Homework

For the life of me, I have no idea how this place makes any money. Every time I've passed by its main resto on Sukhumvit Soi 31, there are never more than 2 tables - one of which is just having coffee and cake. Perhaps it is the peripheral business such as its lasagnas in supermarkets or the mini-Homework in Emporium that make the money.

It is a shame as the restaurant is very clean and modern. The menu is mainly western dishes with a smattering of Thai/Japanese/Chinese dishes thrown (or fused) in. The cakes look exceptionally lovely ... but what about the food?

Well first off we were thrilled to find a place that had pork pies. They don't taste exactly like English pork pies but they're not bad at all. The pies are usually accompanied by mash which is wonderfully creamy. You may also have peas or salad. Or some kind of combination of those 3 - I get confused. I've also had the chicken pie and that's nice too.

We've also had the fish and chips there. The first time was very good. The second time was absolutely abysmal - they had obviously chosen the crappest piece of fish, deep-fried it to oblivion and presented it with burnt chips. Or perhaps they just re-heated lunchtimes leftovers. After complaining, they finally gave a decent discount. Still, consistency is not a strong point.

The range of cakes looks very tasty but my personal feeling is that you can get better tasting cakes elsewhere (check out the Chocolate Cherubin Bakery nearer to Sukhumvit on the same soi - divine!).

Finally, the service is very up and down. Mistakes are often made. I know, I know, we shouldn't expect everyone to speak great English so we'll let that go. But the service is also weird. In Emporium for example, one waiter just stared at us all the time, and then giggled with his colleagues, then kept staring again. Quite frankly, rude.

Baan Kanitha

I knooooooow, one of the most farang friendly Thai restaurants in Bangkok, superb food, nice service, wonderful setting: what else is there to say?

I'd like to say that it really is very tasty indeed. And the primary reason is that I am a bit of wimp when it comes to spicy food, despite my dad coming from Sichuan. I can see the reasoning for contrasting spicy dishes with say sweet dishes or sour ones. I don't see the point of numbing my tongue (and therefore taste buds) with chilis.

The dishes that we have particularly enjoyed at Baan Kanitha are: the tubtim fish with black beans, the cotton fish grilled with Thai herbs and the aubergine spicy salad. Both of the fish dishes are pretty fishy smelling, but in a good way which contrasts well with the spices and herbs they are cooked with.

Even their duck red curry is nice - although not as nice as the one I made in a cookery class in Chiang Mai!

UPDATE 15 July 2005: we had a big dinner at the other Baan Kanitha on Ruam Rudee. The menu is the same, but this additional trip allows me to also say that I sampled and can recommend:

- chicken in pandanus leaves - but watch out, they're big!
- soft shell crab in yellow curry - tasty but portion is a bit small
- pomelo salad

OK, stupid additional useless note now: whilst eating, one couldn't help noticing this foreign bird who had the biggest pair of personalities ever! They were like balloons aching to break free from the constrictions of a very tight pink t-shirt! Now I'm not one to look at another woman's assets, but these were unmissable.