Top Golf’s much-anticipated launch, plus new restaurants, bars, and more!

By Ashima Sethi

BANGKOK ’78 (pictured above)

Now open inside of Sindhorn Midtown Hotel Bangkok, Bangkok ’78 is a vibrant new eatery inspired by the golden era of Thailand’s capital in the 1970s. P49 Design and Associates have crafted a funky design aesthetic for the restaurant, complete with hand painted art, rattan wall panels, and walls adorned with contrasting colours and patterns that liven up the space. A must-visit for those who enjoy Thai cuisine, the restaurant has collaborated with one Michelin-star restaurant, Saneh Jaan to present a menu of ‘greatest hits,’ spanning favourites like Pad thai goong, Tom yum soup, and Khao soi, as well as dishes that take inspiration from forgotten heritage recipes. To add to the nostalgia, the restaurant also puts focus on curating music from the eclectic ‘70s when disco reigned supreme. The restaurant’s fun-filled ambience, makes it an ideal spot for a casual lunch with friends, family gatherings, and can also accommodate private events. www.sindhornmidtown.com/dine/thai-restaurant-bangkok

31 DEGREES BY KAD KOKOA

The founders of bean-to-bar brand Kad Kokoa have teamed up with chefs from Bocuse d’Or Thailand to open a brand-new bistro, 31 Degrees. The bistro sits in a contemporary-styled house complete with outdoor seating options. Inside, the airy dining room has been fitted with a spiral staircase that takes you upstairs and a wooden bar where you can browse their treats. On the menu are an array of light meals and salads, main courses, generous tartines served on sourdough bread, plenty of desserts and pastries, and a variety of refreshments including coffee, chocolate drinks, cacao-infused cocktails, juices, and more. Some recommended items include the Devil may cry, where egg is baked in a ham and gouda soft bread and served with a barbecue sauce made from single origin chocolate; the Oven-roasted free range baby chicken paired with creamy polenta, mixed mushrooms, and a Chumphon chocolate juice; and a tartine topped with Double fillet local crispy fish, cacao juice pickles, and tartare sauce. Facebook: @31DegreesKadKokoa

BAKER’S TABLE X MATILDA HOME

Now open in Sukhumvit Soi 31 in its soft launch stage, Baker’s Table x Matilda Home is a brand-new cupcakery and gallery concept that marries together the opportunity to tuck into delicious sweet treats with the chance to browse high quality furniture. Minimalist in its design, the multidimensional venture sits within a house complete with a sprawling terrace area, perfect for those who like to enjoy their coffee al fresco. On the menu are a variety of pastries and desserts spanning their signature frosted cupcakes, freshly baked pain au chocolats, rich brownies crafted using premium ingredients, all of which you can enjoy with your favourite from their selection of coffee, hot and iced teas, sodas, and more. The Matilda Home showroom features pieces of Italian design furniture, bathroom fixtures, lighting, and other home décor, so you can sip before browsing with the goal of sprucing up your space! Instagram: @bakerstableth and www.matildahome.com

BRUNCH PARADISO

Brunch Paradiso is a new cosy café that has opened in Yenakat offering breakfast, brunch, beverages, and baked goods. The stylish spot is styled in earthy tones for the most part, with white and light wooden elements providing the perfect canvas for a selection of vibrant neon signs, patterned cushions, and eclectic art work, all of which brighten up the space. Diners have the choice of dining at the bar, at tables bathed in natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows, leather booths, and outside on sofas. On the menu are a selection of breakfast favourites, nibbles, loaded toasts, salads, bowls, and pasta dishes. Standout items include Cloud eggs, fluffy sunny-side up eggs served on brioche with bacon, wild rocket, cheddar, and cherry tomatoes; the Zaatar chicken bowl that combines grilled chicken, grilled sweet corn, cucumber, radish, chestnuts and a hiroki sauce; and the creamy Spaghetti ebiko with tiger prawns. Facebook: @brunchparadiso

PHED PHED POP

If you love spicy food, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with the Phed Phed restaurant brand, which now has several branches across the city including eateries in Ari, Ratchapruek, Chong Nonsi, and more. The brand has since launched a new venture, Phed Phed Pop at Central Chidlom, so you no longer have to travel too far if you want to tuck into their extremely zaap specialties. Their main menu is broken down into various tum dishes including tum polamai, fruit som tums; tum pla ra that include dishes with fermented fish sauce; tum kapi, which features delicacies made using shrimp paste; a yum menu with noodle dishes, meat and veggie dishes; a lab and namtok menu; stir-fried, fried, and grilled items; and much more spanning curries, soups, and single-plate rice dishes. Considering the brand now has a mention in the Michelin Bib Gourmand, if you love esan cuisine, this new opening is a must-try. Facebook: @futurefactorybkk

PRIDI

Pridi is a unique new venture specialising in Nordic all-day dining. The intimate eatery sits on Sukhumvit 71 within a house that is complete with its own garden, giving off the vibe of dining at a friend’s place. The beverage menu is split into three parts: coffee, non-coffee, and a filter-coffee menu that is provided at the in-house bar. These menus cover all the classic drinks spanning lattes and cappuccinos, but from what we can tell the espresso tonic comes recommended. Although the food menu might be limited, the bakery-cum-brunch-spot keeps a focus on fresh, premium ingredients making their sandwiches, main dishes, salads, and pastries top-tier. Some items you can expect include the Mortadella sandwich with the addition of Paris ham and pickles; the Confit chicken, served atop a bean salad with caramelised apple; and Fish & butter, plated with mushroom puree and a ponzu-yuzu butter sauce. Instagram: @pridi.bkk

REVOLUCION COCKTAIL

Everyone’s favourite flaming cocktail bar Revolucion Cocktail has opened its doors in a new location inside of the Holiday Inn Bangkok Silom. The bar-cum-club offers a unique Cuban-style party experience complete with reinventions of classic cocktails, delicious Latin American-inspired nibbles, popular DJs, and of course, the bar showmanship that made them a household name in their previous branch. Their long list of cocktails are innovative and offer the Instagram factor thanks to their clever names. Some that stand out to us include the Thaibreaker, made from cachaça, ginger, coriander, coconut, passionfruit, and lime; the Tom kha gai crafted from five spices infused vodka, galangal, coconut, and lime; the Chinese take away that combines whisky with branca menta, apple, cinnamon, lemon, Sichuan pepper, and orange bitters; and the G&G, a refreshing combination of gin, grapefruit, pomelo, and tonic.
Facebook: @RevolucionCocktailBangkok

THE ABANDONED MANSION

The Abandoned Mansion is a brand-new speakeasy located on the underground floor of The Coach Sukhumvit 14 Hotel that has been styled to emulate drinking holes that popped up during the 1930s Prohibition Era in the United States. The signature cocktails and tapas dishes available on the menu are inspired by several American gangsters, who were known as ‘public enemies’ during this time, and include the likes of Al Capone, Bonnie and Clyde, Pretty Boy Floyd, and Ma Barker. The bar also has a wide selection premium cigars to add to the swanky ambience. The bar features high ceilings, chandeliers, intimate lighting, lounge-style seating, and open balconies that provide space for live bands, DJs, and vocalists performing the best of R&B, jazz, and pop every evening. So if you’re a fan of the glitz and glamour of the era, or just feel like escaping the modern world for a little bit, make sure to check out this new opening.
Facebook: @abandonedmansionbangkok

INTERCONTINENTAL KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK

One of the most anticipated openings of the year, the InterContinental Khao Yai National Park is set to debut this month. The resort takes inspiration from the Northeast of the Kingdom’s many historical rail lines and has been designed by award-winning architect and interior designer, Bill Bensley. The property sits on a 100-acre site blessed with over 50,000 trees and views over seven lakes, boasts 64 stunning accommodations ranging from luxury rooms to 19 suites, and villas that are housed within repurposed heritage train cars, making the property unlike anything else in Thailand. As the resort is situated on the fringe of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the destination will allow guests to reconnect with nature and the area’s rich history. There will be plenty to do onsite including a spa, fitness centre, hiking trails, and experience-based dining at Somying Kitchen, which focuses on a farm-to-table concept; Tea House, for elegant afternoon teas; thePoirot Brasserie that serves upscale French cuisine; and Papillon Bar for all of your evening refreshments. www.ihg.com

