#SundayWellSpent: Exploring the Essentials of Soi Ruam Ruedi
Sukhumvit road has always been considered one of the main lines that breathe Bangkok city to life day and night. With many establishments left and right in the alleys that line the road, you can always count on finding some of the best places Bangkok has to offer. Soi Ruam Ruedi may look like an area littered with hotels and office towers, but there’s quite a number of interesting shopping and dining options hiding in the area.
In this episode of #SundayWellSpent we’re taking you to the heart of Chidlom-Ploenchit downtown area also known as Soi Ruam Ruedi. If you’re looking for where to take your sweetheart for a day of leisure or meet up with friends for a holiday hangout session, Soi Ruam Ruedi is definitely one of the top choices to spend your day off. Let’s take a look at the nine places that we’ve explored on this adventure!
Cafe Tartine
On the 1st floor of the Athenee Residence located at the mouth of Soi Ruam Ruedi, you’ll find a traditional French cafe & restaurant called Cafe Tartine. You can often find both local patrons and foreign visitors stopping by for a comforting meal of salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers, eggs benedict, steaks, bakery goods inside a casual setting. We highly recommend the Poulet Roti (Quarter 180 THB / Half 350 THB / Whole 600 THB), a dish of grilled chicken in garlic sauce served with a side of french fries, fresh salad, or mashed potatoes.
A meal is never complete without some homemade sweets, that is why Cafe Tartine serves Creme Brulee, Coconut Panna Cotta, Lemon Meringue Pie, Chocolate Mousse, Fruit Tarts, and a range of ice cream flavors (55-120 THB). There’s also a variety of wine for your choosing, including red, white, sparkling, and rosé. Cafe Tartine also takes part in the global initiative of being an environmentally friendly establishment by reducing the use of single-use plastics. That is why you’ll be served drinks without straws, but if you can also ask the waiters if you insist on having one.
Yoga Aum
On the 6th floor of the Q.House office building is YogaAum, a premium retailer of all things Yoga. Inspired by their love of the craft, the owners look to provide Yoga lovers in Bangkok with equipment that’s nothing short of exceptional. Aside from the top-tier yoga mats, you’ll also find things like clothes, gloves, pilates socks, yoga blocks, mat cleaning tools, and bags to shop for. All the items in the store are products of brands Manduka, easy yoga, Miss Runner, Vaken, YokaAum, Pointe Studio, and Yokitoes with prices starting from 280 all the way to 18,800 THB. The store also hosts workshops all year round as well as special lessons from international instructors as well.
YogaAum is the sole distributor of Manduka in Thailand and current have up to 8 branches around town including Q.House Ploenchit, Crystal Design Center, The Walk Ratchaphruek, Bon Marche Market, Mega Bangna, Amarin Plaza, Exchange Tower, and The Crystal Veranda with the original location in Ploenchit being the largest. If you’re looking to find some top-quality yoga equipment, then YogaAum should be a top-of-mind!
Lenzi Tuscan Kitchen
Lenzi Tuscan Kitchen, one of the recommended restaurants on the Michelin Guide 2018-2019, offers a friendly fine dining experience among a casual, yet luxurious, setting. Tucked away in the peacefulness of Soi Ruam Ruedi 2, the restaurant is always, however, fully booked night after night. Head Chef Francesco Lenzi’s family runs a pig farm in Tuscany, Italy, allowing the restaurant to import ham and many other ingredients straight from the source on a weekly basis. You can enjoy Toscana-style Italian classics with a view of the open kitchen and the chefs at work behind a large glass window. The restaurant also houses a fine selection of over 230 wines from around the globe for you to pair with your meal.
We recommend the Tagliere Del Lenzi (Medium Size 890 THB), a platter of cold cuts with seven types of ham and cheese from Lenzi’s very own farm. There are also some affordable lunch set offers during the weekdays for anybody who’s working around the area. If you’re looking for an authentic Italian dining experience, Lenzi Tuscan Kitchen is ready to serve up a special Toscana dinner for you every night.
MYTH
Across the street from The AETAS hotel is a red brick townhouse turned Thai massage spa called Myth. Inspired by classic wall paintings and ancient records about the arts and craft of Thai massage found in Wat Pho, the place offers a unique contemporary Thai atmosphere complimented by modern aesthetics where each different treatment room is uniquely designed. Treatment programs run from 25 minutes all the way up to 110 minutes depending on your choice.
The programs offered here include foot massage, head massage, Thai massage, Aroma Therapy, oil massage, and herbal massage (starting at 250 THB). If coming into the place isn't an option for you, Myth also offers its services outside for your convenience. At the spa, you can find multiple products researched and developed by Myth themselves. Using all sorts of herbs found in Thailand, their line of products include soaps, body lotions, massage oils, and many more. If you're looking to relax on your Sunday off from work, spending a couple of hours treating your body and mind will have you prepared to resume your duties on Monday!
