BK Magazine 684 31 march, 2017

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it's free!

Top Tables 2017 inside

BK MAGAZINE NO. 684 FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017. www.bkmagazine.com

BEST OF THE BEST From Top Tables to Michelin, what it takes to win restaurant awards

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page 3 What We’ve Learned 6 cover story

Seeing Stars 4 upfront

10 escapes

Local Twist

Raw Appeal 14 fashion

18 blends

Color Correct

Topping Out

20 bites

22 BK Now

How Sweet

Weekend Planner

Who's in charge?

Managing Director Andrew Hiransomboon Editor in Chief / Product Director Grégoire Glachant Managing Editor Oliver Irvine Deputy Editor Carl Dixon, Thitipol Panyalimpanun Features Associate Monruedee Jansuttipan Branded Content Associate Sureepak Janyapat Senior Writer Bonnie Sananvatananont Staff Writer Natcha Sanguankiattichai, Theerada Moonsiri Content Coordinator Nontaya Kumyat Junior Writers Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj, Kulthida Srino, Kasidit Srivilai Art Director Vatanya Bongkotkarn Production Supervisor Komkrit Klinkaeo Senior Graphic Designers Chantich Kongchanmitkul, Peeraya Sirathanisa Content Designer Saranya Laowtrakul Graphic Designer Anunya Chobnitas

Where to find us!

The Asia City Media Group

Video Content Manager Chanon Wongsatayanont Photographer Chissanupong Narmmoolnark Video Editor Tanaporn Chaopanya Advertising Director Wanida Akeapichai Sales Managers Tipkritta Chiraporncharas, Orajira Sukkasem, Onwara Sittirug Senior Sales Associates Tassanee Mahamad, Nattaya Bovornsettanon, Orakarn Laohakanjanasiri, Amarit Jinaya Marketing Manager Pymporn Pinkaew Marketing Executive Plaifon Chienvichai Senior Project Manager Chayanap Tongdadas Project Coordinator Nutnicha Nuttanakorn

Contributor Kathy MacLeod Interns Kuang Ye Marn, Pragyan Ghale, Wipawan Witayathawornwong, Tyler West Cover by Chissanupong Narmmoolnark

Asia City Media Group Chief Executive Officer Greg Duncan (gduncan@asiacity.net) Director Gretchen Worth (gworth@asia-city.co.th)

Finance Manager Supaporn Bangmoung Assistant Finance Manager Anchalee Limkhamduang Senior Accountant Maneeya Kanthongdang Administrator Yaovaluck Srisermsri Accountant Manita Bangmoung

Bangkok Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. 9/F, Sathorn Nakorn Tower 100 North Sathorn Rd., Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Tel: 02-624-9696 Fax: 02-237-5656 Email: bkmagazine@asia-city.co.th

Singapore Asia City Publishing Pte. Ltd. Block 211 Henderson Rd. #07-02 Henderson Industrial Park Singapore 159552 Tel: 65-6323-2512 Fax: 65-6323-2779 Email: contact@asia-city.com.sg

BK “Asia City Living” Magazine is edited by Andrew Hiransomboon and published 51 times a year, every Friday of each month by Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. Copyright ©2016 Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. The titles “BK Magazine,” “BK ‘Asia City Living’ Magazine” and their associated logos or devices, and the content of BK “Asia City Living” Magazine are the property of Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Article reprints are available for B50 each. The magazine may not be distributed without the express written consent of Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. Contact the Advertising Department for ad rates and specifications. All advertising must comply with the Publisher’s terms of business, copies of which are available upon request. Printed by Comform Co.,Ltd. 212 Moo 13 Krungthepkreetha Rd., Saphansoong, Bangkok 10250

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A checklist of BK Magazine’s most important discoveries this week That Bangkok’s new art museum is almost finished The B3.7-billion Thailand Cultural Centre on Ratchadaphisek Road is almost complete, with construction set to finish on Apr 3. Designed by A49 Architects, the center features the Asean Cultural Gateway, a project of colossal importance to the Thai art world. The Culture Ministry is said to own over 700 contemporary artworks, though it remains uncertain when the museum will open to the public (as well as exactly which works will feature inside).

That Golden Axe Music Festival is swapping Wu Tang for Nelly The rapper who used to wear a bandaid on his face and implore us to take off all our clothes will play Bangkok on May 17 as part of “The Road to Golden Axe Music Festival,” the pre-festival taking the place of the actual Golden Axe festival initially slated for May 19-20. Promoters tell us the original headliners, Wu Tang Clan, are still coming our way but there’s no confirmed date yet.

That the entire editorial staff just walked out The Momentum The editorial team of what looked set to become one of Bangkok’s top voices for independent online news will be leaving the company this Apr 1. Launched in Oct 2016, The Momentum’s six-month run has seen it gain a fervent following for its outof-the-box thinking and critical opinions. In a heartfelt farewell letter, editor-in-chief Nakarin Wanakijpaibul cited complications with the management from Day Poets.

That the Nike AirMax collab with Riccardo Tisci has dropped in Bangkok. And you can’t buy it.

You never stood a chance. Even at B7,000 a pop, these limitededition sneakers lasted mere hours at the launch event in Ekkamai on Mar 26 (now dubbed “Air Max Day”). OK, there were only 24 pairs on sale, but next time you can take on the sneaker-heads at their own game by keeping an eye on www.fb.com/carnivalbkk for the next limited-edition drop.

That the water wars on Khao San have been canceled Bangkok’s backpacker mecca will not be joining in the the full-on water fighting this Songkran (Apr 13-15). As a show of continued mourning, authorities are urging revelers in the area to toe a conservative line, meaning no “entertainment activities,” use of powder and water guns, or scanty attire. Only traditional water sprinkling and merit-making will be permitted, along with a Buddha image procession. Festivities should return to normal next year. latest news and trends

@bkmagazine

see what’s happening

@bkmagazine BK Magazine Friday, March 31, 2017

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upfront HOT OR NOT

Hot: Deaf Grab Drivers

Not: Taxi apps

Thanks to non-discriminatory hiring policies and the power of social media, Grab Taxi has become this city’s no. 1 most-favorite business. One user’s account of calling out a deaf delivery driver now has over 14,000 shares on Facebook and rising. But it all could be for nothing. Taxi apps, according to our Land Transport Department’s director-general, are “definitely illegal.” Not that the apps in question are paying him any attention.

INTERVIEW One of the most exciting groups of new-wave chefs in Bangkok, 80/20’s culinary team of Napol Jantraget, 33, Saki Hoshino, 30, and Andrew Martin, 31 (see Top Tables’ Best Young Chef), have forged a whole new genre of Thai food utilizing local ingredients.

Here, they invite us into their small but larger-than-life kitchen.

Hot: Co-Living

Not: Co-working

Central Embassy has built a really f*ing cool bookshop with desks for Wi-Fi and a place to dump your kids (see page 12). We’re meant to call it a “co-living space,” which is absolutely, definitely way better than co-working. With two hours of free Wi-Fi on top, we can easily see why.

Hot: Penis towers

Not: Old embassies

Ari has a new architectural landmark—and it looks like a massive penis. The Pearl Tower’s bulging latticework of glass triangles already looks set to burst over Ari, as we’re sure it will do for many years to come. Shame we can’t be so optimistic about the Australian Embassy, whose shimmering yellow tiles and verdant gardens are the latest example of a Bangkok modernist icon in a bulldozer’s path.

Hot: Cultural spaces

Not: Shopping malls

Don’t worry, though. It’s not all penis buildings and shopping malls for this city. In fact, many new Bangkok projects have been coming over all cultural lately. Headlining them is the return of TCDC on Charoenkrung Road, which will be joined by some old warehouses given a Duangrit-approved facelift.

Then there’s the B3.7 billion new Thailand Cultural Centre, set to be filled with Asean contemporary art.

THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID

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What drove you to open 80/20?

Napol: When we looked at the market two years ago, we saw that most of the pickles and jams were actually imported. So we thought, why not try to come up with something similar and supply to places like hotels? We found this space and eventually the business turned into a restaurant. We try to focus on what’s local. We use cucumbers and onions that are really cheap, like B10 for a kilo. We always feel great when people ask us, “What is this?” in dishes we’ve created. Then I met Andrew and asked him to join.

What inspired you to become chefs?

Saki: I grew up watching my mom and grandma cook. I went to Canada to study hospitality and restaurant management and culinary school.

I later switched to study at George Brown College for pastry in 2012 before working at Creme Brasserie, a French Bistro where I later became pastry sous chef and met Napol.

Napol: After I finished school in Thailand, I went to Liaison College to get my Chef de Cuisine diploma and Niagara College for my hospitality management degree and hotel and restaurant management diploma.

Andrew: My Japanese mom’s family are farmers and fishermen and my Canadian dad’s family were also farmers. So I grew up hunting and fishing and eating a lot of Japanese food. So it was really natural. I went to a small culinary program and worked a bunch of jobs moving around from Canada to Japan to Europe. A lot of places that I liked are nature-focused. But I found

that all the food I was eating outside of my home was never the food I ate growing up, such as salmon which we would eat with a Japanese sauce that used maple syrup and sake instead of sugar. That’s the dish I would choose to eat before I die.

How do you see Bangkok’s restaurant scene?

Napol: It has doubled up in the last two years. I remember when I first came back here, I saw restaurants selling mixed things from pad Thai to fettucine. They were just thinking what will sell. But in the last two years I have seen more identity and bigger players, internationally. I believe that within the next five years you will be able to compare Bangkok to Singapore, if not Tokyo.

With Michelin coming to Thailand, do you think we’re ready?

Napol: No. I don’t believe that the majority of Thai people fully understand the taste profile of Michelin-level cuisine yet. That’s why they stick too much to what they are familiar with. In Japan they understand the sense of tasting. But it is slowly changing. Maybe give it another 2-3 years. I do think that Michelin will benefit Bangkok. It will be another push for the local food scene.

Andrew: I have interned in some Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe [Indewulf] and Japan [Narisawa], and do feel like Michelin’s arrival here is too soon, especially if you compare restaurants here to Michelin stars in Tokyo. If you were going to give a

star to a place in Bangkok, you would think Nahm. But you cannot compare a Michelin star given here to France or Tokyo, where the standard of food is so elevated. One thing I have realized over this past year: a Michelin star in one country is not the same thing in another country.

