FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Tag: dining

  • Dine in Style at Melbourne’s Colonial Tramcar Restaurant

    Melbourne’s trams are the backbone of the Victorian capital, a unique public transport system which ferries locals and travelers to the main streets and tourist sites in Melbourne’s inner city and the suburbs. But these cable cars don’t just move people about; they also provide an unusual dining opportunity at the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant.

    This quirky restaurant delivers a moving meal in more ways than one. It departs several times daily from the #125 tramstop on Normandy Road and travels around the city and suburbs as diners enjoy their meals. From $77 diners can enjoy between three and five courses, depending on the time of day they travel, and beverages from the restaurant’s fully stocked bar.

    A set menu of local gourmet cuisine is offered on each journey, including Tasmanian ocean trout, seared kangaroo loin, and Victorian farmed beef fillets. The delicious food, all-inclusive drinks package, and unique atmosphere help to justify the high costs of an evening on the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. It’s certainly not an everyday dining option, but it would be a great way for tourists to see the city, or locals to celebrate a special event.

    A meal on the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant is a fun way to experience Melbourne’s public transport history while enjoying fine contemporary cuisine.

  • Eat Like a Local in Bangkok – Thailand’s Best Restaurants

    When you’re on a trip to Thailand don’t overlook the fact that Bangkok is a foodie’s paradise with many streets lined with restaurants ready to serve up delicious cuisine from around the globe.

    All those choices can overwhelm tourists, but as with any city you'll find the best meals where the locals eat. Here are some of Bangkok's most popular haunts. The Bed Supperclub doesn't get its quirky name for nothing; diners actually eat from the top of mattresses! It serves up contemporary Asian cuisine and is one of the hottest spots in the city. Make a night of it, as diners can enjoy complimentary entry into the adjoining dance club. After a big night of clubbing, snacks at Soi 38 Night Market are just what the doctor ordered. The markets are open until 3 am, so it's rarely too late to indulge in the flame-fried phat thai or sticky mango rice. Ordering can be tricky with many traders speaking only broken English, but it's worth persevering.visiting thailand compass picture If you want a market meal during the day head to Tanao Road. The stalls sell typical Thai fare, but everything is fresh and tasty. This is the perfect spot for grazing on the go. Delightfully casual, Khrua Aroy Aroy is a relaxed restaurant which delivers just what it claims. Its name means "delicious, delicious kitchen," and it specializes in hearty curries. For something even more relaxing make sure you dine at Spring. While the weather is warm, between November and May, you can lounge about on beanbags on the front lawn! It's worth visiting all year round though for its surprisingly affordable prices and delicious seafood dishes. Hong Kong Noodles is so tiny that it's easy to miss, but it's worth seeking out this eatery in the heart of the New Market. Its wheat-and-egg noodle soups are legendary. Come early for breakfast to get a jump on the seemingly ever-present crowds. If you'd prefer a fish dish look for one of Somboon Seafood’s five Bangkok locations. The chain serves up uniquely Asian interpretations of seafood favorites including sea bass steamed with garlic and chili, and curry-powder crab. Italian dishes cooked up by an Australian chef may seem like an unlikely choice in this Asian city, but Antonio's Trattoria is one of the most popular restaurants in Bangkok. The locals love this menu which serves up Italian classics and some interesting twists on Mediterranean fare. However as the restaurant is only open for dinner between Tuesdays and Sundays, you'll need to plan ahead. If you want a meal with a view, make sure you visit The Deck. The beautiful backdrop of the Chao Phraya River makes the Thai and Mediterranean style meals taste even better. Prices are surprisingly modest considering the restaurant's amazing vista. Whether you want to taste Thailand's national dishes or enjoy something more familiar, you're spoiled for choice in Bangkok.

  • Sky-High Dining in New Zealand at Auckland’s The Observatory

    NOTE 4/23/13-THIS RESTAURANT IS NO LONGER OPERATING, SEE Sky City Restaurants FOR OTHER DINING OPTIONS. If you’re looking for a meal with a view while visiting New Zealand’s popular tourist town Auckland, you’ll find it at The Observatory at Sky City casino.

    The sky-high restaurant serves up a range of dishes in buffet style, including its signature seafood meals, succulent roast meats, and weekly specials.

    With 12 main courses and 14 desserts on offer, there's bound to be several to suit your tastes. Of course, with the restaurants all-you-can-eat set-up you can sample as many as you like, and enjoy as many helpings as your heart desires. The impressive meals are the perfect companion to the incredible views of the city below. If you're planning a special night out, I suggest asking for a table by the window! Make sure you arrive early as your reservation includes free entry to the Sky Tower's observation deck and café and bar. You'll have 45 minutes to soak up the view, perhaps while you enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail. [caption id="attachment_3965" align="alignright" width="150"]Sky City casino in Auckland, New Zealand Sky City casino in Auckland, New Zealand[/caption] The Observatory serves lunch from Fridays to Sundays between 11:30 am and 2 pm. Adults will pay $41.99, while children are charged $3 for every year of their age. The dinner prices are a bit higher and the sessions shorter, although some argue it’s worth these inconveniences to enjoy the twinkling lights of the city at night. The Observatory serves two dinner sittings daily: the first between 5:45 pm and 6:45 pm, and the second between 8 pm and 9 pm. Dinner costs $61.99 for adults, while children pay $4 for every year of their age. The Observatory is popular with locals and tourists alike, so reservations are recommended.

    [Image Source: CharlesLam/Flickr]

  • Traditional Pekingese Dining at Hong Kong’s American Restaurant

    Don’t let the name of Hong Kong’s American Restaurant confuse you. This Wanchai eatery offers some of the country’s best traditional Pekingese dishes, and they don’t come with a serving of fries.

