Ploenchit – Chidlom is the area of high-rise building, luxury apartment, upscale shopping centre and top hotels. Ploenchit is also the "Embassy district" with many major embassies located close by. The area is served by two sky train stations, Ploechit, and Childlom which has direct access through elevated walkways into Central Chidlom Department Store, central World Plaza, Gaysorn Plaza and major shopping centers.
What to do
Shopping: If you're shopping for the best, head for the area around Ploenchit Road and Chidlom. Several high quality shopping centers like the Penninsula Plaza, the Amarin and the newly reburbished Gaysorn Plaza (white marble and gleaming chrome), Central Chidlom Department Store, central World Plaza are linked by skytrain’ walkway. They sell only expensive brand name goods.
What to see
San Phra Phrom or Erawan Shrine was created as a spirit house connected to the Erawan Hotel, which has now made way for the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. The forces of the typical Thai spirit house didn't seem effective enough during the building of the hotel, so spiritual persons advised that it should be replaced with the four-headed image of Brahma or Phra Phrom in Thai. There have been no further hitches since then, and the shrine has became famous for bringing good fortune. The name Erawan comes from Brahma's thirty-three headed elephant.
People offer colourful flower garlands, lotus, incense and candles. Often, if a wish has been granted, people thank the spirits by donating teak elephants or commissioning the classical Thai dancers and live orchestra.
Where to dine
Fine restaurants and American fast-food restaurants are served in every shopping center.
87+ (Italian)
Lobby Level, Conrad Bangkok
All Season Place, 87 Wireless Road
BTS Station: Ploenchit
T.02-690-9999
The new dynamic night club in Bangkok with a hot, curvaceous and sexy design. Gold sheathed twisted metal walls with changing lighting effect lead guests into the bar which highlighted with 3D psychedelic red paneling and bronze mirrored ceiling. Lighting is about moods and movement, giving it a mysterious and seductive look. The entire color scheme is based on the colors of earth and fire: white, gold, orange, brown and shades of red tones. Gold curtains open up to reveal the dance area which is surrounded by the intimate private booths, lounge seating and raised platforms with leather sofas in a long row.
Anna’s Cafe (Thai/International)
93/1 Ground floor, Diethelm Tower B, Wireless Road
BTS Station: Ploenchit
T.02-252-0864/5
From its opening on Soi Sala Daeng only a few years back, Anna’ Caf? has grown into a thriving enterprise with 6 outlets. The hallmarks of this chain are imaginative and well-prepared Thai food, a small but excellent selection of western dishes, reasonable prices and great desserts. All of the Anna’s outlets are popular with the lunch crowd and merry makers seeking a good time in the evening. This outlet on Cosmopolitan Wireless Road is a great place to sample Anna’s distinctive cuisine.
Bacchus (Fusion)
Soi Ruamrudee, ploenchit
T.02-650-8986
Bacchus is well chilled modern trendy bar cum restaurant that features 4 floors of different ambiences. The ground floor is a sleek wine bar that houses the superb selection of vino, whilst the second floor has a very comfortable chill area and a nice dining spot that serves excellent dishes from tappas to Italian fusion (Japanese style). On the third is a private room and private lounge an on the forth a crispy white bedding arrangement for horizontal mingling. All in All, it’s a great place, with great food and have excellent varieties of booze.
Baan Khanitha and Gallery (Thai)
69 South Sathon Road
T. 02-675-4200/1
Filled with works of art, warm wood accents and lots of greenery, Baan Khanitha is elegant, yet refreshingly casual. The food is classically Thai, well presented and often unique flair reflecting the personality of the owner. It is popular with the embassy crowd and those entertaining out of town guests. Reservations are recommended in the evening.
Blue Elephant Cooking school and Restaurant (Thai)
South Sathon Road
T. 02-673-9353
Housed in a century old building, this is one of Bangkok’s most attractive restaurants. A part of the world-famous chain stared in Brussels by a Thai expat and her Belgian husband, the Bangkok brunch is the chain’s showcase. The menu features exquisitely prepared and presented dishes representative of Thai royal cuisine. The interior loaded with teak and works of art. There are private rooms available. The blue bar upstairs is an excellent place to start and finish an evening.
Cafe@2(International)
2nd Floor, Conrad Bangkok,
All Season Place 87 Wireless Road
BTS Station: Ploenchit
T.02-690-9999
Featuring International a la carte menu and all day culinaria buffet selection. Bright, open and airy design with flower sculptures by Sakul Intakul and Elephant themes (bronze elephant, elephant photography and elephant patterns on furniture)
Espresso (Thai/Intentional)
Intercontinental Bangkok Hotel
973 Ploenchit Road
BTS Station: Chitlom
T.02-656-0444
Fine dining buffet style, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Extensive, constantly changing Thai and International delicacies with an extra touch of luxury. A large hot selection, live cooking and BBQs plus the most up-scale Sunday brunch in town, excellent a la carte superb wine list. Relax and enjoy amid soothing music and fascinating view of city life.
Glianni (italian)
Soi Tonson, Ploenchit Road
BTS Station: Chidlom
T.02-252-1619
Owner-chef Glianni Favro has used his own charisma and a caring waiting staff to create a warm and friendly restaurant. It is open-plan with soft lighting, lived with abstract paintings and vibrant seat covers. The menu is succinct and selective, but there is something to tempt all taste buds. A signature main dish is the pan-fried duck breast with balsamic vinegar sauce and vegetable fillet ravioli. There are nearly 200 wines from all of Italy’s regions on the wine list.
Lyon (French)
33/2 corner of Soi Ruamrudee 2, Ploenchit Road
BTS Station: Ploenchit
T.02-253-8141, 02-650-7852
located in a cosy house on Soi Ruamrudee, Lyon could well have been transplanted directly from France. The team that prepares the robust provincial cooking has been together for 30 years. Signature dishes include item like “Veal tongue with wine vinegar and shallots” and “Frog legs saut?ed with garlic and dried sherry”. There is a large wine cabinet with a comprehensive selection of wines. This is the perfect venue for homely French meal at a surprisingly moderate price.
Ma Maison (French)
Nai Lert Park, Wireless Road
T.02-253-0123
Located on the lower level of the Nai Lert Park, This bastion of French food overlooks the attractive gardens of Nai Lert Park. Established 20 years ago, it is filled with rich teak wood, starched with white tablecloths and an aura of class. The food is exceptional and the service might just be the best in Bangkok. The menu changes to maintain excitement and vigor, but customers favorites like the Breast of Duck with Poached pear and Gingerbread are retained. There are economical set menus available at lunch. The predominantly French wine list is extensive and sommelier knowledgeable. Quarterly visited by guest chefs from French are an admirable feature of ma Maison.
Neil’s Tavern Restaurant & Bake Shoppe
Soi Ruamrudee, Wireless Road
BTS Station: Ploenchit
T. 02-256-6874/6
Neil’s Tavern named after American astronaut Neil Armstrong, is a Bangkok landmark. In this business for over 3 years, Neil’s is a great place to go if you want a fabulous steak or seafood dinner in candlelight, relaxing atmosphere. Both imported beef from USA and Australia features the top quality. The menu is well-rounded but streak are the stars here.
Patara (Thai)
Sathorn Soi 11, South Sathorn Road
T.02-212-6420/1
“Patara” fine Thai cuisine is an upscale dining concept serving a contemporary Tahi cuisine, maintaining the authentic favor of Thai culinary excellence. The innovative a la carte menu consists of worldwide popularities. Knowledgeable yet courteous staff can assist you in making choices. There is also a very tempting vegetarian menu that entice even non-vegans.
Reflextions, The (Modern French)
Plaza Athenee Hotel, Wireless Road
T.02-254-0111
It offers a modern French fare in a relaxed and congenial ambience where service is attentive and unobtrusive. The restaurant is animated by a spirit of adventure and discovery. A vibrant and spare cuisine with intense flavors and satisfying texture created by Chef Martin using always the best available produce based on the season and freshness of the ingredients. A creative light cuisine with a touch of traditional French cuisine served in refreshing new ways. The d?cor is charismatic in design; a meeting place for luncheon, informal meals.
Shin Daikoku (Japanese)
Mezzanine Floor, Intercontinental Hotel, Ploenchit Road
T.02-656-0096/8
Shin Daikoku is the first class Japanese restaurant. You will be struck by the beautiful presentation of the authentic Japanese cuisine, prepared by the Japanese master chef. Only the freshest and first frontage sets the tone for the interior, with white rocks and blond Shin Daikoku at lunchtime, there are some lo-price set lunches available.
Silk Road(Chinese)
3rd Floor, Plaza Athenee Hotel, Ploenchit Road
T.02-254-0111
Silk Road Restaurant serves the finest Cantonese cuisine prepared by Chef from Hong Kong. For lunch there is a large selection of Dim-Sum and a la carte menu.
San Phra Phrom or Erawan Shrine was created as a spirit house connected to the Erawan Hotel, which has now made way for the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. The forces of the typical Thai spirit house didn't seem effective enough during the building of the hotel, so spiritual persons advised that it should be replaced with the four-headed image of Brahma or Phra Phrom in Thai. There have been no further hitches since then, and the shrine has became famous for bringing good fortune. The name Erawan comes from Brahma's thirty-three headed elephant.
