The Ones to Watch – Michelin Guide 2020 Chiang Mai Predictions by Local Foodies
Michelin Guide Thailand Set to Award Chiang Mai Restaurants Their First Accolades.
Will it be a Bib for Black or a Star for Oxygen? The much anticipated Michelin Guide 2020 award recipients, is set to be announced on November 12th, 2019.
When Michelin Guide Thailand announced the inclusion of Chiang Mai to the Michelin Guide 2020, it was met with similar cynicism as when Phuket and Phang Nga got their first induction in the Michelin Guide Thailand 2019. Responses ranged from resentment to appreciation to general indifference.
Steve Rostron said of the breaking news posted on the Bangkok Foodies OFFICIAL Community, “Great, a couple of really nice restaurants will end up being ruined by this when they get listed.”
Jake Carvey said of Chiang Mai’s annual smog pollution issue that could affect Michelin’s North, “Chiang Mai’s problem is harder to pin down than just corporate factories and big money farming, is it? It’s definitely not deer sh*t mushroom gathering (Hed Thob) which seems to be a popular misnomer.”
Rex Baay, our go-to foodie on all matters of industry controversy said in Michelin Guide’s defence, “I am for whatever that could help the chefs, their workers, and suppliers. My personal issues with the insta-diners will come last.” Not to mention the few “Who cares!” that was thrown around by indifferent members.
Here at Bangkok Foodies HQ, we were overjoyed. To us, the news meant — food trips!
Bangkok Foodies jetted off to the Chiang Mai some months after the announcement to investigate what restaurants were thought to be the Michelin material. By asking local foodies, bloggers, writers, chefs and other F&B industry professionals countrywide. We came up with a shortlist of places that we personally visited and tried ourselves, polled on the popular Facebook Group, and included via word-of-mouth.
Cuisine de Garden:
Located in Hang Dong district in Chiang Mai, Cuisine de Garden, led by Chef Nan, Leelawat Mankongtiphan, is a chef’s table dining venue offering a harmonious blend of premium local ingredients with unique culinary design, delivering an array of exciting flavours to all diners.
Signature dish: Lasagne, Seafood platter, Terrarium salad, The Nest with sous vide chicken meat served with crispy noodles and onsen egg, Wagyu Cheek.
Foodie Prediction: Star
Chadathacha Chantanaphan, founder/owner Nimman Garden (^^) Happy Belgium Beer For Life
“I love their local ingredients concept and special seasonal menu. It’s the perfect way to preset the creative fusion food experience in a comfy place”
Black Artisan Kitchen:
Known from his TED Talk and numerous TV appearances, Chef Black, Phanuphon Bulsuwan, is famous for not only his food but also his ability as an alchemist of sorts. A strong supporter of sustainability in the hospitality business, his restaurant presents a range of hyper-local, hyper-seasonal ingredients multiplied by his expertise in fermenting and curing methods.
Signature dishes: Black chicken with chilli and liver paste, Pork jowls with larb and sweet potato, Marinated tuna with cashew miso, crab in basil pesto sauce, black chicken eggplant with lotus roots
Foodies Prediction: Star
Carl Dixon, Siam@Siam
“I’m a big fan of Blackitch and I feel like it should be a lock for a star. Chef Black’s knowledge of local produce is encyclopaedic and he has been a real trailblazer for the latest wave of young local chefs exploring Thai ingredients and flavours without replicating the old recipes. A meal here is also far from stuffy and you’re guided through your courses with genuine warmth.”
Italics Restaurant:
Serving locally-sourced premium ingredients in an artisanal-style dining atmosphere, Italics Restaurant presents innovative reimagination classic Italian dishes. The smell of wood fire, the allure of fresh-made pizza, cheeses, with fresh vegetable salad keeps diners flocking here for more. Led by Chef Base, Phubase Chuprakong, he and his culinary team is taking diners on a unique dining journey on a seasonal basis.
Signature dishes: The woodfire pizza, Lasagne, Mini steak and onsen eggs, Italian sausages, Italian salami and buffalo mozzarella burger
Foodies Prediction: Bib
Kanyaporn Sangthavorn, Freelance/ Enthusiastic Foodie
“I voted a Bib for Italics because of the Chef’s innovative and artisan cooking techniques from locally sourced ingredients.”