    Since opening its doors after the Second World War, American Restaurant has become a beloved institution.

    In an ever-changing dining landscape it remains unchanged, and that's just what the regular patrons love about it. There are many of those regular patrons that fill the restaurant with a happy buzz no matter the season or time of day. That makes it ideal for a celebration, but not the best choice if you're planning a romantic dinner for two. It's advisable to call in advance for a reservation, particularly if you have a large party. American Restaurant serves up the Asian equivalent of tapas, meals that are designed to be shared amongst those at your table. The dishes are affordably priced between HKD70 and 300, depending upon their size. Foreign diners should have no problem ordering as English menus are provided; the most challenging thing can be deciding what you'll have! When in doubt you can't go wrong with the barbecued Peking duck or sizzling Szechuan chili prawns. American Restaurant is located at 20 Lockhart Road, Wanchai. It's open daily from 11 am to 11 pm.

  • Dim Sum Dining – Eat Like a Local in Hong Kong

    Hong Kong offers a range of restaurants to suit all palettes, but if you want to eat like the locals make sure you try Dim Sum.

    Dim Sum dumplings in steamer baskets
    Dim Sum dumplings in steamer baskets

    Dim Sum is about more than cuisine; it’s a cultural experience which will show you the real Hong Kong. While dining in the Western world is a private affair, Dim Sum restaurants encourage diners to share large tables and make new friends. As you might imagine, the restaurants are typically noisy and a little out of control, but that only adds to the atmosphere.

    Small meat, seafood, and vegetable dishes are typically served in steamer baskets. Tiny desserts and fruits are also served as sweeteners at the end of the meal. Dim Sum is typically paired with Asian tea. When you have finished your pot, lift the lid from the kettle and rest it on the rim to tell your waiter you’d like more.

    As with any experience which steps off the tourist track, there can be a language barrier in Dim Sum restaurants.

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    If you do not have a Chinese-speaking friend to help you, you can always point to the food that looks tasty to communicate.

    Dim Sum restaurants generally open in the morning and trade until the middle of the afternoon. Do not be deterred by the queues around lunch time; they’re the easiest way to spot Hong Kong’s best Dim Sum restaurants. If you aren’t sure where to dine, the concierge at your hotel should point you in the right direction.

    [Image Source: Alykat/Flickr]

  • Dining in India – More Than Curries in Spicy Asian Nation

    On arriving for your India vacation, you quickly learn that there’s more to this Asian nation’s cuisine than curry.

    Not that the Indians don’t do a mean curry. Traditionally it includes a combination of meat, poultry, fish, or vegetables, various seasonings and spices, and stir-fried Masala. Masala is a traditional Indian blend of onion, ginger, garlic, and tomatoes.

    Traditional Indian curry spices
    Traditional Indian curry spices

    But the food of India is much more diverse than this fiery dish. Each region offers its own traditional cuisine and time-honored methods of preparation. The Mughlai cuisine found in the north of the country is markedly different to the dishes you’ll see in the south. In Kashmir the Wazwan style multi-course meals are luxurious, as is the fish dish Macher Jhol found in Bengal and the soupy Dal Bati in Rajasthan.

    The strong flavors Indian cuisine is renowned for come from the country’s use of spices, seasonings, grains, fruits, leafy vegetables, and legumes. Indian recipes have been passed through the generations, and many of their ingredients were originally chosen for their medicinal properties.

    Traditional ingredients turmeric, cloves, and cardamom pods have strong antiseptic qualities, while ginger and carminative aid digestion. Indian cuisine has a reputation for being spicy, but that's just the start of the story. In actual fact, Indian food can also be categorized as sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and astringent. A well-balanced Indian meal strives to incorporate all six tastes so as not to overwhelm the palate. It does this with traditional side dishes and condiments, including chutneys, daals, and Indian pickles. Indian cuisine may seem daunting to foreign tourists, but it is an adventure to be embraced on your journey to the Asian nation.

  • Hong Kong Dining for Less – Inexpensive Eats in Asia

    We’ve looked at how to manage your money in Hong Kong, and even how to save cash on a night out in the city.

    Now we'll turn our attention to eating well in Hong Kong for less. Hong Kong has a reputation for being one of Asia's most expensive tourist centers, but your stay doesn't have to cost the earth. You simply must learn to live like a local. There are bargains to be had by stepping off the tourist trail and exploring hole in the wall noodle shops, Chinese fast food stores, wet market food courts, and small restaurants known as "cha chan tan." While you can easily spend $200 HK ($26 US) in a hotel or Westernized restaurant, you're likely to have change from $50 HK ($6.50 US) in one of these smaller establishments. If you don't speak Cantonese, it can seem intimidating to approach these tiny eateries. However, the helpful staff will do their best to accommodate foreign travelers. Remembering basic words, including "bah fan" for steamed rice, "chow fan" for fried rice, "mein" for noodles and "cha" for tea, will prove useful.Dollar sign in a magnifying glass When this fails, you can always point to something which looks good on the menu or market stalls! Unlike the tourist frequented restaurants, these eateries will not have credit card facilities so it's important to have cash at the ready to settle the bill. You'll find these small restaurants and open-air stores in side streets and alleys throughout Hong Kong. So leave the well-trodden paths of Lan Kwai Fong and Knutsford Terrace behind and experience Hong Kong the way locals do. With all the cash you'll save, you can afford a lavish meal at one of Hong Kong's most luxurious restaurants later in your stay!