Like HCMC today, the Bangkok foreigner scene of old thrived close to the river. These days, however, I never really think to set foot down there. It’s the kind of place you visit once, the first time you come to the city… King’s Palace, check. Emerald & Reclining Buddha, check. Either the Oriental or Shangrila for tea or brunch, check. Then for most who live in the city (unless they work nearby) the river is a distant memory. This has more to do with the difficulty and time it takes to get down to the river than what’s on offer. But, if you wait till Sunday brunch time, with no traffic… the other side of the river is accessible in about 20 minutes tops and you don’t even have to wait for a ferry. This is the perfect time to venture out to Trader Vic’s massive brunch/lunch buffet spread.

Trader Vic’s is… well Trader Vics. Check out their pages if you don’t already know. Sure they’re a chain, but so are Four Seasons and Orientals. And they can be a bit dated in decoration style… unless you still rock a photographer’s vest, the sandal and sock look, cargo khaki shorts, or all of the above. But ignoring all that, this place has some great food.

I was seriously floored by the selection and availability of foods here. I walked in and saw immediately to my left a sushi bar complete with fresh sashimi and rolls. The quality of the fish was high for a buffet and featured real tuna… deep red and not neon pink like most of the cheap sushi buffets. Nearby there was also an oyster and caviar bar with freshly shucked oysters and a wide sampling of exotic caviar.

Then to my immediate right I saw not one, but two beautifully cured pig legs. I loved the Italian sausage and meat section and ate more than my fair share of prosciutto, mortadella, and others.

Next… well it’s Southeast Asia and we have seafood in abundance. Trader Vic’s has it fresh and ready to hit the grill. Fresh crabs, prawns, lobsters, and fillets of fish are available for grilling… mmm.

Speaking of grilling, Trader Vic’s pulls a trained Benihana chef over for the lunch feast. Here you can have a steak (or other meat, but really with steak are you gonna have chicken?) expertly cooked and cut in front of you. Sadly they don’t toss prawns in your mouth while waiting in line, but it’s a free bonus that’s very welcome.

Then there’s some beautiful meats sliced freshly at the carving table. Yup, that was a bone in ribeye in the background there with fresh sauces.

A first for me at a foreigner friendly Sunday eating extravaganza – roast duck. I’m not Peking Duck expert, but the birds on offer here were nearly as crispy and succulent as the lauded Made in China… and best of all it was part of a buffet so I was free to come and go as I pleased (and I pleased a lot )

Then there was the cheese spread. I loved the layout, thoughtfully done on a tree log. It featured cheeses of many regions and styles. The accompanying real honey comb honey was a nice touch to the section.

Another notable station was the Som Tam station – fresh ingredients pounded to order.

Last but certainly not least was the pastry spread. There’s a well skilled and happy to produce patissier somewhere in the kitchen here. Pastries ranged from delicate small bites to  French classic cakes. Also there was a range of seemingly home made ice cream on offer (not pictured).

Trader Vics really surprised me. I’ve visited some epic buffet spreads and this one sits near the top of the list. Not only is there a ton on offer, the price is super reasonable as you can opt in or out of the booze. I can’t believe the amount and quality of food I was able to enjoy for under 50 USD (around 1700 THB). I’d recommend it highly to anyone… whether first time Bangkok traveler looking to explore the river area or jaded expat needing a break from the Four Seasons or Sukhothai brunches.

Trader Vic’s
Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa
257 Charoennakorn Road
Thornburi, Bangkok 10600
THAILAND
Tel: 66 (0) 2476 0022
Fax: 66 (0) 2476 1120

If you’re in the Chinatown, Central Business District, or Quay area in Singapore and are looking for a healthy lunch option be sure to check out Lite Bites Cafe.I discovered this great little cafe…well because it’s really close to where I live . It’s above my gym and a short walk from my house in the China Square Central building.

Lite Bites Cafe is a samll cafe on the ground floor. There are a few tables and it’s only open for the business lunch rush in the area (a shame as sometimes I would love one of their sandwiches for dinner). I’ve enjoyed most of the sandwiches on offer, three of the soups, and a couple salads.

They currently run a special promo – if you order a sandwich and either a soup or half portion salad you get a free, fresh latte or coffee. So for around 10-15 SGD you have a full lunch meal with coffee…. a great value.

Normally there’s a rotating soup of the day. I’ve really enjoyed the minestrone, but my favorite is the Pumpkin Soup. I never look at the salad options when they’re serving this soup. It’s a tiny bit spicy and not too thick. All the soups are served with a freshly baked piece of bread for dipping.