Oxygen Dining Room:
Located at X2 Chiang Mai Riverside Resort, this fine dining restaurant offers an incredible dining experience in an elegant atmosphere by the river. The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Alexandre Demard, and overseen by Consulting Chef Chef Nicolas Isnard , who both work in unision to bring in the art of crafting authentic French cuisine while also offering some creative Thai-inspired dishes on the menu.
Signature dishes: Poached foie gras in orange and duck broth and Lamb rack with edamame a la Francaise, tamarind jelly and pickled mushrooms.
Foodies Prediction: Star
Mark Smith, Founder of Jump Pictures
“Oxygen offers a modern exploration of Thai food through a French perspective. It’s a visual feast of modern art carefully presented and plated. Anyone that enjoys a wonderfully unique food experience should stop by Oxygen in the north of Thailand in Chiang Mai. It’s a fantastic restaurant and worthy of the coveted Michelin Star that Nicolas Isnard and his team so dearly deserve.”
Charoen Suan Aek:
A local fan base can confirm that this chilled out restaurant hidden in a small garden off the main road is the go-to place for authentic northern dishes. Chef Aek, is not known for holding back on spices or flavours.
Signature dishes: Laab Kua Kwai—spicy and sour buffalo meat salad, Jin Eng-sun dried buffalo meat, Gob Tod-deep fried frog, Sa Makhua-Northern Thai Aubergine Salad, Goong Foy Tod
Foodies Prediction: Bib
Phavitch Theeraphong (Bank), Time Out Bangkok magazine
“Charoen Suan Eak (สวนอาหารเจริญสวนเอก) will get at least a Bib. It is the best authentic Northern restaurant in Chiang Mai.”
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Steak of the Day:
This restaurant offers innovative European menus in Mae Rim district of Chiang Mai. The easy-going venue is packed daily by both locals, visitors and expats alike. The unique aspect of this place is the rotating menu, especially the steaks which changes on a daily basis, hence the name.
Signature Dishes: Steaks, Garlic or cheese Roti, Sea Bass Fillet, Spaghetti Mussels, Caesar Salad
Foodies Prediction: Bib
Naruemon Chomdock, Go2AskAnne
“Chef Rewat, owner and chef has a very good understanding of the seasonal ingredients he uses and knows how to play with them to create really delicious plates.”
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Baan Kieng Phu Bistro:
This welcoming home/restaurant is located near Ram Peung Temple. A small setting but enough to satisfy visiting diners and guests. Owned and run by Chef Bright, the restaurant offers a range of original Thai home-cooked recipes and some added innovative fusion twists.
Signature Dishes: Spaghetti Pu Ong, Three types of shrimps, Fried chicken wings in fish sauce, braised pork with salted fish, Gaeng Run Juan
Foodies Prediction: Bib
Naruemon Chomdock, Go2AskAnne
“Chef Bright is a tastemaker. She knows how the taste work.”
David’s Kitchen:
Voted the Best Restaurant in Thailand and The Best in Asia by Tripadvisor and one of the best in Thailand by Thailand Tatler Magazine, David’s Kitchen is helmed by Chef O whose favourite dishes to cook are all things beef. Serving a harmonious blend of world cuisines with Thai flavours, the restaurant is generally fully booked and ideal for travellers and honeymooners looking for something different.
Signature Dishes: Beef Bourguignon, Pumpkin Soup, Toffee Pudding, Spicy Fish with green apple salad, Spicy Pomelo Salad with Dory Fish
Foodies Prediction: Star
Sandy Huclin, Blogger of Spoon & Wander
“For the food, atmosphere and service, I remembered we got the escargot which was super good with a brioche and a breast duck. Everything was divine. I am predicting they will get 1* Michelin, definitely more than a Bib. If you go to Chiang Mai I would say it cannot be missed.”
Joe Cummings, Award-winning writer/CPA Media
“I don’t know anyone qualified to rate ‘top 10 in the world’ with even a sliver of reliability. But having tried most if not all fine dining venues in Chiang Mai, I’d say David’s Kitchen sits comfortably in the top 5. YMMV.”
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For foodies looking to venture up northern Thailand and try the cuisine of those that may or may not land in the pages of the infamous red book soon, we hope to have taken most of the hard work of finding foodies favourites here. You’re welcome!
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@BangkokFoodies / Bangkok Foodies OFFICIAL
Chiang Mai Foodies OFFICIAL
@FoodiesOfficialAsia
We are Foodies, with an ‘s’!
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A special thanks to Secret Tables and Secret Retreats for their kind service in Chiang Mai.
