Recipe Talk: Egg Jelly

Egg jelly is one of the easiest desserts or snacks you can make within less than half an hour (not including the setting and cooling time in the refrigerator). Here is the recipe and the instruction to how you can achieve these little egg jelly cups. 

Ingredients:

• 10 g Agar-Agar Powder or Gelatin Powder
• 2 Eggs
• 1 litre Water
• 150 g Sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon Jasmine Extract (or if you do not like Jasmine, use Pandan Extract or just Vanilla Extract instead)

Method:

1. Dissolve Agar-Agar powder in water and rest for 5 minutes so that the powder absorbs the water.
2. Beat 2 eggs and set aside.
3. After 5 minutes, boil the Agar-Agar power and water mixture on high heat and keep stirring.
4. Once the mixture bubbles, add in sugar and jasmine extract, and stir until the sugar dissolves. 
5. Add the beaten eggs while stirring the mixture. Then continue to stir on high heat for another minute. 
6. Pour the mixture into the molds. Leave in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serve. 

Isn't it super easy? Give it a go, and give this simple dessert a try. Let me know how you like this egg jelly. 

Until next time, stay full and stay happy.

Hot Lunch @ Baan Ice

Baan Ice, located on the ground floor and at the front of Somerset Thonglor, offers Southern Thai cuisine with authentic recipes from Nakorn Sri Tamarat. The restaurant is quite spacious with double-floor dining spaces and an small outdoor chill area. Driving to the restaurant is not a problem because there are plenty parking spaces (but the traffic is another story). It is quite convenient to commute to Baan Ice using BTS. Simply get off at BTS Thonglor station and catch a taxi or motorbike to Somerset Thonglor.

As people who enjoy Southern Thai cuisine, my boyfriend and I decided to have my lunch at Baan Ice the last Tuesday. Actually, I made the decision based mainly on two reasons. Firstly, during PMS, girls usually experience this craving for certain dishes. My cravings evolve around Thai fermented fish (ปลาร้า) and spicy food. Secondly, our good friend recommended this place to us a month or so ago when we talked about Southern Thai food.

A word of warning... what you see below may not look spicy, but trust me, my mouth was burning quite badly at the end of the meal. It is one of those painful and joyful moments in life. You know what I mean. The first dish we ordered was, of course, the popular Gaeng Tai Pla (แกงไตปลา) or spicy yellow curry with mackerel and fish gut. Here at Baan Ice, this soup was very very spicy, but it was worth the pain.

Goong Phad Sataw Kapi (กุ้งผัดสตอกะปิ) was good. It was the combination of kapi (shrimp paste) and chili paste. I prefer with just kapi. The right dish is called Gaeng Khe Lek (แกงขี้เหล็ก). It is one of the hard-to-find spicy Thai coconut soup with cassia leaves. I grew up with this soup and I still love having it. Cassia leaves have many great health benefits, so this soup is considered very nutritious.

To give spicy a break, we ordered stuffed omelette (ไข่ยัดไส้). I love this dish here so much! It was delicious. Give it a try if you are an egg lover like me. You get sourness, sweetness and a little bit of saltiness in one dish.

Towards the end of the meal, you are probably burning all over from the heat of chili in all the dishes. I suggest Pink Snow (หิมะสีชมพู) to cool you down. Personally, I think this is a very suitable and delicious dessert for a spicy meal.

So how would I rate Baan Ice? I would give 8.6 out of 10 for overall.

• 8.5 for Food... 3 out of 5 dishes we ordered were insanely good! ... but I like the recipe for Goong Phad Sataw Kapi at Khua Kling + Pak Sod better, and I expected more cassia leaves in Gaeng Khe Lek.
• 9.0 for Ambiance... Clean decoration with green and white theme. A little touch of leather chairs makes Baan Ice a little more edgy. The brown wooden book shelves make it more homey. Also it is located in a modern building with an easy and clean parkings. Good job for that.
• 8.0 for Services... Most waiters and waitresses need a little bit more training on how to provide proper restaurant services. However, there was one particular waitress who was very informative, helpful and responsive.
• 9.0 for Prices... 5 dishes and many bottles of water checked out to be less than 800 Thai Baht. I was super impressed. If compared to other Thai restaurants, the prices might be a little higher... but considering it is located in the hi-so Thonglor, I would say the prices are pretty cheap.

