Bei Otto, German Restaurant & Pub, Sukhumvit Soi 20, Bangkok

Bei Otto, German Restaurant & Pub, Sukhumvit Soi 20, Bangkok

Directly across the road from the Windsor Suites, our hotel during our recent stay in Bangkok, on Sukhumvit Soi 20, is this great German restaurant Bei Otto!

My wife and me visited here already back in January 2008 and waited for a new visit until our last night in Bangkok, yesterday evening.

The entrance

Besides restaurant & pub, there's also a bakery/deli shop well worth visiting. We bought some home made sausages and nice German bread this morning. Can't wait for breakfast tomorrow morning!

An assorted appetizer plate with stuffed ham rolls, salami and duck liver sausage among others

We invited a friend of ours and we had a delicious meal. We ordered as German as you can get, and it was good, really! Having lived during the 8-tees in West-Berlin and having traveled extensively over the country, I know a little bit about German cuisine or Deutsche Kueche and I can vouch for the authenticity of the meals at Bei Otto.

Assorted German grilled sausages with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes

All or most ingredients are imported, which gives a very authentic taste but also doesn't make the meals necessarily cheap. The assorted German grilled sausages were the absolute winner last night. They were washed down with some big glasses full of German Pils.

Kaesespaetzle

The kaesespaetzle was ok but with all the oil dripping out of it from the cheese and the meal itself it looked almost like a heart attack on a plate! With the very good tasting cheese though, it was a still a good dish although I haven't found Kaesespaetzle yet in Thailand that satisfied my needs like it did in Germany! Although this was good, the search continues.

Pan fried rainbow trout

My wife's first encounter with trout, although she wasn't too impressed, I rated the trout pretty good! A good butter sauce and great potatoes came with it.

By this time I was stuffed to the max but my wife somehow managed to order and eat a Black Forest Ice sundae and I must admit that after tasting it, this was one of the best sundaes ever!

If you plan to eat here during a visit to Bangkok, make sure you make a reservation, although it's a rather big place, it does tend to fill up. You can also sit outside, which is nice. It was interesting and also good to see that there were not only Thai wife's with their German or in my case with their Dutch hubbies, but that there were also plenty of Thai parties eating there. In fact, our (Thai) friend that we invited immediately made a reservation for tomorrow, Wednesday, to go back and have dinner with his father and sister!

Enjoy, I can highly recommend this restaurant!

Camille

Faim de Loup, Bakery at Phra Ae, Koh Lanta

Faim de Loup, Bakery at Phra Ae, Koh Lanta

During my day off from the current IDC on Koh Lanta, I had lunch at Faim de Loup, a French bakery in Phra Ae on Koh Lanta.

During my recent visits to Koh Lanta, this is the place where I went to get my wholewheat bread for my breakfast! It's excellent and the nice thing is that after a couple of months the lady who runs the place recognized me when I went back last week for more (breakfast) bread.

My lunch, a club sandwich and a café au lait. French fries can be ordered separately.

The bread and bakery goods that are on display, haven't tried the baked goods, yet!

The place is very laid back and the menu is not too big so you don't get overwhelmed with options and choices. Always check for specials, this may be worthwhile. Today there was gratin and salad as a special.

Faim de Loup is kind of opposite the Red Snapper in Phra Ae and the picture above shows how it looks like. If you're in this area, go and have breakfast or lunch or get your baked needs on Koh Lanta taken care of!

Camille

Nang Sabai, German bakery, Saladan, Koh Lanta

Nang Sabai, German bakery, Saladan, Koh Lanta

The third and for the time being last restaurant or food update originating from my recent visit on Koh Lanta. This time it's the Nang Sabai German Bakery I visited and write about and it's a must visit place, even if you're not German.

The location is a few 100 meters outside of Saladan, direction South on your left hand. There's clear signs outside and it will be very difficult to miss. There's also plenty of parking space for motorbikes and cars alike.

Bread and cakes are baked fresh every day, the owners have early days and starts their days around 3am, baking away!

They recently relocated to this fairly new place, after having grown out of their original place. Just like the Red Snapper restaurant owners, they're since 7 years on the island, first just as holiday makers and than later on as expats after they relocated from Germany.

Herrentoast

The menu is the right size, not an overwhelming assortment to choose from but just enough to make it interesting and once I laid my eyes on my choice; the Herrentoast -> 1 rye bread with pork, mustard and baked with cheese I was pleasantly surprised once I received my dish. This is easily one of the best meals I ever had in a bakery in Thailand! Obviously this dish comes highly recommended by me.

Apfelstrudel

Upon walking in you can't miss the big fridge placed on your right hand side entry and just looking at it I knew I had to get a dessert. My choice was the Apfelstrudel with ice cream and whipped cream. An excellent choice and once more highly recommended. Come in early since by noon the Apfelstrudel for the day was gone and finished!

