Lusso lab, Jeongdong

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Lusso Lab is located in the quiet historical area of Jeongdong, not far from Deoksugung Palace. The quaint neighborhood is beautiful for a stroll after a meal. The interior is spacious with industrial-style decor. There is an enticing display of cakes by the counter. The staff was friendly but spoke minimal English.

The menu offers Western food such as French toast, American breakfast, eggs benedicts, and more. Brunch sets are also available.

I settled for brunch set C, which consists of an American breakfast set, a Cobb salad, and two cups of coffee. We opted for a latte and cappuccino. Also, I ordered a Tiramisu, brioche bread with bechamel sauce, ham, cheese, egg, grilled asparagus, and Brioche French toast.

The brioche French toast came with homemade ricotta cheese, bacon, walnuts, blueberries, and maple syrup. The French toast was pillowy soft. The ricotta cheese was creamy and smooth with a hint of sweetness, and the bacon was not too salty – a good balance between sweet and savory. The tiramisu could be better. Some parts of the sponge cake were dry, and the coffee tasted weak.

Compared to the other dishes, I did not enjoy the American breakfast. It was a bit bland, and I would have preferred toasted bread. The brioche bread with bechamel sauce was good, and the creamy bechamel sauce paired with cheese and ham – was delicious!

Overall, it is an excellent spot for brunch!

Vanilla french toast 12,800 won.

Croque Madame 9,800 won

Brunch set C 25,800 won

Lusso Lab, Jeongdong branch

Website: https://www.lussolab.co.kr/main.do

Opening hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 20:00 p.m

Saturday & Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 20:00 p.m.

Telephone: 02-772-9935

Address: 17 Jeongdong-gil, Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul

Silavadee pool spa resort

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Silavadee Pool Spa Resort is nestled on a rocky beach between Chaweng and Lamai beaches, offering breathtaking sea views. The tropical-style rooms are cozy, comfortable, well-equipped, and clean. The complimentary fruit was a nice touch. The resort’s facilities include two infinity pools, a private beach, a spa, and a fitness center.

I stayed for two nights at the resort. I booked the deluxe room with an ocean view and a hot tub. The view from the room was picturesque. There is also a great view of the sea from the bathroom. I stayed in room 213, a corner room, and you can view the sunset from the balcony. Unfortunately, I had a noise disturbance at 1 am, 7 am, and 9 am. I called reception each time to report the noise. They dealt with it right away. The next day, they unexpectedly upgraded me to a pool villa with a partial sea view. The room was quiet and spacious. I was able to get a good night’s rest.

The staff there was friendly, courteous, and accommodating, one of the resort’s highlights.

In-room dining

Ceaser salad and spaghetti bolognese

Both were delicious.

Breakfast at Moon restaurant

The hotel offers a good breakfast spread of both Asian and Western cuisine. In addition, there are a variety of tropical fruit juices, smoothies, and local herbal teas. There is also a menu for made-to-order/ hot dishes such as eggs benedict, roti, steamed fish fillet, etc.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

This is a beautiful resort surrounded by lush greens, in balance and harmony with its surroundings. The attentive care of the staff is a testament to Thai hospitality. I left feeling energized and relaxed!

Silavadee Pool Spa Resort

Website:https://www.silavadeeresort.com/

Telephone: +66(0)77-960-555

Address: 208/66 Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84310, Thailand

STAR bar, Silavadee

I love this rooftop bar. The view is spectacular, with a panoramic view of the sea and mountains. It is the ideal place to grab a drink, relax, and watch the sunset. The atmosphere is laid-back yet romantic. Reservations are highly recommended if you prefer a specific seating area. I made a reservation and got a seat at one of the four sunken tables.

There is an excellent selection of cocktails and an international menu for those who want to order food. For couples, a special romantic dinner is available, which needs to be booked ahead of time. There is also a live saxophone performance and a seafood barbeque buffet every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m.

STAR bar

Website: https://www.silavadeeresort.com/silavadee-dining

Opening hours: Daily 17:00 p.m. – 23:00 p.m.

Telephone: +66 77 960 555

Address: 208/66 Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84310, Thailand

The Height, Silavadee

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The Height is a Thai restaurant atop the Silavadee Pool Spa Resort hillside. The uninterrupted panoramic sea view from the terrace is stunning. The extensive menu offers Northern and Southern Thai dishes, including Khantoke, served on a pedestal tray.

It was a beautiful night, with a clear view of the moon shining above the horizon—the perfect setting for a memorable dinner. The staff was friendly and helpful.

