#SundayWellSpent: The Alleys of Sathon Business District
Whenever the weekend rolls around, we always plan on spending our holidays somewhere far away from our usual workplace. Seeing the same scenery as a “business district” filled with condos and office buildings every Monday - Friday morning can be quite daunting to an office person. What most of us tend to forget is that an office area is a perfect place for some of the best vendors to be located. Whether it is a legendary Thai food stall that has been around for ages or a fresh new cafe with a unique twist, the alleys of Sathon has it all. Plus, the weekend vibe is absolutely different from that of the usual hectic working days.
That is why in this edition of #SundayWellSpent, we will be taking you on a stroll down Soi Sathon 10, 11, and 12 to see for yourself that it is way more than any ordinary business district. Don’t let the towering concrete jungle fool you; we’re sure you’ll have Sathon on your list of weekend destinations in no time.
The House on Sathon
Just 500 meters from Soi Sathon 10 is the perfect one-stop shop for afternoon tea, creative cocktails, and a romantic dinner. Inside the towering 129-year-old Colonial-style chateau, you'll find 3 distinct services that will definitely have you coming back for more. The evening dishes served in the “The Dining Room” of chef Fatih Tutak are simply creative, entertaining, and just perfectly executed. But if you are looking for a nice getaway during the day, “The Courtyard” provides the perfect outdoor setting paired with an opulent afternoon tea set as well as a luxurious dinner menu and live music performances every Wednesday to Saturday. After the sun sets, you can keep in the night going at “The Bar", an attractive speakeasy with an exclusive wine and champagne selection, Asian inspired bar bites, and creative cocktails.
Baan Plan Toys
Other than being a source of high-quality and eco-friendly wooden toys, Baan Plan Toys is also the perfect playground for parents to take their children during the weekend. Located in Soi Sathon 10, the venue serves as a development center for small children that provides educational workshops and activities centered around the idea of learning through toys. Parents can bring their little ones to meet new friends, learn new skills, and simply have a quality family afternoon every weekend. Be sure to follow their Facebook page or check out their website for the latest events and activities schedule!
H Gallery Bangkok
In the middle of Soi Sathon 12 sits a 125-year old Anglo-Thai style wooden building that houses one of Bangkok’s most daring art galleries. Considered one of Asia’s leading venues for current regional experimental works and contemporary showcases, H Gallery never backs away from representing the more provocative or controversial side of art. The gallery hosts a variety of both emerging and established talents including Mit Jai Inn, Jakkai Siributr, Sopheap Pich, Somboon Hormtientong, and Will Klose. The “H Project Space” on the 2nd floor also serves as an open floor that rotates its exhibitions every couple of months.
Plaagut - Southern Thai Recipe
There are only a few places that serve authentic Southern Thai cuisine in Bangkok, and this 2-story home-style restaurant on Soi Sathon 10 remains on the list. As you walk in you’ll be greeted with a heart-warming atmosphere of a cozy home and white-brown wooden decors that are easy on the eye. Most of the dishes on the menu are made from locally sourced ingredients from the southern city of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Be sure to try out the Stir-Fried Twisted Cluster Bean with Shrimps (350 THB), Phuket Pork Stew (200 THB), Pork Soup with “Chamuang Leaves” (250 THB), and several variations of Southern-style chili paste (200 - 290 THB).
The Running Dog Cafe
After a nice meal, you might want to move over to a charming little cafe next door to Plaguut that’s made especially for dog lovers. This pet cafe allows you to bring along your puppy buddy while you grab a cup of freshly brewed coffee and also provides a large porch at the back for you guys to take a nice Sunday stroll. Inside, you’ll find an invitingly simple decor on both the indoors and outdoors. The kitchen serves up a nice assortment of cakes, bakery, beverages, and simple menus like spaghetti and American breakfast. If you’ve got a canine friend at home, you can be sure to spend some quality time together along with all the other dog lovers here at The Running Dog Cafe.
Abode Handcrafted Living
As you walk towards to middle section of Soi Sathon 10, you’ll find a large red building standing tall above others. This 4-story structure is a furniture store that brings the best wooden products from European countries like France, Netherlands, and England. The cozy feeling you get went you walk inside comes from the idea of the owners that want every visitors to feel at home once they’re inside, treating them with soothing music and coffee aroma. Contrary to most furniture stores, the sales don’t pressure you by following you around. You’re free to roam around as long as you want and whenever you need help, just pick up the nearest phone to call staff. If you have some time to spare on Sunday, appreciating unique furniture designs can be a quite relaxing activity.
