The meeting point for locals and farang backpackers, Ari is simply chock-full of eateries. So much so that this is just the first installation of our mouth-watering venture through Ari Sois 1-5…enjoy.
THAI STAPLES
Phad Thai Ari
With a branch at Erawan and Emporium, this eatery is known, for its interesting selection of noodles and pastas including mama, rice noodles, macaroni, and vermicelli. From the open kitchen, order a normal dish of phad thai (B40), one with small shrimps (B65) or a plate with big shrimps (B95). Try the dish where papaya replaces the noodles, which gives it a crunchy texture and complements the oily goodness and flavor of the phad thai.
2/1-2 Phaholyothin 7, 02-270-1654. Open daily
11am-10pm.
Somtum Bangkok
This two-story white house cum restaurant serves up Isaan favorites. Sit inside their air-con dining area, outside at the front of the eatery or in their open-air backyard. Even though the portions are small, they don’t lack in flavor. A little pricier than what you can find on the sidewalk, the comfort of a roof over your head means Thai papaya salad goes for B70 (B75 with crab and B85 with crispy fish). The soup nor mai (B65) is one tasty dish that won’t disappoint.
9 Ari Soi 3, Phaholyothin 7, 02-619-8659. Open daily
11am-11pm. www.somtumbangkok.com.
Shambaala
As a part of Reflections, this small eatery doesn’t lack in style thanks to dark tones and a chic vibe. The food is very down to earth, though: simple Thai and Isaan dishes at modest prices. Dinnertime sees the small restaurant crowded with students and young professionals. Try the Thai papaya salad with crab (B40) along with some fried chicken (wings B20, thighs B40).
71/1 Phaholyothin 7, 02-357-1597. Open Mon-Sat
11am-10pm.
Reflections
With the hotel moved to Pradipat road, the restaurant has lost its former appeal as the cool, pink hot spot for young hipsters. Serving Thai, Chinese and Isaan fare, you can munch on deep-fried red snapper marinated in fish sauce (B260) followed by eryngii mushrooms stir-fried with black chili (B150). Despite the loud, kitschy décor, it’s a place that’s lost its steam.
21 Ari Soi 3, Phaholyothin 7, 02-270-3341. Open daily
4pm-midnight.
DIY
Shabu Shuba
B200 for a beef shabu set with five one-millimeter slices of decent beef? Ouch! We see how the place might have looked vaguely hip upon opening: bare-concrete, bar-like seating. But frankly, sitting across from a stranger is not our idea of a good meal and if we’re going to sit at a crappy bar counter and get spotty service, we want to pay less than at MK. Past that, the food is good: broths are full of flavor, seafood is fresh (well, too fresh in the case of the frozen shrimp balls) and the vegetables are bright and happy-looking.
71/3 Phaholyothin 7, 086-995-9559, 083-708-5566.
Open daily 10:30am-9:30pm.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Arancini
This homey Italian eatery sees Thai families coming in for some fresh oven-baked pizza and hearty pasta dishes. Decked in a bright, orange hue, this isn’t your romantic Italian den, but your neighborhood family eatery—complete with screaming children. Opt for their Arancini pizza with tomato, mozzarella, Parma ham, rocket leaves and shaved parmesan cheese (B340). Finally, a pizza not laden with sauce, and big in fresh flavors. For the pasta, a favorite (it is a Thai clientele) is their spaghetti with bacon, garlic, chili and olive oil (B220). A hearty dish with loads of bacon.
34 Baan Yoswadi Building, Phaholyothin 7, 02-619-8188. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 6-11pm
Sofa So Good
Sofa So Good is not your run-of-the mill restaurant. You can choose to sit at their kooky collection of sofas, not great for eating, or at the proper chairs. For the inter menu, they have pastas, entrees and an assortment of apps. For starters, go fusion and order their deep fried wontons with cream cheese filling (B120), the combo of the crispy wonton and creamy cheese is scrumptious. For the pasta, their popular spaghetti with Italian sausages, dried chili and garlic sauce (B180) is a bit soggy, but still flavorful. They also don’t disappoint with their Thai dishes. Even though most are small in portion (and a bit pricey), they don’t lack in flavor. Besides food, this place is a cool joint to knock back a few. Their cocktails are B120 or get a Heineken tower for B490.
50 Phaholyothin 7, 02-617-0909. Open daily 5pm-1am.
COFFEE BREAK
Wawee Café
The Wawee Café franchise from Chiang Mai serves up Aeung Fah, Intanon, Doi Luang, Mocha Yendee and Wawee coffee to students and professionals. In this chilled out café, you can order it hot (B50-85) or cold (B65-100) and pretend you’re sipping on your cup of joe up North.
7 Phaholyothin 7, 02-619-9938. Open daily 7am-10pm. www.wawee.co.th.
