zebrametalevel

As clichéd as it is, The Blue Elephant is really pretty special Thai food. If you're willing to dine a bit earlier, you can normally get 50% off with Eatigo. Namsaah Bottling Trust is also a pretty interesting place if you're looking for more adventurous choices, and the ambience is exceptional (http://www.namsaah.com/)

dsquared37

I really don't get the style of food- the only thing that looked appetizing to me was the mutton. To each their own.

We rather like the place and find the food to be spicy and flavorful. Since you said it's not traditional I need to ask: Are you familiar with southern Thai food?

TravelinSperry

Thanks - I shall look into them

It was spicy, I'll give you that. But spicy is easy. I want flavors and I truly didn't find my meal to have good ones. Of course, it was one plate and one try. Perhaps had I been able to taste a variety I may have liked it more? But I didn't find much on the menu that caught my eye. As I said, it was a lot of meat (and I don't eat meat). Of the seafood and veggie options, the menu lacked anything that jumped out at me. And yes, good point re my comment. I'm not overly familiar with the differences between the south, central and north.

I will also say the service was poor. Everyone watching TV and they seemed annoyed that I showed up at 9:30pm even though they closed at 10. I couldn't get anyones attention during dinner. This of course has nothing to do with the food. I'd put up with poor service for good food. But for me, this wasn't it. Disappointing imo.

dsquared37

I'll agree the service can be disinterested. And I'll also agree that seafood options are relatively limited. Further trying one dish doesn't give a feel for the menu, but clearly your hands are tied if you don't eat meat.

The takeaway is this place probably isn't for vegetarians but from an omnivore's perspective, and one who craves spice, the food is pretty good, flavorful and gives a very good generalized overview of southern Thai food.

DirtyDan

If flavourful veggie Thai is what you are seeking, Na Aroon at the end of Sukhumvit Soi 1 (past Bumrungrad hospital) does amazing veggie and seafood. Mrs. Dirty and I's favourite! http://www.ariyasom.com/vegetarian-r...t-bangkok.html

Another option we stumbled into once was up Thong Lo (Sukhumvit 55) Patara. Great Thai food and a wonderful wine list. I think they had 6 wine fridges on the main floor.
http://www.patarathailand.com/thai-r...k-thailand.php

TravelinSperry

Very cool, added to my list, thanks!

btw, just had dinner tonight at The Local. http://www.thelocalthaicuisine.com/ Really nice dinner near Asoke (and walking distance from the Sheraton Grande and Westin Grande). A pescetarian delight with numerous veggie and meat options as well. Recommend ^ Be sure to make reservations, I got the last table (on 7:30pm Monday!) and they turned away people behind me (well, they told them to come back in an hour).

TravelinSperry

Wild how long this place has been around. Still a nice little dinner if you're staying at the Sheraton, Westin or Sofitel on Sukhumvit, as it's right nearby. It's not high-end foody place but rather a nice Thai style spot with a little traditional Thai music in the background while you sit outside on the terrace. Food is reasonably priced although wine is a bit high for what it is. They give you a condom at for dessert (it's a legit place - just promotes safe sex).

transpac

Saw some tweets from Andrew Zimmern, currently in Bangkok, about this restaurant...

http://www.baanbkk.com/

https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/831306932/

https://twitter.com/andrewzimmern

rjh

Mark Wiens is spending two weeks in Bangkok as a tourist (he lives there anyway). First video on . First hotel, Full House, is $30 near, not on Khao San Rd. You might want to start around 4:30 in to avoid his longer than normal intro (including the lunch his Thai mother in law made)

(I find his choice of restaurants in tune with what I like, hence the referral. I have no affiliation with him.)
--
Rich

BuildingMyBento

I'm seeking recommendations for places in Bangkok that specialize in crabs and/or razor clams. Definitely am in accord with the Romanization of the Thai phrase "ta mai pet, mai arroy."

Thanks,
BmB

TravelinSperry

I love the crab curry dish at Celadon (in the Sukhothai hotel). One of my faves. http://www.sukhothai.com/celadon-,cu...Item_1-en.html

There is also this place nearby that is very good http://www.somboonseafood.com/index.php/en/site/intro

transpac

I've never seen razor clams here, and I've been in some massive fish markets.

What kind of crab are you looking for? Preparations?

BuildingMyBento

Thanks for your reply, TravelinSperry. Both sound quite nice.

Thanks for your reply, transpac.

Oh, razor clams are just a favorite bivalve of mine...actually, could you let me know about a couple of fish markets?

As for the crab, the spicier/more filled with garlic, the better. Heck, if there's a cousin to Singapore's chili crab - replete with fried mantou (that's just a bonus) - would like to hear about it.

transpac

One of the largest fish markets in the world is Mahachai in Samut Sakhon. Closer to Bangkok in Samut Prakan there is a popular fish market in Pak Nam. Then every wet market has a fish/seafood section.

Thailand is under quite a bit of scrutiny re: slavery in the fishing and processing sectors (among many other sectors: fruit, hospitality, construction, domestic sex trade/minors, etc.) so if you are at all concerned about supporting this activity...

Govt boosts slave labour crackdown


A lot of the whole crab prep. is simply steamed, then there are a multitude of other preps., with glass noodles and egg. There is a popular Curried Crab dish which can be spicy. One of my favorite noodle soups comes with some lump crab meat, delicious.

Then there's the Som Tum with raw blue crab; sweet but not for everyone.

Krua Apsorn popped on a Google search. http://www.ladyironchef.com/2015/02/...psorn-bangkok/

One of my favorite clam preps is Hoy Lai.
Another fav: Hoy Tod

dsquared37

I have only had them in Phuket. And damn they were good.

I'll second this. Hoy lai pat prik pao (chili paste and ga prao) is awesome.