Until next time, stay full and stay happy.

Noodles @ Baan Guay Tiew

Baan Guay Tiew (บ้านก๋วยเตี่ยว) in Ramkhamhaeng soi 24 has always been a place where my parents and I enjoy our breakfasts, lunches and for many and many years. The food still tastes as good as it was when I first had it. The owners are still as lovely as the first time I met them. Some things have changed over the years like decorations and waiting staff, but it is comforting to know that the food I enjoy does not change.

Today, I had a little lunch date with my dad at Baan Guay Tiew. I thought I should write a little review on the place, and what you see in this blog post are what I usually order when I am there. You could say they are my kind of comfort food.

First dish is a noodle dish. It is called Cha Gang Raew (ชากังราว). I have no idea what the English name for it is, so Cha Gang Raew will do just for now. This dish is amazing in terms of flavor because you get three amazing tastes; saltiness from coconut milk, dry shrimps and pork crackling, sweetness from sweet pickled turnips and sourness from lime juice. You can choose the type of noodles you want and whether you want the soup or not. I love mine dry and with skinny rice noodles, while my dad likes his with soup and egg noodles. So give it a go and have your own customized one.

Second dish is the well known Pork Wanton with Red Pork and Vegetables. Again you can choose if you want it dry or with soup. I like mine dry or with a teeny tiny bit of soup.

This is a very cute and yummy appetizer, Mini Ham and Cheese Spring Rolls. The combination of ham and cheese makes everything a lot tastier.

Last but not least... my favorite childhood dessert, Jelly with Milk. The trick is to always ask for extra milk. It is light and yet satisfying. Every time I have this dessert, my fond memories of childhood come back to me. I shall save the sobby bits for the next time.

So how would I rate Baan Guay Tiew? I would rate 8.5 out of 10 for overall.

• 9.5 for Food... Everything tastes as good as I first tastes it almost 10 years ago. No much has changed, the only thing is that there are more items on the menu. More breakfast and dinner dishes.
• 7.5 for Ambiance... Although Baan Guay Tiew has been decorating this and that, there is no universal theme to it. However, it is a clean restaurant with good lighting and easy to read menu boards.
• 8.5 for Services... I love love love the owners. They are very friendly. They take orders and sometimes serve themselves. However, I often see new faces among the waiters and waitresses, so it explains why some of them are pretty rough in providing services.
• 8.5 for Prices... Quite a fair price considering how much stuff they give you in your noodle bowl, but more expensive than, of course, the usual noodles you have.

Until next time, stay full and stay happy.

Sweet Time @ Silkream Dolci Cafe

Silkream Dolci Cafe has recently opened a new branch on the ground floor of Siam Paragon. Whether you are looking for a place for delicious desserts or just a place to rest your weary soul after a restless shopping journey, this is a good option for you. You could sit on nice sofas or wooden chairs and watch the world goes by. For me, I chose this place today for desserts instead of my go-to dessert place in Siam Paragon, Pancake Cafe. 

What you see above is Caramel Banana Crepe served on a hot plate. Not just the intriguing presentation, the yumminess is maxed out to the next level. Salty and sweet at the same time. I just fell in love.

Chocolate Fondant is a typical warm gooey chocolate lava cake. The gimmick is that the whole dessert is served on a freezed white plate. It is quite nice. Try both desserts with a cup of tea or coffee of your choice, and you are good. 

So how would I rate Silkream Dolci Cafe? I would give 8.3 out of 10 for overall.

• 8.5 for Food... I love the caramel banana crepe, but personally, Chocolate Fondant is just average. 
• 8.0 for Ambiance... The color tone of beige and wood is very nice, clean looking and homey. However, the cafe is located in the middle of the walkway between many restaurants. It could be a little noisy at times. 
• 8.5 for Services... The waitresses were very sweet, patient and attentive. They even ask for your feedback on your desserts and drinks. They are quick to clear the tables. 
• 8.5 for Prices... They are about the same price on average with After You, Pancake Cafe and Vanilla Brasserie. 

 Until next time, stay full and stay happy.