The prawn curry was creamy with a mild heat, and the prawns were fresh. The curry also included petai, also known as stink beans. Petai is widely used in Southeast Asia. It has a strong odor that lingers in your mouth. As a Malaysian, petai is not foreign to me. The curry helps reduce the strong taste of the petai.

The papaya salad was well seasoned, the fried chicken wings were crispy and juicy, and the fritters were delicious, with crunchy banana goodness.

The prices are pretty high, but the view is worth a trip!

Papaya salad – 331.35 baht

Curry prawns with bamboo – 416.31 baht

Deep-fried banana fritters – 212.40 baht

The Height

Website: https://www.silavadeeresort.com/silavadee-dining.php

Opening hours: Daily 17:00 p.m. – 22:30 p.m.

Telephone: +66 77 960 555

Address: 208/66 Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84310, Thailand

Paste – Michelin Star Thai restaurant

Paste is a Michelin-starred restaurant located on the 3rd floor of the Gaysorn Village. The head chef, Bee Satongun, is dedicated to restoring and preserving traditional Thai cuisine while adding a modern touch. The restaurant’s interior features contemporary Thai decor, with a large centerpiece of sinuous strips of silkworm cocoons. The high ceiling, airy dining space, and warm colors create a comfortable dining experience. The staff wore traditional Thai-inspired attire.

Spanner crab on a seaweed sesame cracker

The amuse-bouche was exquisite – rich umami flavor.

Old-style hot & sour soup of crisp pork leg, char-grilled shallots,
jackfruit seeds, and roasted tomatoes in a smoky chicken broth.

The soup was lovely and very appetizing. It was tangy and smokey with a reasonable amount of heat.

Loas-Vieng style sour orange curry, line-caught seabass
with roasted mung bean and drum stick flowers

The fish was very fresh and tender. However, the curry was a bit bland, lacking depth of flavor; I preferred a spicier, intense-flavored curry.

Complimentary orange sorbet

The sorbet was a sweet, refreshing ending to the meal.

Overall, the service was attentive, and the food was of excellent quality. However, I have mixed feelings about the restaurant. I was not blown away by the food; the dishes did not justify the price for me. I was expecting more from a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Still water 80 baht

Hot and sour pork leg soup 750 baht

Sour orange seabass curry 1300 baht

Riceberry 150 baht

Paste

Website: https://www.pastebangkok.com/

Opening hours:

Daily
Lunch 12:00 pm – 14:00 pm
Dinner 18:30 pm – 23:00 pm

Telephone: +66(0)2 656 1003

Address: 3rd Floor, Gaysorn, 999 Ploenchit Rd., Lumpini, Bangkok

Ibagu, traditional tea house

Tucked away in one of Insadong’s alleyways is a quaint traditional tea house – Ibagu. The tea house is housed in a traditional building. The soft lighting and background music added to the ambiance. Our server was friendly and spoke reasonably good English.

The menu consists of a variety of Korean teas, desserts, coffee, and Western teas. There are also four set menus of different dessert-drink combinations.

We ordered a set menu and a roasted 5-grain smoothie.

The set menu we ordered included a long white rice cake, sweet red bean porridge, and a coffee. The red bean porridge had a smooth consistency and was unexpectedly savory with a hint of sweetness. The rice cake was interesting. Before this, I have only had Tteokbokki (spicy rice cake). The warm rice cakes were covered in soybean powder with a syrup drizzle. If you like the Japanese Kinako mochi, you will like this.

The roasted 5-grain smoothie was the highlight! It was rich, creamy, sweet, and nutty. It was one of those drinks where you have to have another after the first sip. The drink resembles a peanut smoothie but is more fragrant; my most memorable drink here in Seoul.

The prices here are a bit high but worth a visit.

Set menu 3 ( 2 desserts and a beverage) 19,500 won

Roasted 5-grain smoothie 8,000 won

Ibagu

Opening hours: Daily 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Telephone: +82 2-730-2088

Address: 5 Insadong 6-gil, Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Osulloc Tea House, Myeongdong (permanently closed)

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Osulloc is a famous premium tea brand in Korea that has been selling tea (mainly green tea) from Jeju since 1979. The Osulloc tea house in Myeongdong has a cafe and a store. The contemporary design reminds me of Starbucks. The cafe offers teas, lattes, cakes, and ice creams. You can purchase gift sets or teas from the store. One interesting thing sold at the store is their green tea milk spread.

The hojicha latte was delicious. It’s like a mocha but with tea. It was creamy with a roasted nutty flavor. Jeju tangerine milk tea is one of Osulloc’s popular drinks. Both teas were not overly sweet.