Kai New Zealand
Right next to Adobe is a spacious New Zealand restaurant with 2 floors and both an outdoor and indoor section. The owners use all the furniture found from his other venture, the Adobe Handcrafted Living store, to create a Rustic-style decor and Funky feel. On the menu, you’ll find homemade items where all the ingredients are imported straight from New Zealand including fish fillets, beef, lamb, and a selection of vegetables. All the chefs are also trained in New Zealand to ensure their understanding of authentic local cuisine. We recommend the Fish & Chips (450-750 THB) where you can select your own type of fish, cooking method, and sauce. If you want to know what original New Zealand home-cooking looks like, be sure to drop by for a palatable dinner.
Blue Parrot by Revolucion Cocktail
Inside a blue building right beside Revolucion Cocktail in Soi Sathon 10 is a tropical-style restaurant and bar called Blue Parrot. Inside, you’ll find all the essentials of a great hangout spot including a swimming pool, a Petanque field, and a children’s playground. The majority of the menu is European consisting of barbecues, pasta, and a variety of alluring sweets. The bar provides a sublime selection of wine, champagne, and refreshing cocktails such as the signature like the G&G (260 THB), a perfect blend gin, tonic, and grapefruit, that goes surprisingly well with Mozzarella Sticks (160 THB) and guacamole.
King & I Boutique Spa
If you’re one that loves to relax after a long week of work or school, then you might want to drop by this boutique spa on Soi Sathon 12. You will find all kinds services that will help loosen you up including Thai Massage, Foot Massage, Foot Spa, Herbal Massage, Aromatherapy, and Body Scrub with the price ranging from 500 - 2,300 THB. If you feel like you’re suffering from the “Office Syndrome,” they’ve got a special package made just for you at 1,800 THB that includes all the services you’ll need to get back on your best form again. Spending just 1-2 hours here on a Sunday will surely give you the boost you need to take on any tasks in the upcoming week.
Super Seoul Bangkok
This home-style Korean restaurant on Soi Sathon 11 serves up both authentic Korean dishes as well as fusion items for you to enjoy. Sit among the trees and rest your eyes on the green tone of the tropical decor while you enjoy mouth-watering dishes such as the Super Seoul Fried Chicken (175 THB) or the Galbi (375 THB). The awesome thing about this place is that it also serves as a cafe and a bar, so don’t forget to treat yourself with your favorite cup of coffee or pint of beer. You can also find Korean beverages just as Soju, Makgeolli, and creative cocktails like the Tropical Tiki Soju (255 THB) that comes in flavors like Passionfruit, Mango, Mixed Berry, and Ginger Lime.
Le Café des Stagiaires
This European-style bar nestled in Soi Sathon 12 is known for its cozy atmosphere, vintage decors, and for taking in Hospitality students from European countries like Belgium, Switzerland, and France for internships from time to time. Inside, you’ll find pool tables and an open kitchen serving up tasty French-style bites including Tapas, Cold Cuts, and pasta at a reasonable price. At the bar, you’ll find a variety of liquor selections of fine vodka, whiskey, rum, wine, and beer. If you’re looking for a place to grab a fulfilling dinner and to hang out afterward then this is the perfect place to be.
Explore the hidden gems in Bangkok’s nooks and crannies next Sunday in your favorite neighborhood. Check out Siam2nite’s articles down below!
- #SundayWellSpent: Exploring the Essentials of Soi Ngam Du Phli
- #SundayWellSpent: Exploring the Essentials of Soi Ruam Ruedi
- #SundayWellSpent: Exploring the Essentials of Soi Sawatdi (Soi Sukhumvit 31)
- #SundayWellSpent Exploring the Essentials of Soi Suan Phlu - Sathorn
- #SundayWellSpent Exploring the Essentials of Soi Sukhumvit 49
- #SundayWellSpent: Exploring the Essentials of Soi Sukhumvit 33
- #SundayWellSpent: Exploring the Essentials of “Soi Nana Yaowarat” - The Coolest Street in Chinatown
- #SundayWellSpent: Exploring the Essentials of Soi Ari
- #SundayWellSpent: Exploring the Essentials of Soi Langsuan