Quiet Meals @ The Grill Tokyo

Ever wonder where you could find a quiet place away from the crowd to enjoy your meal in Siam Paragon? The Grill Tokyo, located on the ground floor, is a spacious restaurant offering modern Japanese dishes with a little fusion twist. The restaurant opens for lunch (11am - 2pm) and dinner (5.30 - 10pm).

For lunch, you could expect to spend around 600 to 800 Baht for a lunch set and drinks. For the 450++ lunch set, you could choose 4 dishes (appetizer, grill dish, main dish and dessert) of your choice. The portions are enough for you to be satisfied once you are done with your dessert. However, my favorite Beef Steak set. If you are crazy about beef like I am, then this set would make your lunch a happy one. The steak was cooked just right that you could still taste the freshness of the beef and feel its tenderness in your mouth. It went so well with the warm Japanese rice. Let me just say this... The Grill Tokyo has been my favorite lunch spot in Siam Paragon for many and many years. 

For dinner, obviously you would expect to spend over 1,000 Baht. The last dinner my friends and I had there, we spent around 2,000 Baht per person. It usually depends on what items you order. The restaurant managers usually come around to your table with a tray of fresh premium import ingredients and make recommendations on what dishes would be great with those delicacies. Those, apart from Kobe and Matsusaka beef, are the expensive stuff. If you have a budget, do avoid those. If not, splurge yourself. The pictures below were taken during my last dinner there. The prices listen below are subject to service charge and vat. 

The above roll is Zuwai Gani Aspara Ebiko Maki (295 Baht) or rolled sushi of snow crab, asparagus and shrimp roe. The roll comes in 5 pieces. Amazing flavor! If you enjoy sushi rolls, this is worth a try. 

Nigiri Sushi Mori Gokujyo, the super deluxe sushi set, comes with assorted seafood fresh premium sushi. If you crave for decent sushi, happen to be at Siam Paragon and have no time to drive or take BTS to sushi bars around Bangkok, walk over to the Grill Tokyo and have some. 

Grilled Ox Sliced Tongue has always been my usual dish to order here. The chefs really know what they are doing. The tanginess of the lemon complements the saltiness and sweetness of the ox tongue and heightens the overall flavor.

Shabu Shabu, or hot pot with sliced Kobe (1,300 Baht) or Matsusaka beef  (1,940 Baht), is very nice and just the right portion to share between 2 or more people.

Ebi Ten Maki, or prawn tempura roll, is a crunchy roll that has a well rounded flavor that leaves you satisfied. It comes in 5 pieces and cost 290 Baht. 

If the rolls do not give you enough carbohydrate satisfaction, try don here. What you see above is the large size Gyu Harami Don (340 Baht) or the seasoned beef skirt steak rice. So very yummy. I always love the beef don here. Also you could find the smaller size of this steak rice in the lunch set menu. Like I suggest before, lunch is a good chance for you to try on many dishes at lower prices. 

So how would I rate the Grill Tokyo? I would give 8.75 out of 10 for overall.

• 9.0 for Food... I love everything created in this kitchen. Too much yumminess. Enough said.
• 8.5 for Ambiance... I love the exclusive and elegant feel to the Grill Tokyo. Warm colors  and wood are used to make the place look warm and cozy. The clean decoration is also a plus. You could feel you are resting and enjoying the good food while leaving the busy Siam Paragon at the Grill Tokyo doorstep. 
• 9.0 for Services... Amazing services from the managers. The staff are attentive, but sometimes they could be not very friendly. I do not know the reason. I love Chef Mori and the managers. They are very pleasant and humble. 
• 8.5 for Prices... Over 90% of the ingredients are imported from Japan, so obviously it shows on the bill. If you are feeling fancy and would like to spend a little bit more on your meal, then it is of the right value. 

So remember the next time you are looking for a quiet restaurant in Siam Paragon, give the Grill Tokyo a try.

Until next time, stay full and stay happy. 

Jolly Dinner @ Tribeca Restobar

Tribeca Restobar, which is located on the ground floor of Nihonmura Mall in Thonglor soi 13, offers American style dishes with a New York City ambiance. The restaurant is becoming another popular brunch spot in Bangkok, but my friends and I had a catch-up dinner for a change.

Nihonmura Mall could be a little bit tricky. Please do not confuse the mall part with the old Nihonmura. I highly suggest arriving early if you are driving as there are not many parking spaces available. A preferable option is to walk, take a taxi or carpool with friends. Also it would be wise to make a reservation if you are going in a big group.

