Gourmet Gallery Restaurant

STYLE: European
Dress code: Smart/casual
Reservations: Recommended
ADDRESS: 6/1 SOI PROMSRI 1, SUKHUMVIT SOI 39, BANGKOK 10110 Tel: 0-2260-0603

SETTING: Elegant and blissful, this white-onwhite restaurant is a sanctuary similar to the fine cafes attached to European museums. Classical music and sofas with pillows provide a modern living room comfort beneath artistic posters, including photographs by Mapplethorpe.

FOOD: An exact deliciousness, refined to extremely pleasing specifications, defines each choice — emphasised by not including any distracting accessory items. Caesar salad is mostly just lettuce and grated cheese, but the flavour is precise. Grilled eggplant salad with roasted garlic is dazzling and brightened by mint leaves, tomatoes and string beans. Duck cassis is also fabulous, with dark meat accompanied by a peach slice alongside some carrots and peas. Delicate, boneless sole comes with small, pale mushroom slices and a creamy champagne sauce, creating a lighter-than-light essence. Soups, gourmet pizza, baked clams, sandwiches, pasta and salads round out the array of offers. The cakes here are divine and New York cheesecake is a must for a superb dessert.

Fondooz Restaurant

STYLE: European
Dress code: Casual
Reservations: Recommended for dinner
ADDRESS: 7th Fl, Central World, Rajdamri Rd, Bangkok 10330 Tel: 0-2613-1382

SETTING: Modern and trendy, this high-ceilinged restaurant offers diners indoor seating and a terrace for an al-fresco experience.

FOOD: As the name suggests, fondooz specialises in Swiss fondue, but also offers an extensive list of other European cuisines. The highlight among the appetisers is rocket salad served with seared US scallops that prove to be marvellously fresh. Balsamic dressing adds a zesty tang to the molluscs, although the portion size is small. Other specials include oven-baked spinach cannello and salmon tartar. Lamb capuns (think Swiss dim sum) comes in a light cream sauce or gravy. for mains, mixed seafood them rmidor served with rice should be considered: squid, shrimp and salmon mingle in a creamy mustard-cheese sauce. Further tasty offerings include Australian meltique sirloin steak and traditional fondue cheese warmed in a small pot. Diners should leave room to taste a dessert adaptation such as chocolate fondue with a variety of fresh fruits. fruits.

Fireplace Grill Restaurant

STYLE: Steakhouse
ADDRESS: Intercontinental Bangkok, 973 Ploenchit Rd, Bangkok 10330 Tel: 0-2656-0444

Fireplace Grill offers an open interior decorated with dark wood, stone accents and dim lighting.

As one of the original steakhouses in town, Fireplace Grill has the experience and reputation to jump back easily into Bangkok's dining scene after being closed during the renovation of the hotel in which it is located. The food here is second to none in taste and the chef keeps things lovely but simple in terms of presentation. Rocket salad with pan-fried French duck liver is straightforward but unforgettable, while lobster bisque is rich and tasty. Needless to say, the grill menu at this restaurant is one of the best in Bangkok. Try Australian angus beef sirloin, or roasted prime rib of beef from the trolley cut thick in a traditional way will make you come back for more.

Bei Otto Restaurant

STYLE: German/European
Dress code: Smart casual
Reservations: Recommended
ADDRESS: 1 Sukhumvit Soi 20, Bangkok 10110 Tel: 0-2262-0892, 0-2260-0869

SETTING:
In its 22nd year, Bei Otto continues to be one of Bangkok's favourite German eating-houses with a genuine Black Forest feel to it.

FOOD:
The extensive menu features over 70 dishes with various seasonal specialities on offer. Hearty pea soup filled with chunky bits of ham or Hungarian goulash are warming starters, likewise deep-fried mozzarella cheese with sesame and linseed and served on garlic bread. But the main courses here are what really sets the tone with a choice of over 10 different types of sausage served with potatoes prepared in a variety of ways. Also try pig knuckle either grilled or boiled, or perhaps wiener schnitzel served hunter style covered in a creamy mushroom sauce and served with home-made Swabian pasta. Try to leave room for rote grutze mit vanille sosse (red berry grits), packed with red currants, raspberries, strawberries, cherries soaked in red wine and topped with vanilla sauce.

A Garden Restaurant

STYLE: European
Dress code: Casual
Reservations: Recommended for dinner
ADDRESS: 64 Sukhumvit Soi 51, Bangkok 10110 Tel: 0-2260-4992

SETTING:
A house decked out in Victorian style fronted by a lush garden for al fresco dining.

FOOD:
Instead of specialising in one cuisine, A Garden presents cuisines from several regions of Europe with a dash of originality from owner/chef Ayupat Jirayus. Begin with shrimp salad featuring a mould of avocado guacamole with balsamic dressing; its zesty tang makes for a reinvigorating appetiser. Showing that A Garden emphasises presentation as much as taste is tenderly grilled lamb chop with aromatic rosemary jus, vegetable ratatouille and potatoes in a serving enough to satisfy two. Cajun-seasoned salmon with rocket salad is an adventurous pick, but rewarding because of the mango relishes which reduce the cajun spices to a sweet nuance with its fruity succulence. The food's light nature should leave room for desserts such as hot chocolate soft cake.

