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Simple

The buzz: After a few years at Bo.lan and Appia, young chef Natcha Chatlaong has struck out on her own with this organic grocers-slash-café-slash-restaurant. Claiming to offer up the best produce sourced from local farmers, you can expect everything from brown rice and pure coconut oil to freshly-baked pain au chocolat and Soapa soaps, as […]

Simple
12 September, 2013 Bangkok time

The buzz: After a few years at Bo.lan and Appia, young chef Natcha Chatlaong has struck out on her own with this organic grocers-slash-café-slash-restaurant. Claiming to offer up the best produce sourced from local farmers, you can expect everything from brown rice and pure coconut oil to freshly-baked pain au chocolat and Soapa soaps, as well as Ploy’s take on classic recipes. No need to be overwhelmed, the welcoming staff are happy to give you the lowdown on what goes into their products, where they come from and how they are made.

The décor: Despite its warm brick and redwood interior, complete with hanging lamps, the place steers clear of the ubiquitous industrial chic trend. Nestled down a sub-soi, the overall vibe of this two-story warehouse-like space is decidedly more Scandinavian. A few tables sit out front if you want some fresh air, as inside can get a bit smoky due to the open kitchen.

The food: Simple. goes a step further than most of the chill café-cum-brunch spots popping up around town. The brief menu of simple but delicious dishes is really designed to turn the focus on the organic produce sourced daily, while popular Maison Jean Philippe breads and Joe Sloane sausages also feature prominently. Everyday brunch options include the full English breakfast (B300), which is elegantly served in a big pan, or the quinoa, cauliflower and pumpkin frittata (B260). Mains include the club sandwiches with pork and homemade mayo (B220) and risotto with spicy sausage (B320), but be sure to ask for the specials of the day. 

The drinks: You’ll have to go healthy as there’s no alcohol here, not that you’ll be complaining once you taste their blended juices. These include the owner’s mom’s recipes, like the delicious pineapple and mango concoction (B95). Regular juices range from B75-B95 while the organic coffee sourced from Chiang Rai ranges from B80-B125.

The crowds: Young Thais and expats are coming around to the idea of healthy food that actually tastes good amid pleasantly casual atmosphere.

Venue Details

Address: Simple, 235/5 Soi 31, Bangkok Thailand

Phone: 02-662-2510

Website: www.simplenaturalkitchen.com

Opening: Tue-Fri

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Simple As That

Simple and clever product designs that make life so much easier.

By
27 December, 2007 Bangkok time

“Why can’t products be simpler?” That is the age old question since time immemorial. Nothing beats a product which everyone can use or one that makes life that much easier. Well, it’s the designer’s job to do just that—to take some very simple ideas, create a design and come out with very cool and highly functional products. Here's a lowdown on the coolest, cleverest gadgets we want.

SmartWrap

What it is: A cord manager to keep your iPod earphone cord untangled.

Designed by: Home grown industrial design firm, Sumajin.

Why we love it: People love this product so much that it has spawned dozens of copycats. Designed way back in 2001, this ID Magazine Design Distinction Award winner has made head-waves in the design scene and has put Singapore on the global design map.

Where to buy it: $9.90 from epicentre@Orchard (#02-20/23 Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Rd., 6238-9378).

Brush & Rinse

What it is: A toothbrush that makes brushing effortless.

Designed by: Red Dot Design Award winner, Scott Amron.

Why we love it: Amron’s take on the humble toothbrush makes you go, “Duh! Why didn’t I think of that?” A minor tweak on the basic toothbrush design enables it to direct water upwards to your mouth so you can rinse; doing away the need for cups or you trying to lap water from the tap. Simply brilliant.

Where to buy it: The Brush & Rinse is still in its concept stage and will probably retail for $4, or you can own one of 27 original working prototypes for $2525 from www.amronexperimental.com.

Uki Hashi

What it is: Uki Hashi or ‘restless’ in Japanese are chopsticks that don’t need chopstick rests.

Designed by: Award winning Japanese designer, Mikiya Kobayashi.

Why we love it: Simple and practical, these are designed with angular and thinner ends to keep the tips from touching the table. And yes, they're not fidgety. The only thing that touches the chopsticks is the food you’re eating.
Where to buy it: $17 from www.shopmodi.com.

Key Bottle Opener

What it is: A bottle opener that looks like a key. Sheer genius.

Designed by: Brit design gurus, Suck UK.

Why we love it: We know how frustrating it can be not having a bottle opener around when you want to chug your favourite bottle of brew. Most people would attempt to use their keys to force open the cap, but Suck UK has put a practical variation to that whole meme. With its clever key-styled design it’ll fit on any bunch of keys, this means that you can bring the Key Bottle Opener everywhere. It was even shortlisted for a Peuguot Design Award in 2002 and a winner of Gift of the Year. We know you want one.

Where to buy it: $26 from www.socius.com.sg

Pop Up Slippers

What it is: Portable slippers that are thin, lightweight and easy to assemble.
Designed by: Genta and Chie Kanayama from Japanese based firm, Genta Design.
Why we love it: A 20 kilogram weight limit on our luggage is not a lot, and with us being frequent travelers, we need all that bit of space in our cabin bags. Lightweight and foldable, these aptly named Pop Up Slippers are so very travel friendly and just what we need on that day trip to Bangkok.
Where to buy it: $33.50 from info@iamacreativeperson.com.

Shoe Wheel

What it is: A wheel to store your shoes.

Designed by: Rakku Designs.

Why we love it: Budding Imelda Marcos-es would simply love this gizmo for its simplicity and space-saving design. Being shoe fetishists ourselves, we always lament over the lack of space our teensy-weensy apartments have for our growing footwear collection. And who would have thought that the humble wheel with a few bits of elastic string would solve that age-old problem? The Shoe Wheel easily fits up to 30 pairs of shoes and is easy to stow away. In addition, the Shoe Wheel won the coveted Good Design 2006 Award from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture & Design. How’s that for good design?

Where to buy it: $129 from Anthropology (#01-06/07 33 Erskine Road, 6467-2663).

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