Finding COMMON Ground in Bangkok
After 14 hours (seriously) of sleep last night, I woke up simultaneously relaxed and energized. After some housekeeping like booking flights and talking to my parents, I headed off to Roots, a coffee shop that my AirBnB host recommended.
That was the beginning and the end of my day. I ended up spending all day at the Commons where Roots is located. Like ALL DAY. Like AM coffee (and work) then lunch (and work) then beer (and no work) with breaks to come back to my AirBnB in between.
The Commons is a multi-level shopping mall that feels more like a cozy neighborhood. The Commons has a modern, quasi-industrial, open design. The layout flows in a way that makes it feel like it is one integrated business rather than individual restaurants and shops. There are four levels: the market (food and drink), the village (shops), the play yard (play and exercise), and the top yard (restaurants and actual yard).
The Commons Market Level Inside Before the Lunch Rush
I somehow only made it to the market level, which in retrospect seems silly but I plan to make it back before I leave BKK to check out the other levels. At the market level, you order all food and drinks directly from the vendors stand and then find seating wherever you want. There is a mix of individual and community sized tables both indoors and outdoors, room to sit on the large steps, and an indoor loft space that is perfectly suited for setting up with your laptop.
Community Eating Ground at The Commons
Here’s what I consumed at the Commons today.
Breakfast
Iced Coffee with Cream (100THB) from Roots Coffee, pictured directly above.
Chocolate Croissant from Maison Jean Philippe (70THB)
Fast Internet from The Commons! (0THB)
Lunch
Khao Soi Cowboy from Soul Food 555 (250THB)(the featured image for this post)
Sandwich on burger buns with in khao soi curry and topped with fried egg noodles. I can’t say no to pulled pork and am glad I didn’t.
Fun fact: The number 5 in Thai is pronounced “ha” so the “555” in the restaurant name is shorthand for “ha, ha, ha.” Have a friend who uses 55555 in texts and had previously suspected that he was messing with me by saying it stood for hahaha… Joke is on me. 55
Half Pint of Brew Dog’s Vagabond Ale (had to!) from The Beer Cap (110THB??)
Happy Hour Beer
Pint of Brewdog Punk IPA (320THB)
Yeah, I know, I spent as much on beer as food. Damnit, San Diego for spoiling me with craft beers.
Prices based on my memory so could be a little off. Certainly not the best deals in BKK but the prices were worth it (except maybe that last beer, oops)
Coming Soon
Talked to a guy this morning who was scoping out the foot traffic because he’s opening a churro shop, Dolly Churros Cafe, next month. I def. would have bought a churro to go with my coffee if it was available. Guess there’s always Mexico when I get back to SD…if the wall isn’t built yet.