Can you tell us your favorite little-known places in Bangkok?

Napol: Jack’s Bar. We probably go there 3-4 times a week. It’s really good. It isn’t fine dining, but it’s fantastic. It’s a little bar on the river where the owner brings food from his hometown of Nakhon Si Thammarat to prepare.

Andrew: Their goong pad sator is the best in Bangkok. I also like Laab Ubon [near BTS Surasak]. Their grilled pork breast is superb.

How do you feel about Charoenkrung’s transformation into a hip neighborhood?

Saki: There are so many positive things happening here. We fell in love with this place. But we would like to also see the small mom-andpop stores survive. We do not want to push them out and kill their businesses. You know, they have lived here way longer than us. We also look to work with other shop owners, not just restaurants, like a tattoo parlor next to us, which painted our wall.

Interview by Monruedee Jansuttipan 80/20, 1052-1054 Charoenkrung Rd., 02-639-1135

by Kathy MacLeod (IG: @kathy_macleod)

BK Magazine Friday, March 31, 2017

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cover story

WINNING RECIPES

Paste

Top Tables 2017 (see insert) lists Bangkok’s top 100 restaurants.

But there’s another guide on foodie lips right now: Michelin.

Here, we look at what it takes to win. By Oliver Irvine

W

hen a Singaporean talk show host asked Marco Pierre-White what he thought about Michelin giving stars to hawker stalls in Dec 2016, the legendarily fiery British chef let rip in typically dandyish style while reposed on a restaurant banquette: “Is it worth a star, the Michelin hawker? Are there another 10 hawkers who cook food as well?” he questioned the Channel News Asia reporter. “Then there should be 10 hawkers with Michelin stars… Michelin has done them a disservice by not giving all of them a star.”

Now, it’s Bangkok’s turn to have a pop at all the ways Michelin will go wrong in celebrating this city’s food scene, when the dining guide arrives here at the end of 2017 with a full Tourism Authority of Thailand-sponsorship deal inked out. The TAT is banking big on turning Bangkok into a culinary capital of the world not just for its amazing street-food culture, but also for fine dining. Early signs show that its efforts are working. Its past two-year support of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants has resulted in nine of 2017’s top 50 being in Bangkok, up from four in 2016. And they’re not stopping there. TAT is also a title sponsor of BK’s own Top Tables for the first time this year, while the arrival of Bangkok’s Michelin guide comes with a B143.5 million cabinet-approved budget for the TAT to spend on promoting it.

But like Pierre-White, many chefs and restaurant pundits in Bangkok have met the news of Michelin’s arrival with derision. First up was chef Dylan Jones of Bo.lan, who in an online interview with Voice TV laid into how well an international panel of restaurant critics can judge Thai food. “I feel that they [Michelin] don’t have a good base in Asia and there is a different dining culture here from what they are used to working with,” Jones, an Australian who has run Bo.lan with his partner Bo Songvisava since 2009, explained in Thai. “I don’t think bringing Michelin here is crucial for boosting Thailand’s tourism or improving the food industry.”

But not everyone is naysaying on Michelin.

Mason Florence, one of the six Asia-based academy chairs for Asia’s 50 Best, sees positives in the Michelin approach that might be lacking from 50 Best’s more personal voting method, which asks some 318 “food experts” to vote for their seven best personal dining experiences over the past 18 months, regardless of the caliber of the restaurant. “You can vote for your neighborhood local, a three-Michelin-starred legend or any run-down hole-in-the-wall with great food,” he said. “On the contrary, with Michelin the criteria is generally more set on formal, fine dining.

One upshot with Michelin not being limited to a set

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"It’s great for driving interest but not necessarily all the people come with a full understanding of what we do" - Dylan Jones

"Anyone moaning about that B143 million… just remember how much Sukhumbhand spent on that stupid light show!"

- Gregoire Glachant

number of restaurants in any one city is that they can acknowledge and feature more deserving restaurants that for one reason or another have not found their way onto Asia’s 50 Best.”

BK’s Top Tables (which comes out on Mar 31 with this issue) operates quite differently. Its target is Bangkokians, unlike Michelin and Asia’s 50 Best’s global audience, and is made by people living here who eat out in Bangkok all the time. “Yeah, Michelin is competition, but it will be interesting to see which of the two guides people living in Bangkok feel closest to,” said BK’s editor-in-chief, Gregoire Glachant, who launched Top Tables as a standalone guide in 2010. “In a sense Top Tables is a reflection of what Bangkok thinks. Michelin is interesting because it will give an outside look. I’m hugely positive about it. First of all it’s money well spent. Anyone moaning about that B143 million… just remember how much Sukhumbhand spent on that stupid light show! We are going to make that B143 million back several times over. We’ve seen how smart TAT was inviting Asia’s 50 Best Awards to Bangkok—the number of Bangkok restaurants on that list has doubled in a year.”

We caught up with Dylan Jones recently, not long after Bo.lan made its 2017 reappearance on Asia’s 50 Best list (no. 19) after dropping off completely in 2016. He expanded on how the international attention brought on by restaurant awards affects his business. “Winning awards is great, obviously, but also it’s a double-edged sword,” he explained. “It’s fantastic to be recognized by industry peers and people we respect but also being on that list made a massive change in our clientele. It’s great for driving interest but not necessarily all the people come with a full understanding of what we do, which can be frustrating, frankly. The year before we were still fully booked and it was nice. The customers wanted to be here and knew what to expect and we worked hard to meet those expectations, whereas before it was like people were ticking a box.”

You’d be hard pressed to find other chefs so indifferent to the recognition which awards bring.

Thitid Tassanakajohn's Le Du placed on Asia’s 50 Best for the first time in 2017, at the no. 37 spot. For him, that position is a point of massive pride. “We always had this as a goal of ours since we started,” explained the chef. “We were aiming for this—for myself and for the team. We talked three years ago about these awards and how we were going to achieve it. We have seen more customers already.”

Making a list like Asia’s 50 Best brings a restaurant the kind of marketing which no other PR drive

TOP TRENDS

This year's biggest Top Tables shake-ups

NEXT-LEVEL OMAKASE Bangkok’s old-guard of Japanese restaurants has seen some big casualties for Top Tables 2017. While there are four fewer Japanese restaurants this year than last, 2017 also includes five new names—all specializing in chef’s-selection sushi dinners prepared to the same mantra: “fish flown from Tsukiji within 24 hours.”

UNDERDOG CULINARY NATIONS Thanks to Suhring, German fine dining is at no. 1 in Top Tables. What’s more, it edged out the two-year stranglehold which L’Atelier’s devoutly French offerings have held on the top spot. Other lesser-championed Western cuisines come by way of Australia's Freebird and the new American culinary stylings of Bunker.

AFFORDABLE WINE LISTS “No one can charge high prices anymore,” says La Casa Nostra partner and owner of Global vineyards Aman Sachdev, whose Sathorn restaurant leads the charge for affordable topdrawer wines. And he’s not alone. Check out what the bottles cost at Seed and Quince versus what you’d pay in Europe or the US, and you might be pleasantly surprised.

BK Magazine Friday, March 31, 2017

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cover story CULINARY EMPIRES The same names are behind many of the restaurants in Top Tables. Here’s the who's who.

GAGGAN ANAND The eponymous chef behind Asia’s 50 Best’s no.

1 restaurant three years in a row has his hand in a few other culinary strongholds. As well as being a partner in Top Tables' no. 1 winner Suhring, he also has the casual, carnivores’ heaven Meatlicious (Official Selection). No doubt, Gaa, his latest fine-dining investment will feature in next year’s guide too.

Gaggan

Suhring

WATER LIBRARY Owner Pote Lee’s restaurant group has been diversifying ever more into the casual end of Bangkok dining with Ciao Pizza and Kuku Ramen to add to its long list of bistros and brasseries. But the group is still firmly associated with fine dining.

This year, Water Library Chamchuri came in at no.

26, while Seed and Hong Bao support it in the Official Selection.

FRED MEYER

Le Du

could ever come close to. A targeted Google search just for “Asia’s 50 Best 2017” brings back over 37,000 different results. For Pavida Chitprasertsuk, marketing manager at the Water Library group (whose portfolio includes Water Library Chamchuri, Seed and Hong Bao), it’s impossible to find that kind of exposure without winning awards: “If you have a choice between 10 restaurants to go to and all things look equal but one has the award, I’m pretty sure 90 percent of customers will choose the one with the award,” she said. “It stands out.

It’s like a ticket that opens your restaurant up to a bigger pool of customers and reaches out to international media. That’s something I know a lot of restaurants need.”

But here’s the thing: often it’s the restaurants which most want to win awards who are the ones least likely to succeed. Singaporean restaurant consultant Vivian Pei has worked in Singapore’s F&B scene for 12 years, and has seen which restaurants do and don’t get recognized by the guide. “I could try and maximize my own revenue by saying we can help your restaurant get a star,” she explained.

“But if someone states to me that that’s their main focus then I would say that they are in the wrong business. In the restaurant business, chasing stars is not the way to go.”

Konstantino Blokbergen, founder of Gastro-Sense, whose company consults for such culinary heavyweights as Joel Robuchon at Resorts World Sentosa (proud recipient of three Michelin stars) as well as many of the dining outlets at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, drilled down to exactly what a restaurant needs if it’s to pick up awards: “Restaurants should focus on their fundamentals— defining their brand concept, which determines clearly their food and beverage offerings. Secondly, they need to ensure that they deliver the best possible food consistently. We would also advise they work on a clear PR strategy to get the brand’s messaging out there and increase the profile and the awareness of the restaurant, especially to industry leaders and influencers.”

Through making Top Tables, BK’s staff knows how desperate some restaurants can be to make the guide, which gets its 100 finalist restaurants

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"If someone states that [Michelin stars are] main focus then I would say that they are in the wrong business" - Vivian Peri

"Work on a clear PR strategy...and increase the profile and the awareness of the restaurant, especially to industry leaders and influencers" - Konstantino Blokbergen

Water Library Chamchuri

from an initial pool of 200. “A lot of places want to know how they can get into the guide,” said Glachant. “I explain that it’s a secret panel and that the panelists vote so there’s no way to just get into the guide. The restaurant listens patiently then asks, ‘so how can we get into the guide?’ It’s a bit scary. They feel like we should have the answer because we worked on the guide, but we don’t.”