Crepes & Co Restaurant

STYLE: Mediterranean/Crepes
Dress code: No Reservations: Recommended
ADDRESS: 18/1 Sukhmvit Soi 12, Bangkok 10110 Tel: 0-2653-3990-1

SETTING:
An old house surrounded by a lush garden filled with big green cuttings, photos and charm.

FOOD:
The sophisticated, varied menu reflects owner Serge Bruttin's eclectic Mediterranean and North African roots, wrapped in the cloak of a fun creperie. Create your own or choose from the three dozen crepes, many with surprising, tasty combinations such as crepe Tintin's autumn combo of bacon, mushrooms, tomato and feta or crepe Rocquefort's cheese and apple. Or start with C&C mezze, a gently spiced mix of hummus, babaganoush, tabouleh, falafel and eggplant, or gambas pilpil, prawns deep-fried in olive oil and garlic. For mains, Mediterranean dishes like couscous beldi, a steamy, savoury mix of lentils, lamb, chicken, cardamon and raisins evoke the spices and accents of North Africa and the Paris suburbs. Close with crepe Normandie, filled with apples, raisins, cinnamon and ice cream on the side.

Koi Restaurant

STYLE: Japanese/Californian
Dress code: Smart casual Reservations: Recommended
ADDRESS: 26 Sukhumvit Soi 20, Bangkok 10110 Tel: 0-2258-1590

SETTING:
A posh atmosphere lit with soft lights and candles that create a romantic and intimate dining ambience. Huge tables and seats are set apart to create a personal space.

FOOD:
Koi's menu is all about bold combinations and a surprising marriage of flavours. Ginger is mixed with plum to make the sauce for duck breast and wasabi-scented sweet potato. Seared tuna sashimi is served with jalapeno chilli and garlic chips. Miso is used as dressing to add an Oriental twist to Western-style salads. Lemongrass is used in many dishes and provides a Southeast Asian blend to the East-West fusion. Top recommendations include fried oysters with daikon salad and spicy ponzu, served Martini style. Another must-try is the wagyu beef; there are quite a few dishes based on wagyu and all are memorable creations.

Harvey Restaurant

STYLE: Californian
Dress code: Smart casual Reservations: Recommended for dinner
ADDRESS: 129 Thonglor Soi 9, Sukhumvit Soi 55, Bangkok 10110 Tel: 0-2712-9911

SETTING:
Harvey's stylish structure incorporates a separate bar area, a dining room and large private rooms in minimalist decor.

FOOD:
Made from the freshest ingredients, with a refreshing blend of herbs and fruits, Harvey's Californian cuisine is an inspired alternative to the usual French and Italian restaurants. As a starter, baby spinach with king prawns is a stimulating opener; the sizeable prawns are extremely fresh and are perfectly complemented by the baby spinach, pine nuts and balsamic sauce. Pan-fried foie gras served with rocket salad is equally good and accented by a raspberry and peach sauce. For mains, select from an eclectic mix of pasta, seafood or meat dishes. Giant scallops with almond and black truffle on crust in lobster sauce is extremely fresh, and has a tantalising aroma. To finish off the meal, Charles' chocolate fondant is a mouthful of dreamy chocolate with warm, melting filling.

Miss Saigon Restaurant

STYLE: Vietnamese
Dress code: Smart casual
ADDRESS: 3RD FL, CENTRALWORLD, RAJDAMRI RD, BANGKOK 10330 Tel: 0-2613-1088

SETTING:
The spiffy, clean, user-friendly layout reflects this restaurant's location in a new shopping mall.

FOOD:
Some great, some OK. Miniature masterpieces - which are also visually stunning - appear as highly recommended fresh salmon spring rolls, steamed and sliced into six bite-sized chunks, each sporting a thin white mushroom in a cluster of mint and lettuce leaves, and wrapped in a finely sliced blanket of cold salmon. Wrapped grilled pork ball is a classic, with thin slices of pineapple and a fan of lettuce. Grilled salmon set lines up four rectangles on skewers made of lemongrass, served with a bowl of soothing shrimp and onion soup, plus three tiny plates of condiments. Purple cabbage roll with shrimp resembles a dark purple painting as it displays four, bold wraps of vegetable and rice noodles, but the flavour is too heavily dominated by the cabbage.

Le Dalat Indochine Restaurant

STYLE: Vietnamese
Dress code: Smart casual Reservations: Recommended for dinner
ADDRESS: 14 Sukhumvit Soi 23, Bangkok 10110 Tel: 0-2661-7967-8
SETTING:
A charming Thai house filled with blue and white porcelain pieces and Vietnamese bric-a-brac.
FOOD:
Fresh leafy vegetables with bean sprouts, herbs, chives, chillies, fresh lime and garlic served with a selection of prawn, fish and meat in a do-it-yourself wrap is a fun and tasty way to start any Vietnamese meal. Add chargrilled brochettes of beef in wild betel nut leaves, plus a flute of shrimp and herbs rolled and fried until golden brown, and perhaps one of the assorted selection of spring rolls, either fried or fresh, and all prepared to perfection. Then follow with one of six delicious soups on offer and there is almost no room for any main dishes. Nonetheless try charcoal-grilled pounded pork served with a myriad of condiments or charbroiled spare ribs marinated in a lemongrass seasoning and perhaps sacrifice the desserts if it all becomes too much.

