Friday, August 12, 2011

Triplets Brasserie

TB's charming courtyard - more great photos from their FB page
Triplets Brasserie (TB) is chic and elegant like Audrey Hepburn, and likely to become as iconic (local dining-wise) as the Hollywood legend.

Recently relocated from its former address in Thonglor, TB version 2 is right at home at its new central, and salubrious Luang Sang neighbourhood in the Luxx Hotel compound.

When we stepped into the stylishly lit TB courtyard we were immediately charmed and enchanted.

Cuisine wise, TB's extensive and well-thought out menu is equally attractive and appealing. Grouped under six categories - Verrine, Brochette, Small Plate, Salad Bowl, Pasta Bowl and Dinner Plate - it offers a great opportunity to share dishes tapas or dim sum style.

As we were in celebration mode, we ordered a host of different things including crab schnitzel balls, seared tuna salad, calamari, steak lollipops, crab pasta and a baked scallop and cheese dish.

The crab schnitzel, with a thick and crunchy breadcrumbed casing, was crammed full of fresh crab meat. Another hit was the seared tuna served with strawberries, a pink peppercorn dressing and leaves - an unlikely looking combination on the plate - but simply sensational when devoured. And the beef tenderloin lollipops were tender, juicy, full of flavour and one of the best beef dishes that we've ever eaten in Bangkok.

As with all good eateries, the ingredients, sauces and side dishes are super fresh and locally sourced, or made, including a selection of cheeses and sausages.

I'm not sure what the Triplets in the restaurant name refers to, but we gave TB a triple A rating - it's a rank that even Standard and Poors would find hard to dispute.

The volcanic chocolate molten cake. 
Seared tuna with a pink peppercorn sauce and sliced strawberries.
TB website

BK Post review

Friday, August 5, 2011

Sing Along With The Yoots

We heart this album so much. It's our 'go to' playlist in the car, especially when we are in chronic Bangkok gridlock, like last night when it took an hour to cover five kilometres.

The Yoots, comprising top musicians from a number of leading New Zealand bands including Fat Freddy's Drop and the Black Seeds, take classic Maori songs put them through a funk, ska, reggae, country, soul and acid jazzy wash to produce a superb set of head nodding, toe tapping, huge grin inducing tunes.

The songs really resonate with me because as a young fella growing up in Manutuke - a tiny rural Maori town south of Gisborne, NZ - they were the soundtrack to weddings, 21st parties, bus trips, pub sing-alongs and more.

This collection has also been a good way to introduce my daughter and wife to a few timeless classics and both are now huge fans. While I love all the songs, the last track, Po Atarau (Now Is the Hour) is my favourite. A traditional farewell song, it always brings a tear to the eye - don't ask me why.

I recommend the album to everyone especially expat New Zealanders living in faraway lands.

Buy the download or CD
NZ Herald review