A word of warning... Please do not be alarmed by the amount of food that you see on this blog post. The food was shared between 8 people.

My boyfriend and I arrived earlier than the rest of the gang so we decided that we should order Cheese Fries and Truffle Mac & Cheese Balls to eat while waiting. The decision to order these two dishes was a good one. They are definitely created for cheese lovers.

The special for that day was Crab Cake Burger. I would say if you love crab cakes, you would probably enjoy this dish. Another burger that made it into our dinner was Tribeca's Wagyu Burger. Like always, it has to be a medium rare one.

For pasta lovers, you have got to order Duo Belly Carbonara. Guarantee an orgasm in your mouth. Personally, I could never finish a plate of carbonara pasta by myself, but I might just be able to do that with this dish. Salty pork belly goes so well with the creaminess of carbonara sauce. This is a highly recommended dish. Another pasta dish was Tiger Prawn Tagliatelle. It would be great if the overall taste could be a little bit more intense. 

Grilled Seabass was amazing. A little bit crisped and salty seabass skin is well balanced with the tanginess of the sauce and cherry tomatoes. If you love fish for dinner, this is a good option.

The American classic, Steak & Egg, was very nice. The steak, again, was in medium rare. A little touch of hollandaise sauce made this dish a little more interesting. If you are a lamb lover/eater like me, you would enjoy Lamb with Pistachio Crumble. We had ours in, again, medium rare.

The last dish to talk about here is Beetroot & Goat Cheese Risotto. Since I was not a big fan of risotto, I was not really into the dish. Just the color makes the whole dish very appealing to the eye already... so give it a go if you like risotto.

For drinks, if you do not mind the calories, I highly recommend trying the Double Chocolate Smoothie and Chocolate Oreo Smoothie. They could be a good substitute for desserts. Just saying.

So how would I rate Tribeca Restobar? I would give 8.6 out of 10 for overall.

• 8.5 for Food... Most dishes, like Duo Belly Carbonara, Lamb and Truffle Mac & Cheese balls, are amazing, but I still love my burgers at Smith and Hyde & Seek better.
• 9.0 for Ambiance... I love the New York City feel to the restaurant. The use of dark blue, large glasses and wood make Tribeca very classy, but still very cozy looking. the slash of red (from the bar stools) with the rest of the cool tone colors gives you the feeling that Tribeca is also very interesting and fun. The music complements the food and drinks well. More importantly, it is not too loud that diners have to yell across the table just for a chat.
• 8.5 for Services... Waiters and waitresses were very responsive and helpful. The co-owner was very pleasant and sweet. He explained dishes to us patiently and clearly. That was definitely a plus factor. However, when we called the restaurant asking for information and direction, the person who answered the phone seemed somewhat clueless. It was quite frustrating talking to her.
• 8.5 for Prices... The prices are the Thonglor (or upscale area) prices. Therefore, expect to pay around 1,000 Thai Baht for your meal.

Until next time, stay full and stay happy.

Dinner Party @ Cavalli Kitchen & Bar, Thonglor Soi 18

Cavalli Kitchen & Bar, a cozy industrial style restaurant, has recently opened on the second floor of the MaxValu building in Thonglor soi 18 offering modern European dishes. The music changes as the night gets older, but it complements the food and drinks so well that you keep ordering more and more. 

Cavalli is truly suitable for a mini party, a dinner party or even a simple get together dinner with friends and loved ones. That was exactly the reason we were there last Saturday. The dinner party was amazing because of delicious food, good music and amazing friends. Many dishes were ordered, tasted and licked clean. The following food pictures were the only one I could quickly snapped before the food quickly disappeared into our stomachs. I would have to revisit Cavalli again for a proper restaurant review... but this will do just for now. Think of it as a teaser.

Chicken Confit

 

Lamb Loin

Panna Cotta with Chocolate Ice-cream and Oreo Crumbles

So how would I rate Cavalli Kitchen & Bar? I would give 8.75 out of 10 for overall.

