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Showing posts with the label Food / Dining

Zen

Zen is a Japanese restaurant with several branches scattered in Bangkok. This one is in Central Mall, Bangna. While I was waiting for my food they started putting these on my table I love Japanese cuisine but I rarely go to Zen and I'm not planning to come back soon. I brunched here last week for only one thing - their crispy fried karaage. And if I ever visit again it would only be to satisfy the curiosity of dining in their mezzanine. I liked the ceiling of autumn red leaves though. Zen has several positive reviews. But some complain that their steak arrived cold, and took too long to be served. I found what they were talking about when I came last week but didn't mind because I wasn't hungry and John Grisham is such a riveting storyteller. I did mind the fly that fluttered on the teacup. Bummer. Zen Central Bangna is on the ground floor toward the end of the mall on your left if you get in from the main entrance. Prices are average. I paid around US$15 for a set meal and

Yule celebrations expat style, then and now

By yule, I mean the 'period extending from December 24th to January 6th.' Or January 2nd for me as I'm back to reality, a.k.a. work before all the hang-over is over.  This is the first yule in five years that I stayed put in Bangkok. No crazy wrestling of crowds at airports, no time-limited tours around exotic places in neighboring countries, just good old apartment with films, little hearty meals, music, a few international dials to communicate with family beyond the South China Sea   and well, one shopping that got a bit out of control. But things happen and there's always a first so while I was at one I thought I'd just forgive myself, and go feel the joys of the season. Before I tried putting up a book Christmas tree after seeing the idea from Book Riot on Facebook, yule began with routine visa and work permit renewals at Government House - which was accomplished smoothly last year, but a bit complicated this year with a tiny irregularity spotted on a document-

Whittard of Chelsea

Whittard of Chelsea is one of Bangkok's many tea rooms. Walter Whittard founded Whittard of Chelsea in 1886. The first Whittard shop is said to have opened in London and then moved to Chelsea. That's probably how of Chelsea came to be part of the full name. They have several branches in Thailand. Life Center lists seven in Bangkok. I'm not sure if there might be a few more in cities where tourists flock like Pattaya, Huahin, Chiangmai or Phuket.  This branch a friend and I went to is in Siam Paragon. We didn't plan on relaxing here. It just happened to be right in front of us when we felt like having tea so in we went. Now I remember how comfy being seated in here was compared to that place I recently went to . Ah, here comes the Waitress of Whittard - I didn't keep track of who ordered what. My best guess is that the praline and Moroccan mint are mine, while my friend had banana and carrot cupcake. She probably paired it with peppermint. We talked about approach

Chocolate mint ice cream

When I ordered ice cream at a big lunch I hosted in 2004 for (m/l) 300 family and friends at my father's funeral reception, I also wondered how it was made. I like to have an idea of how something I'm eating came to be. The recipe I'm sharing comes from Rita on Food: Home of the Home Cook . She says her son likes chocolate mint ice cream and she made this for his birthday. In the meantime I can only buy scoops for my son and for a slightly different reason - to bribe him to eat veggies. The plan though is to try this recipe myself when things at work calm down. Ingredients : 2 ounces unsweetened cocoa powder, approximately 1/2 cup 3 cups half-and-half 1 cup heavy cream 8 large egg yolks 9 ounces sugar 2 teaspoons pure mint extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions : Place the cocoa powder along with 1 cup of the half-and-half into a medium saucepan over medium heat and whisk to combine. Add the remaining half-and-half and the heavy cream. Bring the mixture just to a si

Screwdriver

This is my screwdriver during a birthday dinner with a girl friend. We ate at a restaurant called Cabbages and Condoms .

The cake that cost me an overseas holiday

Links: Wordless Wednesday HQ , Rednesday, Create With Joy ,  Momspective , 5 Minutes for Mom , A Mother's Ramblings ,  Mama to 4 Blessings, The Can't-Shut-Up version: It was the kiddo's 5th birthday. I was busy at work and didn't have time to look for a cake that was not as girly as this. I feared he wouldn't like it and he didn't. He was then on a tantrum-at-every-turn phase. When he saw this cake he gave me an appalled look. What? no Ultraman, Mom?   He cried. I felt so sorry for him. Guilt was written on my forehead while tantrum was looming on the MacDonald's horizon. The guests have arrived and in a snap I promised him all the heroes on his next cake and bribed him with Hong Kong Disneyland if he would not make a scene at his party. He managed to show enough decent behavior the whole time. The next year we flew Air Asia to Macau and ferried our butts to Hong Kong. Boys!   

