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Published on December 21, 2007

I 've never considered myself a food connoisseur, but a couple of years back when I was assigned to write a food column for Weekend, I began to learn a few things about good food. For me, good food must bring comforts to both the palate and the purse. I prefer a clean place that is tasty and is true to their word. I don't like places that require too much effort (sorry, but I cannot deal with kerbside mafia and parking tickets). The following is a list of the restaurants that I have revisited on my own.

1 Kuan Ah

884/9 Rama III Road, Bangpongpang, Yan Nawa (next to SV City Complex)

This is the place for sumptuous, fatty, tasty Hainanese steamed chicken rice. The place just moved from Sathorn Road earlier this year but still serves fabulous Chinese food. It has a canteen ambience with lots of Chinese families gathering around big round tables or in sofa cubicles. Portions are large and affordable. Steamed chicken (Bt250-500) should be accompanied by the home-cooked khao man (steamed rice), pad chap chai (mixed stir-fried veggie, Bt130-Bt200), and Hainanese-style hot pot (Bt200-300). Daily, 10am to 9pm. Call (02) 682 7747-8. Price=BB

2 Red

124 Sukhumvit Soi 53 (Thonglor Soi 9)

New twists on traditional Indian food are offered in an easygoing, cosy ambience. Gagan Anand is an enthusiastic chef who flew from Delhi to formulate the restaurant's modern and light menu. Must-tries include the grilled fish ajwani tikka (Bt550) served with fresh mango pickles, salmon paturi (Bt600) which is an Eastern Indian favourite, Nimbu chicken (Bt375), pasta with Makhani and mutton kebab sauce (Bt350) and curry spiced seafood risotto (Bt350) and chocolate martini (Bt295) and kulab jamun served with raspberry sauce and mango sorbet (Bt180). Set Thai lunch is also available at Bt550. Daily, 11.30am to 2.30pm, 6pm to midnight. Call (02) 259 7590. Price=BBB

3 Olive Kebab & Cafe

All Seasons Place, second floor, CRC Tower, Wireless Road

Quick and tasty Greek kebabs and an array of other exotic snacks is served. The hummus and other mezze dips (Bt70, served with pita bread), dolma (stuffed pickled vine leaves), and kebab wraps (from Bt125/single to Bt285/set) as well as their thick and creamy Greek yoghurt served with honey and almond (Bt100) are all our favourites. Daily, 11am to 9pm. Call (02) 685 3989. Price=BB

4 Bharani

Thailand Creative and Design Centre, sixth floor, The Emporium, Sukhumvit Soi 24

Bharani's TCDC branch is a quiet alternative for good Thai food. The place serves delicious old-style Thai-Western dishes like home-made pork sausage and spicy smoked ham salad (Bt85). Their tacos (pork or beef or chicken, Bt180) and home-smoked ham (Bt160) make wonderful appetisers. For a quick bite, order a bowl of boat noodles (Bt85), sticky rice and Thai-French sun-dried beef (Bt130), or a plate of fried red-eye rice with fried salmon (Bt150). Tuesday to Sunday, 10.30am to 9pm. Call (02) 664 8468. Also at Sukhumvit Soi 23, (02) 664 4454. Price=BB

5 Je Jong Moo Tod (Je Jong's Fried Pork)

348 Rim Rod Fai Kao Road, behind Tesco Lotus, Rama IV Road

You can't miss this place for the long queue of hungry motorcyclists and the aromatic trail of fried pork. The speciality is crispy-fried pork served with steamed rice and half-boiled egg (Bt20-25). Buy the pork in bulk (Bt200 per kilo), which makes a wonderful addition to other home-cooked dishes. Monday to Saturday, 6am to 3pm. Call (083) 013 2574. Price=B

6 Lin Fa Chinese Restaurant

Siam City Hotel, 477 Sri Ayutthaya Road

Worth a stop for the delicious array of dim sum (starting at Bt50). Personal favourites are Tsiu-Chow sui mai, steamed pork/shrimp dumplings, steamed fun-koh, steamed crab meat/pork dumplings, ha-gao, steamed scallop cheng-fun, crispy-fried taro, and deep-fried turnovers. Weekend dim sum buffet is Bt495 net per person. Daily: 11.30am to 2.30pm, 6 to 10.30pm. Call (02) 247 0123 ext 1820-1. Price=BB

