THEGUIDE
bangkok
FAHTHAI
89
AQUA,
FOUR SEASONS
The courtyard bar
at the Four Seasons
Bangkok has, for a
number of years, been
the place to see and
be seen. Obviously
it's away from the
main drinking streets,
but this is more of
a destination bar,
especially in the early
evening. Set amid
lush vegetation and
a subtle network of
chairs and tables, it’s
where the well-heeled
sip crisp martinis next
to leafy green koi
ponds. Aqua also has
a superb cocktail bar
featuring a menu of 40
concoctions. Try the
ginger piña mojito; it’s
truly world class.
(fourseasons.com)
TRAFFIC
is
notoriously
congested in
Bangkok, so chill
with the locals
U R B A N S W I R L
Where to
sip with
the stars
Top Tables
MASALA ART
Owned and operated by
Delhi natives who use spices
imported directly from India,
Masala Art serves the tastiest
and most authentic North
Indian cuisine in Bangkok in a
comfortable, modern ambience.
Dishes made with paneer –
traditional Indian cheese made
on the premises using only
fresh, unprocessed milk – are
especially recommended.
(masala-artbkk.com)
ZUMA
This sixth branch of chef
Rainer Becker’s Zuma chain,
inspired by Japanese izakaya
and attached to the St Regis
Bangkok, boasts a robata-sushi
bar and a large terrace with
a pond and Japanese garden.
Signature dishes include the,
wait for it, “dynamite spider
roll” made with softshell crab
and spicy beef tenderloin with
sesame, red chilli and sweet soy.
(zumarestaurant.com)
PHUKET TOWN
Phang-Nga native Ketsakorn
Kiattikul serves spicy southern
fare based on old family recipes
along with ingredients sent
up from the south. Just about
everyone orders the
pla sai thaut
khamin
(fried, turmeric-coated
sea bream) but the
kung phat
sataw
(prawns stir-fried with
sataw
, a pungent bean from the
south) is also a great choice.
(Thong Lor, Soi 6)
Bottoms Up
MAGGIE CHOO’S
Descend a steep wooden
staircase and thread your way
through a tiny noodle bar to
reach the curtained entrance
to Bangkok’s hottest new club.
Designed by bar impresario
Ashley Sutton to resemble an
early 20th-century Shanghai
speakeasy, this velvet-and-iron
drinking den features models in
slit silk dresses swaying gently
on swings or lounging atop the
grand piano, while carefully
selected combos perform jazz,
blues or funk nightly.
(Beneath Novotel Fenix Silom)
Bangkok
