Bangkok holds many special memories for me – none more so than the fact that I was proposed to at Scirocco, the world’s tallest alfresco restaurant – over there.
I used to visit Bangkok frequently at one point when my work brought me there, but haven’t been back for the past 5 years at least.
So, I was eagerly looking forward to a week of dining and massages but then it struck.
And stuck! The flu bug hit me, and hard. Cold shivers from the high fever accompanied the bulk of my trip, and only two visits to the doctor and a jab in the butt prevented the trip from being a complete waste.
Bangkok’s “5th Avenue” – Wireless Road:
Being sick I was limited to the Wireless Road aka the “Embassy Row” area. I identify areas in Bangkok by the nearest BTS (train station) or shopping mall, and this would be the Ploen Chit BTS and Central Embassy/Central Chidlom shopping centres area.
Siam BTS station – home of Siam Paragon, Siam Centre and Siam Square – is just 2 stops away on the BTS line or a leisurely 30-minute stroll through mostly sheltered walkways, thanks to the BTS Skywalk and the many malls you can walk through.
Frankly, I cannot imagine a nicer area to be “stuck” at in Bangkok. The Wireless Road area is Bangkok’s greenest and most classy, with a tree-lined boulevard marking the path along which luxurious hotels, shops, and ambassadors’ grand residences and embassies are located on.
Wireless Road also plays host to the top restaurants in Bangkok, including Gaggan – more on dining later.
The verdant Lumphini park is also within the vicinity should you want to get away from the hustle for a while.
And so, despite being Tamiflu-ed up, I sucked it up and managed to find some food, massage and shopping gems in the neighbourhood.
Where to eat:
Thankfully the area around Ploen Chit is chock a block with the best restaurants in Bangkok.
We’re talking Gaggan (#1 on the 2017 Asia’s top 50 restaurants guide), Savelberg by Henk Savelberg – the only Dutch chef to-date who has garnered Michelin stars for the 4 restaurants in The Netherlands that he was head chef of, and newbies like Saneh Jaan and Osha.
As the trip was a rather last-minute one, I didn’t get to try Gaggan but still found some goodies.
Osha:
Before I fell horribly sick, on my 1st day, I visited Osha, interestingly enough, a chain from San Francisco.
A chain? From the USA? And you’re eating Thai food there?
Well, sure – when there appears to be some pretty theatrical and interesting items on the menu. Think smoke-filled glass domes and savouries that appear as sweets.
Since we were there for lunch, we didn’t have any of the additional dramatic flair bestowed upon us, but instead, some simple and tasty one-dish meals at S$11.50 each for a quick lunch.
Osha Thai Restaurant and Bar:
99 Wireless Rd,Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel : +66 2 256 6555
Baan:
There’s also the homestyle fare of Baan – from Le Du (#37 on the Asia Top 50 list) chef, Thitid Tassanakajohn.
I visited with my Thai friend, as I was curious to hear a local’s opinion, and suffice to say, she was happy with the experience. Sure, the crowd appeared to comprise more foreigners than locals, and the prices naturally a little higher than what you might pay at more “local” establishments, but the ambience is lovely and the food is good.
We tried a variety of dishes including Five-spiced egg soup, Massaman lamb belly curry and Fried Garoupa.
Baan:
139/5 Wireless Road Lumphini Pathumwan Bangkok 10330
Tel: +66 2 655 8995
Love Eat Bistro:
Central Embassy, Bangkok’s newish swanky mall, hosts several wonderful dining options and among them is Love Eat Bistro where we dined at one night after we unsuccessfully tried our luck at Water Library Brasserie (we hadn’t made reservations and this place is buzzing even on a random Tuesday night).
Love Eat Bistro, thankfully, wasn’t disappointing at all. Not only are the waiters warm and friendly, the food – despite not being in a very “authentic Thai” looking place, had all the classic Thai flavours down pat.
In fact, these harmless looking fishcakes were the most lethal with generous bits of green chilli padi in them!
Love Eat Bistro:
Level 5, Central Embassy, 1031 Ploenchit Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 160 5665
Siwilai:
Shopping + Brunch in one. That’s what you get when you dine at Siwilai cafe, part of the multi-label, curated fashion and style store of the same name at Central Embassy.
If you like your eggs, this is the place to go to. Among your options are a middle-eastern style Eggs Shakshouka (S$12) and classic Eggs Benedict (S$12.80), with Thai-inspired sriracha hollandaise, of course.
Siwilai Cafe:
Level 5, Central Embassy, 1031 Ploenchit Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 160 5836
Eat Thai:
Taking you on a trip around Thailand is the new “upscale food court” at Central Embassy – Eat Thai. Whether it’s North-eastern Isaan cuisine like a really spicy som tum (papaya salad) or some khao soi gai (rich coconut soup with egg noodles and chicken) from the North or a good old phad thai, you can find some unique dishes in the comfort of an air-conditioned and stylish food court.
CHAR:
Gorgeous views overlooking the city skylights are a norm in Bangkok’s dining scene and Hotel Indigo’s restaurant, CHAR’s version is nothing short of spectacular.
Especially when you’re cocooned in your own private booth with a loved one, it makes for quite the romantic setting indeed.
CHAR, as its name suggests, is all about the meats and grills. But we started with the Tuna Tartare (S$8) – a refreshing concoction with creamy avocado.
Hubby couldn’t wait to dive into his 1824 Premium Beef Black Angus hanger steak and his verdict? Overall good, though slightly under-seasoned. It was a huge chunk of meat though, and for the price (S$40), the 300g was worth it.
CHAR:
Hotel Indigo Bangkok, 81 Wireless Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel: +66 2 207 4999
There were other restaurants I wanted to check out but thanks to being ill, I didn’t make it there: Suhring – really intriguing German fine dining in Bangkok, a newbie who ranked #13 in the Asia Top 50 guide; Freebird; Wild & Co; and Ian Kittichai’s posh bar, Hyde & Seek, conveniently located at Athenee Residences which is next to the hotel I stayed at – Hotel Indigo.
Where to stay:
Now, Wireless Road is home to several top-end hotels including Conrad, Plaza Athenee and Hotel Okura Prestige.
A newish addition to the strip is the fabulous Hotel Indigo.
I stayed at Indigo for the latter half of my trip and without a doubt, I will consider it again the next time I am in Bangkok.
Read more about my stay at Hotel Indigo here.
Where to get a massage:
The Wireless road area (Witthayu road as the locals call it) is home to several spas – from budget to luxury.
Of course, half the fun of getting a massage in Bangkok is to get those knots out for just $10 a pop.
Budget massage places include the popular Myth and Touch spas, located footsteps away from each other.
But if you’re looking for more luxury, there are options aplenty in this area (not limited to the fantastic spas of the aforementioned hotels).
Two favourites are Bhawa Spa and Rarinjinda Spa at Grande Centre Point Hotel.
I wanted to try Bhawa, but again, as I had been ill, I hadn’t made appointments in advance, so that will be for next time.
But no regrets with Rarinjinda. You’re welcomed with all the usual comforts – a refreshing drink, foot bath and scrub and a presentation of available aromatherapy oils for your massage.
Once in, the heated beds, luxurious setting and massages by expert therapists will definitely make you forget all the stresses of the day – especially wonderful if you pick a night time slot!
With the best in food, hotels, shopping and massages all located within the Wireless Road/Ploen Chit vicinity, this area is definitely one to stay and hang out in the next time you’re in Bangkok!
Featured Image By User:Diliff (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
Lumphini Park Image By Terence Ong (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons