Suankulab restaurant — Restaurant in Phaya Thai Subdistrict

Great eatery on Soi Aree. Extensive menu. Fast & correct service, easy to find and to reach. Started with pork satee: fresh with the typical side dishes. I tried the “ guitar duck” ( see youtube with Phed Mark about that). Great, other poster shows how to eat it. And staff explains. Yes you are allowed to use hands to wrap it up. To my great surprise there was ho mok thalee. Just perfect. Finished with “obligatory” mango with sticky rice and coconut. I rectified my mistake of ordering a Heineken by switching over to Leo - and ice. Reaction on bad remarks about staff: the Lao staff could stay on their job and did not have to leave despite the total lockdown. They were given food, training and dormitory by their boss ( without pay) . It was gently explained in perfect Thai. Don’t know if they speak English, why should they? The menu has English translation...

An old restaurant of faded fame leaning in the old days. The food was more than adequate although everything was just missing that little bit to make it good. Condiments served with the food were very limited. I.e. we had a tiny bowl of everything with the green sauce and one for peppers but it was barely enough for 2 people whereas we were with 4. The parking is plenty and shaded. The interior had its better days about a decade ago. The coffee lounge looked deserted and messy. The "private dining room" was all but private and we were able to look inside as the thin curtains were too small and the karaoke was heard all over the restaurant next to it. I guess if they redesign the interior and bring it up to this day and age, and spend some time on the presentation of the food, I might...

The seasonal Khao-chae dish (finely-polished cooked rice in iced, jasmine-fragranted water eaten with Thai delicacies; available only during Summer months) is truly the best in town, and at a very reasonable price. I come back here every year especially for Khao-chae, and this is the 2nd visit this year. Still fully satisfied and satiated. Mango smoothie also recommended. Aroi maak maak. Rich, sweet and pulpy to the right degree. Not too watery, not too dry (icy). Otherwise, ample menu with a great variety of mostly delicious Thai & Chinese food to choose from. Great for family gatherings or friends' meetings. Nice, attentive staff....