to 4 daily. But when I arrived on the 30th there was a sign saying it was closed from the 31st til the 2nd of January, but the door was open. I had a look and no one stopped me even though there was no one collecting admission. It's an impressive residence.
I caught up with a friend visiting from Tokyo and had a few beers in the garden at Cabbages & Condoms.
Next we tried a speakeasy, Find The Photo Booth, which could only be accessed through a secret passage in a photo both. I also tried my first Red Hook cocktail, a rye forward cocktail with Punto E Mes (vermouth like liquor) and maraschino.
From there we went to Apoteka a bar that has live music nightly.
Street stall noodles-40 Baht.
Massive crowds on their way to the new shopping mall accessible by ferry, Iconsiam.
The view on the Charo Phayra.
Butterfly Pea (made from an Asian flower) Gin Tonic with David and Jo on New Year's Eve.
Spirit house (protective shrine) in Thonglor.
Lunch was at another southern Thai restaurant, Phuket Town.
Coconut soup with pak-maiang leaves (local southern green leaves) and young coconut tip and shrimp.
Statue in Thonglor.
A Thai friend I met last visit brought me to a local favorite, Som Tam Nua. The first two dishes were salty egg som tam and a spicy pork soup.
Whole pork-style laarb.
Shaved pork over spicy noodles.
My Thai friend brought me to a cooking demonstration after the meal at Hom: Hostel and Cooking Club near Nana BTS station. The instructor works in the kitchen at The Jim Thompson House.
The demonstration dish was a fried noodle dish seasoned with soy sauce and oyster sauce made with chicken.
Couldn't resist the carrot cake for breakfast this time at Luka Moto cafe.
I went on a bit of a journey to get to Issaya Siamese Club Restaurant in the Sathorn neighborhood of Bangkok. It is located in a gorgeous colonial house complete with a garden.
I should have asked about portion sizes-this appetizer was massive.Kradook moo Ob sauce-spice rubbed pork ribs glazed Issaya House blended chili paste.
Gai ObKhao Yai Chicken-Issata-spice rubbed, charcoal grilled and flameed tableside. Excellent, but I couldn't finish it after the ribs.
My old hangout from my last trip two years ago, the Black Canyion Coffee shop at the Siam Society near Asoke BTS station.
This vendor is selling bugs AND cakes.
I was recommended a stop at Just A Drink (Maybe), a gin bar also in Thonglor from the people who brought us Iron Balls Gin Distillery and Teens of Thailand in Yarowat-places I visited last time.
I asked for a recommendation from the bartender on tasting a new gin-this one, Generous Gin ,was from France and had a floral accent.
I had a psico sour and enjoyed the view at Above Eleven.
I checked out hipster mecca 12X12 since it is located in Thonglor where I am staying. It's basically a music bar-not really my thing.
I found the PlayHaus Hotel Thonglor last time I was in Bangkok and had a cocktail in the first floor lounge bar. It is in a great location near a ton of great restaurants and bars and has basic rooms for about $40 a night, so I decided to stay here since I spend most of my time out and about, so don't need too much space.
My first stop was at an old favorite, Soul food Mahanakorn, they have a relaxed atmosphere and great appetizers-Isaan sausage here and tiger shrimp satay below.
Christmas day shopping at the malls near Siam BTS station-there were several art installations in the malls.
Ran into my my friend David and Jo (who I had already made plans for dinner with) and had lunch in the mall-some spicy pork and noodle soup.
The first time for me to see the new King on the currency.
Getting a happy hour beer on the patio at The FOX Thonglor.
Dinner with old friends David (and current colleague at Meiji) and his wife Jo at southern Thai food restaurant Khuak Kling Pak Sod.
Khua Kling Moo Sab-stir-fried spicy Southern Thai-style dry Khua Kling curry with minced pork.
As afar as I know my first proper southern Thai food restaurant so tried many new dishes such as Moo Wan-Stir-fried pork with sweet soy sauce. This was a really unusual dish-it had a sweet anise (licorice) taste.
Sataw Pad Kapi Goong-stir-fried stink beans and prawns with 'Kapi' shrimp paste. The stink beans did not stink, this was probably my favorite dish.
Ga Lam Plee Chan Nam Pla-stir-fried cabbage with fish sauce. The one familiar dish on the menu for me.
I believe this green curry was, Gaeng Kiew Warn Nua-creamy coconut green curry with eggplant and beef. This one was dangerous as those little green bean-looking things floating in the curry are fiery hot chili peppers.
Ashtray art.
Luka Sakshuka (a spicy middle eastern egg dish) at Luka Moto my breakfast/cafe go-to for my current location.
I found out it's the 250 anniversary of the Thonburi district in Bangkok so I decided to start my day out there. I'm pretty sure this is my first visit to Wat Arun (also known as Temple of Dawn). It is the inspiration for one of the novels in Yukio Mishima's The Sea of Tranquility tetralogy-The Temple of Dawn.
Wat Prayoon and the white stupa.
Khao Mor a 180 year old man-made mountain usually found in the old gardens of Siamese royals and nobles.
I've been reading William Warren's biography, Jim Thompson: An Unsolved Mystery, and felt the need to return to his pleasant retreat to read next to the pond.
My friend David wanted to try out the a new modern Laotian restaurant, Funky Lam, which is what my breakfast cafe, Luka Moto, becomes at night. It was great, above is Kaipen-river seaweed with three types of spicy dips.
Medium cooked wagyu laarb.
Banna flower fritters.
Som tam (papaya salad) with tempura softshell crab.
Fried spring rolls.
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