But there’s one thing which he’s clear on: just doing good food isn’t enough. “If you look at the [Top Tables] Top 10, or even the Top 30, it’s all people who are making an effort to be unique: who go to greater lengths for their produce, who reinvent something, who dig deeper into the roots of a cuisine. You could really go through the list and I bet every restaurant would tick at least one of those boxes. There are not many places in there who just do good food with good service.”

In Bangkok, the past 12 months have raised that bar ever higher. New places ticking some or all of those boxes include Suhring, which debuts in Top Tables no. 1 spot with its inventive take on German cuisine; the guys over at 80/20 (no. 15), who have brought a fresh approach to Thai food while retaining its flavor profile; and Masato (no. 8), who jumps into Top Tables as the guide’s highest-ranking Japanese restaurant thanks to an approach to omakase that’s welcoming without diluting what makes chef-driven sushi dinners so special.

Is Bangkok a fine-dining capital of Asia yet? You bet. It already has the most restaurants in Asia’s 50 Best of any city in Asia (tied with Singapore), and now we can all look forward to disagreeing vehemently with whatever those Thai-food amateurs from France call Bangkok’s best restaurants when Michelin arrives later in the year—complete with the odd nod to our street-food-frying aunties and uncles, no doubt. But most amazingly of all, the Tourism Authority of Thailand genuinely looks like it’s pulled off its efforts to build Bangkok into a world culinary destination. And a government initiative that works is rarer than any three-Michelin-star kitchen.

The French restaurateur’s portfolio includes Issaya Siamese Club (no. 30), its pastry and cooking studio spin-offs, Pizza Massilia, Kom-Ba-Wa, Namsaah, Baan Phadthai and the newly-opened Le Cochon Blanc—all impressive. Regular collaborators include chef Ian Kittichai and maitre d' extraordinaire Adit Vansoh.

JARRETT WRISLEY AND PAOLO VITALETTI These guys, along with Belgian Pierre Metz, are behind Bangkok’s most comforting and casual Italian delights, with their always friendly and reliable restaurants Appia (no. 6) and Peppina (Official Selection). Jarrett and his wife, Candice Lin, first made their names in Bangkok with low-down Thai tapas spot Soul Food (Official Selection).

THITID TASSANAKAJOHN Chef Thitid Tassanakajohn alone dominated our Top Tables guide last year with three of his outlets: the flagship modern Thai fine dining Le Du (no. 9 in 2017), casual family-recipe Thai restaurant Baan (no. 23 in 2017) and the defunct street food-inspired modern Thai restaurant Baa Ga Din. The two that are still running remain.

TOP TABLES 2017 IS OUT NOW!

Each year, Top Tables’ panel of 30 food industry experts and insiders determines Bangkok’s 100 best restaurants. Every venue in the guide is selected in complete independence from our advertisers.

Download your free copy of Top Tables at bkmagazine.com/bktoptables

BK Magazine Friday, March 31, 2017

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escapes ESCAPE ROUTES

By Monruedee Jansuttipan

PHUKET

Raw Appeal Ultra-luxurious hotel brand Aman celebrates its 30th anniversary with a new Japanese restaurant, Nama, at its original Amanpuri resort on Phuket. With a name meaning “raw” in Japanese, the restaurant serves an extensive list of sushi and sashimi, alongside grilled dishes. All the food is prepared by Japan-native chef Keiji Matoba, who has worked at five-star hotels like the Ritz-Carlton Osaka, Okura Tokyo and Amsterdam, and The Chedi Andermatt in the Swiss Alps. One star dish is the Kobe gyu (B2,500), a Kobe wagyu steak grilled over charcoal at your table and served with moshio mineral salt, a seaweed-infused salt that has been produced by the same method for nearly 2,500 years.

LUANG PRABANG

The Comeback Kid While we're on the topic of Aman Resorts turning 30, its founder, Adrian Zecha, just opened a new hotel in Luang Prabang. (The 84-year-old left Aman Resorts after acrimonious court battles in 20142016.) Set in a 1914 colonial building built by the French, the very simple lines of Azerai Luang Prabang's 53 rooms are simply elegant, if a far cry from Aman opulence. At US$250 (B8,700) a night, versus US$610 for the nearby Amantaka, so are the room rates. Zecha promises more hotels under the Azerai brand, which he says is geared towards “experienced urbane individuals, looking for distinction, quality and comfort at affordable prices.” www.azerai.com/luang-prabang

PATTAYA

Set Sail X2 Yacht Charter (x2yachtcharter.com) is now offering a three-day yacht trip from Pattaya to Koh Samet where you spend your nights on board a 53-foot vessel. The trip departs from Ocean Marina Yacht Club for snorkeling and fishing off the coasts of Koh Phai and Monkey Island near the Chonburi coast. The next day it’s full steam ahead for Koh Samae San and Koh Samet with dinner and drinks on the latter. Day three also promises swimming, kayaking and fishing, before the yacht heads back to the mainland by 6pm. The price are B250,000 for 1-6 people and B255,000 for 6-10 people. They also offer half-day cruises (four hours) for B45,000, full-day for B65,000 and sunset cruises (three hours) with shiraz wine at B35,000.

COMING MAY 2017 Don’t miss your chance to advertise in BK Magazine’s new guide, Better You.

VIETNAM

Our traffic analytics show healthy living is the hottest trend among the affluent, active Bangkokians who follow BK. The BK Better You guide shows readers the hottest workout trends, best gyms, healthy-eating shops and restaurants, and coolest workout gear, as well as top wellness retreats and the beauty clinics you can trust.

Find out more at bkmagazine.com/betteryou

Call: 02 624 9696 #601, 615, 620 Email: advertising@asia-city.co.th BK Magazine Friday, March 31, 2017 101/2V_VHP.indd 1

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Emerald Sea Phu Quoc, the biggest island in Vietnam's extreme southwest, just welcomed its first international luxury hotel brand. The design of JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort and Spa (www.marriott.com/pqcjw) comes from none other than the Bangkok-based king of exotic luxury resorts, Bill Bensley.

Emerald dominates a design which also bears plenty of colonial cues— look no further than the glassroofed, high-ceilinged lobby with its black-and-white floor tiles. Rates start from VND8.55 million (B13,120) for a bay-view room up to VND25.3 million (B38,912) for a seafront suite. An on-site restaurant serves a mix of Vietnamese, Japanese and classic French cuisines. One more reason to visit this island, which is closer to Cambodia than Vietnam: all foreigners can stay here visa-free for up to 30 days.

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avenue

SHOP

Home Comforts Central Embassy mall just revamped its top floor, transforming the area next to its VIP cinema into Open House. Japanese architectural firm Klein Dytham Architecture, the same team who designed the Youtube and Google headquarters in Tokyo, have worked their magic over eight zones which (along with plenty of food and drink) include plenty of shopping ops. Over in the Art & Design section, you’ll find the high-ceilinged, library look-alike Open House Bookshop by Hardcover, boasting some 20,000 rare art books. There’s also an Art Tower zone which exhibits artworks of local and international artists, as well as two co-working spaces complete with open bar. Best of all, you can use their Wi-Fi free for two hours. Open House, 6/F, Central Embassy, Phloen Chit Rd., 02-119-7777. Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight.

BTS Phloen Chit

CAR

CONDO

FASHION

Mini Adventurer

Gold Standard

Cut from the Same Cloth

Mini has launched its new, beefed-up Countryman. But with increased dimensions comes an increased price tag: B2.34 million for the base Mini Cooper Countryman, which is a full B450,000 more expensive than the outgoing model. That also puts the Countryman in more expensive territory than the nippier, compact and more-Thonglor-parking-lot-approved three-door Mini Cooper (B2.19 million). With the rugged and practical Countryman, though, you get way more room (and doors) for people sitting in the back, as well as outdoors-y little touches like a cushioned picnic bench that lifts out from the trunk. Sadly for now Bangkok’s Countryman lineup lacks any genuine four-wheel grunt (as well as any diesel options), but we do get the super-quick Cooper S models (B2.7-3 million). Try Millenium Auto, 99/99 Sukhumvit Soi 63., 02-711-6666. BTS Ekkamai

Wireless Road just welcomed a super-luxury new 77-room condominium where you’ll find Bangkok’s most expensive ever apartments. 98 Wireless by Sansiri goes straight for the jugular of dollar millionaires with 120-sq-meter units starting at B70 million—that’s B5 million more than the starting rate at MahaNakhon. And they’re selling. All the B250-million duplex penthouses have already been taken. Thanks to the interior work of US firm Anne Carson Interiors (regulars on the magnolia-fancying pages of Architectural Digest), expect to find furnishings from Ralph Lauren Home, Staturio marble imported from Italy, and antiques dating back to the 19th-century. None of it would mean a thing without the ceiling work of Hyde Park Mouldings—platerers of choice for Buckingham Palace and the White House. 98 Wireless Rd. 02-2013198. www.98wireless.com

The guy behind Bangkok’s coolest multi-label store Onion, Sorasak “House” Chanmantana, has launched his own menswear label that sticks to his taste for vintage style with the odd preppy touch. Clothiers Ekamai debuts with a clean-cut, button-down shirt (B3,490) that’s available in white or denim blue cotton that’s sourced from Japanese garment master Shuttle Notes. Forget the fancy flourishes of many other local brands; these shirts have a back-to-basics cut and feel befitting cult Scandinavian and Japanese brands. The new line also offers on-point Japanese cotton T-shirts (B1,690) that ape the Danish military look from the ‘70s and accessories like indigo bandanas (B1,390) and pocket squares (B1,190). House tells us bolder styles are on the way paying homage to various mid-century fashion movements. Available at Onion, 19/12 Ekkamai Soi 12, 02-116-6078. www.onionbkk.com

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avenue FASHION

Head to Toe

Blazer, Carven, B32,500 Drew shoulder bag, Chloe, B64,500

Monotone looks are hot right now. We pick the best colors straight from the runway. By Kasidit Srivilai Chain Fedora, Boyy, B12,500

Rope dress, Greyhound Original, B4,500 Fendi

Achilles leather sneakers, Common Projects, B19,900 Wide-legged trousers, Vickteerut, B5,500 Soleil shoulder bag, 3.1 Phillip Lim, B31,000

Wedge brogues, Minelli, B9,900

Spaghetti top, Greyhound Original, B1,900

Gemini shoulder bag, Tory Burch, B24,700

Leather biker jacket, Mango, B7,990

Mock croc sandals, Massimo Dutti, B4,950

Essentials Rockstud clutch, Valentino, B50,500

Gathered dress, Zara, B1,590

Holla satin sandals Topshop, B1,690

3.1 Phillip Lim. M/F, EmQuartier, Sukhumvit Rd.

Mango. G/F, Silom Complex, Silom Rd.