Secret Garden

There was no other reason why I tried Secret Garden. The name. I first noticed it in a Central World directory; forgot it, remembered it, forgot it again until last week in Siam Paragon while waiting for doors to open for the Twilight premiere. I'm not sure if this is a branch of the one in Sathon that everyone is talking about. As it appeared right in front of me while I wandered, and because I promised myself I would try the place, I got in. I was imagining a garden setting and a secret door. Ahhh... too much novel reading. I sorted my order: pomegranate iced tea (which was too sour for my taste), and warm chocolate with vanilla ice cream and strawberry sauce, which I loved. Coconut milk was evident in the warm chocolate cake. At least that's what I thought and I did enjoy it. The only thing I didn't quite like were the backless chairs. I had to be seated in one as the couches were for four persons or more. Next time I will invite some friends to try the signature restau

Banana optimism

In my attempts to eat healthy food regularly, I went looking for something nice to read about the banana I was eating. The quote I found was not exactly to my liking so I thought I would tweak a few words to make it work for me - When life gives you bananas, you can make smoothie. Now there's an inspiration! The smoothie you see is one I had from Piri Piri . Here's a banana smoothie recipe I found on BBC Food Recipes by James Tanner from Ready Steady Cook . I was delightfully surprised at how simple, quick and yummy it sounded. Ingredients 1 banana, peeled and sliced 1/2 pink milk handful of ice 1-2 tbsp honey Preparation Method Place the banana, milk, ice and honey in a blender and then blend until smooth. Transfer to a serving glass and serve at once. *** Linking with

Piri Piri Portuguese

                                                         Click on photo for a larger view                                                                             A friend of a friend recommends the chicken dishes at Piri Piri . Several times I pass by the restaurant in Siam Paragon but refrain from getting in because I read "flaming hot" and I'm no fan of hot, spicy food. But one weekend after church I wandered around looking for something to eat. There's an advantage when you're not that hungry while restaurant-hunting. You get to vary the restaurants you go to. I was curious and didn't want to miss what Piri-piri is famous for: flaming hot chicken. No smoke came off my ears and nostrils - a discovery that tells me it's OK to go back. I love how fresh the lettuce and capsicum strips are. The menu presentation is charming, and that's great in my books. There's a little story in it which makes up for leisure reading while waiting for your order

Neurotic old maid patties

"...I'm single. I eat in the kitchen sink." - Sarah (Diane Lane) in Must Love Dogs Well, I'm single too, and I eat on top of the fridge facing a rickety bread toaster and a good, old reading lamp amongst pens, receipts, stray ear rings and notes bound for the loony bin.  In this one particular case when I had been in bed too long, I stood on my 5th floor porch for some fresh air. These are oat patties I managed to conjure err... make during one Saturday when I was unable to eat out.  Tuna chunks, pancake flour, evaporated milk, a large egg, Knorr soy sauce, and shitake bits. There are no spices at all; can't be bothered. Just mix, fry and voila! Every piece turned out yummy. You would expect me to fidget while trying to leave some for a friend who was coming to dinner. The AC machine became the next table. And then a thought struck. This plate is royal bone china. It falls and hits a sedan on the parking lot below and I'm going to mourn my loss for a long time

Chikuyoh Yakiniku

You know what happens when you live in a normally boiling hot city and it suddenly turns cold? Instead of staying where you are you wander... Half an hour into looking around your empty stomach growls and you remedy it with a cup of coffee - And then you become curious what's on the other pages of the menu.  Ok, that's my routine, sort of. A month ago this was what I experimented on: Chikuyoh Yakiniku @ Yagura Chaya Fumi. Loved it! This post is linked with Food Trip Friday and Friday Food Fight

The culinary excuse of the hedgehog

Bangkok used to be predictably boiling hot during summers but now it's freaking cold. Two nights ago I walked around Piyarom Sports Club, my long-time haunt. The wind only had to make me shiver slightly and I was inside Ma Kitchenette in an instant, one of several eateries in the complex. It was half past ten at night and I needed the warmth you know :)   Rice fried with fish paste and dried mint leaves. The cashew nuts were my first attraction.  And that book club session I got back from earlier had too much red wine, chips and opinions on The Elegance of the Hedgehog . I had to temper those with a warm cup of cappuccino. This post is linked with Food Trip Friday and Friday Food Fight

Between lunch and dinner

What do you call food eaten between lunch and dinner? Last weekend I looked for a place to read a book in peace and 9th Cafe @ Siam Paragon was a yummy find. Chocolate swirl cheese cake! I did not regret choosing this. Sprite.  A drink I have not had in awhile.   And mini beef tacos. Yum and I got to do two of my fave pleasures: eat and read. The world is all good.  This post is linked with Food Trip Friday and Friday Food Fight