best steakhouse in town?

[tilac]

Some places I rate above average:

 

* 13 Coins: A chain of restaurants mainly in bkk, I think the best value in town especially their steak-seafood combos, had a few meals there with a TGs, and including such a combo, some drinks and apetizers the bill was around 500 Baht (for 2 persons), unbeatable price, good service.

* Cafe the Paris (Patpong 2, near Foodland) : very good peppersteak here for 250 Baht, when sitting outside the view is unbeatable also.

* Livingstone's (Sukhumvit Soi 33, near Novotel) : Very impressive and pleasant place in a former private residence, you can sit outside dining by the pool, excellent International and Thai food, good service and very good draft (wheat) beer (also Bitburg draft). Yr TG will love it too ( I think they have somtam on the menu also LOL)

See the pic here:

http://www.livingstones.co.th/

 

Cheers

 

Tilac

[magician]

 

I also have to give Livingston's the nod.

 

I went last night, late, around 11PM, and to my relief they said that they were still serving. I was hungry.

 

I had the Argentine beef, it was surprisingly good, and I consider it a solid value at 750 baht. In fact, it was the best steak that I have had in Thailand, better than Outback at Siam for certain, far better than that overpriced tourist clipjoint Tony Roma's near Nana, and better than the steak at the Great American Rib Company, which does not do a bad job. Considering the price, Livingston's beef sure tasted better than the steak at the Marriott, which has to be the gold standard in Bangkok.

 

The mushroom sauce came on the side, and it was acceptable, and not too salty. The vegetables were superb. The mashed potatoes were a bit stiff, but they were genuine. No instant potatoes in this joint. I would have liked more mushroom sauce, and for all that I know they would have actually brought me some, had I asked.

 

I sat poolside. It was quiet, and service was very attentive, perhaps too attentive. The girl who attended me insisted on topping up my water glass after every sip. It would have been a nice spot to actually talk with a dinner companion without struggling with ambient noise or music. The next time that I go, I will ensure that I have a dinner companion, even if I have to barfine a girl whom I have never met before from one of the nearby Artists Bars.

 

One caveat: the salad bar (inlcuded at no charge with the steak) is spartan. The bleu cheese or ranch dressing (whatever it was) was fine, and the salad bar ingredients were utterly fresh, but there really was not much selection. It may have been because it was so late, or the lean selection may be their standard fare, but the salad bar needs help.

 

I had a glass of their standard red with the meal, it was competent and durable. Very woody and stout, which I like. They have a long wine list which I glossed over, as I am a cheap bastard. The last thing that I need to do is guzzle down a bottle of wine. I would make use of the pool.

 

Afterwards, I enjoyed a cigar with coffee. They did not offer Habanas, but the Dominican was good enough. I am not that picky.

 

The coffee....they brought me a latté, and they were apparently proud of it, down to the sprinkle of fresh cinnamon on the top....but I wish that restaurants in Bangkok would crack the code on simply offering fresh grind from a French press.

 

Perfectly good French presses can be purchased at Carrefour for about 250 baht, and these deliver a far superior cup of joe to anything available elsewhere in Bangkok, including Starbucks, in my opinion.

 

Thai restaurants have absolutely got to get away from serving Nescafe. It is simply inexcusable.

 

The waiter told me that tonight, for Chinese New Year, Livingston's will have pretty girls swimming in bikinis in the pool.

 

Nice touch.

 

[The_Munchmaster]

I haven't been to any specialist steak restaurants in Bkk on any visits over the last 6 years but prior to that when I lived in Bkk Neil's Tavern on Ruam Rudee was also my favourite.

 

Apparently it is called Neils Tavern after Neil Armstrong and opened on the same day that Neil walked on the moon.

[stumpy]

Hi, Agree with the comments about JW steaks being excellent although expensive.

 

Also found Steak 1 on Soi4 to be a let down. I have been there twice now and both times found the steak to be fatty and have a fair amount of sinew in it.

 

The posher of the two Pomodoro restaurants on lower Suk do a fairly good steak.