MERCURE RAYONG LOMTALAY VILLAS & RESORT

Mercure Rayong Lomtalay Villas & Resort is situated on stunning Cape Laem Mae Phim in Rayong, a convenient 2.5 hour drive from central Bangkok. This modern and trendy beach resort offers a range of accommodations fit for all types of travellers from couples to families, encompassing beachfront rooms, family rooms, and sea-view villas. Beyond comfortable accommodations adorned in a crisp white and light wood palette, the resort is pet-friendly, has an onsite swimming pool, fitness centre with cardio and strength equipment, a spa, and several drinking and dining outlets. These include the Bai Tong, an all-day dining restaurant offering an extensive selection of international and local cuisine with buffet and a la carte options available; Ecume, where you can tuck into seafood favourites; and KOH that offers rooftop panomaric views and a unique culinary experience. Facebook: @mercurerayongresort

AIRA HOTEL

Now open on one of the city’s most famous streets, Sukhumvit Soi 11, Aira Hotel is a 255-key property that draws inspiration from the Kingdom’s rich Rattanakosin era. Designed under the concept of ‘a golden era inspires a modern oasis,’ the hotel was designed to blend modern elements with distinctive Thai notes to create stylish property that is an amalgamation of the era’s cross-cultural heritage—its Thai core and European influences. There are several types of rooms on offer ranging from their elegant deluxe room to the Jacuzzi corner rooms that are fitted with an outdoor bath with views of the city skyline. Beyond stylish rooms, the hotel also boasts an outdoor salt-water swimming pool, a fitness centre with state-of-the-art equipment, and several restaurants. For nibbles you can head to the onsite Starbucks for coffee and pastries, for heartier meals, head to Bawarchi for traditional Indian cuisine. www.airahotelbangkok.com

AVANI CHAWENG SAMUI HOTEL & BEACH CLUB

Located on the island’s most popular beach, Minor Hotels’ new addition the Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel & Beach Club should be the next place you check into if you enjoy a stylish holiday in the sun. The design draws inspiration from the halcyon days of the 1950s and iconic vacation destinations like Palm Beach and Miami, United States. The sprawling resort houses 80 rooms and suites including spacious deluxe rooms, pool villas, one and two-bedroom beachfront pool villas, and family rooms. It also houses everything you need for a restful vacation including a central swimming pool with cabanas, 24-hour gym, and access to SEEN Beach Club Samui’s restaurants, bars, swimming pools, and pool parties. www.avanihotels.com/en/samui

GRANDE CENTRE POINT SPACE PATTAYA

Grande Centre Point Space Pattaya, the Kingdom’s first space- themed hotel, has opened its doors in the popular beach destination of Pattaya. The hotel is centred on the concept of space travel and combines outer space-style design with innovative technology to create a truly out of this world vacation experience. There are several room types you can choose from encompassing the deluxe, premium, and corner rooms, as well as Space Connex rooms that are ideal for families and boasts two beds, and the Space Suites fit with living rooms, dining tables, and sitting areas. The hotel houses a wide-range of facilities including the area’s largest water park, a 12,000sqm space-themed park that has been divided into four distinct zones; the Let’s Relax Onsen & Spa, Thailand’s first sea-view onsen; The Space Convention Centre for largescale events; and several F&B outlets spanning a tea room, restaurant with panoramic views of the ocean, and a beach bar. spacepattaya.com

TOPGOLF MEGACITY

Topgolf Megacity is all set to open its doors this month! One of the city’s most exciting new launches, the entertainment venue is the hub for Topgolf, a family-friendly sport that involves picking a game from a list of a dozen, all of which involve hitting golf balls from a climate-controlled bay to score points. Beyond activities, the megacity will also house multiple bars and restaurants. You can order food and drinks to enjoy in the bay booth itself, visit the Topgolf Sports Bar for ice-cold drinks and American comfort food, the Pink Giraffe Rooftop Bar for cocktails and Cali-Japanese bites, The Devil’s Lounge serving 65 wines and whiskies, and The Patio, a lively beer garden serving international cuisine. Although the megacity is fit for an afternoon or evening with loved ones, it is also fit to host parties and special events. There is also the Topgolf Academy should you want to practice your swing! topgolfthailand.com