Sandwiches range from classics like BLT’s and tuna salads to more interesting combos. I really enjoyed the meatloaf and beet sandwich. They don’t serve mayonnaise here and so they substitute unique sauces and other flavors to add a healthier dimension to the sandwich. I’ve yet to have a sandwich that tastes “healthy” if you know what I mean… there’s nothing drab, boring or overloaded with sprouts .

Joanna went with the Quinoa patty on her last visit and thought it was inventive and tasty. The owner, Andrew, suggested she eat it in a pita, saying it was their most popular creation.

Sandwiches are made fresh and to order. You can look over the ingredients before ordering as well.

Also check out their snacks when checking out…they try to put the fruit out and in your face, but with those walnut and chocolate cookies calling to me from the background I find it hard to order a pear

Our only wish is that they had more of these around the city. It’s a great lunch option for me, but there’s nothing similar near Joanna’s office. It’s a shame that there aren’t more fresh, healthy options like this readily available. Places that make lunch good for you, but more importanly (to me) good tasting.

Lite Bites Cafe
18 Cross Street #01-06 China Square Central
Phone: 6536 3466

For power lunching executives, ladies who lunch…and the rest of us…

When I go to Hong Kong it is usually on business and the area I typically find myself in is Central on Queens Road. More often than not, lunch is catered sandwiches around a conference table….blah… But when the schedule is a bit more relaxed and we can find the time, the lunch decision is unanimous – let’s go to Gaia Ristorante!

(All pictures from Gaia website)

Gaia Ristorante on Queens Road Central is an upscale Italian beauty whose elegant alfresco courtyard dining plus the delicious, authentic food are the main attractions. Considering that both the chef and general manager have sterling international culinary bios, including working in Michelin starred restaurants in Europe, it is no wonder Gaia is a popular destination for Hong Kong foodies.

While I would recommend Gaia for both lunch and dinner, since I usually find myself there at lunchtime I like to take advantage of the well-priced set lunch menu for $248 HKD +10%. The set lunch menu consists of:

1st course -
Antipasti della Credenza – buffet-style antipasto bar with all manner of lovely hams, salamis, cheeses, olives, roasted veggies, seafood and more.

- OR -

Zuppa di Fagioli e Cereali – beans and legume soup

(JOANNA’s TIP – honestly, this is a no-brainer…go with antipasto bar)

2nd course -
Linguine alla Puttanesca – linguine with a sauce of tomatoes, olives and capers

-OR-

Salmone Alla Griglia con Salsa Tartara – grilled salmon with homemade tartar sauce

-OR-

Arista di Maiale al Finocchietto – roast pork rack with fennel seeds

(JOANNA’s TIP – after over-indulging on the antipasto bar I like to go with the lighter option of Salmon)

Followed by:
coffee or tea

(JOANNA’s TIP – try the impossibly creamy cappuccino)

There is a really lovely wine list as well, so definitely don’t miss out on some great selections. And then if you still feel like it….you can head back for that afternoon meeting or take a cue from the ladies who lunch and just knock off for the afternoon and do some shopping

Gaia Ristorante
Ground Floor, The Piazza
Grand Millennium Plaza
181 Queens Road Central
Hong Kong
Telephone: + 852 2167 8200

Imagine Jim Thompson house. Now strip away the legend, crappy silk (I’ll give you that it looks good, but Thai silk is the least comfy silk I’ve ever had the displeasure of touching), over inflated prices, and throngs of farangs decked out in sandals and fanny packs. Does such a place exist in Bangkok? Well… I don’t know if it’s considered Bangkok proper, but with a short drive you’ll be away from the masses and relaxing at Amantee.

I’ll be upfront with this review. I know the head chef. I met him at an early Christmas party before leaving Bangkok for Singapore… which was a shame because Jeremie is a fantastic guy and great chef. A couple weeks later, Joanna and I had no other plans for Christmas Eve and so joined Jeremie and Kitty and others for a meal I still dream about to this day. Since leaving we’ve made a point to hang out with Jeremie every time we’re back in Bangkok.

This time back to Bangkok we decided no excuses, if we don’t do anything else we’ll find a way to make it to Amantee – or more specifically Le Cafe at Amantee. Despite covering scores of restaurants and locations for various publications while in Bangkok I had honestly never heard of Amantee before this, which is a shame…or is it better that it’s not super popular yet? Hard to say…

Amantee is located in Chaeng Wattana. The sprawling house and garden areas give guests a sense of escape and vintage Thai… without going full bore into the typical tackiness that ensues from white people attemping “classic Thai”.

We were escorted around the main building which is a showroom for antique Oriental and Tibetan furniture. There’s much on offer and Joanna and I were kicking ourselves for not venturing out here before moving to Singapore to load up on furniture.

Through the showroom you step back into the housing area of the compound. There’s a single guest bed – perferct for a romantic getaway or place to come for a retreat.

