The Capital by Water Library Bangkok

What are the chances you would find a good steakhouse smack right in the middle of Bangkok? Newest addition to the Water Library group, The Capital is a place you need to visit if you are in town and love your steaks (and seafood).

The posh interior deco of the place boasts monochrome marbled flooring, with dark wood details. However, you wouldn't have to worry because there's no dress-code - which also means you can enjoy your medium rare steak at your own comfort, although i would suggest at least smart casual to not spoil the ambience.

With an import of beef from all over the world, be sure that you'll be spoilt for choice while glancing through the menu. All steaks are grilled on a special mix of Japanese Binchotan white charcoal and U.S. Hickory wood to achieve the perfect temperature and flavour. We tried the U.S. Black Angus which came perfectly seared on the outside, juicy medium rare on the inside and was full of smoky flavour off the grill. The steaks also comes with sides and we highly recommend the creamy mash potatoes to pair along. 

From the seafood menu, the Maine Lobster "Rockefeller" is one that's bound to leave you very very satisfied. Think about it - a whole fresh lobster, grilled with parmesan and spinach - what more could i ask for? The lobster flesh was cooked perfectly that the juices were retained and the creamy crusty parmesan added crunch and saltiness to it without overpowering the freshness of the seafood.

For desserts, the Banoffee is not to be missed. Served in a unique way, the dessert is plated with a poached banana, drowned in warm chocolate ganache and topped with salted caramel ice cream is bound to end the meal on a very sweet note.

Prices are extremely affordable at The Capital, which also means quality food without burning a hole in your pocket. Oh yes, and there's also a full on bar which definitely deserves a mention, and also their complimentary lime whisky after your meal - definitely a place to dine at and be merry!



The Capital by Water Library
Empire Tower, Level 3
South Sathorn Road, Bangkok
+66 0-2286-9548
www.waterlibrary.com


This was an invited media tasting.

Metro on Wireless Bangkok

We are always on a constant hunt for authentic Thai food in Bangkok because in Singapore, it's hardly that you find a restaurant that retains the original bold Thai flavours, and the ones that serve those usually will cost you a hole in your pocket.

While staying at Hotel Indigo Bangkok, we were pretty glad we stumbled upon Metro on Wireless - a cafe on the 2nd floor of the hotel that whips up delectable Thai food round the clock, and also crazily lip-smacking desserts such as pancakes and crepes - done fresh and only made upon your order.

To start, we highly highly recommend you go for the very addictive Deep-fried Shrimp Pancake that's golden-brown on the outside and resembles a fried egg texture. It is filled with a generous amount of baby shrimps that brings out the natural sweetness of each piece. You have been warned - you won't be stopping at just one.

If you love your noodles, be sure to try the spicy Thai Rice Noodles with Crab Meat Curry that comes with an abundance of freshly de-shelled crab meat. The noodles are crispy at the start but the dish immediately takes another dimension as soon as the curry is poured over the crispy noodles. If you like your rice as a staple, the Roasted Duck Red Curry is one that's bound to whet your appetite.

And you should most definitely leave room for dessert - because we promise you that it is worth every single calorie. The Banana Crepe with Vanilla Ice Cream is one dessert that you should indulge in, especially with Bangkok's crazy humid weather. Drizzled with freshly made orange caramel sauce, the crepes are only made upon order - so you can be sure they arrive on the table fresh, straight off the crepe pan!

Despite being located at Hotel Indigo Bangkok, the prices at Metro on Wireless are extremely pocket-friendly, considering the standard of food they serve. They also run a Thai buffet on the weekends, and set lunches in the afternoon. In all, it's definitely a place we will be going back to when we are in town - especially for the crepe!



Metro on Wireless
Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road
81 Wireless Road, Lumpini
Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
+ (66-2) 207 4999
www.hotelindigo.com/bangkok

Reservations: hotelindigo.bangkok@ihg.com 
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This was an invited media tasting.

1881 by Water Library Bangkok

Gastro-pub 1881 by Water Library is an all-day dining restaurant at noon, and turns into a nightlife hotspot when the sun sets. Not to be confused with their logo (even though i was), the 1881 looks exactly like a "W" (think Water Library), so spotting the place at Central Groove @ Central World might be tricky. 

Helmed by Chef Urs (pronounced "ers") from Switzerland, the kitchen serves up modern European cuisine with a twist of Thai flavours incorporated that's extremely value of money. The ambience gives off a chic vibe, with a live band on some days to keep you entertained during happy hour. If there's no live band, fret not, there's still the really talented, good looking and chatty chef that might come by your table if time allows.

