Had dinner last night with a visiting friend at Uncle John’s, a simply furnished Italian restaurant just off Suanphlu at Soi 8. Seems the owner used to be a chef in one of the top 5-star hotels, and this showed in the quality of the meal. It was quite excellent. Not cheap but at Bt. 1,800 total for 3 courses each including a carafe of very decent wine, we thought it good value.

 

There are actually two ‘Uncle Johns just a few meters apart. The first one you come to (on the left coming from Suanphlu) has only stools and long tables, but I am told the food is equally good, only cheaper.

Fountainhall's recommendations are always reliable. I don't know this restaurant, but Suanphlu is one of my favourite roads in Bangkok. There's good optician on this road I've been to a couple of times, staffed by a guy who knows his stuff, not dolly birds! And M.R. Kukrit's House is somewhere in the locality - he was prime minister in the mid 70's - well worth a visit if you haven't been before.

M.R. Kukrit's House is certainly well worth seeing, but few people seem to know about it. You get to it by taking the first soi on the right after you enter Suanphlu from Sathorn. It's well signposted. M.R. Kukrit was a former Prime Minister. More information here.

 

http://www.kukritshousefund.com/index.php

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLheITZ4_eE

At those prices I'll stick with Zanotti's on Saladaeng.  Beautiful interior, some nice free extras with the meal and impeccable service.

. . . I'll stick with Zanotti's on Saladaeng.  

. . . Uncle John’s, a simply furnished Italian restaurant just off Suanphlu at Soi 8.

We had a thread on Pattaya's 'best' Italian. Any more contenders for Bangkok? What are your favourites?

Zanotti's certainly wins hands down on atmosphere, a much more extensive menu and little extras. The two restaurants are totally different - one high end, the other virtually low end. But in the evening, I find Zanotti's prices are more than a little higher. I can't believe they'd have three courses at Bt. 600 total per person (including bottled water but excluding wine), even with a small pasta as a main course (last night I had seabass and my colleague had pork). This may just be me, but I have also found Zanotti's service has gone downhill quite a bit over the last few years. I was last there with a friend for one of their excellent value lunches some months ago. We were very disappointed. But perhaps it was just an off-day.

 

For Italian cuisine in the evenings, Biscotti at the Four Seasons is way out on top for me. The prices are reasonable, they will do small portions of many dishes, and they have a very good selection of wines by the glass. I once liked the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo so much I asked the manager who supplied it. I was surprised when he told me the Italian wine shop at All Seasons Place on Wireless Road. I went there the next day and bought a dozen bottles at Bt. 650 a bottle!

 

For less expensive fare, I also like Scoozi on Suriwong (a little further down from the Tawana Ramada Hotel). But not the main restaurant in the Thai house off the main road which can be very expenseive. The little pizzaria at the front serves excellent pizzas and some pastas. They also have a delivery service. And they now have a branch near the TOPS supermarket in Central Chidlom.  

Thanks for the review. I'll have to try this on my next trip!

 

Also, remember this thread?

 

http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/4420-best-italian-in-bangkok/?hl=zanotti

Ha! Nice to know my favourites haven't changed much!

Fountainhall I apologize.  I thought your meal alone was 1800 baht.  I agree talking 2 different price structures.

 

I really think Angelini in the Shangri La Hotel is the best Italian restaurant I have ever been in.

 

But they make you wear pants and sorry I hate pants at 92 degrees and humid in Bangkok, so I don't go there often enough.

No need, firecat69. I was perhaps not clear enough when quoting the price.

 

Thanks for reminding me about Angelini's. Have not been there for at least a decade. Maybe time to dust off my pants and try it again.