99 Rest Backyard Café

99 Rest Backyard Café is surrounded by a landscaped garden that becomes magical at night, with the chorus of frogs, crickets and the rustle of the foliage in the evening breeze. Chef Cyrille Keyser creates international cuisine with highlights including the oven roasted lamb rack served with potato gratin and ratatouille.  And it’s so far from downtown, you’re at least guaranteed a long taxi ride back to smooch in the backseat.
99 Rama 9 Soi 41, 02-300-4339. Open Tue-Sun 11am-11pm.

The Deck

Few restaurants can boast a spectacle quite as inspiring as the brightly-lit Wat Arun that sits directly across the river from The Deck. Book in advance for one of the best spots, out on the outdoor terrace, and get here early to watch the sun set behind the temple while embracing the river breeze. The atmosphere is what makes this place, but the well-executed menu of Thai and European dishes will simply add to your levels of ardour.
Arun Residence, 36-38 Soi Pratu Nokyung, Maharat Rd., 02-221-9158. Restaurant opens Mon-Thu 7am-10pm, Fri-Sun 7am-11pm. Bar opens Mon-Thu 5pm-midnight, Fri-Sun 5:30pm-1am.

NEW> Issaya Siamese Club

Star Chef Ian Kittichai has taken an old Thai villa, given it a fresh lick of paint and some touches of color. Come to think of it, that describes his menu, too: Thai comfort food with a modern presentation and just enough creative twists to keep us excited. Even if it’s a romantic night, you’ll have to pass on the ultra-tight dress because the desserts are the best part and you can’t pass on those. We’re pretty sure you can think of way to work off those calories.
4 Soi Sri Aksorn, Chue Pleong Rd., 02-672-9040-1. Open daily 11:30am-3pm and 6pm-midnight. www.issaya.com

Gaggan

Went on a gastronomic honeymoon to Europe last summer? This is where to rekindle the passion. Chef Gaggan is a disciple of El Bulli’s molecular gastronomy and has applied cutting-edge cooking techniques in his inventive, progressive Indian menu. Indulge in the tasting menu and let the chef, and his flirtatious and well-informed staff, take you on a culinary journey that, at times, can make the heart soar.
68/1 Soi Lang Suan, 02-652-1700. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm and 6pm-midnight.

NEW> Parata Diamond

There’s plenty to titillate the senses at this old house. The garden has daybeds, shishas and screens short films, while the lounge is a sensual, all-black haven. The food, too, should excite your taste buds with its intriguing focus on New American-style cuisine, including dishes like harrisa lamb strudels and five-spice glazed beef short rib. Sexy? You bet.
396 Ekkamai Soi 22, 085-167-6489. Open daily 6:30pm-1am.

NEW> Surface

Perfect for first dates, you don’t have to worry about running out of conversation here. Backed by the team behind a string of Bangkok hotspots, Surface is already buzzing thanks, in part, to the candlelit garden. The daybeds let you engage in a spot of stargazing with your loved one while sipping one of their potent cocktails. As for the menu, they claim it’s French comfort food, but we have a particular soft spot for their desserts, like the decadent chocolate fondant or the slightly more unusual white chocolate cheesecake with passion fruit and strawberry.
107 Sukhumvit Soi 53, 02-258-7597. Open Daily 11:30am-11pm.

Indus

Indus’s alfresco area can certainly help enliven any romance with its fountain, manicured lawns and four-poster daybeds that conjure up images of Mughal courts. The food, like the décor, is a pleasantly light take on northern Indian favorites like biryani and tandoori chicken, as well as some rarer regional highlights. The prominent bar at Indus also serves up a mean cocktail.
71 Sukhumvit Soi 26, 02-661-5279. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30-10:30pm.

Phuket Town

For something intimate and cozy, like a hidden cafe in Macau or Lisbon, try the Sino-Portuguese charms of Phuket Town. With antique pieces and a vibrant wall painting of the island’s instantly recognizable streets, you’ll be transported from Thong Lor to the old quarter of the famous southern town. But this charming space is not just about the décor; the food is the real star. Authentic southern Thai dishes, like pad sataw goong (stir-fried sataw with shrimps), don’t hold back on the spice or flavor. Hey, if Southern food doesn’t light your fire, nothing will.
160/8 Thonglor Soi 6, 02-714-9402. Open daily 10:30am-10:30pm.

