Amapola Bar & Steakhouse

Having a meal at Amapola, you feel like you’re at a party at the home of a wealthy person who has a taste for life’s finer things. The entire front yard of the compound located on a quiet soi off Sukhumvit 49 has been converted into a beautiful garden with comfortable alfresco seating, sofas for lounging and a gazebo bar. In the back there is a small swimming pool ringed in cool blue light, nifty little alcoves for couples and another bar. The two-story home contains a cigar lounge, a small dining room and two private rooms upstairs. It’s been called a “Japanese steakhouse,” but it’s more accurately described as a steakhouse that is run by a Japanese family. And it’s not really a “steakhouse,” either—at least in the stereotypical smoky “New York”-style sense: The music is jazz, but Cuban, not big band. Imported steaks (US and Kobe beef, Aussie lamb) were originally the emphasis, but the menu is being revamped and will contain an equal number of items that are not red meat: duck, chicken, pork and various seafood dishes, as well as traditional French starters like escargot and foie gras and Japanese starters like tofu “steak.” Expect to see more pastas with Japanese accents, as well. Among the recommended dishes are US T-bone (8oz) and rib-eye (8oz), rack of lamb and grilled seabass. Be sure to try the wasabi mashed potatoes. Lunches are busy affairs—especially on weekends—and extremely popular among the Japanese community; lunch sets are a steal, and there are two to choose from. A recent set lunch: green pea soup, pomelo salad, grilled pork fillet with mustard sauce, banana with orange sauce and coffee or tea.

Women and dogs get special treatment at Amapola. Dogs are welcome in the garden or poolside. Women can take advantage of a special four-course dinner, including welcome drink and coffee/tea, (6-10pm).