Don’t get me wrong, this was all amazing… but I came for the food. We were escorted back to the small, intimate kitchen which was completely out of someone’s home and not a large commercial kitchen. We watched for a few minutes as the two helpers prepared the basics for the day’s lunch service.

The tables are outside overlooking the greenery… peaceful and relaxing, just a perfect place for brunching.

The small, well-chosen menu was delivered and I had trouble deciding. Thankfully we had Jeremie on hand to ask questions. This wasn’t just because we’re friends, he often comes out and advises customers on what’s fresh or special that day. The menu features a fusion of French and Thai cuisine… normally fusion can be a bit iffy in Bangkok, but is done tastefully here. Check out the menu here. He could show off with heavy French sauces or something similar, but shows restraint and presents a menu that is perfect for the environment, time of day, and clientele.

We started with a chilled cauliflower soup with crispy bacon (200 THB). The chilled soup was perfect for a Bangkok afternoon and was a great start to the meal. Plus, who doesn’t love bacon? I regularly witness vegetarians sneaking a piece or two when they think no one’s looking

At our Christmas Eve dinner Jeremie served a stunning Tuna Tartare that had bits of pistachio throughout to give it some competing textures. I’ve talked, probably too much, about this dish ever since. He had a version of it on the menu and I wrestled with going for what you know over experimenting. With a slight nudge from Jeremie I opted instead for the Scallop Carpaccio – consisting of Japanese Scallops, fennel, dill, and a refreshing pastis dressing. The fennel was raw and so gave more of a crispy, refreshing taste to the dish instead of a stronger liquorish flavor.

Joanna went for the Mushroom Quiche with Mesclun in Italian Balsamic (200 THB). The quiche pastry was perfectly cooked and not too heavy or filling.

We decided to share the Elba Salad – grilled zucchini, eggplant, yellow capsicum, fennel, and asparagus with Italian balsamic dressing (200 THB). This is a perfect summer lunch plate (and it’s always summer in Bangkok).

After the meal Joanna sipped on a nice glass of wine and I enjoyed an Iced Coffee and a chocolate mousse with raspberry coulis (140). Combined with our conversation with Jeremie it was a perfect end to the meal.

We didn’t just leave with our bellies full. Tempted by a special cash price, Joanna picked up an antique Chinese box that she’s converted into a jewelry box. The owner himself wrapped it up for us to ensure it would make the flight back to Singapore

I’m a tough critic. Even more so when it’s friends… ask anyone who knows me if I regularly pull punches or not. There wasn’t anything negative to say here, not because Jeremie is our friend, but because the place is exceptional. Prices are reasonable, food is fresh and appropriate to the venue/climate/time of day, and the entire compound is beautiful. I don’t want to oversell the place and leave you guessing that I’m a schill… but this place is a must visit.

If you need a quiet getaway, lunch spot, have friends in from out of town, first time visitors to Thailand… any excuse really, stop by Amantee (or try to get yourself invited to one of Jeremie’s house parties ). Chat with Jeremie, see what’s fresh today, and enjoy your refuge from gritty, noisy Bangkok.

Amantee
131/3 Chaeng Wattana 13, Laksi,
Bangkok 10210 Thailand

This week Joanna joined me for my weekly Moomba Tuckshop series. Since she joined we were able to cover two sandwiches this week.

The problem with running a food blog is sometimes you have to order things you wouldn’t normally… or in this case order separate things for maximum coverage. Both Joanna and I were eyeing the Veggie sandwich. The description just sounded fresh and healthy. Being a gentleman I changed to the Roast Beef.

Sometimes being a gentleman really pays off. Though a kind of thin, unappealing sandwich in photos, the Roast Beef was full of flavor… thanks in no small part to the mustard mayonnaise or whatever it is. On the menu its referred to as a mustard mayonnaise…normally I’m not a fan of mustard, but this was smooth and flavorful, with an appropriately small bite to it. The sauce worked well with the caramelized onions. I chose the walnut loaf for my bread and everything just worked well.

Joanna went with the Vegibite with Portabello Mushrooms. The sandwich was refreshingly varied in flavors and textures for a veggie sandwich. It’s nice to find a suitable healthy sandwich that doesn’t remind you with every bite that it’s healthy

We split a Walnut Carrot Cake to finish the lunch off. Looking at the pastry in the window I didn’t even see the carrot cake thanks to the heaping portion of walnuts on top. The walnuts were a bit too sugary for me if I have to nitpick (I don’t, but am choosing to) and again the cake portion was a bit dry with the same consistency of the chocolate muffin from last week. So it must be the flour or some other common ingredient used in their pastries. It’s not bad in flavor, but it’s definitely something enjoyed with a glass of milk.