A very fine bakery and well worth a visit. Enjoy!!

Camille

Culinary tour around Koh Samui

Culinary tour around Koh Samui

It was indeed a culinary tour around the island with my friend Marc and his family and my sister and her family visiting during the last two weeks. We visited plenty of restaurants around the island and they rank among my fave places on Samui.

My sister and my friend both spend a lot of time on the beach and the only non beach activity besides eating was our trip around the island and diving when I taught a PADI Open Water diver course to my friend and his wife and had a Discover Scuba Diving experience with my friends and my sisters children!

Let's have a look at them restaurants that we visited though in no particular order;

The Japanese chain Fuji was visited twice, once with my friend and my sister and one time with my sisters and my family. Decent Japanese food for a very reasonable price. An update on this place will follow sometime soon in the near future.

The best sate on the island was enjoyed by my sister and my families at Dcheed 2, the kids loved it and 125 sate sticks were killed off in no time! Besides the sate, they also have a very enjoyable Raad Na dish.

The waterfall at Baan Namuang with it's Isaan style place was visited as well and to my surprise, they all loved the Laab and chicken dishes we ordered both Marc and my sisters family.

Il Mulino, Chaweng's ultimate Italian bakery was visited was Marc and his family for a good selection of breads and small pieces of pizza.


Prego in Chaweng was visited with all of us, a party of 13! As usual an outstanding menu was served and a good time was had by all here. The picture shows a dessert and just the composition and presentation of it makes you go yummy! One of my fave Italian places.

Baan Boran, also located in Chaweng, near Chaweng lake was a first time visit for me and my and my sisters family had a nice dinner and saw a fascinating Thai puppet show.

Both Marc, my friend and his family and my sisters family visited a Thai wedding, a week apart from each other where some outstanding local Thai food was served and it was quite an experience for both of them which they enjoyed tremendously.

The Chef, once more in Chaweng, was another first timer for me and we all visited here together, since it was Marc's family last night on Samui and conveniently located across the road of First Bungalow Beach Resort where they were staying.

Duomo was visited twice. My brother in law, Martin, found the pizza's here outstanding and thought the food here even better than at Prego! One thing that definitely has improved is the air conditioning which makes every place a lot more agreeable. The food was nonetheless great and Duomo comes highly recommended.

My favorite Thai restaurant on the island; Sabeinglae in Lamai, one time visited with Marc and one time with my sister. Both had grilled lobsters, as pictured above. This place comes also highly recommended although it may be a bit out of the way if you stay at Chaweng or even more Northern parts of the island like Bophud, Maenam or Choengmon.

Last but not least, with a friend who was travelling from the airport to Koh Tao we had a lovely lunch at Angela's in Maenam, much to the envy of my sister who didn't make it here this time around! Definitely a place not to miss out on.

So, a couple of kilo's of gained weight later, these are the places where we ate and they were all good and enjoyable. There are plenty of places that i even haven't described on my blog or that I did write about, but we didn't visit. We just had a limited amount of time and loads of children with us and a party varying from 13 to 9, so we had to make it convenient as well. In other words, there are plenty of other options still out there but these will satisfy you, now go out and explore for yourselves, for me it's now back to the diet again.

Camille

Haveli, Indian restaurant in Bang Rak

Haveli, Indian restaurant in Bang Rak

Since about two months now, Haveli an Indian restaurant in Bang Rak has opened it's doors. During the last 10 days I've been there twice and I must say that this is the best Indian food I've had on Samui so far.

This is the place in question, on the main road in Bang Rak. From 9 am to 4 pm it's a bakery kind of place with wraps, sandwiches and baguettes and after 6 pm it's the restaurant that opens the doors again, with different staff compared to the day shift and Xavier is your host. Interestingly enough, Xavier is of Indian origin and completed his Open Water to PADI Instructor course last October. He's on Samui for almost two years now and an he's excellent host with good knowledge of the menu and he can recommend dishes to your liking in case you're not sure what to order.

For those who are in a hurry, Haveli has also take away and the number to call is 0 8282 3416 0r 08 2818 3417. Prices are very reasonable, between 200,-THB and 400,- THB (the latter for the lamb and prawn dishes) in general.

The kitchen staff, as pictured above, is cooking in the open, behind a glass wall, which makes it pleasant for in my opinion, since nothing is hidden and all is out in the open. Another side note is that the chefs are all of Indian origin and they can cook up a storm!

Can chicken melt on your tongue? This is a Chicken Malai Kebab, marinated in a mild creamy sauce and grilled, and it came close! One of the best chicken dishes I ever had.

We were so hungry that we all dug in to the mains immediately when they were served, so this is what is left over of a delicious vegetable curry before it was completely finished off.

