Having "Me" Time

Talking to a Japanese friend about Japanese food and ramen, I cannot but think about taking you to this ramen place I've been going to since I was young called "Ramentei."  If you live in Bangkok, I'm sure many of you have heard about this place and have been to it.  They have a couple branches, with the original one being near Villa Supermarket on Sukhumvit 33.  There's another one next to Thaniya Plaza where one goes to see golf materials, and there is also one between Suriwong and Silom roads. What I love about it, is that it's simple, serves good food fast and you know what to expect.  Delicious ramen, served efficiently and in a relatively clean restaurant.   Some locations are older than others, but overall, it's clean and good.   You can choose between sitting in the Japanese style tables, or on regular tables.  I personally prefer regular tables since I always think they're more comfortable and don't require my pushing myse...

Sunday night is here and finally this writer gets to continue on with her blog.  The fast few days have just been hectic, tiring and not enough "me" time.   There have been some comments that I haven't been reviewing enough restaurants so tonight I want to share with you a Mexican restaurant that just makes you feel like you are in the Americas. It certainly does remind me of college days when we'd go to Happy Hour after hours or after late study sessions at night to munch on quesadillas and nachos.  Since moving back, I've been only to a few places that serve good quesadillas, nachos and other mexican foods.  La Monita is one of the better ones. The first time I went to La Monita was about a year ago when it was just newly opened.  Near to the Ploenchit BTS station it is only a few minutes walk to the row of shop houses neighboring Mahatun Plaza where the restaurant is open.  I went with a long time friend of mine and together we ate several ...

There's a road in the old part of Bangkok (now often called Rattanakosin Island), that I enjoy visiting not only for the food but also for the ambiance.  This row of old shop houses has stood the test of time and now caters to a young and funkier crowd that I guess would never have crossed the original owners' mind.  Located next to Thailand's second oldest universities, and adjacent to the backpacker haven of "KhaoSan Road,"  students, artists, and those seeking an alternative atmosphere come here to dine, listen to Jazz and walk in the park. Although it has changed much over the years, some of it still remains the same.  The old shop houses most date back roughly a hundred years and the old fortress of Pra Sumen date back to time of King Rama I.   It is one of only two remaining from the original fourteen built.  It's ancient yet it stands there towering above the park and Pra Athit Road for all to see and to admire. ...

I've been getting a lot of questions from friends lately requesting recommendations about where they can entertain guests or friends from abroad.  We want to take them somewhere that is uniquely Thai, and see things that shouldn't be missed on one's trip here.  What is there to see that is local?  Where are some good restaurants that serve great food and have good ambiance (without killing your bank account)?  Where can one go which is not confined to shopping malls and yes, more shopping malls?  How should we plan the day? Bangkok is a large city of 10 million people and there is much to see and do similar to most cosmopolitan cities that thinking of "uniquely local" things can be a daunting task.  I've therefore decided that it's time for me to compile the best of what there is to see and do in Bangkok and Day Trips to places not far off.  These are places I've taken my friends o...