Boyy. 2/F, Central Embassy, Phloen Chit Rd. Carven. M/F, EmQuartier, Sukhumvit Rd.

Minelli. Available at CC Shop, M/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd.

Chloe. M/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd.

Topshop. 3/F, Central Chidlom, Phloen Chit Rd.

Common Projects. Available at Siwilai 5/F, Central Embassy, Phloen Chit Rd.

Valentino. M/F, EmQuartier, Sukhumvit Rd.

Greyhound Original. 3/F, Siam Center, Rama 1 Rd.

Zara. 1/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd.

Vickteerut. 1/F, Siam Paragon. Rama 1 Rd.

Massimo Dutti. 1/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd.

HOME Stunning New Interior Show Spaces

ANGLEPOISE

JIM THOMPSON

EURO CREATIONS

A pop-up shop of a British lamp so iconic that London Design Museum devotes a section to a permanent exhibition of their work.

The special collection made in collaboration with Paul Smith starts at B19,000. Runs until May 31. 2/F, Central Embassy, Phloen Chit Rd., BTS Phloen Chit. www.fb.com/motifartofliving

An awesome renovation sees the third and fourth floors decked out in cool marble tones contrasted with the brand’s exotic fabric lines. Go get the delicate Chinoiserie styling of Jim Thompson's new Leo De Janeiro linen, starting at B2,950 per sq meter. 9 Surawong Rd., 02-632-8100. BTS Sala Daeng. www.jimthompsonfabrics.com

The 3,000-sq-meter showroom of super-luxe European furniture importer Euro Creations just got a renovation. Black and gray hues provide a glamorous backdrop to classy European items like the three-seat yellow leather sofa from Maralunga (B920,000) and a 2.4-meter-long oak dining table from Rolf Benz (B330,600).

119 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor). 02-712-9555

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Mix & Munch

Brekkie

Tonic

Purple Rain Whole Foods predicts purple food will be 2017’s biggest health trend.

B

ased on data gathered from consumer insight, Whole Foods has predicted that “purple food” will be trending in 2017 due to it being high in antioxidants. Here are the best dishes around Bangkok where you can get a taste of the superfood:

Acai Bowl (B260) at Brekkie Despite the name, Brekkie goes well beyond breakfast to serve healthier options of hearty dishes all day long. Ingredients like quinoa, avocado, spirulina, flaxseed, acai berry and chia seed dominate the menu, whether it’s in their selection of Superbowl foods, their extensive breakfast menu, or their sandwiches.

We recommend the acai bowl, a healthy serving of acai berry, banana, mixed berries, blended with cold-pressed apple juice and topped with homemade granola and chia seeds.

6/9 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 083-656-6141. Open daily 9am6pm. www.fb.com/brekkiebangkok Rice Berry boxes (starting at B165) at Mix & Munch Mix and Munch doesn’t just let you customize your meal box with your personal choice of carbs, protein, veg and sauce, but they’ll also put a label on there telling you the overall calorie count. Get your dose of purple food with the riceberry box, paired with a healthy list of ingredients like lean chicken, salmon, grilled broccoli, boiled egg and more.

392/9 Sukhumvit Rd., 062-416-6616. BTS Asok. Open daily 10:30am-10pm. www.mixandmunchcafe.com

Pesto Beetroot Cucumber Salad (B120) at Tonic This grab-and-go health cafe specializes in premixed salads featuring vegetables and grains with no granulated sugar or oils other than coconut and olive oil. Try the pesto beetroot cucumber base, a glutenfree and soy-free pick which combines beetroot, cucumber, kale, Thai basil and more—perfect for pairing with lean proteins like tofu or honey-mustard chicken.

Baan Phrompong, Sukhumvit Soi 39, 084-424-9454.

Open Mon-Fri 9am-8pm; Sat 10am-4pm

3nvy

Beetroot Fettuccine Cream Carbonara (B320) at 3nvy Don’t miss the purple homemade pasta at this trendy cafe. The pasta dough gets mixed with beetroot before it’s pressed out into vibrantly-colored fettucine strands, bringing a healthy twist to comfort food like their fresh cream carbonara.

1246 Rama 4 Rd., 084-459-6266.Open Tue-Sat 11am9pm; Sun 9am-3:30pm Berry Power (B240) at Siwilai Cafe The winning purple food dish in this newly revamped cafe’s menu comes in the form of a blueberry yogurt and homemade granola bowl, topped with plenty of goji berry, dragon fruit, pumpkin seeds and banana slices. Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, it’s also a sure Instagram bet thanks to the vibrant color.

5/F, Central Embassy, 1031 Phloenchit Rd., 02-1605836. Open daily 10am-8pm.

Siwilai Cafe

Bumrungrad Hospital is one of the largest private medical facilities in Southeast Asia, with over 55 specialty centers, an internationally-certified lab and pharmacy, clinical research centers, advanced imaging facilities, and a 24-hour emergency care unit. Certified by the Joint Commission International since 2002, Bumrungrad cares for more than 1.1 million patients a year at its state-of-the-art facilities right in the heart of Bangkok. Learn more at www.bumrungrad.com.

Brought to you by Bumrungrad International Hospital

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bites & blends

CHEF'S TABLE

Sky-high Spanish Fine-dining Spanish restaurant Uno Mas has launched a new chef’s table format from its cozy outlook atop Centara Grand hotel, where chef Joan Tanya Dot and wine sommelier Alina Zbierajewska take guests through a seven-course meal and wine-tasting tour of Spain.

Dishes span comfort finger-foods like mushroom croquettes to flavorful Iberian cold cuts to charcoal grilled pluma pork. Seated across the bar from chef Joan Tanya Dot, guests are educated dish-by-dish about the high-quality Spanish ingredients used in the elegant yet simple creations. When it comes time for dessert, demand for the Catalan cream. Every month, the chef’s table menu will be altered and different wine pairings made, but the price always stays the same: B2,900 for seven courses and another B1,500 for the wine. 54/F, Centara Grand at CentralWorld, 999/99 Rama 1 Rd., 02-100-6255

RESTAURANT

GUEST CHEF

Chance Meating

Patio to Park

All Natural

The bright orange Korea-hailing barbecue Nice Two Meat U cooks up its food spicier to cater to the Thai palate. Order either pork (from B220) or beef (from B230) and prepare it yourself on the table-top grill with a variety of sauces and vegetables.

Unlike most Korean barbecue joints and their seemingly limitless array of traditional sides, here they want you to tuck into Western sides like mac and cheese (B260) and baked truffle potato and cheese (B220). However, they do serve other Korean staples like kimchi fried rice with cheese (B360), which is cooked for you table-side, and naengmyeon (cold noodles, B190-220). 266/9-10 Siam Square Soi 3, Rama 1 Rd., 02-2529334. BTS Siam

This Mar 31-Apr 4, French chef Thierry Renou of one-Michelin-starred Le Patio in Arcachon, France, stops by Park Society for a series of special dinners. Renou’s signature dishes spotlight high-quality ingredients like white asparagus from Landes and Pauillac lamb as well as some Asian twists. His fiveto-nine-course dinner sets you back B3,900-5,100 and showcase dishes like crab meat with kaffir lime jelly and caviar from Aquitaine, confit foie gras with balsamic glaze, served with gingerbread and salted butter vinaigrette, and roasted sea bass in chip crust with white gazpacho and red pepper sorbet. 29/F, So Sofitel, 2 Sathorn Rd., 02-624-0000

Bangkok gets its first "natural" wine festival showcasing wines made without chemical intervention. The Bangkok Natural Wine Festival takes place on Mar 29-Apr 2 at About Eatery, featuring workshops by top local sommeliers and wine gurus on the first four days and a wine tasting party on the final day.

Workshops cover everything from the unique grapes of Latin America to the extreme art of winemaking on a volcano. Tickets for the party on Apr 2 are B500, letting you taste up to 50 wines from around the world, including “orange wine” (white grapes vinified using the same method as red wine) from Peru’s Inquebrantable winery—the first of its kind imported to Thailand. G/F, Ocean Tower 2, Asoke Soi 3, 02-665-2772

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bites

Sweet Life

Bangkok’s best pastry chefs and their star desserts.

By Natcha Sanguankiattichai

WWA

80/20

Issaya Siamese Club

Carol Boosaba, Paris Mikki Carol opened her fine pastry shop, Paris Mikki, about two years ago, and it quickly became the city’s favorite. Before then, she spent almost 10 years in Paris, where she learned her art in the hallowed patisserie grounds of Angelina and Laduree. Sticking to the traditional route, she uses French techniques and presents them in the most beautiful forms—Le Frasier cake (B210) so shiny its like a pink ice-skating rink, a celeste cherry tart (B210) with the ruby-rich color of the finest vermillion. We named her croissants (B85) the best in town in our blind taste test, and the same pastry goes into her millefeuille with decent vanilla cream (B195). She has just expanded to the newly-opened Central Embassy’s sixth-floor complex, Open House.

Also see Top Tables’ Best Pastry Chef, see insert.

1/F, Metha Wattana, 27 Sukhumvit Soi 19, 088-870-0020

Arisara “Paper” Chongphanitkul, Issaya Her pastry education includes internships at patisseries like Sadaharu Aoki and Hugo & Victor in Paris, as well as Laurent Gerbaud in Brussels. Now, she applies European techniques to Thai flavors for the dessert menu at Issaya Siamese Club, where she’s worked since 2011. As group pastry chef for the Issaya group, she also takes care of the desserts at Issaya La Patisserie (for which she launched a cookbook just last year), Baan Phadthai, Kom-Ba-Wa and Le Cochon Blanc. She loves to give extra wow-factor to the Thai classics, as you can see in her current mango sticky rice creation (available at Issaya Siamese Club for B280)—a cut mango-shaped shell filled with coconut cream and fresh mango, served alongside sweetened sticky rice.