• 9.0 for Food... We loved most dishes. It would be great if there were more finger food items for drinkers to choose from. Given a little more time, I am quite sure Cavalli will have the menu that people talk about and the must try dishes. One thing I have to mention, the steak was cooked perfectly. It was the kind of perfection that the fat melts in your mouth just as you slowly savor the beef. We were in heaven.
• 8.5 for Ambiance... The clean and cosy industrial decoration gives the down to earth romantic feel to the restaurant. A good balance of masculine and feminine touches in the use of wood, dark walls and lighting. You would feel comfortable and fully enjoy your experience at Cavalli. 
• 9.0 for Services... The staff were very attentive, responsive and informative. The dishes were quickly cleared. The orders came fast. The waiters and waitresses were present but they did not make you feel uncomfortable. ... Chef Au, the Head Chef who has over 10 year experiences working in New York and with many famous 5-star hotels, was lovely and friendly. He came around to ask how the dishes were and if there were any suggestions. It creates such a feeling that Cavalli is really into the details. 
• 8.5 for Prices... With the same food being served elsewhere, it would be charged more. I could safely say Cavalli charges less than other restaurants serving similar dishes. Definitely a plus factor here. 

Until next time, stay full and stay happy. 

Friday Night @ Hyde & Seek Gastro Bar

If you are looking for a place to chill on a Friday night with few yummy cocktails, then head to soi Ruamrudee where you will find Hyde & Seek Gastro Bar, a popular cocktail drinking place, located in the Plaza Athenee Residences. Parkings are available, and the walking distance from the BTS Ploenchit station is acceptable. After all, a little bit of exercise before you enjoy the drinks would be a benefit to you. Hyde & Seek is usually full so a reservation is highly recommended if you would not want to be seated outside to fight with mosquitos.

If you are a burger lover, Yangee Beef Burger is worth a try. We ordered a medium rare one. The thing about steaks and burgers in Thailand is that sometimes you order something and you get something entirely different. For example, I love having my steaks and burgers in medium rare, and I usually get medium ones instead. ... so as you may have guessed, we were happy with what was served to us. Another impressive dish was 12 Hours Braised Pork Belly as it leaves you with this combination of sweetness and saltiness in your mouth. It was a very yummy dish.

Mouse Trap would be for those who enjoy really cheesy mac and cheese. However, it is highly recommended sharing this dish with another person or a group of friends. It could be a little too cheesy at the end.

Duck Confit is a nice dish to order if you do not know what to order from the menu. The balance between sweetness of the sauce that was glazed on the duck skin and saltiness of the duck meat is just right. The duck meat was tender and nicely cooked.

While we were having our dishes, I also enjoyed the non-alcohol drink called "Gingerellabella", the drink that any ginger lover like me would totally drown myself in. The cute name is also a plus for ladies as well.

It would not be a complete meal without a dessert or two, right? Of course! That is exactly why Melting Chocolate-Nutella Souffle Pudding was ordered along with a cup of Americano. This chocolaty and nutty pudding is just amazing. After all, who would not love chocolate?! This is a dessert both male and female patrons could enjoy.

So how would I rate Hyde & Seek Gastro Bar? I would give out 8.5 of 10 for overall.

• 9.0 for Food... Everything was yummy, but the cheesy dish was too overwhelming towards the end.
• 8.5 for Ambiance... The use of dark wood and leather to give masculine feel is well balanced by the beautiful mirrors and colorful floor tiles to give the place a feminine touch. However, the theme is really continued once you are outdoor.
• 8.0 for Services... There were some experienced and helpful waiters and waitresses giving you recommendations and answering your queries. They know their cues. However, there were some very unprofessional ones, who looks like temporary waiters and waitresses. These ones really got on my nerves. They did not smile, talk nicely and clearly know how to provide services. The restaurant really should consider about this more.
• 8.5 for Prices... The prices are on par with the rest of the similar restaurants.

Until next time, stay full and stay happy.

Industrial Sunday Brunch @ Smith

Weekend brunches have become my favorite thing to do with my loved ones. It is such a good occasion to catch up and have amazing food to fill your tummy. Plus it gets rid of the hassle of having to wake up early for good food. Who would not love brunches?

The past Sunday, my college friend and I got together for a little catch up at Smith. Oh! Just a little explanation before you read on and see the amount of food consumed for this review. Please do not be alarmed. There were four of us, two gentlemen and two ladies. No one suffered from gastronomic unrest.