7 Uta-andon

The Emporium, third floor, Sukhumvit Soi 24

This comfortable, no-frills Japanese restaurant serves fabulous udon soups and good value lunch sets on weekdays (Bt200 to Bt250). Worth trying is the soy-braised flounder or karei netsuke (Bt270), which is best with steamed rice, mixed seafood kaisen udon (Bt190), egg tamagotoji udon (Bt150) and gyu-don beef rice (Bt170). Daily, 11am to 10pm. Call (02) 664 8528. Price=BB

8 Guay Tiew Luisuan Khun Tip

Talad Lung Perm, behind Thai Airways, Vibhavadi-Rangsit Soi 22

A bit of a hassle to get to because of its location, but you can call Khun Tip and order in advance to get your pack of her fabulous noodles by noon (otherwise you will have to wait, wait and wait). Thai-style spring rolls with minced pork, mushroom and lettuce served with spicy seafood sauce are Bt5 a piece and make a wonderful appetiser, meal or party canape. Vegetarian versions are available. The rolls are available for takeaway for only Bt50 to Bt100 a box of 10 to 20 pieces. Monday to Saturday, 7.30am to 3pm. Call (06) 603 4727 or (04) 005 5420. Price=B

9 Lee Cafe

Urban Kitchen, ground floor, Erawan Bangkok

A reliable place for a quick and tasty fill, there is an extensive menu of Thai and Chinese dishes. The best is yentafour (spicy rice noodle soup, Bt60), guichai tod (fried dumplings, Bt50), por pia roti (ham and cheese spring rolls, Bt50), kanom pakkad (stir-fried turnip curds with bean sprouts, Bt70), khao pad pla khem (fried rice with salted fish, Bt80), khao pad pla tu (fried rice with Thai mackerel, Bt80) and finish it all off with a bowl of Hainanese sweet bua kia (Bt45). Daily, 11.30am to 10pm. Call (02) 250 7758-9. Price=BB

10  Lim Lao Ngow

Golden Place, Praditmanutham Road, off Ekamai-Ram Indra Expressway, Wangthonglang

Cheap, clean and delicious fish-ball noodles are served at this branch of the famous 50-year-old Lim Lao Ngow in Chinatown. They make their own fish balls and dumplings. The clear soup is strictly served without bean sprouts because the nutty flavour of the sprouts can ruin the delicate aroma of their fish stock. Rice and egg noodles with fish balls are Bt35 to Bt40. Also, they serve refreshing chilled young coconut, which is addictive. Daily, 8.30am to 8.30pm. Call (087) 099 9340. Price=B

11 Wandamrong (Mae Boonchuay)

573/114 Soi Thepleela 14, near Sriwara Intersection, Soi Ramkhamhaeng 39, Wangthonglang

A great place for Thai desserts, the best being kanom chan (layers of sweets Bt50/box), tago (coconut puddings, Bt30/box), piek poon (steamed cakes served with grated fresh coconut, Bt50/box) and coconut jelly at Bt42/box. Parking is a problem, so it's best to have a friend wait in your car while you pop out to grab takeaway treats. Monday to Saturday, 7am to 6pm. Call (02) 559 0677, Thai. Price=B

12 The Foodie

83/6 Moobaan Cement Thai, opposite Kasemratch Hospital, Prachacheun Road

Suitable for a home-style family gathering, there is tons of good Thai food. Hard-to-find traditional dishes include nampla-fried pork belly (Bt75), palo-stew with salted eggs (Bt75), stir-fried sliced fresh bitter gourd with fresh shrimps (Bt80), and sun-dried beef in coconut milk soup (Bt95). Their spicy mushroom salad and soft-boiled eggs (Bt115), Southern-style gaeng tai pla (Bt80), a plate of stir-fried sator nuts with fresh shrimps (Bt150) are also fantastic. The place also serves fabulous khao chae during summer at Bt200/set. Monday to Friday, 11am to 2.30pm, 5 to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday, 11am-10pm. Call (02) 911 0149. Price=BB

13 Four Seasons Hotel

155 Rajdamri Road

Sunday brunch at the Four Seasons is guilty pleasure for my small family. We always celebrate our special occasions here thanks to the place's superb and sumptuous seafood buffet. There are also Japanese, Thai and Italian sections. All drinks are included in the price (Bt2,350, half price for children), so you can enjoy free-flowing champagne, cocktails, soft drinks and juices. Sundays, 11.30am to  3pm. Call (02) 250 1000. Price=BBB

14 Islamic Restaurant

196 Charoenkrung Soi 36, opposite French Embassy

Delicious, rich dishes such as mutton masala (Bt50 and Bt70), beef keema (Bt55) with roti (Bt25) or rice, fried fish (Bt60) or fried mutton (Bt130)with biryani rice (Bt30) keep me coming back. Their home-made yoghurt (Bt30) is another favourite along with their panna cotta and caramel custard (Bt35-40). Carpark nearby at Bt20/hour. Monday to Saturday, 11am to 10pm, Sunday, 6pm to 10pm. Call (02) 234 7911. Price=B

15 Yod Lab Ped Udon

106 New Rama IX Road, Suan Luang

Phi Ju, another good friend, told me about this homey, clean place for Isaan treats and barbecued seafood. You can comfortably chill out with nice laab ped (spicy duck meat salad with Thai herbs), somtam and grilled chicken. Run by the son of the late owners, it keeps expanding. You can bring your own bottles (no corkage charge). Don't forget to check out the big restroom. Daily, 11am to 11.30pm. Call (02) 718 3111, (02) 718 9866. Price=B

16 Paeng Thong

Opposite the guard post on Moo Baan Garden Home, Phaholyothin Road, Don Muang

This remote, nondescript place serves the best pork- and beef-ball noodles. Grilled meatballs are Bt6 for a skewer of three. They are great for parties, too; order them grilled in bulk with the house's delicious home-made dipping sauce. Daily, 10am to 9pm (closed on the last Monday of every month). Call (02) 531 4199. Price=B

17 Le Pla Daak

888/3 Moo 9 Klong Lamjiak Road, Klongkum, Bung Koom

Though it may joke around with a French-sounding name, this fun place's dishes are truly Isaan. We especially like their tam mua sua (rough translation: 'whatever somtam' with wild selections of ingredients such as pickles, devil's figs, karieng chillies, and baby prawns). Their c'est bon deep fried free-range chicken comes complete with a glass of red wine and a heap of home-made French fries. Daily, 11.30am to midnight. Call (02) 943 9528. Price=BB

18 Khao Soi Lamduan Fah Ham

Vibhavadi-Rangsit Soi 58, Lak Si

If you're in the mood for some Northern treats, you can't go wrong with a place run by the daughter of the founders of Chiang Mai's famous Khao Soi Lam Duan. The khao soi (available in beef, crunchy pork ribs, and chicken, Bt35) is creamy and delicious. The kanom cheen nam ngiew (rice noodles with pork relish) is another favourite. Parking available at kerbside. Daily, 8.30am to 3pm (closed on the last Sunday of every month). Call (02) 579 6403. Price=B

19 Wai Thai

183 Silom Road, next to Silom Complex

Here you'll find healthful dishes, with no oil, sugar or salt. Entrees include stir-fried rice with basil sauce (Bt95), cooked with home-made broth, brown rice or vegetable noodles in chicken or shitake broth (Bt95), grilled lemongrass chicken and chicken satay. Their blended juices are delicious. And you must try their sorbets (Bt55). Daily, 11am to midnight. Call (02) 632 1461-3. Price=B

20 Chico

109 Soi Renoo, Sukhumvit Soi 53

A great escape from the department stores and streets, this Japanese-style Italian cafe and interior design shop is tucked away in a secluded area. It's a great place for quick snack, a pot of fresh green tea and the place's famous honey loaf. Wednesday to Monday, 9.30am to 6pm. Call (02) 258 6557.

Price=B

Sirin P Wongpanit