Noi (PREMIER COMPTOIR)

Nöi, Chaussée de Charleroi 39. 1060 Brussels. Tel +32 2.537.44.47

Once again, today, I returned to Nöi, one of our favourite places in Brussels. I discovered it by chance with Helena Martínez before going Thailand for the first time last year. Ever since I return and I enjoy the cooking and the ambiance. It is a small place reservations are recommended. They have a good cellar and they offer good choices from Chile and Australia.

Indochine (by Ignasi)

Indochine (C/Aribau 247, 08021 Barcelona; + 3493 2019984)

Ulises is a kind of Asian addicted. That’s why when he has not been there for a few weeks, he books a table in the Barcelona version of Indochine, where he and his friends can enjoy delicious dishes based on Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia cuisine. A sort of hot starters, spicy and sour soups, hot curry dishes served inside a fresh coconut, fermented fish, duck, seafood, all kind of rice, herbs and species, exotic fruits, etc… lots of new sensations, cooked and served by real natives in a green but maybe a little noisy atmosphere. Also, the wine list is too short. No idea about prices because I was invited (thanks Ulises!)

Up-date: We returned one week ago. The food is very good but the portions are rather small.

Bangsar Baru

Yesterday, I decided to explore Bangsar. I took the subway until there and I found a lively atmosphere and real night market. Colors, flavours and lot of local people shopping and wandering around. A good mix of modernity and tradition. I discover an Indian restaurant that I like to report.

• Sri Nirwana Maju. 43 Jalan Telawi 3. Bangsar Baru. 59100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel +600322878445. Traditional Indian food served on banana leaves. It has a fabulous dry mutton curry (hot) and a decent selection of vegetarian dishes. Also, the Ayam Masala (chicken) get a winner position in this list. An added plus is that although it is Bangsar, what is nice is that they still serve the traditional way, i.e. via stainless steel pails.

May Mpuri

Again, thanks to Sasiwan Potcharapanpong we discover this Garden bar. It is located near by (50mts) from the very popular Kaosan Road. This a chill-out garden bar with a very reasonable cuisine. The service is perfect and for the nite the terrace is just superb. We tried different thai curries and salads. A special metion to Tom Som a refreshing popular Thai salad made from green papaya, chiles, lime, date palm sugar, and tomatoes.

Cocktails are very good and cheap. You must to try.

• May Mpuri, 22 Chakraphong Rd, Taladyod. Phranakorn, Bangkok 10200. Tel +66 02 629383. This a chill-out garden bar with a very reasonable cuisine. The service is perfect and for the nite the terrace is just superb. We tried different thai curries and salads. A special metion to Tom Som a refreshing popular Thai salad made from green papaya, chiles, lime, date palm sugar, and tomatoes.

Spice Story

This is an outstanding store where you can have some the most extraordinary ice-creams and sorbets as for example: Peper magic ice cream, Chili ice cream (my favourite), Orange charm sorbet, hyme of morning glory sorbet, Lemon grass on earth sorbet and Green tea poppy love.

• Spice Story, 991 Rama 1, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330. Tel + 66 26107505.
  

Ban Khun Mae

Back in Bangkok I visited Ban Khun Mae Restaurant. It was a recommendation by Sasiwan Potcharapanpong. They offer a traditional Thai meal.

• Ban Khun Mae, 458/7-9 Siam Square, Soi 8. Bangkok 10330. Thailand Tel + 66 2 6584112. We tried Tom Yam Goong and Tom Yum Kung, definitely two of Thailand's most popular signature dishes. Also, Stir-fried Chicken with Cashew Nut. It was just memorable.
  

Lai Po Heen

Last August, with Helena Martínez, I visited the Lai Po Heen Restaurant. I wrote some notes but they got lost. Now, that I found them I like to share this information with you. It is doubtless the best chinese restaurant I ever tried, still I have to visit China.

Every thing was exceptional at the Lai Po Heen. Eric Lim, Restaurant Manager, makes you feel at home and he is ready to help with the selection. His recommendations made the night almost perfect. We had as starter a crispy aromatic duck, then a double boiled shark's fin with crab claw in bird's nest broth. I had stir fried venison with crispy dough fritters and water chestnuts, just memorable.

• Lai Po Heen, Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur City Center. P.O. 50088. Malaysia. Tel + 603 2179 8885. Classic Cantonese cuisine with seafood and dim sum specialities. The set menu a choice for the first time. Last visit August 2006.
  

Suan Lum

This night I was at Suan Lum night bazaar. A food and artcraft market. It is a popular place were locals go out for dinner. I had following Amnuay's recommendations few interesting dishes.
Tom Yum Kung that is Hot and Sour Prawn soup, a delicious and complex dish. Prawn Pat Thai and Spicy Papaya Salad. As desert we had Kaw Neaw ma Muang that is mango with sticky rice and coconut milk.

Bangkok

Today, I had a nice lunch in Bangkok. This was a recommendation of Amnuay Wattanakornsir.

• Pho, 25 Soi Chidlom, Second Floor, Alma Link Building, Bangkok, 10330 Thailand. Tel + 66 2 2518900. Hours: 11:00am - 2:00pm, 5:00pm - 10:00pm. I tried a very interesting vietnamese sushi, a spicy seafood soup and dumplings with sea food, pork and spicy food. Portions are small but with a magnificent presentation and come with a side of herbs, bean sprouts, chili slivers and maybe sliced raw onions..

Sekitei

Yesterday, as happy ending we tried the Sekitei restaurant at the Dharmawansa. The decoration and ambiance are perfect. This is the original entry:

• Sekitei, Jl. Brawijaya Raya No. 26, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta 12160. Tel. +61 21 - 725 8181. A splendid Japanese restaurant. We tried a Shabu-Shabu a traditional do-it yourself soup. A must. Visited in 2006.

Photos will follow.

Dharmawangsa

I have no doubts it is one of the best hotels I ever visited. Dharmawangsa has an unique style of comfort. Located in Jakarta offers tradition, style and comfort. I you like to enjoy a piece of paradise this is the place to be. Visited September 2006.

Nippon Kan

This is the Japanese restaurant at The Sultan Hotel, in Jakarta. Open from Monday to Sunday. Lunch 11:30 until 15:30 and Dinner 18:00 until 22:30. I tried twice the Teppanyaki house. It is expensive but the offer a high quality and magnific service. Visited in 2006.

Babe in the city

fk wok chai sotong har sambal
Originally uploaded by babe_kl.

I am now in Kuala Lumpur and I found Babe she provides the world with photos and culinary tips. An interesting approach.

Naab

Naab, 130, Jalan Bukit Bintag. 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel +603 21433949. Iranian Cusine. Very interesting place. We tried several interesting dishes as Dolma, Okra stew with meat and Ghorme Sabzi Stew. Prices are very reasonable. No wines but they serve Dough, fresh yougurth with water plus mint.