Scala

I want this amazing light fitting for my dining room.

Waiters in dapper canary yellow blazers, old school chinese food, crooning lounge music and a 1970s interior with original decor..... welcome to Bangkok's famous and fantastic Scala restaurant.

Because they don't make them like this anymore - in a non-ironic way - I'm sure Quentin Tarantino would have a wet dream about this restaurant and its 100% pure retro vibe. I really like the kitsch overload massive light fitting with its hundreds of orange glass tubes and bulbs.

The music is a bit special as well. If you love the dulcet and sweet tones of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Patsy Cline, Glen Campbell and other hit-makers from the 50s, 60s and 70s Scala is the place for you. When I'm there, I always half expect my departed dad and father-in-law to walk in - they both loved these timeless classics.

Keeping it old school with original decor and furnishings.

If I ran a heritage trust the entire Scala cinema complex (in which the restaurant is housed) would be declared a national treasure.

Like the Odeon (or is it the Jubilee Cinema?) in central Singapore near Raffles Hotel, Scala has presence, stature and style.

Although the grand dame is aging and creaking, I absolutely love this place. Scala represents not only Bangkok's past, but also many great films enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of Bangkokians.

Back to the Scala food. The menu is old school chinese and I reckon the food and menus haven't changed much since opening days in the 1970s.

Click here for a super blog with amazing photos of some of the restaurant's greatest hit dishes.

Perfectly cooked Peking Duck - the dish that keeps generations of customers coming back again and again and again.

The dish that brings people through the doors is Peking Duck. The Scala chefs have it mastered and it's carved table side for added impact. I hope Scala never disappears and if you're looking for a history-rich place serving excellent food for lunch or dinner make a booking soon.

More Scala info

Luv A Duck

The star of the show. More fantastic photos here.

Best Peking duck in Bangkok? In our opinion, head straight to Great Shanghai for a magnificent Peking duck dining experience. 

It's our 'go-to' eatery for family get-togethers and celebrations and Great Shanghai rarely disappoints - my wife and her family have been regulars for 30+ years.

The main drawcard is the roasted to perfection Peking duck and its aromatic, golden brown, crispy skin.

Put a slice of duck skin in a light, but slightly chewy pancake, combine with spring onion, cucumber and hoi sin sauce and bite - taste buds will rejoice and knees are likely to buckle. 

Prawn toast - a favoured starter.

In addition to the skin, the duck meat is minced and stir fried with diced green beans and served in a lettuce cup. The bones are also used in a peppery, sour soup with bitter melon and pickled vegetables. 

To complete the gourmet experience, our other 'standard issue' orders include super high heat stir fried prawns, Szechuan glass noodles, prawn toast, steamed chicken, sweet and sour fish (one of the best in the city), and stir fried beef.

Given its prime Sukhumvit location, near the corner of Soi 24, Great Shanghai is busy most nights attracting many regulars like us, Japanese families in the neighbourhood and tourists.

Like Silom Patakan, Great Shanghai is a Bangkok dining institution and little has changed in terms of decor and food over the years. It's highly recommended if you are a fan of simple, but superbly cooked chinese cuisine - food and dishes that won't give you an MSG hangover the day after.  

Address and map details