Le Dalat Restaurant

STYLE: Vietnamese

Dress code: Smart/casual Reservations: Recommended for dinner

ADDRESS: 47/1 SUKHUMVIT SOI 23, BANGKOK 10110 Tel: 0-2260-1849, 0-2258-4192

SETTING:
A one-time private home now holds small dining areas as well as outdoor seating amid a garden, making for an intimate, tranquil meal. Le Dalat's sister restaurant, Le Dalat Indochine, is in the same soi, but nearer the top.

FOOD:
Not an adventurous menu as might be found at some of the newer, international-minded Vietnamese restaurants in world capitals, but what is lacking in innovation is made up for in a consistency developed throughout the restaurant's 20 years of operation. Banh yeo, Vietnamesestyle crepe, represents a standard that will not disappoint and perhaps exemplifies the cuisine's successful marriage of Southeast Asian ingredients with French cooking methods. The pork balls of nem nuong cook up a bit fatty, which is typical of this dish, but when wrapped in a rice-paper lined lettuce leaf and further enhanced with the assorted herbs and greens that are a part of most Vietnamese meals the tastes and textures get nicely evened out. For a seafood dish consider cha ca thang long, Hanoi-style fried fish with dill. Desserts will tempt, for example fried bananas in sago.

Gialong Cuisine Restaurant

STYLE: Vietnamese/Thai
Dress code: Smart Casual Reservations: Recommended
ADDRESS: 6th Fl, Central World, Rajdamri Rd, Bangkok Tel: 0-2255-9654, 0-2255-9656

SETTING:
Gialong can be rather difficult to find if you are not a frequent shopper at Central World, so make sure you call in advance for the exact location. The decor is in white and green, and contemporary rather than Thai or Vietnamese in style.

FOOD:
The eclectic menu offers both Vietnamese and Thai favourites, but wise diners will look east to the tastes of Saigon and Hanoi. for a Vietnamese dish, try goong pan oi (prawns wrapped around sugarcane), or yum moo your if you feel like something a little more spicy and Thai. And because Vietnamese fare is so light, there should be enough space for grilled chicken and deep-fried sticky rice, grilled beef wrapped in chaplu leaves, not to mention pho, the traditional Vietnamese noodle soup. A basket of fresh vegetables comes with the dishes, while the sauce is replenished once it runs low. Desserts are limited.

Delices Restaurant

STYLE: Vietnamese
Dress code: Smart Casual Reservations: Not necessary
ADDRESS: 20-20/1 Ruamrudee Village, Soi Ruamrudee, Bangkok 10330 Tel: 0-2675-3991

SETTING:
The restaurant is situated at the Ploenchit end of ruamrudee Village but has yet to gain the popularity of some of its neighbours. The style is simple and clean with some bamboo adornments to add a little touch of Vietnamese ambience.

FOOD:
Sesame crackers with sweet and sour sauce and salad leaves with a sweet chili sauceare served to munch over while diners review the menu that shows exactly what to expect with each dish. Start with Vietnamese style tacos, a crispy sesame seed wafer packed with soft cheese, shredded lettuce and processed pork. Vietnamese soup and noodle dishes (pho) with either chicken, beef or shrimp are delightfully tasty and can be spiced to taste from the selection of garnishes and chilli sauces. Tamarind soft-shell crab presented with chives, dried red chillies and fried garlic offers a full-flavoured, soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside, experience. The dessert menu is not extensive but given the plentiful presentation of the main dishes, this does not seem to matter.

Dao Vien Restaurant

STYLE: Vietnamese
Dress code: Casual but no shorts Reservations: Recommended
ADDRESS: Baan Silom, 653 Silom Soi 19, Bangkok 10500 Tel: 0-2266-7812
SETTING:
Dao Vien boasts a modern and spacious layout with high airy ceilings. An open kitchen adds colour to the room.
FOOD:
The overall attention to flavour is higher than many similarly priced Vietnamese restaurants in town. Lotus root salad, a seasonal offering, is a wonderfully refreshing starter combining crunchy sliced raw lotus roots, roasted peanuts and liberal handfuls of herbs with succulent pork slices and fresh shrimps in a clear, tangy dressing. Four Season plate presents fresh spring rolls and prawns on sugar cane alongside outstanding crispy fried spring rolls stuffed with peppery chunks of chicken, bean vermicelli and wood ear fungus, and juicy grilled pork balls. Another incarnation of the hot appetisers as a main course is grilled pork balls, grilled pork and fried spring rolls served atop delicate strands of fermented rice noodles. Dao Vien's only dessert is a lovely flan-like Vietnamese custard with a dark, slightly bitter caramel sauce.