Salt

Another great reason to visit Ari - cheers to this site for this photo.

I'd been eager to dine at this new'ish Ari joint for ages and thank buddha it lived up to expectations (this rarely happens).

In many ways, it's a slightly trendier cousin of Pl Dib, which is just around the corner on Ari Samphan. For example, the Salt menu is chock full of Japanese and other Asian influenced dishes and flavours and sports the same industrial-minimalist interior look - there's even a 'towering inferno' wood fired pizza oven near the kitchen.

Whether you are enjoying the "alfresco aspect" in the cool backyard, lounging in the daybed section or sitting in the glasshouse front dining area, Salt offers a fun, funky and chic eating experience. My nephew, sister-in-law and me especially enjoyed looking out the big windows to get an up close view of Ari street life.

Our attention was quickly diverted when the first of our many orders arrived. Every dish was well cooked and presented and received a thumbs up from the junior and senior members at our table. My bro-in-law described the moist, beautifully cooked snow fish as 'joy on a plate.'

Other top picks? A fresh and zesty salmon carpaccio; a hearty beef shank platter served with cute spice cubes (like Oxo stock cubes but red and spicy); delicious tuna and fried salmon skin sushi and a juicy, cheesy margherita pizza that my bro-in-law declared to be as good as anything encountered during his many years of eating in New York.

Only an overcooked duck confit failed to impress - but one disappointment out of eight ain't bad. Given the other interesting and mouthwatering options available including beef ragu ravioli, frogs legs and a spicy lamb dish we'll most definitely be back.

Finally, a word on the atmosphere. We loved Salt's inclusive vibe - while it's one of the most fashionable new entries on the BKK dining landscape right now it's a place where everyone can enjoy.

BK magazine's review
Salt's Facebook page

Before..

And after 10 minutes in the wood fired oven

The flavoursome tuna and fried salmon skin sushi roll that offered a nice crunch factor

The Thai-styled beef shank and its spice cube condiment

The snow fish described by my bro-in-law as 'joy on a plate.'

Fatty, Fatty Friday

Three slices of pure, unsaturated and delicious audio fatness from Prince Fatty... Nirvana and Cypress Hill never sounded better.

Hanna

Given the choice between Harry Rotter 5 or Hanna, I put my money on the latter and what an inspired decision it turned out to be. Give me a teen killing machine over a young wizard anytime.

Like the best movie experiences, Hanna far exceeded my expectations - though full disclosure, I knew next to nothing about the film before viewing.

While the plot is fairly conventional, director Joe Wright brings a fresh take on the action/thriller genre fusing Leon (The Professional), Run Lola Run, Nikita and Walkabout.

For me, the best scenes were the ones in which Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) - who had been raised in the arctic wilderness - encountered other humans, modern gadgets and objects for the first time. In her eyes, the everyday and ordinary appear wildly exotic, familiar, enthralling and chaotic.

The film also contains more than a dash of humour courtesy of the English family who befriend Hanna. The daughter (Jessica Barden) almost steals the show as do her mum (the always excellent Olivia Williams) and dad (Jason Flemyng).

In addition, Tom Hallander, playing a German assassin is brilliant - his tennis gear attired character is a mix of Attila The Hun and Elton John.

Overall, a 3.5 stars out of 5 for me. The only thing that didn't quite work was the Chemical Brothers soundtrack - a little too boombastic for my ears - though the quieter, folkier tracks were good.

Baan Maii Chaii Klong

Great eats, superb location.

Inspired by the TV series, "The Trip" my good friend, Awi and I, recently ventured to the edge of Nonthaburi to dine at one of his favourite home district restaurants.

When Awi said the eatery was out of the way, and hard to find, he wasn't kidding. We finally got to Baan Maii Chaii Klong (BCMK) after a 20 minute drive that took us down small side streets and through quiet, leafy neighbourhoods.

Though we were only 35-40 minutes from the centre of Bangkok, this old klong-side family restaurant offers a feel, or a glimpse of life in the capital before skyscrapers, sky trains, expressways, mega malls, whitening creams, soap operas, condos and subways.

Sitting under a big shady sala, surrounded by old trees and huge plants, and nursing an ice cold lime soda, it was a happy Monday. In addition, my accompanying junior food critic daughter enjoyed the river vista watching fish, bathing dogs, boat vendors, a visiting stork and three fat cats.

This was sloooow dining at its best and a perfect counter to the searing midday heat. And the food itself? We kept it pretty simple - prawn cakes, vegetable stir fry, moo dad jiew (pork jerky) and a fire-starting yum tua phu (wing bean salad) - and it was all good, very good.

The selection is massive so we'll have to come back with more people to fully sample their extensive menu. Given its special and serene location, it's a happening spot in the weekend so a booking is a must to enjoy this true 'hidden gem' of a restaurant.

Baan Maii Chaii Klong Facebook page

Besides good food, enjoy a quieter, gentler and more laid back Bangkok.

Rustic, simple and tasty dishes. The rice includes cubes of taro as well as corn.

Raan Ahan Thai Gold Bay Leaves

The amazing Chef Chai who with one wok, a BBQ grill and small baking/roasting
oven, weaved culinary magic. He makes Top Chef contenders look like pretenders. 

NB - Since I blogged in July 2011 - Chef Chai has moved to bigger premises and renamed the restaurant Gold Bay Leaves - though it's a few more train spots down the Sukhumvit line the food remains awesome.

After months of my pal Adam talking up the pla chu chi (fried fish in a curry sauce) at one of his favourite Pra Khanong neighbourhood eateries, I was honoured and delighted when he finally invited me and other chums to dine at this fabled restaurant.

Did Krua Suan Pak (fresh vegetable kitchen) live up to the hype? Most definitely. Though modest in appearance - think a family dining room complete with a big screen TV and karaoke system - the food served at Krua Suan Pak is five-star delicious. And price wise, Krua Suan Pak is easy - real easy - on the pocket.

The pla chu chi was flavoursome, coconut creamy, sweet and packed a slow burn spice punch. I also enjoyed a fiery eggplant, tomato and onion stir fry, while the black mushrooms in a bok choy main were super fresh and great tasting. My salmon larb order didn't hit the same high notes, only because the salmon was not as fresh as the chu chi snapper.

Like many Thai restaurants, the menu is extensive, chock full of Thai food staples as well as western styled steak and pork dishes and even pasta. My friend's prawn pesto pasta was as good as you'd get in a more pricy joint in mid-Sukhumvit.

Besides the food, make an effort to visit this cool neighbourhood and enjoy its community vibe - it reminded me of Bangkok when I first arrived in 1998. Enough words, here are some terrific photos provided our buddy, Mulyadi, a multi-media genius and incredible photographer.

Pla chu chi - before

10 minutes later...

Super fresh bok choy and black mushrooms

Larb salmon

Steamed rice served with a banana leaf cone to keep the rice warm. 

Great Song, Video and Song Title

This dub collaboration with Dennis Bovell is also a bit special.

Happy Birthday USA

Colours, Colours, Colours

A link to my Social Media NZ article on how social media has engaged more expat Thais to vote in the weekend's national election.

Thais turn to Facebook ahead of critical election