Thong Smith Siamese Boat Noodles

Thong Smith is well-known for its authentic boat noodles. Boat noodles are one of Thailand’s famous noodle dishes served in a thick, aromatic broth. I stumbled upon this restaurant while looking for a place to have dinner at the EmQuartier Mall.

At Thong Smith, you can choose between pork, beef, and chicken boat noodles, as well as three different noodles: original rice noodles, vermicelli, and egg noodles. For those who prefer non-spicy, the chicken boat noodles are served in a clear soup. You can also choose your preferred level of spiciness.

The restaurant’s menu was attractive, with enticing pictures of each dish well presented and reasonable food prices.

I love spicy food, so I ordered beef boat noodles topped with beef slices and beef balls with medium heat (quite spicy). The broth was thick with a great balance of tangy, sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.

The wontons were fried to a crispy golden brown perfection. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Scrumptious!

The pandan noodles with coconut milk is very similar to a dessert back home  (Malaysia) called Cendol, which is one of my favorite Malaysian desserts. I was overjoyed when I saw this on the menu. It was the perfect dessert to soothe the tongue after the spicy bowl of noodles.

Roselle juice 69THB

Crispy pork and shrimp wontons 100THB

Beef boat noodles with beef slices and beef balls 149THB

Pandan noodles with coconut milk 79THB

 

Thong Smith Siamese Boat Noodles

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

Telephone: 02-003-6226

Address: Seventh floor of the Helix Building at EmQuartier

Višta Puode

“Vista puode” means chicken in the pot.”  The owner of the restaurant serves food that he enjoyed during his childhood days. The restaurant is separated into three areas but connected by one kitchen. Svetainė (the living room) serves breakfast, Traktierius (the tavern) serves lunch and snacks, and Restoranas (the restaurant) is a space dedicated to special occasions and dinners.

I dined in the living room as the tavern was full during lunch. The place had an inviting, bright, and rustic interior with interesting decorations.

The table mat has the history of the restaurant’s name and some local food, so you can have a read while waiting for the food.

I had just arrived in Kaunas, and it was a chilly day. The soup was perfect; it tasted like grandmother’s homemade chicken soup. The chicken cutlet was tender and juicy, and the potato puree was very flavorful.

Other than the slow service, the food was delicious. This is a restaurant worth checking out if you are in the area.

Lemonade €2.90

Slow-cooked chicken broth €2.50

Chicken cutlet with soft cheese served with potato puree €6. 40

 

Višta Puode

Website: https://xn--vitapuode-m3b.lt/

Opening hours: Daily 8:00 a.m. – 23:00 p.m.

Telephone: +370 693 63777

Address: S. Daukanto g. 23, Kaunas

 

Rataskaevu 16: Warm Hospitality and One of Tallinn’s Best Dining Experiences

Rataskaevu 16 (named after the street) is a restaurant in a historic building. I love the rustic feel of the interior, with its historical tavern brick wall, wooden floor, and furniture, yet with a modern touch.

As I was waiting for my food, a constant flow of people entered the restaurant. Many had to be turned away, but the waitress recommended similar restaurants nearby; some even made reservations for that evening when they couldn’t get a table for lunch. I highly recommend making a reservation.

The waiters are young, friendly, and bubbly, especially the guy that served me. I ordered a strawberry raspberry lemonade, elk mushroom soup, and buckwheat noodles.

The bread was warm and soft, with a slight crust on the outer edges. It was not sour like the traditional dark rye bread but mildly sweet. It was the softest dark rye bread I’ve had and the best restaurant-served rye bread in the Baltics. I could just have bread for lunch.

The strawberry raspberry lemonade was like a fruity virgin mojito.

The Elk mushroom soup was rich and packed with umami. Absolutely divine! The texture of the elk meat is grainy, and the taste of the meat is a cross between pork and beef.

The buckwheat noodles were refreshing, with fresh salad greens and a light pumpkin puree with rye shavings.

After I paid, I told the waiter that the food was delicious and that I understood why the restaurant was so popular amongst locals and tourists. I don’t usually give tips, but I was so pleased with the entire dining experience that I had to tip!

I recommend this restaurant not just for the warm and friendly service but also for the excellent quality food.

 

Rataskaevu 16

Website: http://rataskaevu16.ee/en/

Opening hours:

  • Mon-Thu 12.00-23.00, Fri-Sat 12.00-24.00, Sun 12.00-23.00

Telephone: +372 642 4025

Address: Rataskaevu 16, 10123 Tallinn, Estonia

Amiso Korean Restaurant

Amiso is a Korean BBQ restaurant located on the 5th floor of the Polaris building in Myeongdong. The place is spacious, with an outdoor seating area. The restaurant serves Korean BBQ as well as traditional dishes such as Bibimbap, Ginseng chicken soup, and a variety of stews. The waitress who served us spoke very little English but could speak Chinese. Luckily, my family and I could speak Chinese, so we could order with ease.

My family and I ordered dolsot bibimbap (bibimbap served in a hot stone bowl), Doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew), and Sundubu-jjigae (soft tofu stew). As customary at all Korean restaurants, we were served several side dishes before our main meal. They were all delicious!

The main dishes we ordered were all good but not spectacular.

dolsot bibimbap 12,000 won (10 USD)

soft tofu stew 12,000 won

soybean paste stew 12,000 won

 

Amiso

Telephone: +82 2-756-3317

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

Address: 25 Myeongdong 4-gil, Myeongdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

The Coffee Club

The coffee club is Australia’s largest home-grown cafe group, with many branches in Bangkok. The cafe I visited was at the Citadines hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 23, which was the closest to my hotel. The cafe is spacious, with indoor and outdoor seating. This all-day cafe serves a good mix of Western and Thai dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are also unique drinks on the menu, such as Tim Tam chocolate, coconut frappe, and marshmallow Cappuccino.

I ordered a Cappuccino and smashed avocado with poached eggs and hashbrowns. The Cappuccino was good, the milk foam was smooth, and the coffee was quite strong. The smashed avocado was beautifully plated. The poached egg cooked perfectly. The hashbrown was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside – a healthy breakfast.

Everything on the menu looked enticing; I wished I had more time to try them all!

Cappuccino – 130 baht

Smash Avocado – 280 baht

Hashbrown – 60 baht

The Coffee Club (Citadines Hotel)

Website: https://thecoffeeclub.co.th/

Opening hours: Daily 6:00 a.m. – 22:30 p.m.

Telephone: +66 65 730 4929

Address: Citadiners Hotel 37/7 Sukhumvit Soi 23 Khlong Toei, North, Wattana Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Fisherman’s Village Bophut

Fisherman’s Village is a walking street in the town of Bophut, with cafes, restaurants, and boutique stores.

I had lunch at two restaurants—Happy Elephant and Krua Baan Khaow. I ordered the same food in both restaurants except for the salad. The food in both restaurants was good. Overall, I prefer Krua Baan Khaow. The Happy Elephant is more pricey and popular among tourists. On the other hand, the decor and atmosphere in Krua Baan Khaow feel more authentic, the food tastes homey, and the price is reasonable. It’s good value for money.

Happy Elephant

Tom yam shrimp       320 baht

Vegetable fried rice  100 baht

Papaya salad            220 baht

Happy elephant

Website: https://www.facebook.com/HappyElephantRestaurant/

Opening hours: Daily 11:00 a.m. – 22:00 p.m.

Telephone: +66 77 427 222

Address: 79, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand

 

Krua Baan Khaow

Green mango salad

Vegetable fried rice

Tom yam shrimp 

The total was less than 350 baht.

 

Krua Baan Khaow

Website: https://www.facebook.com/kruabaankhaow

Telephone: +66 81 442 0625

Opening hours:  Daily 11:30 a.m. – 22:30 p.m.

Address: 69 Moo 1 Koh Samui Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84320

Coffee bar at the Nordic Design Home (permanently closed)

 

This coffee bar is located within the Nordic Design Home furniture shop, about a 15-minute walk from the old town. Both indoor and outdoor seating are available; however, there are only four tables inside. It was raining when I visited the cafe, and all four tables were occupied. Luckily, one customer left a few minutes after my arrival. I love the contemporary setting and dark color tones of the cafe. The floor-to-ceiling windows were aesthetically pleasing.

The cafe offers a variety of specialty coffee, hot sandwiches, and pastries. It also uses Rocket Bean Roastery’s coffee beans, which is the biggest specialty coffee roaster in Latvia.

The cappuccino was bold and full-bodied. The Reuben sandwich was superb! Sourdough bread paired with delicious melted cheese accompanied by creamy sweet dressing, sauerkraut, and corned beef. The outer crust had an amazing crunch. It’s like a grilled cheese sandwich with a punch.

The Nordic Design home coffee bar is definitely worth a trip!

Cappuccino €3

Reuben sandwich €6

 

Nordic Design Home

Website: https://nordicdesignhome.ee/pages/kohvibaar?lang=en

Opening hours: 

Tuesday – Friday
9:00 a.m. – 19:00 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday
10:00 a.m. – 18:00 p.m.

Telephone: +372 511 7313

Address: Maakri 25, 10144, Tallinn

Italala Caffè

Italala Caffè is located in the heart of Old Town, offering a cozy yet contemporary ambiance that invites visitors to unwind with a good cup of coffee and a selection of pastries and desserts. The café’s bright pastel colors create a warm and cheerful atmosphere, making it an inviting spot for both locals and tourists. One of its unique features is the swing seats by the window, perfect for people-watching or simply enjoying the charming street views outside.

On my visit, I ordered a cappuccino, which was decent—smooth and well-balanced, though not particularly memorable. Alongside my coffee, I tried the bread, which was alright but a little plain, lacking any standout flavor. It could have benefited from a bit more richness or a spread to enhance the taste.

Despite this, Italala Caffè is a pleasant spot to relax, with a welcoming environment and a well-curated menu that caters to a variety of tastes. I’d return to explore more of their offerings, especially their pastries and desserts, which looked tempting.

 

Italala Caffè

Website: https://www.facebook.com/ItalalaCaffe/

Opening hours:

Monday – Thursday 7:00 a.m. – 21:00 p.m.

Friday  7:00 a.m. – 22:00 p.m.

Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 22:00 p.m.

Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 21:00 p.m.

Telephone: +370 610 34408

Address: Vokiečių g. 1, Vilnius

Jack’s steak house

Jack’s Steak House is a long-established restaurant in Naha that opened in 1953. It used to be an “A-sign” restaurant that was approved for US military personnel when Okinawa was still under American rule. The restaurant has maintained its retro old American diner decor. No reservations are available; however, service is fast, and you won’t have to wait long for a seat.

I arrived at the restaurant around 6 pm, which was already packed. The menu has three kinds of steak: tenderloin steak, New York steak, and hamburger steak. The tenderloin steak is available in three sizes; small, medium, and large, while the New York steak and hamburger steak comes in two sizes; large and small. All steaks come with a side of potato wedges and onions, soup, two toasted buttered buns, and salad. I opted for the medium tenderloin steak.

The soup was bland. It was a very light cream of corn soup. The steak was well done, but I was not impressed with the flavor. It was good but not outstanding. It lacked that rich, smokey beef flavor.

Tenderloin steak (medium) ¥ 2,500

 

Jack’s steakhouse

Website: https://www.steak.co.jp/

Opening hours: Daily 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m (except for the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month)

Telephone: (098)868-2408

Address: 1-7-3 Nishi, Naha City

Džiaugsmas Vilnius: Contemporary Lithuanian Flavours in a Historic Setting

As one of the 30 best restaurants in Lithuania, Džiaugsmas serves contemporary Lithuanian cuisine. There is a history to this building. The building was once occupied by a famous Russian poet and Nobel Prize winner – Joseph Brodsky. The plaque in memory of Joseph is visible on the front of the building. There is a tiny sign next to the entrance. You won’t be able to see it unless you’re standing in front of the restaurant. I could not tell from the facade of the building that it was a restaurant. It was like walking into someone’s home.

The restaurant has three floors and rooms for private dining. Its interior is decorated with dark accent walls and furnishings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The food was served in rustic porcelain dinnerware.

I was first served their homemade rye bread with lard, sunflower seeds, and butter with salt.

For the main course, I had the chicken schnitzel, which had a Nordic twist to it. The chicken had a lovely golden-brown super-crisp crust. The chicken was juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. The fermented currants pop in your mouth with acidic and sweet juices. The chimichurri topping was mild, earthy, herby with a hint of lemony taste, and the horseradish sauce was light, fluffy, sweet, creamy, and smooth. All of these flavors combined made this dish amazingly delectable. It’s one of the best schnitzels I’ve had in terms of flavor and texture.

The salad was fresh and dressed with a vinaigrette. The baby potatoes were waxy and smooth in texture and had a subtle sweet flavor. The sauce for the potatoes was a rich umami broth—absolutely delicious!

I asked the waiter for a recommendation for the dessert. He suggested the angel wings, which is a nostalgic dessert for him, bringing him back to his childhood. The restaurant’s innovative version of the angel wings was beautifully plated. The red from the strawberry powder gave the dish a visual pop. The angel wings were delicately crispy. The ice cream and egg cream were light and velvety. There is a good balance of sweetness and acidity.

I truly enjoyed my dining experience at Džiaugsmas. The combination of creative Lithuanian cuisine, beautiful presentation, and warm service made it one of my most memorable meals in Vilnius.

Džiaugsmas water € 3.50 

Schnitzel, herb butter sauce, fermented currants, potatoes, fresh salad, horseradish cream € 15

Angel wings, tonka beans ice cream, strawberries, caramel, egg cream € 6

 

Džiaugsmas

Website: http://www.dziaugsmas.com/ & https://www.facebook.com/dziaugsmas.restoranas/

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 17:00 pm. – 23:00 p.m.

Telephone: +37063111153

Address:  Vilniaus g. 28, LT-01402, Vilnius