Other dishes I have enjoyed over my two visits included, vegetable Samosas, an all round fave, vegetable Pakoora, Aloo Jera; potato cubes with spices and roasted cumin seeds ( I always thought I didn't like cumin, until yesterday that is), Mushrooms & Peas Masala; stir fried with Indian spices, Saag Chicken; cooked in spinach and special herbs (which was a bit salty, but upon telling Xavier, he immediately rushed to the kitchen to inform the chef) and various Naan breads.

The only thing they need to add onto the menu is Lassi's but besides this minor detail, I can highly recommend a trip to Bang Rak and especially a visit to Haveli.

Camille

Angela's Bakery in Maenam update

Angela's Bakery in Maenam update

It's a year and a half ago that I first wrote about Angela's bakery in Maenam and I thought that it's more than time to give an update on this outstanding eatery in Maenam, just like I gave an update on the Picnic Basket in Bang Rak earlier this month.

Things are constantly in motion and change around and sometimes for the better, like in Angela's case, where to my big delightment, there's an aircon area installed now. It keeps the noise and sticky weather outside! Smart move Angela.

This is the 'new' outside area, for smokers and 'old style' Angela aficionados.

Inside however, the homely style has been kept intact, although it now also has a bit of a diner feel to it.

This shot may explain why I think it has a bit more of a diner feel to it, looking at the diner style set up on the right hand side. In the rear you can make out the big cooler fridge where all the baked dreams come true, like the carrot cakes, the cheese cakes and the apple pies (just to name a few) are just waiting for you to be ordered!

The food remained very good over the years and again pictured above, just like a year and half ago is the creamy chicken has. Other faves on the menu are Angela's club sandwich and the various salads that are on offer.

The home baked bread for sale is well worth the trip to Maenam. Angela's is open from 8 am to 6 pm, make sure to stop when driving by or plan a visit, it's one of the best lunches to be had on the island.

Camille

Zest Bakery and Coffee House, Mae Haad, Koh Tao

Zest Bakery and Coffe House, Mae Haad, Koh Tao

Whilst on Koh Tao almost every month to give moral support to my IDC candidates during their PADI Instructor Exams or IE, Zest is one of favorite eateries on the rock, as Koh Tao is also known.

It's located on Mae Haad's main road, leading off the harbour/pier on the left hand side, walking up from said harbour and this is how it looks like of you're standing across the road from Zest.

The inside is very cosy with a wooden interior and their menu rocks with various sandwiches all home made. They also have a nice breakfast menu with a few other bits and pieces thrown in and the assortment of coffee's and teas is outstanding. Plenty of vegetarian choices are available and you can also buy home made bread.

They've been around for more than 6 or 7 years already, they were the or one of the first bakeries on Koh Tao. Now there are plenty of other bakeries spread out over the island, but this is the original!

This is their version of a full breakfast, for 150,-THB, a guaranteed filler and very tasty.

If you find yourself on Koh Tao, definitely a place worthwhile checking out.

Camille

Feeding time on Samui

For the restaurant lovers on Samui,

There hasn't been a review of restaurants for a while now, this doesn't mean however that we don't go out to eat anymore! Not at all! We just haven't visited any new places but there are plenty of old faves that I can highly recommend.

For starters, Aux Amis who have relocated to Bophud, don't forget their Mussels day on Tuesdays or how about Il Molino for some good Italian lunch or rather, the best Italian lunch on the island. Angela's bakery in Maenam remains high on the fave list for breakfast and lunches.

Today we had lunch at Dcheed 2 in Chaweng on the ring road, man, are those sateys tasty!

Or how about lunch or dinner at Gai's in Maenam, an old fave that stills rocks my boat!

If in Lamai, we always visit this Kao man gai place, make sure not to miss it.

Last but not least, our almost neighbours; Clok Lana for some awesome Isaarn food.

As you can see, we're still eating out, these are some of the places we've recently been to and had good food, over and over again!

Hope you can find the restaurants, they're worth it. Some are very authentic and not to be found in any tourist guide. It's appreciated that if you do find them to let me know if you liked them.
Please post on the blog.

Camille

Art Cafe, Samui Town Center, Bophud

This morning my wife and myself visited the Art Cafe in Buphud to have some breakfast.

After having visited the Nathon branch just a few days ago, I was really looking forward to visit their shop at the Samui Town Center complex, located at the ring road between Bophud traffic lights and Big C.




The location is very difficult to spot, although I was told that it was next to the Music shop at Samui Town Center, it is hardly distinguishable from the road if you drive by. Even after just having visited the cafe, I couldn't spot it from the road when I left!

The interior however has the same warm feeling as the Nathon shop and their are some nice feats for sale, paintings, homemade candles etc.

