New gourmet Indian restaurants, Lululemon’s much-anticipated arrival, and more!

By Aiden Jewelle Gonzales

EAT & DRINK

Inddee (pictured above)

Nestled inside the sophisticated urban oasis that is Langsuan, Inddee is a new fine-dining Indian restaurant housed in a 100-year-old property. The concept revolves around three elements, all of which have been enshrined in their logo: the arch, a gateway to new experiences, representing their focus on innovation, and ever-present in their interior design; fire, a reference to open-fire cooking; and the matchstick, which ignites the fires of their passion and also is the ‘i’ in their name, a homophone of ‘indie.’ The philosophy behind the brand is “Atithi Devo Bhava,” which means, “the guest is akin to God” in Sanskrit, and highlights the hospitality of this welcoming space. Their 7-course tasting menu, which has both non-veg and vegetarian versions and is curated by Head Chef Sachin Poojary and his team, serves contemporary Indian dishes, such as their Duo of white asparagus, which is charred, cured, lacto-fermented, and served with a Gujarati kadhi.
Facebook: @inddeebkk

EKKA Grill & Bar 

Yet another luxe entrant into Thailand’s ever-growing Indian F&B scene, EKKA Grill & Bar is a self-proclaimed “cultural getaway where you can go on a gastronomic adventure,” focusing on authenticity and the vibrant flavours of India. ‘EKKA’ means ‘ace’ in Hindi, a reference to their vision of achieving excellence in all they do, from the design of their space which channels olde-worlde Indian royalty, to their exceptional service, dishes that will tantalise your taste buds, and unique cocktails. Expect a range of bar snacks and small plates such as their Paneer kurkure (THB 220), crumb-fried paneer fingers in a desi tartare sauce; as well as dishes straight from the tandoor, such as their elevated take on Murgh chandi kebab (THB 380), chicken breast marinated with yoghurt, cardamom and mace, and finished with edible silver. https://ekkabkk.com

Shu Daxia Thailand

Shu Daxia, the famed and premium fire pot brand from Chengdu, China, has finally opened its first branch in Bangkok. First established in 2015, the brand now has over 600 branches across China, a testament to its meteoric rise in popularity among those who’ve sampled its offerings, ranging from traditional mala broth to collagen bone soup. Thailand’s first branch will be in the Crystal Design Centre (CDC) in Ladprao, and promises a feast not just for the palate but for the eyes as well, with their intricate design and vaulted ceilings that borrow from ancient Chinese palaces. The name itself is a reference to a Chinese warlord and hero, who rose to power during the golden age of the Three Kingdoms, and the restaurant aims to whisk you away to that bygone era. Facebook: @ShuDaxiaTH

Bar Rouge

Tucked into the 6th floor of the Pullman Bangkok Grande Sukhumvit hotel, Bar Rouge has officially opened its doors to the public, so get ready for plenty of good times in the form of themed parties, international DJs, and bangers all night long. The brand hails from Shanghai, where the first Bar Rouge opened atop the iconic Bund 18, transforming Shanghai’s nightlife with its champagne showers and seductive atmosphere, drawing crowds of the city’s glitterati dressed to the nines. Aside from its glut of drinks, the bar is also serving gourmet bites, and is sure to be the next big thing in Bangkok’s popping nightlife scene. Facebook: @barrougebangkok

Nuss Bar

The brainchild of Chef Thitid ‘Ton’ Tassanakhajohn and two-time Diageo World Class Thailand winner Ronnaporn Kanivichaporn, known from the likes of Find The Locker Room and Mahaniyom, Nuss Bar is yet another must-go watering hole in Bangkok’s old town. An offshoot of Nusara, which gained fame after having reached No.3 on the acclaimed Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, Nuss Bar, named after Chef Ton’s grandmother, is bathed in bewitching shades of red, and has a spectacular view of Wat Pho. Its menu celebrates and embraces the versatility of Thai ingredients, so expect craft cocktails made with herbal infusions and local flavours. Instagram: @nussbarbkk

