Brought to you by ADVERTORIAL BEST PAIRINGS HAVE A DRINK Experience some of Bangkok’s best dishes AT THE HOUSE paired with the perfect cocktail. Experience the finesse and heritage of the world’s most famous Scotch whisky at the Johnnie Walker House. TALES OF GOLD MINE The dish: Seared foie gras, broccoli mashed potatoes, mushroom demi glace The drink: Johnnie Bamboo (Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, lemon juice, butterscotch liqueur, creme de cacao white liqueur, raspberry syrup, egg white, soda water) The pairing: The sweet, berry-flavored elements in the drink complement the richness of the foie gras. 1/F, Groove@CentralWorld, 999/99 Rama 1 Rd., 02-613-1270. Open daily 11-1am Discover the Heritage Johnnie Walker House is an exclusive space that provides a multi-sensory experience for Scotch whisky lovers and encourages whisky conversations. Nose whiskies at a blending table, taste the luxurious flavors of different whisky blends at the tasting bar, and partake in an insightful, theatrical mentoring session with Johnnie Walker’s brand ambassadors. At Johnnie Walker House you can find exclusive collections of the finest Scotch whiskies available nowhere else. Enjoy amazing house blends in the IRON FAIRIES OSKAR private bar and lounge while learning about the history and inspiration behind every Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky. The dish: Slow-roasted ribs with cornbread, The dish: Beef, prawn, scallop and pancetta French fries, cheese, slaw and gravy skewers with cognac and black pepper sauce Visit Johnnie Walker House in Shanghai, Beijing and Seoul. The drink: Smoke in a Bottle N.2 (Johnnie Walker The drink: Gold Fashioned (Johnnie Walker Gold Retail boutiques are also available in five other locations: Changi International Gold Label Reserve, sour cherry, bitters, oregano Label Reserve, maple syrup, Angostura bitters, Airport, Auckland International Airport, Mumbai International Airport, Taoyuan smoke) coffee bean smoke) The pairing: Similar smoky notes in both the The pairing: Maple syrup’s unique sweetness International Airport and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. meat and the drink make them a perfect match. goes perfectly with the grilled pancetta—like Visit www.johnniewalkerhouse.com for more details. pouring syrup on your morning bacon. 404 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 02-714-8875. Open daily 6pm-2am 24 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-255-3377. Open daily 4pm-2am MAZZARO The dish: Spicy lemongrass foie gras salad The drink: Bourboretto, a smooth drink featuring Bulleit bourbon and Amaretto The pairing: The sweetness of Amaretto subtly complements the richness of foie gras, before the refreshing lemongrass salad cuts through. 11/2 Charoen Krung Soi 42/1, 02-235- 3625. Open daily 11am-11pm DEVILISH DISH 1 DISH 2 The dish: 300-gram black Angus beef brisket and 350-gram black HYDE & SEEK The dish: Buri jack fish with spicy glaze, The dish: Fresh Hokkaido scallop with al- Angus beef short rib served with crunchy tapioca crisp and mond, sweet garlic confit, creamy scallop coconut blossom. mouse and spicy horseradish. The drink: Maple Bourbon Sour, Devilish Elderflower Fizz and Suffering Bastard, each The drink: Bulleit bourbon, fresh lime The drink: Tanqueray gin, sake, apricot featuring Bulleit Kentucky straight bourbon. juice, homemade ginger beer shrub, liqueur, salted plum and chrysanthemum sesame oil, cucumber slices, gherkin syrup, lemon twist. The pairing: The high rye content in the bourbon highlights the barbecue dishes’ charred aroma. The pairing: Asian spicing in both the The pairing: The refreshing drink comple- drink and the dish make this a match ments the fresh scallop and cuts through 29-29/1 Sukhumvit Soi 101/1, 02-747-8902. Open Tue-Sun made in heaven. the creamy garlic confit and mousse. 5pm-midnight 65/1 Athenee Residence, Soi Ruam Rudi, Wireless Rd., 02-168-5152-3. Open Mon-Fri 5pm-1am; Sat-Sun 11-1am VERTIGO TOO COPPER Thai fried squid legs The dish: The dish: Spicy larb pork burger (larb spices and Sriracha-caviar mayonnaise) The drink: Tanqueray Copa (45ml Tanqueray dry gin, The drink: Fruits of Labor tonic, a squeeze of lime and (Bulleit bourbon, DOM lime wheel) Benedictine, pomegranate, cranberry, egg white) The pairing: Gin and tonic gives you a sharp, dry palate, while The pairing: Frothy drinks help the acidity matches perfectly to curb the heat of spicy with the flavor of larb. dishes, refreshing the palate for every bite. 2 Soi 5 Pracharatbumpen Rd., 02-691-1688. Open Sun-Thu 11:30am- 60/F, Banyan Tree, 100 Sathorn Rd., 10:30pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-4:30pm 02-679-1200. Open daily 5pm-1am Best Best Who's in charge? Best Seafood Health Managing Director Andrew Hiransomboon BBQ Editor in Chief / Product Director Bistros Cafes Grégoire Glachant Managing Editor Oliver Irvine 8 Deputy Editor Carl Dixon 10 12 Features Associate Monruedee Jansuttipan Senior Staff Writer Lily Kittisrikangwan Staff Writers Natcha Sanguankiattichai, Bonnie Best Sananvatananont Best Thai Best