To start, we highly recommend the Double Duck Mesclun. The double duck meaning behind the name of this dish comes from the tender slices of smoked duck and a sous vide duck egg in the middle. We enjoyed the sesame dressing on the salad and the flavours came together, giving it a clean refreshing taste with each mouthful.

A good example of the European Thai merger of flavours at 1881 is the Thai Style Chicken Burger "Larb Kai". The burger features a soft fluffy bun with a thick spicy chicken patty in the middle, sandwiched between cabbage and green mango shreds. The crunch from the green mango shreds resemble pickles you get from a normal burger and the spicy salsa accompanying it added some heat. If you don't want something so filling, the Siam Chicken Praline (finger food) is a close version of chicken pops that taste like the chicken patty from the burger.

I think what ultimately blew us away was the Kurobuta Pork Belly that had a crackling skin on the outside and was fork-tender within, it literally melted in our mouth. It also came served with an onsen egg and a very very delectable truffle-mushroom confit on the side. The whole plate was bursting with flavours from every corner, to the extent we secretly wished the portion was doubled.

And what is a bar without drinks? At 1881, the drinks menu is extensive and the range of liquors are aplenty. Our favourite was the Gummy Bear - a signature cocktail that consists of fresh mango and passionfruit as a base. Did we also mention that it comes with real gummy bears on the side?

1881 by Water Library is a place that's chill-out worthy after a long day at work, or for our case after a long day of shopping and running around the bustling city. Situated at Central World, the location is pretty central and easy to get to using public transport. But after a few rounds of drinks, trust me, you'll probably need to hail a cab back.



1881 by Water Library
Central Groove 
Central World Complex
Radjaprasong Junction, Bangkok
+66 0-2613-1774
www.waterlibrary.com


This was an invited media tasting.

Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road

It is not often you get to stay in a hotel that tells you about the history and surroundings of where you actually stay in. At Hotel Indigo, the locally inspired and stylish interior tells you the story behind the location, Wireless Road, or also known as Witthayu Road . A stone-throw away from Phloem Chit BTS, the hotel is located at where most of the embassies are, with the US embassy just beside. A few minutes of strolling will bring you to a couple of cafes nearby and high-end shopping at Central Embassy.

The eco-friendly hotel boasts corridors that are not air-conditioned, not exactly the best due to the crazy heat outside, but i guess for good cause - it's pretty understandable. The lobby, bar, restaurants and rooms are of course air-conditioned and the whole hotel is artistically designed with local art pieces all around.

Your first step into the room will leave you falling in love with the spacious interior and vibrant colours that makes you feel 'at home'. Don't expect posh and expensive, but rather a beautifully decorated room which makes you feel like you are living in your dream room at home.

With an option of the city or garden view, one can pick their preferred choice of scenery. We couldn't help but fall in love again and again with the brass taps in the toilet. Although most rooms do not come with a bathtub (think eco), the lush interior of the bathroom pretty much made up for it. Complimentary WIFI is available all day round, with a very good download speed.

On the 2nd floor, Metro on Wireless greets you with local Thai cuisine that's bound to whet your appetite. The all-day dining menu also features a dessert bar that offers amazingly thin and yummy crepes - head straight for the Banana Crepe that's topped with vanilla ice cream and orange caramel sauce - it's a clear winner.

For breakfast, one gets to choose from their menu that's made only upon order - this ensures that your breakfast reaches you fresh and hot, and that you get the enjoy the most of it even if you wake up late. On the menu, expect pancakes, waffles and eggs done the way you like it, paired with fresh juices, salad and pastries on the side. We especially enjoyed the outdoor seating in the morning which comes with a little bit of shade and breeze, overlooking the busy streets.

At evening, be sure to have a drink at 22 Steps Bar, just 21 foot steps (literally) above the lobby. With no dress code, i suggest you be like me, clad yourself in a comfortable singlet, shorts and flops and unwind with a couple of drinks from their full-on bar.

And if drinks aren't your thing, overlooking the city is a 24 hours gym, perfect for shedding the extra calories that you probably would have gained from the delicious food around. But if you are the lazy sort, just jump straight into the infinity-edge pool that promises you view of the beautiful sunset in the evening.

Hotel Indigo doesn't exactly seem like a hotel. In fact, it feels like a huge mansion that i would love to stay in all-day long. With everything under one roof (except that i wished they had a Spa), the concept of the place clearly is a winner, especially since accessibility isn't a problem. Now i wish i could hit the rewind button and go back in time to my plush bedding and hard-wood floors.



Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road
81 Wireless Road, Lumpini
Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
+ (66-2) 207 4999
www.hotelindigo.com/bangkok

Reservations: hotelindigo.bangkok@ihg.com 
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This was an invited media session.