4/F, Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-003-6136. BTS Phrom Phong

Yannis Janssens, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon Growing up in one of the world’s chocolate capitals, Belgium, the chef learned the art of pastry early, before flying to the USA to open the Ritz-Carlton in Lake Oconee, Georgia and work with The Setai group in Miami and New York. There, he was named one of the Top Ten Pastry Chefs by Dessert Professional magazine and won the

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Press Award as a US representative at the International C3 Competition by Valrhona Chocolate in Madrid in 2012. In Bangkok, he’s behind the beautiful desserts at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, including the local citrus, pomelo & tarragon emulsion (B600), which shows his love for locally sourced ingredients as well as finding and balancing new flavor combinations. With the recent opening of Le Salon de L’Atelier, he has just launched a few new creations including the Belgian waffles (starting B450) which took him years to perfect. At that outlet, he’ll also roll out more buttery French puff pastry classics, including kouign amann (Breton cake) and several different chocolate croissants.

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, 5/F, Mahanakorn Cube, 96 Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Rd., 02-001-0698. BTS Chongnonsi

Davina Pickering, consulting chef, WWA The Scandinavian side of her family exposed this Finnish-English chef to making pastries from scratch at an early age. After earning a chefs’ diploma with distinction and specialization in pastry from Westminster Kingsway College, she worked alongside British celeb chef Gary Rhodes and headed the BAFTA Members’ Club’s pastry kitchen. For seven years now, Davina has been behind WWA Cafe’s comforting and delicious food and desserts. She likes to play with simple dishes like brownies and create special experiences out of them. Here, we’re talking about the warm rum chocolate brownie cream shot (B160), where cold cream meets warm brownie, creating a mouthful of molten texture, complemented by chocolate ganache on the bottom. Her other projects include consultation for Lemoncurd Tea Room and running regular pastry workshops at The Commons.

Islero

Saki Hoshino, 80/20 This Japanese-native pastry-head at the rising Charoenkrung kitchen brings the skills and knowledge she picked up in Canada to Bangkok.

The George Brown College-graduate trained mostly at Creme Brasserie in Toronto, a French bistro where she worked her way from pastry cook to pastry sous chef and learned all about artisanal bread. Sticking to 80/20’s made-from-scratch philosophy, chef Hoshino’s desserts often explore the many facets of singular ingredients. Her new creation, “Rice” (B230), for example, features the different textures of a range of rice products, including mochi, khao mak (house-fermented rice) ice cream, rice puff and sesame rice tuile.

3/F, 428 Siam Square Soi 7, 02-658-4686

80/20, 1052-1054 Charoenkrung Rd., 02-639-1135

Illiana Karagkiozi, Islero

Laurent Ganguillet, The Sukhothai

The Greek chef has had a welltraveled career, including a catering job in Buenos Aires and stints at Mugaritz in Spain, Paco Perez in Berlin, Chalet d’ Adrien and W Verbier in Switzerland. Here at Islero, she experiments with Spanish flavors resulting in the likes of a sublime multi-textured offering (B260) starring Valrhona’s 66-percent chocolate in the form of chocolate cream and saffron-and-olive-oil-infused jellified chocolate ganache, served alongside cocoa crumble, saffron meringue, mint gel and orange slices. We’re also impressed with her creative petit four, like cigar-shaped chocolate, mini cheesecake in the form of a cheese wheel, and gin tonic pearl on oyster shell.

13/3 Sathorn Rd., 02-344-8888

The Sukhothai’s legendary pastry chef has been with the hotel since its opening back in 1991. After starting his career at Confiserie H. Walder in Neuchatel, Switzerland, the Swiss chef spent almost 10 years training in his home country before moving to Asia. Here, he’s known for the hotel’s famous chocolate buffet (B990), happening every Fri-Sun at the hotel’s Lobby Salon. His simple, easily understood desserts are imbued with memorable twists, like the customized hot chocolates he serves for each guest at his Liquid Hot Chocolate trolley.

Islero, Athenee Tower, 63 G/F, Athenee Tower, 63 Wireless Rd., 02-1688101. BTS Phloen Chit

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bites FOOD REVIEWS

Brooklyn Baker

HHHH

Cafe. 51/7 Soi Polo, Wireless Rd., 081-8557090. Open Thu-Tue 8am-5pm. BB-BBB (cash only). F

Known online for its pretty (and tasty!) custom-made cakes, Brooklyn Baker also feeds this town some great brunch dishes in its casual, low-key space, set in the lobby of Retreat on Vithayu spa d ow n S o i Po l o. T h e m e n u s p a n s comforting, all-day dining items—think sandwiches, salads and pastas—and lots of morning-friendly fare like breakfast plates, egg dishes, French toast and pancakes. They nail these simple offerings with heartwarming flavors and fresh, crisp vegetables (like in the chicken salad, B250). It’s not just about oh-so-popular dishes like eggs B e n e d i c t a n d s m a s h e d avo. T h e signature egg rothko (B240) sees a thick slice of buttered toast filled with runny egg in the middle and covered with melted cheddar cheese, served with crispy bacon, two links of sausage and a basil salad on the side. There’s

Jay Fai

HHHH

327 Maha Chai Rd., 02-223-9384. Open MonSat 1:30pm-1:30am. No outside drinks allowed. BBBB

Bangkok’s coolest hangout spots for brunch, coffee, sweets, all-day bites and more.

Don’t miss your chance to advertise in BK Magazine’s new guide, Cafe Society.

Organized by neighborhood, the Cafe Society guide is all about spending the slowest, most leisurely day you’ve ever had.

Start things off with a single-origin brew, tuck into some fluffy pancakes and find the perfect garden to knock back a long drink.

Great for all-day restaurants, coffee shops, dessert cafes, juice bars, healthy eating, artisanal foods, markets, co-working spaces and workshops.

Call 02-624-9620, 601, 615 or email advertising@asia-city.co.th 20

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Led by a 70-year-old lady named Jay Fai, this shop-house restaurant of the same name is the stuff of Bangkok street-food legend. Located just steps away from the ever-popular (though dare we say overrated) Thip Samai: Pad Thai Pratu Phi in the Old Town, this restaurant looks and operates not unlike your local tam sang (stir-fries made-to-order) joint, only the prices are much, much higher. That’s largely because these typical Thai dishes like pad kaprao , pad khee mao and tom yam kung are dressed up with superfresh, giant-sized portions of crab, tiger prawns and other seafood delicacies.

Of course, you’re also paying for an experience. In the open kitchen, the energetic Jay Fai works her magic just like she has for the past 30 years: donning her iconic oversized goggles and grabbing her wok to provide a fire show over the charcoal brazier. The showmanship is spell-binding, but

not too much going on in terms of seasoning, but it’s the good ingredients—bread, butter, cheese, bacon and s aus ages—that shine.

Another well-executed eggy delight is t h e shakshuka ( B 2 4 0 ) , a M i d d l e Eastern dish that sees a poached egg in a well of spiced tomato sauce with onion, capsicum and sausage, served with a thick slice of buttery bread cut in four. The sauce itself is a bomb of tanginess, which is complemented by the silky texture of runny yolk when you dip the toast in. Visit on the weekend for their chicken waffle (B275, not available on weekdays), a thick American-style buttermilk waffle and a super crispy chicken breast, with a sunny side-up egg and tasty ginger soy sauce. While Brooklyn Baker has forged its name for its desserts, not all sweet endings are as satisfying as the savory bites. On our last visit, the fluffy buttermilk pancakes (B240) were a bit undercooked in the middle, while the mud pie (layers of chocolate cookie crust, chocolate mousse and whipped cream, B145) amounted to too much sweetness. Combining welcoming space, tasty food (did we mention the hearty portions?) and smiling service, Brooklyn Baker makes an easy space to spend the afternoon with friends or enjoy a family weekend brunch.

doesn’t really make up for the fact these flavors aren’t that amazing— especially at prices more befitting a fancy Thonglor restaurant than a no-frills shop-house. We do love the hearty radna talay (stir-fried seafood noodles with gravy, B500), which offers an old-school mix of tao jiew (fermented beans) and Chinese wine.

Even more wow-worthy—in appearance at least—is the khai jiew poo (crab omelet, B800-1,000), which is more like a crab cake than an omelet with just a thin crust of egg covering massive chunks of crabmeat .

Unfortunately, the dish is slightly dry and lacking in flavor, though in this case it’s nothing that a fair dollop of chili sauce can’t fix. Other staples like tom yam kung (B600-800) and stirfried rice with crab meat (B500) come loaded with seafood, but also fall short on the taste front. On our last visit, we were disappointed to find some salt and sugar bombs in the guay tiew kua talay (stir-fried noodles with seafood, B500). But these missteps don’t seem to scare off the local regulars or the foreign visitors who’ve made room for Jay Fai on their itinerary. This Old Town stronghold may not be the culinary masterclass some people claim, but it’s still an experience like no other, well worth a visit if your pockets are deep enough.

Ratings

Price guide

PPPP Forget it PPPP Only if you’re in the neighborhood PPPP A pleasant dining experience PPPP Not to be missed

B BB BBB BBBB

BK pays for its meal and does not call ahead or sit with the chef.

Under B500 B500-900 B900-1,500 B1,500 and up Price per person, including one drink, appetizer, main course, dessert, charges and tax.

Symbols

H Reservations recommended F Parking available E Dress requirements G Live music

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ADVERTORIAL

Thailand’s most exhilarating water park rolls out hot student promos for summer.

This summer, Asia’s first ever water jungle and first eco-friendly community waterpark is rolling out some awesome deals for students*.

Gather a group of 15 friends and enjoy more than 50% discount on the normal ticket price of B1,000 per person. Groups of 10 also get the special price of B5,000 for everyone—that’s a 50% saving—while groups of five only have to pay for the price of three.

Located in the laidback beach town of Hua Hin, Vana Nava offers 19 of the most exhilarating water rides in the world.

What’s more, book online at www.vananavahuahin.com and you’ll get free pizza! Promotion runs from now-May 21.

Spread across a beautiful 20 rai of land, Vana Nava is Thailand’s leading waterpark, home to 19 of the world’s most exhilarating rides.

