P. Car Rent (1/F, Petchburee Bldg., 2371 Petchburi Rd., 02-318-8888, 02-319-7255. Open daily 8:30am-6:30pm. www.thairentacar.com) has two branches in Bangkok and another five branches nationwide. Many types of cars are available, sedans, pickups or even the convertible Mazda MX-5.
with such a name, you know what to order. And indeed the pad tai here is quite excellent, though other dishes are forgettable. Expect the usual Khao San ambiance.
Pad Thai Loong Pha makes only one thing—pad thai—and it’s been doing this to perfection for more than 40 years. Named after the owner, Uncle Prapha, the pad thai shop prepares its al dente chan noodles the traditional way, and cooks with charcoal instead of gas. Try the egg-wrapped pad thai sen chan mun goong (chan noodles with shrimp and shrimp fat, B60).
Palazzo is Italian for palace, which might be overdoing it a bit. But the 70-year-old house, all done up with warm modern touches, does have style and space.
For an inviting home-like ambiance that encourages you to just sit back and relax, find this quaint spa on Thonglor with its no frills, non-pretentious approach to relaxation and rejuvenation. Treatments include different types of massage catering to different needs as well as a selection of scrubs, baths and wraps.
This restaurant has for years offered Italian dishes with Thai accents at very affordable prices. A nice spot for family gatherings; just don’t bring Italian friends.
The buzz: While Pandanus, the restaurant is all about big open white spaces, the “bar bistro” hidden upstairs has a much warmer, darker, more urban feel. Rub shoulders with Sathorn’s moneyed expats while sipping martinis with far-fetched names and flavors.
This restaurant serves up breakfast for early risers and set lunch for office workers in a hurry. Dinner is a lingering affair when the kitchen churns out Thai and western fare as well as steaks.
Here's the kind of joint Tony Soprano would love-big (really big) portions, a lively atmosphere to hide the hush-hush chat and wine served in chunky tumblers. The enormous portions are a draw here and ensure a crowd.
Fret not. There are no paparazzi here. The restaurant greets both its guests and neighborhood diners with cozy atmosphere and an extensive menu of Thai and Italian. Early birds can drop by for breakfast and a cup of coffee, while set menus are up forgrab at lunch and dinner.
Still under construction, the storefront looks like an empty auto showroom. Step inside and the roughness gives way to warehouse chic as you explore the gallery-slash-restaurant. The wood-paneled walls and black mirrors are truly luxurious—too bad the view is on a construction site.
The revamped Park Food Hall is new and bright with a larger selection, bigger portions and nice view of Benjakitti Park. All 400 seats are usually filled with friends and families. Try yummy dim sum at Crystal Jade, Italian at Fallabella, udon at Isshin and hi-so English tea at Whittard.
With Patpong’s latest addition, you might finally be able to admit to going there on the weekends. Parkbridge, owned and operated by four farang friends brings the concept of a posh Sukhumvit-style lounge to Bangkok’s girly-bar capital.
The buzz: Party House One is exactly what its name suggests. Show bartenders are a requirement, cocktails all day and night (even at 6am); it’s easy to see where the “party all the time” concept comes into play.
Like its name suggests, this 80-seater offers an East-meets-West variety of pastas and noodles that can be mixed and matched with Thai or Italian sauces.
Patara has been serving Thai food in its outlets located in Geneva, London, Taipei and Singapore for over a decade before coming home to feed the motherland. This high-end sister of S&P has recently relocated from Sathorn to its present spot in Thonglor.