Smith is located on Sukhumvit soi 49. Just a little turn around the corner from the main road and, about 50 meters later on your left, you will see the restaurant sign. The restaurant is decorated in the industrial style, but there is a cosy feel to it as well. The parking spaces are limited, so be there early or simply take the BTS to Thonglor or Phrom Phong station. The restaurant is within the walking distance. For the food, Smith offers a great selection of European fusion dishes.

If you are considering Smith for your weekend brunch, a reservation is highly recommended. When my boyfriend and I arrived at the restaurant, all tables were fully reserved. Arriving around 11 am would give you some room to breathe before the restaurant starts to fill up. Don't you just love watching a restaurant being filled up slowly? Watching the movements people make? I really love that.

The thing about brunch is that you usually feel super hungry by the time you get to your seat. It is the same case for this Sunday brunch. The first things we ordered were Seared Foie Gras, Oysters, Grannie's French Toast, Smith's Benedict and Lamb Belly. There were two pieces of nicely seared foie gras on a plate. I could hear the "hrmmmm" coming from my boyfriend. It was a good bite for him. The oysters were small but very fresh. I could tell because I did not have any allergy going after I had them.

Grannie's French Toast came in small cut toast sticks with strawberry pieces and maple syrup. The sticks looked so adorably cute in the pot and they were easy to eat as they came in the stick form. What I love in the Smith's Benedict was the fact that the crispy pork is used instead of the ham or whatever. The saltiness of the crispy pork went so well with the poached egg, creamy hollandaise and sticky warm toast. Soooo good! Order one if you are there.

What we did not expect to be so good was Lamb Belly. There was no distinct lamb scent once you put it in your mouth. The lamb belly might look hard to chew, but they were very tender and tasty. This is a must try. It was just amazing.

The second order came with Salt & Honey Baked Prawns, Steak & Egg, Crispy Oysters & Scrambled Eggs and Lightly Smoked Salmon.

Salt & Honey Baked Prawns came with chili paste and fried chili. The freshness of the prawns made the dish really nice. Crispy Oysters & Scrambled Eggs made a nice combination. It certainly would be a good brunch dish.

The most amazing dish to me was Steak & Egg. The nicely grilled steak and almost runny egg were nicely placed on cheddar and potato nest. The combination would take you out of this world. This is a must try dish if you are at Smith. Another dish that could not not be mentioned is Lightly Smoked Salmon. This dish made the table behind me exclaimed "wow, this is amazing." Such exclamation made me call the waitress and ordered it right away. I was impressed. It was cooked just the way I love my salmon steak to be. This is also another must try dish.

The third order had to be desserts. We tried all desserts available on on the brunch menu, but only three are worth mentioning. Banana Split came with burnt honey ice-cream and caramelized banana. I am still not sure what was the dark bit at the bottom of the plate. That bit was yummy! In fact, the whole dish was amazingly delicious.

Almond Waffle was an alright dessert. The waffle sticks came with toasted berries and ice-cream. The waffles were a bit too dry to my liking, but the overall taste for the whole dessert was okay to me.

The dessert that you should not miss is Sundae Fun Day. There were three flavors you could choose from; burnt honey, malt and peach. Personally, I love malt the most. So nice with everything.

If you are the type who enjoy wine during your brunch, Smith knows how to deliver the wine well. Every refill came in a new chilled glass. "The Glass is always full" starts from 11am to 3pm and is only 485++ Thai Bahts. My boyfriend sure had his more than enough supply of both white and red wine.

So how would I rate Smith? I would give 8.75 out of 10 for overall.

• 9.5 for Food... Everything was so yummy. I still prefer my waffles somewhere else.
• 8.5 for Ambiance... The interior is very nice, but maybe Smith should focus more on the exterior as well. The industrial theme should not be the excuse to have exterior a little "unfinished". Plus there should be a better eye catching restaurant sign outside to tell the diners they have arrived at the restaurant so it would be easier for them to find.
• 8.5 for Services... The staff is amazing. They are friendly and helpful. What is a plus is their knowledge on every dish on the menu. However, they mixed up the orders between our table and the table behind us many times.
• 8.5 for Prices... The brunch price (985++ Thai Bahts) and the free flow wine price (485++ Thai Bahts) are the average price for brunch venues.

Until next time, stay full and stay happy.