Osulloc is a must-visit for green tea lovers.

Jeju Tangerine Milk Tea 7000 won

Hojicha latte 7000 won

Osulloc Tea House, Myeongdong

Website: https://www.osulloc.com/kr/en

Opening hours: Daily 10:00 a.m. – 22:00 p.m

Telephone: +82 2-774-5460

Address: 12 Myeongdong 7-gil, Myeongdong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Senoji Trobele

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Senoji Trobele, a restaurant known for its authentic Lithuanian cuisine, serves traditional Lithuanian favorites such as cold borscht, potato pancakes, and Cepelinai. The rustic decor and furniture and the staff’s folk outfits created an authentic atmosphere. There is also a lovely patio, and the staff was friendly.

I had a borscht soup followed by a chicken breast stuffed with cheese and apple pie.

The borscht soup had a hint of smoky flavor with a touch of tang. It was a comforting soup with well-balanced flavors. The chicken breast was juicy and tender, but in my opinion, the taste was a little muted. The Lithuanian apple pie is more like a cake. The texture was soft, spongy, and not too sweet, which paired nicely with the ice cream.

Borscht soup €5

Chicken breast stuffed with cheese and broccoli served with steamed asparagus, potatoes, and white wine sauce €12

Apple pie €5

Senoji Trobele

Website: https://senojitrobele.lt/en/

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday 11:00 a.m. – 23:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 23:00 p.m.

Telephone: +370 609 99002

Address: Naugarduko g. 36, Vilnius

GOSPA / Georg Ots Spa hotell

The Georg Ots Spa Hotel (GOSPA) is a stone’s throw from the Kuressaare castle. The restaurant serves spa cuisine with fresh, locally grown ingredients in a spacious contemporary setting overlooking the harbor and castle.

The menu at GOSPA is simple yet delicious. The dishes are characteristic of the island. Vegan and vegetarian dishes are available, including gluten-free.

I ordered vegan vegetable soup and lamb pasta. While waiting for the food, I was served fresh bread with Saaremaa butter. I love the big glass windows. It was a beautiful day, and I was mesmerized by the view outside.

The pasta was beautifully cooked in a rich and smooth sauce. The soup was a brightly colored delight with different red, yellow, green, white, and brown hues. It was not only healthy and hearty but also delicious with bright acidity.

Vegan Ramen: Seasonal vegetables in vegetable broth €9
(carrots, roasted bell pepper, and zucchini, parsley, snap pea, champignon, marinated red and yellow pepper, sprouts)

Lamb bolognese €12
(Casarecca pasta, Muhu minced lamb, Saaremaa smoked bacon, Rautsi Farm’s carrots, onion, garlic, basil, tomato sauce, parmesan)

Georg Ots Spa Hotel

Website: https://www.gospa.ee/eng

Opening hours:

Sun-Thu 12:00 p.m. – 22:00 p.m.
Fri – Sat 12:00 p.m. – 23.00 p.m.

Breakfast

Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Sat-Sun 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Telephone: + 372 45 50 000

Address: Georg Ots Spa hotel ,Tori 2, Kuressaare, 93810, Saaremaa

Khua Kling Pak Sod

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Khua Kling Pak Sod is a family-owned restaurant specializing in authentic Southern Thai cuisine. One of my favorite YouTubers, Marion Grasby, a Thai-Australian cook, highly recommended this restaurant.

One difference between Southern and Northern Thai cuisine is that the spices and herbs are more prominent in Southern dishes.

I ordered a spicy and sour soup with sea bass, stir-fried lump crab meat, and stir-fried morning glory with shrimp paste.

The tanginess makes this soup very appetizing. The sea bass was fresh, and there was a fair amount of herb in the broth. The herbs eaten on their own are quite pungent, but it gives the soup a lovely aroma.

My favorite dish was the stir-fried crab meat. The herbs and chili did not overpower the crab meat’s natural flavors and sweetness. It was a great accompaniment to rice.

A great place to try Southern Thai cuisine.

Tom Yum Pla Grapong 280 baht

Nua Pu Pad Cha 580 baht

Pak Boong Pad Kapi 180 baht

Tom Yum Pla Grapong

Nua Pu Pad Cha

Pak Boong Pad Kapi

Khua Kling Pak Sod

Website: http://www.khuaklingpaksod.com/

Opening hours: Open Daily

Lunch 11:00 a.m. – 14:30 p.m.

Dinner 17:30 p.m. – 21:30 p.m.

Telephone: 02- 185-3977

Address: 21, 32 Soi Sukhumvit 23, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok