From a Vogue-themed café to a progressive Chinese resto in a remodelled pharmacy.
By Ashima Sethi
New Café
Vogue Café (pictured above) has opened inside Erawan Bangkok and is a must-visit destination for fans of the magazine. Boasting stylish interiors, the café’s walls are adorned with large photos from editorial shoots over the years while its plush furnishings allow 60 people to eat and drink comfortably while looking down onto the bustling streets of Chit Lom below. On the menu is a wide selection of items perfect for the all-day dining vibe, including rice bowls, sandwiches, small plates, tapas-style dishes, salads and decadent desserts. Some of the standouts include the Asparagus ricotta tart with hollandaise sauce (THB 270), Beetroot bun beyond burger sliders (THB 280), and Crab brioche (THB 180). You can also pair your meal with one of their signature coffees or specialty teas. www.voguecafe.co.th
New Delivery Service
From the creators of Plantiful, Vegang is a new Bangkok-based food delivery business available via Grab and LINE. Established with the aim to make plant-based cuisine more accessible for the masses, their dishes take traditional Thai recipes and give them a vegan twist. Examples of dishes you can expect include Larb made from plant-based meat (THB 110); Khanom jeen with a spicy yellow curry and vegan ‘fish’ balls (THB 150); and Gaeng tay poe with veggies (THB 135). For an affordable lunch option, opt for their Rice with one side dish (THB 85) offer that has options like curried bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms stir fried with ginger, and others. Top it all off with their plant-based ‘fried egg’ made from tofu and pumpkin. Instagram: @vegang.bkk
New Restaurant
Funky started off by selling goods on Instagram, including their Funky kombucha, but has since expanded into South American cuisine, focusing primarly on arepas, which are a staple in countries like Venezuela and Panama. Versatile patty pockets made from corn flour, their arepas are served with a variety of stuffings such as the Pelua (THB 220), crafted using braised brisket and cheddar cheese; and the Reina pepiada that comprises of chicken, avocado, coriander, red onions, green peas, and mayo. The store also has a vegan-friendly menu with variations featuring ingredients like tempeh, falafel, eggplant and more. Elevate your arepa with one of their signature salsas, ranging from lacto-fermented sriracha and guasacaca (a sour avocado sauce) to black garlic mayo and tatemada made from fire roasted veggies. Instagram: @funkybkk
New Fine Dining Experience
A new venture by celebrated Thai-Chinese-Australian chef Pichaya ‘Pam’ Utharntharm, Restaurant Potong serves up progressive Thai-Chinese fare in a unique fine dining setting. Inspired by her ancestors, who were producers of traditional herbal medicine, Chef Pam aims to keep generations-old recipes and methods alive with her 20 course seasonal tasting menu and beverages served at the onsite Opium Bar. As stunning as the cooking, the restaurant sits inside a five-storey building that was meticulously restored and is a landmark on its own. It will soon house the Potong Sino Bar, a bar-cum-restaurant that channels the spirit of late night Chinatown, and a rooftop destination inspired by the Bangkok of yesteryear.
www.restaurantpotong.com
