BKK Jan 2013: KuppA

I think I've bought my cafe-searching craze to Bangkok, visiting 3 cafes during my short stay. First was Roast for their mouthwatering creations, then to Mr Jones' Orphanage and bask in the childhood memories (not forgetting desserts too!). Finally, I ventured into a lesser-known area (at least to me!) in search for this place.

Before that, lunch @ Platinum Food Court first. Kway Chap with mama mee. In fact, Mama Mee (Shrimp Creamy Tom Yum Flavour) took the #10 spot for Top 10 Instant Noodles of All Time (2013 edition).

While Jun & her family headed out to Chinatown for seafood, Fling & I ventured to another cafe that I located online. Initially, I had my doubts about going for it was a part of BKK that I have yet to venture before. In the end, armed with my trusty GPS on my iphone, we headed there.

After 2 wrong turns, we managed to locate the cafe successfully! Not forgetting we walked a long distance from the BTS station. We were extremely delighted when we saw the sign from afar.

Established since 1998, KuppA is recognised as an exceptional establishment among the top cafes/restaurants in Thailand. 

 

KuppA is also BKK's first dedicated coffee house serving perfect in-house roasted coffee as well as supplying fresh roasted coffee to other fine restaurants and hotels in BKK & SG too. 

 

Anyone fancy a snack/grocery shopping trip? 

 Today & Weekly specials written on chalkboard, clearly displayed at the entrance. 

Immediately, we felt under-dressed in our tops & shorts. KuppA is a casual cafe by the day and contemporary dining by night. Besides the restaurant, they have  KuppA Polo Lounge, Terrace Bar & Spa! The lounge is available for booking on private/corporate events, catering up to 200 pax.

 

Where the action takes place, behind the counter! They have a bigger kitchen at the side as well. 

 Let the feasting begins (^^)

 

 Started with our drinks - Thai Iced Tea & Fruit Punch.

 Potato Wedges to share (150THB), but unfortunately, this came after our main courses :(
 

Fling went for Crispy Duck Risotto (350THB). Though the rice grains absorbed the soak, making it flavourful, the texture tasted more like porridge. Crispy duck was so crispy that it looked like pork floss instead.

 

As usual, a cafe means ordering all-day breakfast for me! I went for pancakes (with maple syrup & mixed berry compote), topped with mushrooms (195THB plus 50THB for mushroom). Besides mushrooms, they have hams, bacon or sausages too. Each side add-on costs 50THB.  The pancakes were moist and slightly fluffy, just the type that I like :) Strongly recommended to add on the sides for variety, for it would have been too boring to eat 2 pancakes dusted with icing sugar.

 

While we enjoyed our girly session, KuppA disappoint in terms of food despite the sophisticate outlook.

 KuppA

39 Sukhumvit Soi 16

Bangkok 10110

Nearest BTS: Asoke

Tel: 66 2663 0450 1

Opening Hours: 10am till late

Restaurant Week, 2012 edition: Garibaldi

I was first introduced to the concept of Restaurant Week by a friend. The event is held yearly, normally in March, where participating restaurants offer prix fixe lunches and dinners. At the finest restaurants, this can be a fraction of the usual prices. A good bargain, you may say. Recently, they added another week in October for all the food lovers out there. Last year, I made reservations to check out a couple of the participating restaurants. 

 It was always a tussle to get reservations during the priority booking! A game of fastest fingers first, just like when we had to bid for Uni timetable. Anyway, the first stop was at Garibaldi.

Named one of Asia's Top 500 finest restaurants by Miele Guide 2013 (I couldn't find the exact ranking!), I suppose this was worth a try.

 

We arrived early for the 1st seating. They ushered us to a table at their bar. The elegant bar offers a wide selection of wine by the glass or cocktails.

 

I love the table setting, simple yet elegant :) 

 

Bread promptly arrived as soon as we placed our orders.

 

First up, we had Orange & Beetroots Salad with Steam Prawns in cocktail sauce. This was a very refreshing appetizer, the prawns tasted fresh and pairing it with oranges & beetroots gave a tangy finish. 

For mains, I went for homemade potato dumpling with lamb & thyme vegetable ragout while Leecher had Seabass in Mediterranean sauce with basil & black pepper cornmeal plenta. While the potato dumplings were chewy, I felt slightly jerlat after a while. Leecher had to finish up what's left on the plate, lol! To be honest, I'm 30% culprit for contributing to his wasitline, mummy dearest for another 20% and Leecher's own greediness made up the rest :p

Waiting for desserts.

In all Italian restaurant, the defacto dessert is always Tiramisu. This came with almond flavour, which I don't take - so Leecher ended up having to finish 2 portions. Overkill for him, lol!

Garibaldi Italian Restaurant & Bar
36 Purvis Street #01-02
Singapore 188613
Tel: 68371468
Email: garibaldi@garibaldisingapore.com

Gianni's Trattoria @ JB

I'm not adventurous when it comes to finding new spots to eat in JB, often relying on friends who stay there to bring us around. So, I don't recall the directions on how to get there nor do I know the address/landmark. That is how handicapped I am in JB when you're used to being chauffeured around. After our sumptuous meal at Jang Won, we headed for some grocery shopping before adjourning back to Singapore. While driving on the road, I spotted Gianni's from a distance. Leecher made a turn in and we brought the family for a round of quick snacks.

It has been ages since I stepped foot into this shop (my last visit was way back in 2009). The restaurant still looked pretty much the same.

Fling once mentioned that this place is extremely popular during Vday, as couples will come here to enjoy a romantic date/meal. Bookings will have to be made months in advance just to secure a slot. As the chef is Italian, this is also one of the better Italian restaurants around JB, providing fine dining at affordable prices.

 

They do serve set lunches which are value-for-money. We were too late for lunch, so we ordered some appetizers to share. 

 

The usuals - bread with balsamic vinegar + olive oil for dipping. 

 

Don't you feel less sinful when you pour the sugar out from these packaging? 

 

Drinks to go around ~ love my hot chocolate :) 

Like all Italian restaurants, the pizzas are a must-try. They have a wide variety of selection to choose from as well.

That marked the end of our one-day-food-trip in JB :) 

Gianna's Trattoria

110, Jalan Serampang, Taman Pelangi

Johor Bahru 80400

Malaysia

Tel: 6073312230