It’s also the only waterpark in Thailand where you’ll find Abyss, on which up to six people can soar together to a height of 28 meters, share four or five near-vertical spins and then plummet into a huge funnel at speeds of over 45km per hour! On the Coconut Beach, you’ll also discover a 1,600-sq-meter wave pool with a real sandy beach area. * This promotion is only valid for students with student cards.

Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Jungle, 129/99 Soi Moo Baan Nong Kae, Nong Kae, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, 032-909-606. Open daily 10am-6pm. www.vananavahuahin.com

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OPEN DOOR

Akart Bistro

Yen Akart's new restaurant puts comfort first.

The buzz: The first restaurant in Yen Akart’s small new Yarden dining complex, Akart Bistro, joins Coffee Craftsman cafe with a lineup of Bangkok comfort-food staples.

The decor: It sits in the same 70-year-old villa as Coffee Craftsman, but takes up residence in an extension added to the house sometime later. Still, it retains the same craftsy, old-world vibe courtesy of charming wooden-framed windows which run across three walls of the space, along with the tastefully rustic furniture creations of Niiq. Elsewhere it’s all hanging ferns and a few marble tables—an aesthetic which somehow this part of town has been lacking till now. Very family-friendly.

The food: Something for everyone, basically. You can start with cold cuts (B400), cheese (B450) and oysters (B500/4 pieces) before moving onto pasta (from B220) and pizza (from B295), and then get a steak for your main course. They of course have a massive Australian black Angus tomahawk (from B3,000/1.2kg) on top of lamb saddle with red wine and mint sauce (B850). Or you can go with something very comforting and Thai. Dishes like the glass noodles spicy salad (B250) show added creativity thanks to the butterfly-pea blue tint and quality seafood, while their pad Thai fused with crispy oyster omelet (B280) works surprisingly well.

Do get some Thai-twisted kakigori (shaved ice, B245), too, avail-

able in bua loy (rice flour balls) and tub tim krob (water chesnuts) variations.

The drinks: Both coffee and herbal drinks can be topped with fluffy cotton candy for B120. Wine starts at B990/bottle.

Why you should care: Yen Akart is on the rise. This is a new peaceful oasis in the downtown where you can get something easy and have a good time with your gang. It’s got the vibes.

Natcha Sanguankiattichai

Yarden, 30 Yen Akart Rd., 02-249-0182. Open daily 10:30am-10:30pm

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Brix

Pagoda

Wang Jia Sha

TABLE TALK

NEW AND NOTED

Steamy Shanghai Wang Jia Sha (G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-129-4661.

BTS Siam) presents Shanghainese cuisine in a contemporary style. Originated in 1945, the brand has five branches in Hong Kong and just ventured to Thailand for the first time. The star has to be the xiao long bao (B150), a steamed dumpling that features perfectly cooked thin dough wrapping around the pork filling and soup. On top of that, they also make cute persimmon-shaped lava buns (B95). Don't miss the tantan noodles made with peanut soup—perfect with the breaded fried iberico pork cutlet (B380).

Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get a complimentary steamed custard lava bun valued THB 95 when spending THB 1,000 or more /sales slip (Limit 1 dish /card /table /sales slip) Today – 15 Sep 17

Out of the Box The Commons’ dessert specialist Brix (G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-129-4836. BTS Siam) has branched out to Siam Par-

agon with some cool marble decor. Here, they serve signature creations like the Brix Box (a brioche cube filled with chocolate ganache, B280) alongside the fluffy, made a-la-minute skillet hotto keki (hot cakes, available with five varieties of toppings, from B220), a mountain of granita (try the mango granita, with coconut ice cream and vanilla panna cotta hidden on the bottom, B240) and some photogenic drinks like Eve’s Rose (lychee, rose, lemonade, B200).

Chinese Charm Led by Hong Kong-native chef Oscar Pun (whose experience includes HK’s Mandarin Oriental, Kempinski and Shangri-La hotels in Beijing and Macau), Pagoda (4/F, Marriott Marquis Queen's Park, 199 Sukhumvit Soi 22, 02-059-5555) serves up reliable Cantonese cuisine in a grand Chinese hall. Don’t miss the enticing Chicken Beggar (B1,280), a juicy whole roast chicken wrapped in bread dough and stuffed with dried scallops, gingko nuts, shiitake and pork belly as well as the crispy roasted pork (B400), which comprises thin, crispy skin and tender meat and is made with pork collar instead of belly. Natcha Sanguankiattichai

Riedel Wine Bar & Cellar 2/F, Gaysorn Village, 999 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-656-1133.

Open daily 11am-midnight. BTS Chit Lom Riedel, Austrian maker of some of the world’s finest crystal wine glasses, is behind this bar with a huge list of 40 wines to try by the glass. The space oozes quality, from the gorgeously smooth, open-pore wooden tables to the wall of cool, brushed-steel wine dispensers, but we recommend heading out to the open balcony—one of the best alfresco dining spots in the area—and ordering up some of the Mediterranean-inspired tapas.

Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount on food and glassware only Today - 28 Feb 18

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blends

Bangkok Heightz

ROOFTOP BARS

Sky-High Savings The days when Bangkok’s rooftop bars could get away with selling their cocktails at B700 are over. Here’s a look at what drinks will cost you at some of the latest names in town. By Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj Sky on 20

Brewski

BK PICK!

Sky on 20

Vanilla Sky

Bangkok Heightz

The view: Located 26 floors above Sukhumvit Soi 20, the bar has an amazing outlook of Sirikit Lake and Benjasiri Park, though you don’t get 360-degree views.

The view: Located on the 36th floor of Compass Skyview Hotel, the bar gets you an amazing view of Phrom Phong without any tall buildings in the way. It also spans a full 360 degrees. Wooden furniture upholstered in vibrant prints, a sprinkling of palm trees, and a massive marble bar backlit with colored LED lights, give this spot a distinctly “sky bar” vibe.

The view: You get clear, 180-degree views of Asoke-Ratchada Road, high above the perpetual traffic jam. The Chao Phraya River is just within sight too. Unlike most rooftop bars, it’s also under cover.

The value: Cocktails start at B250 and go up to B400 for Champagne-based drinks. The wine menu is also pretty affordable, starting at B300/glass or B1,500/bottle for something South African called Maison de G (which doesn’t seem to exist outside of Bangkok). Whiskey will hit you for the same as any regular club at B200/glass and B2,000/bottle for Johnnie Walker Red Label. Craft beer and cider are also available, starting at B200 for half a pint of La Chouffe Soleil.

Verdict: For this price and the view, cocktails are not bad and the food (get the parma ham pizza, B430) is also tasty. A friendly atmosphere and plentiful couches make it one of our favorites.

26/F, Novotel Bangkok Hotel, 19/9 Sukhumvit Soi 20, 02-009-4999.

Open daily 5pm-2am

The value: Unique G&T flavors are the specialty here, all priced at B320. Our favorite, called the Honey Spice, sees dried chili-infused gin mixed with homemade honey-and-rosemary-infused syrup and tonic water, garnished with dried chili. Other signature cocktails are priced at B350. They don’t serve food.

Verdict: Amazing views and cocktails at regular prices make this solid choice. But you have a long walk up from the 35th floor— and no toilets once you get up there.

35/F, Compass SkyView Hotel 12, Sukhumvit Soi 24, 02-011-1111. Open daily 5pm-2am

The view: Located in the soi opposite Novotel Hotel, this craft beer bar has fewer tall buildings obstructing its view.

The value: Beers come in 100ml for tasting, 250ml (half pint) and 470ml (full pint). Our favorite is Belgium’s La Chouffe, an unfiltered blond beer which despite the 8-percent ABV tastes smooth, easy to drink and fruity. It also costs B280/pint, B100/100ml—the kind of prices you’ll find at your favorite windowless British-pub-of-choice. Hotel Thai drinking fodder ranges from sai krok Isaan (B120) to larb moo tord (B170), while the Brewski burger (B490) is made with Australian wagyu beef.

Verdict: Prices are very competitive for this level of beer, but the fact that Sky on 20 serves more drinks (and its food tastes better) makes Brewski the runner-up.

30/F, Radisson Blu Plaza, 486 Sukhumvit Soi 27, 02-302-3333. Open daily 5pm-1am

Verdict: The place is a bit small, the ceiling low and the vibe way too dark. But there are some good cocktails at a fair price to be had.

Our tip: abuse the hotel’s B999 all-you-can-eat-and-drink deal at Medinii then head up here for a couple after.

39/F, The Continent Hotel, 413 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-867-7000. Open daily 6pm-1am

Cru Champagne

Brewski

The value: Signature cocktails use local ingredients and spirits. For example, the Cha Yen (Thai sweet tea) features three Thai whiskies—Sangsom, Mekhong and Regency—as well as Bailey’s. The result costs a not-too-bad B320 (don’t forget there are four different types of booze in there) and tastes just like Thai sweet tea with a strong kick of liquor. Food takes inspiration from Thai street food, though we don’t really see it ourselves. Lobster gaeng panang for B1,400 and Australian lamb shack massaman at B690 are also definitely not street prices.

The view: One of Bangkok’s highest sky bars, located on the 59th floor helicopter landing pad of a five-star hotel, it sure does offer the best view we’ve seen in Bangkok. It’s so high that no building is blocking it any direction.

The value: Signature cocktails are fruity and start at B488 (they’re also better for Instagramming than for drinking). Champagne is the real star here, with prices starting at B799 for a glass of G.H. Mumm N.1 Pink Edition (exclusively to Cru) and B899 for G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge. The cheapest bottle is Bruno Paillard Brut Premiere Cuvee at B4,900. Food is down-to-earth and good for sharing. The kurobuta pork belly steamed buns with Korean chili paste costs B285, while sweet potato fries with sweet chili dipping sauce are B295.

Verdict: If you’re in the mood for something fancy, this one really does feel special. Those Champagne prices also undercut many of the old-school rooftop heavyweights in Silom/Sathorn.

59/F, Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, 999/99 Rama 1 Rd., 02-100-1234. Open daily 5pm-1am

Attitude The view: This restaurant-slash-bar is located on the 26th floor overlooking the Chao Phraya River from the rooftop of Thonburi’s new Avani Hotel. It also comes with a swimming pool to maximize the view of the river and city scape.

The value: Like most of these new-gen rooftop spots, Attitude pitches its cocktails in the mid-B300s. Our must-try is the Bora Bora Paradise Island (B380), which features Absolut pear vodka, curacao, Joseph Cartron banana liqueur, apple juice and coconut ice cream.