Garden of Dream

Travel four floors up a barebones staircase and you’ll reach this covered shophouse rooftop with a few too many kitschy decor pieces meant to evoke a garden. But with the kitchen in the dining room and a friendly crowd of regulars, there’s a jovial hipster-meets-farmhouse atmosphere going on. The food is fairly simple, and the execution can be hit or miss, but grilled portobello mushroom with garlic butter and the barbecue ribs usually do the trick. Throw in a bottle of wine and let the bohemian magic do the rest.
4/F, Opposite, 27/1 Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-662-5057. Open Mon-Tue 5-10pm; Thu 5-10pm; Fri-Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun 11am-2pm, 5-8pm

Isao

Sushi always impresses on Valentine’s day, and this place not only does it extremely well, but in a relaxed homey feel. Booths run along the bamboo-clad wall while the rest of the space is dominated by the sushi bar and counter. The best part? Trying new combinations both artfully presented and incredibly tasty like the Rosy Salmon, melt-in-your mouth salmon and shavings of lemon formed into a delicate rose. We’ll take that over a floral bouquet any day.
5 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-258-0645. Open Mon-Fri 11am-2:30pm, 5:30-10pm; Sat-Sun 11am-10pm.

Long Table

Your big Valentine’s date (if the relationship is still young) could be a lot less intimatidating sitting at this elangated communal table. Apart from the extremely long, central table, the second most striking element is the view of Bangkok’s skyline. Both sides of the dining room are lined by trademark Bed Supperclub seating, while screens tuned to video art and the contemporary Thai menu bring the requisite touch of edginess. The adjoining bar/balcony is equally hip, letting you sit by their pool and sip a post-meal cocktail with your loved one while admiring the striking view.
Column Building, 48 Sukhumvit Soi 16, 02-302-2557-9. Open daily 5pm-2am.

The Garret

For a touch of taboo sophistication, head to this den of casual but sexy prohibition-era chic There’s a rooftop terrace and a great drinks list, especially the cocktails and wines available, which makes it a lively spot on weekends. The crowds also come for the elevated North American-leaning pub grub, but we say make sure you save space for their decadent desserts.
Rooftop/F Mini Showroom, Ekkamai Soi 7, 02-711-6999. Open daily 11.30am-2.30pm and 6pm-midnight.

Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. The park can get busy, particularly on long weekends, so it’s recommended that you book your tent or bungalow early. That’s done by calling the park at 042-871-333 or 042-871-458. You then need to make a wire transfer. Tents are B225 (sleeping bags, a pillow and foam mattress come out to an extra B60 per person, payable on site).

Is it a long hike?
It’s 9km and, yes, it’s pretty strenuous. Competitive athletes might pull it off in 3 hours, fit and healthy folk usually takes 4-5 hours and sloths can take 6 hours or more. There’s plenty of food on the way though, nearly every kilometer. This also means you can’t even attempt the hike if you show up after 3pm. You wouldn’t make it to the summit before sunset.

Really, there’s no shortcut?
There are porters who will carry your stuff for B15/kilo. And we’ve seen them carry a person! But there’s no road to the top, only a hiking trail.

Can I sleep at the park on the night before the hike?
There are a couple of tents by the parking lot, which suck. But you do want to get an early start. The other solution is to sleep in town, at one of the grungy “resorts” there, which cost B350-550 a night. Make sure you inspect the room carefully before handing over your cash.

Cos Lettuce

Think of a bowl of Caesar salad and that’s Cos (or should be). Crispy, thick and narrow green leaves that have a milky fluid and a slightly bitter taste.

Royal Oak Leaf

The name comes from its similarity to oak leaves. It has a mild taste but they’re pretty heat tolerant, which means you won’t lose the Vitamin A or the sweetness if used in cooking.

Iceberg or Crisphead

It is the most common, but also the least nutritious, as it is bred to have some bitterness removed. Moist and mild-flavored, it is usually very light-green, almost white in color.

Arugula or Rocket

Another popular leaf, this has a strong, peppery flavor. This small flat leaf is packed with Vitamins A, K and C.

Red Leaf

Categorized in the same group of oak leaves, this sweet, tender and cute purple-color leaf is good for salads and sandwiches.

Butterhead/Romaine

Popular among the hydroponics farms in Thailand, it is common in salads, thanks to its slightly sweet, almost buttery, taste.

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