Last day in Bangkok started with lunch at Nara. Consistently chosen as one of the “Best Restaurants” in Thailand by Tatler Magazine, Nara serves authentic Thai cuisine in a comfortable ambience with smooth service. The higher prices have caused its dishes to be labelled as “posh versions of Thai street food for the rich”, and it’s true that the clientele seems to be modern urbanite, expatriates, and tourists. That said, the food was delicious, and if you are looking for that in a nice setting, Nara would be an ideal choice.
After lunch, we dropped by the Erawan Shrine, which houses a statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu creation god Brahma. The status itself was covered up for renovation during my visit, but that doesn’t stop people from worshipping it from across the shroud.
A quick stopover to Paris Mikki, just opened at the end of 2014 and apparently the best French patisserie in Bangkok. We tried a mille feuille and mango passionfruit chou, both nicely put together.
Followed by coffee at Kuppa, one of Thailand’s finest coffee distributors and a very pleasant place to spend the afternoon. Other than the coffee, Kuppa’s cake display also looked quite tempting and I would’ve tried some if we hadn’t just came from another pastry shop…
The day continued with cocktails up on Sky Bar, suspended on a precipice stretched out from the 63rd floor of Lebua Hotel. If you have seen Hangover Part II, this bar should look familiar – you can even try a Hangovertini, which was created for the Hangover cast. While the views are probably the best in Bangkok, there is nowhere to sit unless you are dining at the adjacent restaurant…in this sense I prefer Moon Bar from the night before.
Last meal in Bangkok, dinner at Erawan Tea Room. While this place does serve Thai-style afternoon tea, it also offers traditional Thai cuisine in small portions, which is a great idea for those who want to try a variety of food. We ordered about eight dishes among the three of us, and from the grilled pork nick to the glass noodle salad to the deep-fried bean curd in red curry, everything was delicious.
One final stop in Bangkok before heading to the airport, The Speakeasy at Hotel Muse. The view at this boutique hotel isn’t as dramatic as what you will find up on Sky Bar, but the terrace has a more private vibe to it, perfect for a quiet evening of tête-à-tête.
Nara
Add: Erawan Bangkok lower Ground Floor, Bangkok 10330
Tel: 02 250 7707
Paris Mikki
Add: 27 Metha Wattana Sukhumvit Soi 19, Bangkok 10110
Tel: 888 7000 20
Kuppa
Add: 39 Sukhumvit Soi 16, Bangkok 10110
Tel: 02 663 0450
Sky Bar
Add: 63 F, Lebua Hotel, 1055 Silom Road, Bangkok 10500
Tel: 02 624 9555
Erawan Tea Room
Add: 494, Ratchadamri Road, Bangkok 10330
Tel: 02 254 1234
The Speakeasy
Add: 55/555 Soi Langsuan, Bangkok 10330
Tel: 02 630 4000