If you are a wine lover they also have almost 100 labels on offer, priced starting at B360 by the glass. The sharing- and booze-friendly tapas dishes feature stuff like lamb shoulder lollipops (B340).

Verdict: The stunning view alone is worth the visit. Add in a nice vibe and some not-half-bad food and drink, and you’ve got a real reason to cross the river.

26/F, Avani Riverside, 257 Charoen Nakorn Rd., 02-431-9100. Open daily 5:30pm-1am

BEER An IPA Designed After Asoke’s Famous Traffic Jams

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Changwon Express, Asoke’s specialty Thai craft beer bar and Korean-Mexican fusion restaurant, is launching its very own beer named after the neighborhood. The bar’s friendly Korean owner, Ted Ahn, takes inspiration from his space’s bright yellow color scheme for the packaging of Changwon Express Asoke Pale Ale, along with a picture of the BTS train and the Asoke skyline. Ahn has the beer brewed in Korea before legally importing it to Bangkok. Unlike other Thai craft beers, it also comes in a can rather than a bottle. Asoke Pale Ale is technically an American Pale Ale but with extra hops and a more fruity

e brand ty at the

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and tropical aroma, specially designed to be more refreshing than a regular American Pale Ale—the perfect reward, says Ahn, for a long journey stuck in Bangkok traffic. The beer’s not just available at Changwon Express (37 Asoke Din Daeng Rd., 092-251-8661), either. Find it at Wishbeer, Dogstep, Ubon Taphouse (Ubon Ratchatani), Namton’s House Bar (Chiang Mai), The Six Taps (Chonburi), Double Shot Khon Kaen (Khon Kaen) and EAT Khao Yai (Khao Yai). You can also order it online at Wishbeer.com.

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now TUE Dash of Color Bangkok gets a whole lot more colorful this Apr 1-2 with the return of the Color Run to Airport Rail Link Makkasan Station. Under a "Tropicolor" theme, expect vibrant color throws at every kilometer of the 5km fun run plus a massive party once you cross the finish line. Register at www.thecolorrun.co.th. B700-1,000.

SAT Hello Kitty One of Bangkok's biggest music festivals, Cat T-Shirt, returns for its fourth edition this Apr 1-2 at Airport Rail Link Makksan Station for two days of live music from some of Thailand's favorite pop singers. The line-up includes Stamp, Scrubb, Paradox, Hugo, Greasy Cafe and many more, alongside an outdoor flea market. Tickets are B300 from Thaiticketmajor.

SAT Creature Comforts Get a taste of the beloved Australian craft beer Little Creatures when its launches for the first time in Bangkok this Apr 5 at Breweki Craft Beer Bar (Raddison Blu Hotel, 489 Sukhumvit Rd.) To celebrate, the rooftop transforms into a party complete with an Aussie barbecue, music from John Will Sail and DJ Coran, plus a special visit from Tom Champion, the master brewer from Little Creatures Hong Kong.

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SAT Fools Gold This Apr 1, the Chinoiserie night club Sing Sing (Sukhumvit Soi 45) celebrates April Fool's Day with a party dubbed "Fool's Nite," inviting you to dress up in your craziest fancy dress. Expect to be joined on the dance floor by a slew of mad scientists and psychologists. Entry is free.

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now NIGHTLIFE

LIVE MUSIC

Dirtcaps Coldplay

classical ROYAL BANGKOK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Lny Tnz

DUDESWEET LIVE

The popular party team takes over the bar with music from DJs Bomb at Track, Monkey Business and Safeplanet. Mar 31, 8pm. Whiteline, Silom Soi 8, 087061-1117. Free. BTS Chong Nonsi.

Coran

RELIVE ANOTHERWORLD FESTIVAL WITH ANOTHERWORLD REVENGE PARTY

An after party to the Anotherworld Music Festival, featuring American EDM DJ duo Lny Tnz on the decks. Apr 1, 10pm. Ce La Vi, 39/F, Sathorn Square Complex, 98 Sathorn Rd., 02-108-2000. B400-500. BTS Chong Nonsi.

FRANCK ROGER YO! BKK RETURNS

The Paris-based DJ stops by Bangkok for a night of house music alongside special drink promotions. Mar 31, 9pm. Vogue Lounge, 6/F, Mahanakhon Cube, Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Rd., 02-001-0697. Free.

BTS Chong Nonsi.

DJs Relly Rels, Slomororo and Dirty Seagull spin '90s hip-hop and r 'n' b at the newly revamped video and board game bar. Apr 1, 10pm. Game Over, Liberty Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 55, 02-170-7684. B200.

PURPLE ZONE

DIRTCAPS LIVE

A night of techno and house courtesy of DJ Furzy Pan and the Outsider party team. Buy-1-get-1-free drinks before midnight. Mar 31, 10pm. Mustache Bar, 544/5 Ratchadaphisek Soi 7, 081-844-7080. Free.

The Amsterdam-based DJ duo make their Bangkok debut with a night of hardstyle trap. Apr 5, 10pm.

Live RCA Bangkok, RCA, Rama 9 Rd., 098-974-6974.

B490-600.

BKRAS FAMILY REUNION

GIANT SWING MEETS OLI_N

DJs Woken, Penitence and K9 spin dub, roots, reggae, steppas and bass-driven music. Apr 1, 8pm. 12 x 12, 810/22 Thonglor Soi Thararom 2. B150.

The London-based Czech DJ takes over the decks with electronic, disco and Detroit house tracks, with support from local DJs Jim Man and NKchan. Apr 7, 10pm. Whiteline, Silom Soi 8, 087-061-1117. B200. BTS Chong Nonsi.

Conducted by Arjan Tien, the orchestra performs compositions from Mozart, Brahms, Arthur Jussen and more.

Tickets are available at bit.ly/2mTjnKI. Mar 31, 8pm. Thailand Cultural Centre, Ratchadaphisek Rd., 02-262-3456.

B500-2,500. MRT Thailand Cultural Centre.

REMEMBERING A GREAT KING

The Silapakorn Summer Music School Orchestra, conducted by Hikotaro Yazaki, performs HM King Bhumibhol Adulyadej's compositions. Apr 9, 5pm.

Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phaya Thai Rd., 02-215-0871/-3. B100-600.

concerts COLDPLAY

GLOW WITH MORENO

The German techno and deep house DJ teams up with Italian Andrea Settesoldi for a night of quality tracks.

Apr 1, 9pm. Glow, 96/4-5 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 086614-3355. B250 includes one drink. MRT Sukhumvit.

SUPERFLY BKK VOL 2: DOWN TO FUNK

DJ Rory Breaker-Morant spins funky hip-hop with live freestyling from MCs Unda, Emon, jnknsry, ProtoZua and BlangkokFlex. Apr 1, 9pm. The Beat Lounge, RCA, Rama 9 Rd., 081-341-0512. Free.

SUPERSONIC SATURDAYS PRESENTS MISS YELLOW

The emerging Hong Kong-based DJ stops by Bangkok for a night of upbeat electronic music, with support from local DJ Knatz. Apr 1, 9pm. Ce La Vi, 39/F, Sathorn Square Complex, 98 Sathorn Rd., 02-108-2000.

Free. BTS Chong Nonsi.

BLAST! POOL SERIES

DJs Slutski, Lzzy, Adiero and Nukier spin tech house and deep house for another edition of the hotel's pool party series. Apr 8, 2pm. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sukhumvit Bangkok, 18/1 Sukhumvit 26, 02-6496666. B300-700.

KARMA KRUISE VOLUME 2.0

The techno boat party returns for its second edition, this time welcoming special guest DJ from Hong Kong, Ocean Lam, who'll be joined by local DJs Sunju Hargun, Moreno and Coran. All profits go towards helping Warm Heart Worldwide and their Stop the Smoke campaign.

Tickets available at bit.ly/2n9Kfb3 Apr 8, 4pm. Asiatique the Riverfront, 2194 Charoen Krung Rd., 02108-4488. B900-1,100.

ONE NIGHT WITH IKONO

The British rock band who have sold over 80 million records worldwide, making them one of the world's best-selling artists, return to the Bangkok stage for the first time since 2003 as part of their Head Full of Dreams tour. Apr 7, 5pm. Rajamangala National Stadium, Sports Authority of Thailand, 286 Ramkhamhaeng Rd., 02369-0999. B1,800-6,500 from Thaiticketmajor.

gigs THANK FOLK IT'S FRIDAY

Kiwi musician John Will Sail teams up with American Peter Stroud to perform folk rock covers and original tracks.

Mar 31, 7pm. Kai, 142/22-23 Sathorn Soi 12, 02-635-3800. Free. BTS Chong Nonsi.

VERONICA NUNN

The American jazz vocalist performs live with the Randy Cannon Group, with support from Willard Dyason on drums and Thai bassist Therdsak Wongvichien. Through Apr 1, 8:45pm.

The Living Room Bangkok, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Sukhumvit Rd., 02649-8353. B300. BTS Asok.

ADAPT PRESENTS MAJIK

The British electronic duo, known for their Jamie XX-influenced style, stop by Bangkok as part of their Asia tour. Apr 6, 8:30pm. Jam, 41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 083-5451-833. B200. BTS Surasak.

SIAMESE TRUE METAL FEST 2017

A night of live performances from heavy metal bands around Asia, including Deiphago (Philippines), Defiled (Japan), Infernal Execrator (Singapore), Antacid (Malaysia), Orator (Bangladesh) plus local names Nuclear Warfare, Remains, Shambles, Savage Deity, Oldskull and Nekrosadistik. Apr 8, 3pm. Brownstone Studio, 1395 Sukhumvit Soi 77, 087-703-0448. B850.

KURT FOREVER: A NIGHT OF NIRVANA

A tribute night to Kurt Cobain, featuring covers of hit Nirvana songs by local bands Madman, Nirvalung 2.0, The Layers and Pretty Punks. Apr 8, 8:30pm. The Rock Pub, Hollywood Street, 93/26-28 Phaya Thai Rd., 02251-9980, 086-977-0621. B250-300 includes one drink. BTS Ratchathewi.

music festivals CONFLAKES FOOTLOOSE PARTY AT THE STREET SNEAKER WEEK

A weekend-long market and music festival, with Saturday focused on electronic music courtesy of DJ Moola, Cut the Crab, Plern Pan Perth and Gene Kasidit, while Saturday sees live music from The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band, Srirajah Rockersand more. There will also be a ya dong bar from Studio Lam available on both days. Apr 1, 6pm. The Street Ratchada, 139 Ratchadaphisek Rd., 02-2321999. Free.