Branded Content Associate Sureepak Janyapat Budget Content Coordinator Nontaya Kumyat Hello. We’re here to let you in on a little secret. Bistros Hotpot Junior Writers Theerada Moonsiri, Earn Korean Saenmuk, Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj You might think that every night in the life of a 14 16 Art Director Dith Chang BK food writer means gorging on the well-fat- 20 Production Supervisor Komkrit Klinkaeo Deputy Art Director Panita Thiraphapong tened livers of overstuffed ducks as we wait for Senior Graphic Designer Chantich the A5-marbled tomahawk to be ready. Well, Kongchanmitkul Best Best Local Graphic Designers Peeraya Sirathanisa here’s news for you: it doesn’t. Sunday Best Coffee Junior Graphic Designers Wariya Most of the time you can find us at these Dim Sum Whangwaewklang, Parida Ritthiron Buffets Shops Content Designer Saranya Laowtrakul places: delicious neighborhood and chain restau- 26 Advertising Director Wanida Akeapichai rants dishing out precision comfort food at pric- 23 32 Sales Managers Tipkritta Chiraporncharas, Orajira Sukkasem es that’ll make you say, “No, no. It’s my shout this Senior Sales Associates Tassanee Mahamad, Onwara Sittirug, Waranuch Thaneerat, time.” And that’s what this guide is all about. Piz- Best Nattaya Bovornsettanon, Orakarn zas, somtam, dim sum and tacos all get a look Best Breakfast Best Laohakanjanasiri, Amarit Jinaya in when it comes time to make Best Eats—the Pizza Pastry Marketing Executive Plaifon Chienvichai & Brunch Senior Project Manager Chanyanap Tongdadas annual guide which forgot to consult the food IT Manager Takrit Jitjaroen 35 42 Account Manager Suda Angsuputiphant snobs and decided to focus on the stuff most of 38 Finance Manager Supaporn Bangmoung us eat, most of the time instead. Assistant Finance Manager Anchalee Just so happens they’re also restaurants where Limkhamduang Best Best Senior Accountant Maneeya Kanthongdang you’ll find some of Bangkok’s best dishes: the Best Administrator Yaovaluck Srisermsri oozing lava buns at Chef Man; the tonkotsu broth Ice Cream Isaan Budget Accountant Manita Bangmoung so thick you could chew on it at Bankara; the hon- Bistros Sushi Interns Nicha Patradhilok, Nitchakan 46 Chaoratanapisate, Chalida Dansuanyai, ey toast that kickstarted a dessert empire at After 48 50 Wongsatorn Prasertthavorn, Noppanut Kraithong, Jirakun Nimmakulvirut, Lattaphol You. We could go on, but instead we’ll shut up and Rungsittikul, Suwalee Wangsaengthong, let the restaurants of Best Eats 2016 do the talking Praphanit Doowa themselves. Bon appetit! Best Best Best Cover Roast, see page 38, photography by Yakiniku Mexican Dechart Sangsawang Ramen Group Directors Chief Executive Officer 52 54 58 Gretchen Worth [email protected] Group Digital Director Greg Duncan [email protected] The Asia City Media Group Bangkok Best Eats 2016 is published and distributed on August 26, 2016. It is published by Asia City Media Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd Group Ltd., 9/F, Sathorn Nakorn Tower. 100 North Sathorn Rd., Silom, Bangkok 10500. Copyright Best Best 9/F, Sathorn Nakorn Tower ©2016 Asia City Media Group Ltd. The titles “BK Magazine”, “Best Eats 2016” its associated 100 North Sathorn Rd., Silom, logos or devices, and the content of Best Eats 2016 are the property of Asia City Media Group Vietnamese Burgers Index Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. This publication is Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 distributed as a supplement to BK Magazine. The magazine may not be distributed without the Tel: 02-624-9696 Fax: 02-237-5656 express written consent of Asia City Media Group Ltd. Contact the Advertising Department for 65 60 62 E-mail: [email protected] ad rates and specifications. All advertising must comply with the Publisher’s terms of business, copies of which are available upon request. Best BBQ EAT & ENJOY by Citi Meat & Bones The most buzzed-about barbe- cue opening since Smokin’ Pug (see below) is all about ribs—and pretty much ribs alone. There are two options: the standout eight- hour-roasted beef ribs and the six-hour-roasted pork ribs. Both are cooked in a smokehouse Cocotte’s with their own recipe of rubs and barbecue sauce. Side dishes G/F, 39 Blvd., Sukhumvit Soi 39, 092-664-6777. Open daily 11:30am- 2:30pm; Sun-Thu 6-10:30pm; Fri-Sat 6-11pm. are made fresh daily, including mashed potato, cornbread, cole- A huge rotisserie oven imported from France dominates this warm, Roadhouse Barbecue rusticated space, telling you everything you need to know about Co- slaw, corn salad and winter salad. Bangkok’s original real-deal barbecue joint still pulls in a big cotte’s food: simple, on the bone, portioned for sharing and heavy on M/F, The Commons, Thonglor Soi 17, 081-933-7143. Open Mon-Thu crowd for its authentic, American-style wood-smoked ribs. Baby the meat. Don’t miss the massive tomahawk. That’s not to say their 11.30am-2:30pm, 5:30-10pm; Fri- backs and pork shoulder get treated with imported mesquite, vegetable dishes aren’t wonderful too, especially its salad made from Sun 11:30am-10:30pm.