I was a lot happier with both sandwiches this week for the money. Great value and taste – I think both were right at 9 SGD.

The Moomba Tuckshop

Bank of China Building #B1-01
4 Battery Road
Phone: 6536 5235
Raffles Place

El Toro, on Penang Rd, is a quaint Spanish inspired restaurant above the dark and broody Dubliner Pub. The decor features multicolored walls and bullfighting posters contrasted with simple wooden tables and benches. The atmosphere for lunch is open and sunny (remarkable considering the dank Dubliner below).

The set lunch special here features a free-flow soup and salad bar. The soup featured the day we dined was tomato basil. I’m not normally a huge fan of tomato basil soup, but it was really good (probably loads of cream). They had a cold potato type salad and fresh greens on offer with a mixture of sauces. So far so good.

The mains start at 8 SGD for an Asian menu item of the day. There’s a salsa burger (I’ll have to go back and try this) for 10 SGD. Joanna opted for the healthy choice – Caribbean Catch of the Day (12 SGD). It was listed as “freshest grilled fish served on a bed of seasonal vegetables & Mexican tortilla with a spicy Caribbean sauce”. Neither of us would have classified the fish as “freshest” of the day. The fish was over salted and “fishy” tasting.

I went the opposite route and indulged with the Spaghetti with Chorizo in Cream Sauce (16 SGD). The cream sauce was rich and tasty, but definitely not for dieters.The Chorizo was good, but like Epicurious lacked a bit of extra punch that I look for… but maybe I need to ease up on my expectations when it comes to Asian Chorizo.

All in all the salad, soup, and my main were definitely a good value. The fish was questionable, but supposedly is changed out daily so maybe others will have better luck with a different fish. I know Joanna will be back since it’s a short walk from the office and I’ll have to get back to test out the Salsa Burger.

El Toro

Address: 165 Penang Rd (2nd Floor)

Lunch Served: 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

It was a sunny Saturday typical of Singapore. Paul, myself and some friends had just finished a 3-hour hike in MacRitchie reservoir and were all craving a hearty sandwich and an ice-cold drink. Without a particular restaurant in mind, we grabbed a cab to Dempsey Hill. Converted from old army barracks, Dempsey Hill, also known as Tanglin Village, is a favored destination area for weekend dining and shopping in Singapore. It’s a rather unique area that draws me back time and time again due to the incredibly diverse array of options.

After strolling through the area, the rustic farmhouse style of CA California Deli & Bakery Artisans caught our eye.CA California Deli & Bakery Artisans is co-located with Ben& Jerry’s Ice Cream Shop in Block 8 of Dempsey Hill. The menu was on chalkboard and the dry goods artfully arranged on rough hewn shelves. While it boasted California as its style- reference, it actually reminded me of the kind of super cute place one sees in an American New England beach town (say Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket) where you stop off on your bike en route to the beach to grab a homemade sandwich and some snacks. Set up in a grocer / market style I noticed brands I hadn’t seen outside of New England – Cape Cod brand potato chips and Nantucket Nectars brand juices.

Two of us ordered the Open-Face Woodside Mushroom with Cream Cheese on Focaccia. Paul had the Tuna Salad with Green Apples on Thick-cut Farmhouse Bread and another friend tried the Mango and Turkey on Baguette. While most folks were so thirsty from the walk that they had water, I opted to try the Peach Iced Tea. The sandwiches were hearty and filling…a solid lunch time offering. I would definitely go back for this. I was however, a little disappointed with the ice tea which tasted like it was from a bottle rather than homemade.

Still hungry from the hike, we decided to split the Peach Crumble dessert. Unfortunately this was the greatest disappointment of all. 1) because I had to get up and order it from the bakery counter as I could not catch any of the service staff’s attention for a prolonged period of time and 2)because after all that effort, the crumble was incredibly mediocre. I struggled to find the peach that it was purported to contain and the crumble itself lacked any of the distinctive flavor that a good crumble has…the expected blend of cinnamon, butter and brown sugar.

With that said, I would recommend CA Deli & Bakery for the sandwiches. But I would not go in a hurry (service is spotty and slow)….nor would I have dessert (just walk the 3 meters to Ben & Jerry’s).  Maybe the best option would be to grab some sandwiches before heading off to a picnic on the beach or at the Botanical Gardens.

Location:
Dempsey Hill (Tanglin Village) Block 8, #01-14, co-located with Ben & Jerry’s

Telephone: (65) 6473 3231

Hours:
Mon: 15.00hr – 23.00hr
Sun, Tue – Thu: 11.00hr – 23.00hr
Fri and Sat: 11.00hr – 24.30hr

Website:
www.cacalifornia.us