CAT T-SHIRT 4

Cat Radio presents the fourth edition of the two-day music festival, featuring performances from the likes of Stamp, Scrubb, Paradox, Hugo, Greasy Cafe and more. Apr 1-2, 11am. Makkasan Airport Link Station, B300.

The Italian DJ and member of the Bankok-based DJ group Elektro Delikatessen spins tech house, deep house and minimal. Apr 8, 9pm. Base Bar, 3/28 BK Magazine Friday, March 31, 2017

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now ART

ART HIGHLIGHT

Thai-Australian Photographer Snaps a "Softer Side" of Africa

Hot Summer by the Khlong

Was Here

2SHOT

OUR WORLD

Japanese artists Witness and Wok22 present a group exhibition of their multimedia artworks using masking tape, fabric and graphic design pieces. Apr 7-May 6, 6pm. GOJA Gallery Cafe, 5/2 Sukhumvit 71 Soi Pridi Banomyong 3, 085-848-7576.

Artist Dani Monfort Gil's latest collection of vibrant paintings capture the stories of gay men in Bangkok, in an attempt to broaden the visibility of the city's LGBT community. Mar 31-Apr 30, 6pm. Serindia Gallery, Room 3101, 3201, OP Garden, 4-6 Charoenkrung Soi 36, 02-238-6410.

A NEW INTERPRETATION OF THE PARADOXICAL WORLD

Narissara Pianwimungsa's latest collection of multimedia artworks explores our inability to find the meaning of life despite the overwhelming amount of information in today's digital world. Mar 30-May 31, 6pm. Nova Contemporary, G/F, Baan Somthavil, Ratchadamri Rd..

SHADES OF RED

Artist Angkrit Ajchariyasophon presents a series of 112 small red paintings developed after Thailand's coup in 2014, as inspired by an enlarged image of the B100 bank note. Apr 1-May 20, 6pm. Gallery Ver, Narathiwas Soi 22, 089-988-5890.

HOT SUMMER BY THE KHLONG

Andrew Stahl presents a solo exhibition of abstract paintings and sculptures created during his residency in Bangkok's Chinatown in summer 2016, capturing his various experiences by the riverside. Apr 1-May 15, 6pm. YenakArt Villa, 69 Soi Prasat Suk, Yen Akat Rd., 02-235-9800.

WAS HERE

Swedish/Finnish photographer Kimmo Kauko presents images taken at Jam over the past two years where he explores subconscious connection between himself, the environment and his models to later be displayed in the exact spot they were taken. Apr 2-9, 6pm. Jam, 41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 083-5451-833.

THEATER

This Apr 4, the House of Lucie art gallery hosts a special talk with Thai-Australian travel photographer Diane Durongpisitkul, who spent the past 15 months traveling around Africa, from Ethiopia to Mozambique, in a small caravan. Here, she tells us about her journey.

How did this project begin?

Two years ago, I decided to travel through parts of the African continent as I'd grown up seeing many images of war, famine and poverty from there. With no concrete route or timeframe, I left for Ethiopia with the intention to take photographs that show the softer side of the African continent, one that is not so focused on the negatives.

What was the most unexpected thing you witnessed during your time there?

CHENG-MENG

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

A Theatre Unit presents a family drama stage play following a family whose Qing Ming festival celebration is disrupted when a missing relative unexpectedly returns.

Performed in Thai with English subtitles. Mar 31-Apr 2, 8pm. Cho Why, 17 Soi Nana, Charoen Krung Rd. B350400. MRT Hua Lamphong.

The Bangkok Community Theater and director Michael Allman present a rendition of William Shakespeare's popular comedic play featuring a multicultural cast of 8 actors playing 20 different roles. Through Apr 1, 7:30pm. BNH Hospital, 9/1 Convent Rd., 02-686-2700.

B500.

Tell us about your experience with witch doctors?

I visited a witch doctor in rural Uganda when suffering from a bellyache. The woman, who was in her mid-50s, put on a show of pulling shells and rocks out of the grass she had stuffed under my top, in order to cure me. She also mentioned that she could help ensure loved ones stay faithful, improve one's wealth and cure HIV positive patients.

Do you have any tips for budding travel photographers?

SALES & FAIRS WILD RUMPUS DAY - EASTER COMES EARLY

The community mall hosts another edition of their family fun fair, featuring food vendors from Appia, Kouign Amann and more, alongside plenty of Easter-themed carnival games and activities. Apr 2, 11am.

The Commons, 335 Thonglor Soi 17, 089-152-2677.

ZAAP ON SALE 9

Zaap on Sale 9

28

When I was in a small town on the border of Zimbabwe and Mozambique, I followed a gogo [grandmother] to teach a village sex class. Her role was to teach young girls how to “do sex.” One of the first things I witnessed was the forcefully stretched labia minora of a 57 year old. The gogo had lifted her skirt, spread her legs and explained to the children that this is something all men in Zimbabwe want.

This special edition of the popular trendy fashion market collaborates with SCB Bank to guarantee credit card-friendly shopping alongside discounts of up to 50%. Apr 1-2, 11am. Royal Paragon Hall, 5/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-6108023. BTS Siam

First and foremost, start taking pictures! You don't need to be halfway across the world to be "traveling." If you're on a tight budget, there are many ways to fund yourself including work exchanges like Workaway, Helpex or WWOOF. Most of all, research is key. Knowing what's on, places of interest, political tensions, even the rough cost of things are very important. But I always say, plan without a plan: ideas are always good but leave yourself open for things to naturally unfold.

You've traveled the world extensively. Where would you recommend people to visit at least once in their life?

Old Dhaka in Bangladesh is a visual feast. In a few seconds you can witness everything from men with bears dyed bright orange to the smell of curry everywhere in the air. I also recommend the picturesque village of Hawraman-at Takht in Iran. It is an architecturally unique village where one person's roof forms the pathway of the person’s home above.

Diane will be sharing more stories from her trip at the event "Tales From The Local Minivan - Journeys Through Africa" this Apr 4, 7-8:30pm, at House of Lucie (17/1 Ekkamai Soi 8). Her stunning photographs from the trip will be exhibited and available in print. For more of Diane's work, visit www.

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now PLAN AHEAD

Crystal Castles Are Coming to Bangkok

FILM

Opening (Mar 30)

THE BOSS BABY (USA)

GHOST IN THE SHELL (USA)

Animation. A wildly imaginative 7-year-old (voiced by Miles Bakshi) clashes with his demanding newborn brother (voiced by Alec Baldwin).

Action/Drama. A human-cyborg hybrid (Scarlett Johansson) leads an elite task force devoted to stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists.

Local indie gig organizers Medium Rare have announced that Canadian electro-punk group Crystal Castles will be making their Bangkok debut this May 20 at Live RCA (RCA, Rama 9 Rd.). Tickets are B950-1,200, with early bird sales available now via Ticketmelon.com. Formed in 2003 by songwriter and producer Ethan Kath, Crystal Castles gained their reputation through homemade synth-pop sound, with hit tracks including "Not in Love' and "Crimewave." They're now on a world tour to promote their fourth album, Amnesty (I), which features tracks like "Concrete" and "Chloroform." Other Asian destinations so far include Singapore and Seoul.

SPORTS

APPRENTICE (SINGAPORE)

SIAM SQUARE (THAI)

Drama. A young Malaysian police officer is transferred to the country’s top prison, where he is assigned as the apprentice of the facility’s executioner.

Comedy/Horror. High-school students from 10 different schools get trapped in their usual hangout spot at Siam Square during a power outage.

FAIL STAGE (THAI)

Drama. After the death of her parents and rejection from a publishing company, a depressed aspiring writer decides to bike up a mountain to find herself again.

Lumphini Park

Bangkok Midnight Marathon 2017

RUN FOR DEK DOI

BANGKOK MIDNIGHT MARATHON 2017

A charity run offering 5km and 10km distances to raise money for improving the education system in the north of Thailand for the hilltribe community. May 6, 6am. Suan Rod Fai (Vachirabenjatas Park), Kamphaeng Phet Soi 3, 02-537-9221. B400. MRT Phahon Yothin.

The Midnight Marathon, which takes place in over 30 countries around the world, hosts its first Bangkok edition, offering a full 42km run as well as 10km and 5km. Register at www.bangkokmidnightmarathon. com. May 20. Suan Luang Rama VIII Public Park, Arun Amarin Rd. B500-1,500.

Upcoming (Apr 6)

SUEB RUN FOR HOME OF WILD LIFE

A charity run to raise funds for the Seub Nakhasathien foundation, an organization in remembrance of a Thai conservationist which supports the protection of wildlife in the country. Offering 10, 7.5, 5 and 2.5km distances. Register at www.bibmaster.com. May 14, 5am. Lumphini Park, Rama 4 Rd. B500. MRT Silom

SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE (USA)

GET OUT (USA)

Animation. A group of Smurf friends attempt to make their way through the Forbidden Forest, where they encounter magical creatures and an evil wizard.

Comedy/Horror. A young man goes on a weekend getaway with his girlfriend’s parents, only to be faced with a series of increasingly disturbing discoveries which lead him to a dark family secret.

DOUBLE MANGO

400 B. ONLY!!

Available for April 1-30, 2017

mango snow (f) + mango yogurt smoothie Let’s check in our Wicked Snow-Korean Dessert Cafe at I’m Park and Baan Rachakru.

I’m Park Chula

353 I’m Park Chula Building Soi Chulasoi5 Patumwan Bangkok. 0982753896

cannot be used with other promotions or special discount.

BaanRachakru

33 BaanRatchaKru PhaholYothin 5 Phayathai Bangkok.

0982753897

The-Wickedsnow-Thailand

MINDGAMERS (USA)

FROM A HOUSE ON WILLOW STREET (USA)

Action/Sci-Fi. A group of young bioengineers discover that quantum theory can be used to transfer motor skills from one brain to another.

Horror. A group of kidnappers realize they made a huge mistake when they discover the woman they abducted holds a dangerous secret.

wickedsnowbkk

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