Same as in Nathon, they also sell homemade bread. The loaf I bought in Nathon was very enjoyable, one of the best breads I had on Samui.

We had two breakfasts and a salad with a date muffin as desert and it was really enjoyable.
I can recommend both locations strongly and hope you will try them out. Their menu has some real healthy food, including plenty of vegetarian choices but also meat can be had. Enjoy!

Camille

About Art & Cafe, Restaurant, Nathon

Today had a nice surprise in Nathon.

Supposedly since 1995, 'About Art & Cafe' has been around, so I'm running a bit behind schedule.
Immigration and over due electricity bill payments had me travel to Nathon today. After all the business side was taken care of, I walked around Nathon and the 'About Art & Cafe' drew me in with it's nice and warm atmosphere.




It's located at the pier road (boulevard) with the pier bus station at your back, almost opposite the road, a little bit to the right.

The warm colours of the interior caught my attention when I walked by and made me go inside and give it a go.

They have a great breakfast and lunch menu and open between 8 am and 5 pm (08.00 - 17.00).

Lots of vegetarian dishes, salads and sandwiches made with home made bread fill the menu. On top of that they have a wide selection of fruit shakes, juices and smoothies.

Inside they sell various bits and pieces but all the things they sell completely melt into the surroundings and you don't have the feeling that you're sitting in a shop (well, at least part of the premises). Very nice and relaxed indeed. This picture shows various kinds of pottery that are for sale with associated bits and pieces.

Various clothes, postcards and you name it, are for sale but blend completely in with the whole set up of the place.

They also sell outstanding self made breads, ask the staff. I purchased a whole wheat/oat bread which was still slightly warm when they put it in the bag. Mmmm, yummy.

Oh yes, I also ordered food, here's a picture of my Penang Tofu Curry, with very fresh veggies in it on brown rice and in the background is my mango/banana fruit shake. For desert I had a delicious chocolate cake.

When in Nathon, make sure to visit this place, I know that I will in the future!

There's a second shop, Art Cafe between Bophud and Chaweng on the ring road, at the Samui Town Center shopping complex, so that's on the list of places to visit!

Camille

Il Molino, Italian Bakery

Il Molino in Chaweng is my favorite lunch place on the island!

Located on the ring road, just before the Bangkok Samui Hospital and Bangkok Airways main office on the ring road (going from Tesco Lotus direction Lamai) on the other side of the road, they offer small slices of pizza and home made Italian bread tasting exactly the same as if you were in Italy.



Run by Salvatore and Tha, his lovely wife, they have been baking and providing bread to all the major hotels on the island and plenty of other places since 1994.

To come here and have chat with both of them is a nice break in the day and their food is absolutely delicious.

They offer a extensive menu with various breads and salads and slices of pizza and many times they offer specials, like lasagna.

Outside they have a very nice sitting area where you can enjoy your meal, together with some excellent coffee, cappuccino or espresso.

Here's a small selection on what's on offer, the slices of pizza in the front left are amazing and they come with various toppings.

Their daily bread was just being delivered 10 minutes before I arrived, otherwise the whole picture would've covered in bread!

Besides their menu, they also have some exclusive Italian imported cheeses and sausages for sale.

Well worth a visit and highly recommended by me and they were long overdue on my blog!

Camille

Angela's Bakery, Maenam

Angela's Bakery is by far my favourite Bakery on Samui.

When they opened, a bit more than 7 years ago, I used to live almost behind the bakery and next to Angela, the owner. I'm just a tad little bit longer on the island than when Angela opened her doors for the first time and she's still up and running and I'm still enjoying eating there.

Now I live a bit further away from Maenam, so I don't visit that often anymore, as I used to do, but it's still a fave stop whenever I'm around. The bakery is located at the ring road, at the very beginning of Maenam, a little bit further down from the Police station, if you're coming from Bophud, at the opposite side of the road.

It's definitely not a plastic table and chairs establishment, in contrast, the way they decorated the restaurant is very cosy and gives you a 'home' feeling.

Besides a very nice menu, with plenty of choices in Western and Thai food, with great salads, sandwiches and German and English dishes, one of Angela's teasers are her cakes! In the cooler in the background on the left, one can find amazing Apple pie's, triple chocolate cheesecakes, Tiramisu's and much more.

One of my fave dishes at Angela's is the Creamy Chicken Hash, as pictured above. A nice full plate of Chicken hash!

Angela's Club Sandwich is one of the best Club Sandwiches available in Thailand, in my opinion. Nicely done with fried chicken and plenty of other ingredients. All freshly made.

She also make birthday cakes and for more info on this, please call 077 427 396 and she makes fantastic wholewheat breads.

It's only open till 4 pm, which makes it a perfect place for breakfast and lunch. Another one I can highly recommend.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille