Smith, Bangkok

Discreetly tucked away behind a small car park on a inconsequential side street in Bangkok is Smith. The only clue to the amazing food and spacious interior lying in wait behind an unmarked door is the painting of a butcher window display on the corrugated iron wall facing the street.
The Industrial Interior of the old warehouse space is kept warm and friendly with generous lashings of dark russet wooded tables framed in wrought iron and steel.
Found by chance the warehouse cried out to the partners from Hyde and Seek (another top Bangkok bar restaurant) to be saved form the wrecking ball of the next condo developer passing by.
The partners developed the restaurant concept around the old warehouse with influences from their experiences in New York. A herb garden teaches the apprentice chefs on staff to appreciate the provenance of everything that is used. Pioneering a Head-to-Tail Philosophy Smiths goes to great lengths to use local produce where feasible and the best from overseas when not.
I recommend going for the Big Ticket items on the menu such as the incredible Rack of Lamb. Wash it all down with one of the wines from an excellent international wine-list (rarely seen in Bangkok) and you will have the ingredients for a perfect evening.
The crowd is sophisticated Thai Foodies with a smattering of well dressed westerners. Lets hope they can keep it that..

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Melbourne's Secret Places, Australia

Melbourne is a Delight for Coffee Lovers and Foodies! But with so many Cafes opening and an existing endless choice of great restaurants. We uncover the New and The Old of Our Secret Melbourne.

St Ali, Cafe, South Melbourne

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St Ali has been on the Scene for over 10 years and has that ring of authenticity about it. There is a sister Roastery across the small lane-way in South Melbourne that supplies many top Melbourne coffee places. Great food, Genuine service, good mix of indoor and open air areas make for a perfect place to escape. While you are there check out the HAND made Furniture shop nearby that also furnishes some of the top city wide cafes.




Salvatore the Evil Genius behind it all.. his fingers in many top Melbourne coffee venues...



Captains of Industry, Barbers, Cobblers, Tailors, Bistro

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Hidden in the less frequented lane-ways of the City's West a Tailer, Cobbler and Barber gave in to the insistant requests of their clientele to install a coffee machine in the communal area of the their warehouse space. In rapid succession cakes and a then a full on Bistro menu followed as the space became an instant hit. Very much a collaborative space with authentic machinery and workspaces the Bistro feels very grounded in reality and is not just another shabby chic lookalike..




more Secret Places to come..

Quince, Bangkok

Quince is a welcome injection of top Melbourne food-with-thought philosophy into the Bangkok scene. Simple, locally sourced where feasible, quality ingredients and an Inventive but down to earth approach makes Quince stand out from the run of the mill hi-so foie gras clones filling up the local scene. Combine that with a Relaxed "Rustic Chic” interior, high ceilings on a Quiet Side Street and you have something a little bit special that we love.
Oh yes and the hand made BITTERS, Retro Cocktails, good Spanish Wines certainly add to the enjoyment..

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Sanya and the Chef Jess planning the flexible and succinct Menu.



One of The Lovely Staff

Six Senses Hideaway, Yo Noi

Beyond phuket on a Verdant Island surrounded by Sugar Loaf Isles lies the Robinson Crusoe Hideaway Resort of Yao Noi.

"The Journey may be the Experience, but it helps when the Destination is Shangri La.."

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"The Villa"
mother and daughter..

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"Breakfast"
most important of all..

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"The Pool"
to Infinity and beyond..

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to be continued..
Photography : Antika Teparak
Model : Jiggie
Stylist : Jiggie Teparak

Aesop Fitzroy, Melbourne

Aesop is the "Far from the maddening crowd" of the Skin, Hair and Body products brands. Not only are the products created with passion, the shops, packaging and philosophy are all genuine and grounded in reality.

"Aesop values all human endeavours undertaken with intellectual rigour, vision, and a nod to the whimsical."

Each Aesop Shop location is meticulously chosen to be in an interesting area and strives to be part of the local community, showcasing local artists, stocking newspapers and supplying coffee where they are not found nearby. Interiors are created with local architects rigorously briefed on the Aesop Philosophy.

In short where-ever you find an Aesop Shop you will find a Locale worth exploring! Hence we have chosen to kick off our series on Fitzroy Melbourne with Aesop Gertrude Street.

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