Yoka Yoka
Yoka Yoka started as a “cold” kitchen serving fresh sushi and sashimi. After being joined by a Japanese hot kitchen chef from Fukuoka city on Kyushu island, the establishment transformed into one of the complete Japanese restaurants in town. The menu covers everything from hotpot, Shabu-Shabu, udon noodles, ramen, salads, donburis, and affordable lunch sets served between 11.00 - 15.00. Other than all the Kyushu-style hotpot and ramen, Yoka Yoka also offers the Matsu (1,850 THB) sashimi set that comprises of 7 types of fish including Maguro, Kinmedai, Madai, Hamachi, Salmon, Mackerel, and Amaebi sweet shrimp. You can also pair up your meal with your favorite Japanese drinks where you can choose from a selection of beers, soju, sake, whiskey, and High Ball.
Inside, you’ll find a casual modern Japanese interior design that focuses on simplicity. There’s a private room for those who come in large groups, while the 2nd floor houses a sake bar decorated with a number of stylish art installations. If you’re looking to host a party, Yoka Yoka can offer a private party experience for up to 80 people within its walls as well.
Charming Flowers
Charming Flowers is the only flower shop in Soi Ruam Ruedi that offers a variety of imported flora for us to choose from to decorate our bouquet. If you think that real flowers don't last as long as you want, the shop also has handmade artificial flowers for sale as well. Charming Flowers also offers a flower arrangement workshop in a group of 10 for anyone who's interested in learning to make a bouquet themselves. Attendees will not be required to follow any pre-set patterns and allowed to be as creative as they want. If you've got no plans for next Sunday, why not gather a group of friends for an afternoon lesson on making the best bouquet for your next big occasion.
Diplomat Bar
On the 1st floor of the Conrad Bangkok hotel is the Diplomat Bar, a high-end lounge bar decorated with contemporary Thai classic styles and dark-colored wood furniture. Its unique environment offering guests a premium location for morning coffee, a light lunch, afternoon tea, and also an evening round of cocktails. The bar offers a complete line-up of liquor including champagne, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, bourbon, and more. The wine list comprises of selections from the finest vineyards in France, Italy, Germany, Australia, Spain, New Zealand, United States, and Argentina. While you can order food from other restaurants and cafes in the Conrad Bangkok hotel, Diplomat Bar also offers its own food menu curated from a seasonal set of ingredients that changes throughout the year.
The Diplomat Bar also offers live entertainment from international jazz singers 20.00 - 24.00 from Monday to Thursday and 20.30 - 00.30 from Friday to Saturday. While Sunday night doesn’t offer us live Jazz, there will still be Jazz music soothing the atmosphere to keep you in your leisure mode.
Dee Lounge and Bangkok Beer Garden
The lobby of the Novotel Bangkok hotel houses the Dee Lounge and Beer Garden. The Dee Lounge section offers colorful lighting and modern decors complimented by two large TV screens for sports fans to enjoy. There’s also a compact co-working space where you can drop by to work from morning till late at night. The outdoors Beer Garden section offers a laid-back vibe with ice-cold beers and live music in the garden. From 19.45 onwards, you can drop by to enjoy some smooth Pop and Acoustic in the garden with live DJ sets switching things up every Sunday.
The food served at Dee Lounge and Beer Garden is primarily a mix of Western and Thai cuisine. We tried the Siam Thai Platter (300 THB) that comprises of all sorts of Thai appetizers including chicken Larb, spring rolls, fried shrimps with sugar cane, and pork Satay skewers served with 3 types of sauces, the Spicy Shrimp and Lemongrass Salad (220 THB), the Sour Pork Sausage and Condiment (150 THB), and Crispy Chicken Skin (120 THB) served with Thai-style sweet and sour dipping. Dee Lounge and Beer Garden offers Happy Hours on Sundays from 19.00 onward as well as a line of promotions all week long.
Gourme Italia
First of all, we have to say that Gourme Italia is closed on Sundays, but the variety of interesting imported Italian goods that it offers helps it earn a spot on our list. Walk inside, and you'll find truffles, chocolates, sausages, pesto sauces, and hams, as well as a homey-looking Trattoria serving up tapas and wine. The decor was inspired by both classic and modern styles, making both floors of the establishment very welcoming and cozy. The 2nd floor houses a wine room that keeps over 150 types of wine, including red, white, and sparkling, that you can pair with your cold cut platter or pasta.
The food menu offered on Monday-Wednesday differs from the one during Thursday-Saturday, allowing us to enjoy a different variety everytime we visit. You can find classic dishes like salads, burgers, soups, lasagna, sandwiches, cold cuts, freshly baked bread, and many more. The price starts at an extremely affordable 120 THB, making Gourme Italia one of the top choices for anyone looking for an authentic Italian dining experience.
Explore the hidden gems in Bangkok’s nooks and crannies next Sunday in your favorite neighborhood. Check out Siam2nite’s articles down below!
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