PLACES

I have had the good fortune, of traveling over the past couple of years and through my website I would like to share some of the names of the places that I have been to where I enjoyed myself, be it food, ambiance, location etc.

As I mentioned in my profile, DanA’rte International aims to have a rapport with its clientale, not just through commerce, but also more personally. So feel free to drop us a line as to our suggestions on the places, and also your suggestions on what you believe could be a trip worth taking to.

ALPHABETICALLY.

Bangkok, THAILAND

This is indeed a fantastic city. There is always something new in this city: restaurants, book stores, hotels, etc. Its always evolving. I have been in Bangkok for two years, and must say that I have been pleasantly surprised. Here is why:

Pak Klong Talat Flower Market- Just mention this to your hotel concierge, and get on down there in the evening, I’d say about 9-10 PM. It is open all day, but in my opinion this is the best times to go there. The wide range of orchids and other flowers will just blow your mind.

I have couple of restaurants to which I normally take my guests. One such place is Ruen Mallika, tel:-026633211-2. Just get them to explain to you how to get there.

The food is excellent, its quiet with a nice ambience, not many foreigners know about this place. Try their Tom yum Goong, its the best that I have had so far.

Then there is Calderazzo which is on Soi Langsuan, for good Italian food in Bangkok. Again the ambience is really elegant. Although you will wish that the staff were a bit more alert. You know what they say, concentrate on the positive, as the food and ambience are really two of them. Sonnies, the owner/chef is Japanese, but he makes pretty eclectic dishes, and I would suggest a visit. Tel no:-02-2608386.

Taling Pling- the price is very reasonable, and the food is good, again a Thai frequented restaurant, so please try it , you will be pleased. Tel: 02-236-4830.

Just for the sheer wow, experience a subtle, and elegant hotel, The Sukothai hotel in Sathorn.

For drinks, I really recommend, the Vertigo Bar on top of the Banyan Tree hotel in Bangkok. The view is a treat, and so just get the drinks

Bombay, INDIA

I was stationed there for four years, and honestly , I have to say, that I was not able to appreciate the taste in most of restaurant that I frequented. ( I am not a food critic, so I really don’t want to go there).

All is not lost, so here goes.

Trishna, was always a good experience for me. The seafood was just exceptional, just don’t have seafood during the monsoon season.

Tel,22-22614991

I really cannot come up with anything else, but will really try.

Delhi, INDIA,

Again, it was the same experiences, as Mumbai, but all is not lost..

Made in India, yes that is the name of the restaurant, at the RADISSON MBD hotel Noida, had got good variations of North Indian Breads, kebabs.Tel120-251-5333

The Imperial Hotel, is a place to visit not just for the bar that they have there, but for its colonial elegance. Just wow!

Hong Kong, Greater China.

Hmm where do I begin, you really do need a separate business card folder for all the restaurants in Hong Kong, as so far they have all been good.

Just like the landscape in Hong Kong, the restaurant scene, is ever changing, and fast.

So here are just a few:

Yuet Wah Wui Crab. When in the orient eat crab, and that too dry chili crabs. Yum. Tel 852-2573-92927

Yung Kee, I know what all of my friends are thinking, when was Raj there? I was not, it is a red light district! Truthfully, this was recommended by a friend whom I trust for his taste, the best dish is crispy pork. 852-2387-1051

To be seen and see, for drinks: Dragon-I

Shanghai-Republic of CHINA

Shintori- This restaurant is truly a treat, in terms of visual presentation, and the taste of the food. The restaurant is furnished in a very minimalist way, the waitress’s look like ninja extras. However the food is truly tasty, beautifully garnished, a wonderful dining experience. Tel: 886-2-2702-5588

Just next to this restaurant, they have the bar, which makes entering very intresting. go there, try it and find out.

Milan-ITALY

Mamma Mia ,I studied in Milan, and also visited it many time, while I was working for Zegna. So here goes:

A good place to hang out is Porto Ticinese, a street with a canal, which ets very busy in the summer as they have outside dining, but so do the mosquitoes.

Ristorante SantaMarta -really good Milanese risotto, the waiters speak English, and they are very hospitable 02-805 20 90

Via Brera, is just a place to have a walk in and you will find many tarot card readers, and other vendors, and restaurants there that are just charming.

A place to be seen: NoBU, Mr Giorgio Armani’s establishment, sip on a glass of prosecco, the Italain version of champagne, and enjoy the music, and the beautiful people.

New York- USA,

Another one of those places, where the landscape is ever changing, and so is the food. .I really was in New York for only 10 days, but I was recommended a couple of places:

This was a treat, literally. Serendipity 8, which is almost like an institution for brunch.

American portions, are something that I just cannot get over, they are huge, but you got to have their famous, chocolate shakes, it is so huge.

There is the Malaysian restaurant in Chinatown, which does a pretty good rendition of all dishes Malaysian, so I would suggest a visit there

Meat Packing district, go to any restaurant and plonk your self there. You will feel like you are on the scene of Sex in the City. There was this amazing warehouse, which is just behind the Jeffrey’s Boutique, facing the main road.

I ended up there accidentally, saw a whole bunch of people coming in and out of the door, so I thought lets visit. Always follow the crowd.

Its really is a nice place, supermarket, a pottery store, an small little coffee place. Nice

Singapore-SINGAPORE

Yes Singapore is a city, island and a country. That’s the fist piece of information that I would like to share, so don’t go looking for the capital for that’s it.

Just like many of the international cosmopolitan cities, of the world, Singapore has its range of international cuisine. You just need to ask, and you shall find, but it’s the hidden local cuisines that you should go for, some of which are still being explored.

Katong Lukas: When you get to Katong, you will see many signs stating the original Katong Laksa. So what do you do? Try every single one of them! (Warning to heart patients: not all at one go!)

Chicken rice, just like Katong laksa, has many originals, but me being originally a Serangoon Garden boy, which is a residential district, I really recommend the Cardon Restaurant Chicken rice, it is tasty today as it was when I was twelve years old, and that was not so long in the distant past.

For dinner, visit the Chomp Chomp Hawker stall, where you will get a taste of local food, although I must say the original vendors are no longer there, but still it is worth a visit.

Doc Cheng at the Dame of all Singapore Hotels RAFFLES HOTEL.

A true fusion of east meet west cuisine is at this restaurant, and just stick at the hotel for drinks. The staff, and the hotel, will just keep you there in their natural embrace.Awwww.