Mimosa

A chic new brunch spot in Sathorn, MIMOSA is brought to you by the famed Baan Khanitha family of restaurants, but instead of classic Thai dishes, they’re serving up Mediterranean-inspired fare. The vibrant and airy space will whisk you away to a sleepy coastal town in the French Riviera, while its dishes channel the best in French, Italian and Spanish cuisine. Headed by Chef Chris Beverly, who has two decades of culinary experience under his belt, the restaurant is sure to be a hit among urbanites, with plenty of food and drink promotions during their first few weeks. Make sure to also try their refreshing tipples, such as their signature Limone mimosa, made with lemon, thyme, and cava. Facebook: @mimosa.bkk

Echelon Bangkok

A “synchronous bar and nightclub experience” in bustling Thong Lo, Echelon Bangkok is inspired by the futuristic train ark in the TV series and movie Snowpiercer. Comprised of lush, red velvet furnishings; modern recessed lighting; and reflective surfaces galore; Echelon can be found at the newly-opened, 24/7 mall Marché Thonglor, and channels both art deco and futuristic sensibilities. Aside from being a “first class portal to sonic rhapsody,” with some of the best DJs in the city; the alchemical concoctions here are sure to pack a punch, with options such are their innovative Teleportation shot made with literal shots from syringes. Facebook: @echelonbangkok

STAY

InterContinental Bangkok

Globally-renowned luxury hotel brand, InterContinental is reopening the doors of the palatial and cosmopolitan InterContinental® Bangkok at the Ratchaprasong area, reimagined for modern times. With newly-renovated rooms and suites, they’ve introduced an even more elevated level of elegant sophistication to the property, spanning marble colonnades, traditional artwork, and new and inspired F&B options. Their SoCal restaurant is, true to its name, inspired by the flavours and ambience of Southern California, crafted with seasonable and sustainable ingredients; while their café, Butter, features an array of pastries and pies for a quick mid-day break. Facebook: @InterContinentalBangkok

SCOPE Promsri

Gone are the days where flat-hunters are scrambling for the highest floor with the best view possible – low rises are quickly gaining popularity across the city, and high-end condominium brand SCOPE has added yet another incarnation in Phrom Phong, a high-spec and pet-friendly serviced residence. Ensconced in a tropical oasis in Sukhumvit, SCOPE Promsri’s focus is on peace and solitude, with designs that draw upon the Yukatan cenotes. With fully-furnished rooms, their furniture pieces are designed by luxury French furniture brand Ligne Roset, with limited-edition pieces that will elevate any home. The complex also boasts state-of-the-art amenities including private onsens, a sauna, and a conference room. https://scopecollection.com/residence/Scope-Promsri

VISIT

MRT Yellow Line

The MRT Yellow Line train service is now up and running, with an official commercial opening date in early July, during which its fare structure will also be announced. Part of the monorail section of the MRT, the Yellow Line route runs from Lat Phrao to Samrong and is comprised of 23 stations, and it’s expected that the proposed fare will start at THB 15. The Eastern Bangkok Monorail (EBM), the operator of the line, has estimated that it will see an average of 200,000 passengers per day, with estimated earnings of THB 1 billion in this year alone, and more carriages are expected to be added to increase capacity. www.mrta.co.th

lululemon Thailand

lululemon athletica, a world-famous Canadian athletics brand fondly known as just lululemon, is finally coming to Thailand! Known for conceptualising and popularising the now-ubiquitous yoga pants, lululemon stands apart for its products’ comfort, breathability, patented Luon fabric, flattering fits, and of course, their high-end prices. Opening on the first floor of CentralWorld, this flagship store will hopefully be the first of many in Bangkok. www.lululemon.com

Tesla Centre

After launching in Thailand to much fanfare last year, Tesla is officially opening its first service centre in Ramkhamhaeng Road. The centre will feature a showroom, a service and delivery centre for all your auto needs, and an educational area for those who wish to find out more about this iconic EV brand. The company has also announced a Tesla app from which you can book maintenance services, as well as home charging installations and an expansion of supercharging stations throughout the country. www.tesla.com/th_th

Neighbourhood

With the growing interest in relaxed spaces with shopping and F&B collectives, the Asoke area has seen yet another addition with the pet-friendly Neighbourhood. The community space features a range of restaurants spanning BoLo, which serves up cold-pressed juices and natural wines; Nuas Nuas, which offers authentic Isaan fare; Sor’s, which has scrumptious and premium-quality sliders; and much more. There will also be art workshops to look forward to, while the The Shop Upstairs, which, true to its name, is on the second floor, sells artisanal wares and local labels. Facebook: @NeighbourhoodBKK