Picture the scene: It’s a Friday night in Bangkok, you’re heading out after a hard-working week, and you want a good hearty meal to start the evening.
What better place to try than somewhere that you had heard recommended?
Well, that’s exactly what lead me to the No Idea Cafe & Gastro Pub on Soi 22 on Sukhumvit Road.
Frankly though, I wish I hadn’t read that recommendation. I’ve been visiting Bangkok for work and business regularly for almost five years now. And I have never found anywhere as bad as No Idea restaurant.
Let’s start with the food.
I ordered from the specials menu a tuna steak. It was 550 THB.
When it arrived I was shocked. It was just a piece of meat. No fries, no potatoes, not even a grain of rice. Just fish.
Now, if I’d spent a bit of time studying the menu or asked what it arrived with I would have discovered that it doesn’t come with anything and I would have ordered something else (though those dishes would probably have been just as bad).
The other dish for my partner was rainbow trout for 450THB. This also came as a solitary piece of fish.
What kind of planet is the person who runs this living on? You’re in Bangkok, on Sukhumvit Road of all places —- throw some damn side dish on there.
Potatoes, fries, humus, rice – anything!
You’re not in Paris or London — quit your fancy nonsense and serve up some real food.
The actually quality of the fish was mediocre and hardly deserving of the price tag. I had to grab some street food outside the restaurant then a burger and fries from a bar later in the night. And believe me, I’m not fat or greedy.
The food at No Idea is not filling. It will light you’re wallet lighter and you’re tummier lighter still.
It’s targeted at pretentious ex-pats who have well-paid jobs in Bangkok and want to show off their culinary prowess.
Perhaps the beer at 90THB a bottle is the only redeeming feature.
But the food is terrible. Don’t fall for it. The place is a waste of time.
I would recommend staying well away from No Idea pub if you’re looking for good value food.
Don’t know what planet you are living but this place is great. Anything that needs to be avoided is trolls like yourself.
Overpriced pretentious gastro bullshit.
Should try the oysters mate… outstanding..
If you want cheap food stick to the street stalls and burger bars you tight fisted gob-shite, I doubt you would know what a nice peice of fish tasted like unless its covered in greasy batter and covered with fries n peas
There’s a whole load of restaurants in the price range between the street junk and the overpriced rubbish at No Idea.
Just another moaning snide tall poppy backpacker.
As it has been almost two years since whomever visited perhaps an update is in order??
This place also displays FAKE art, ripped off from a hardworking Kiwi here in NZ
https://www.facebook.com/tonycribbtinman/posts/1924499384324782?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARAdGL4Bv9t0MRFkuT4k7ysLz4QjZZn3IStYWCpHfTmrZCtCrhIMiTh3Q_FfFfKa8HqgWF0DswuBh13MyzHkrDU2NWhzpt58BHt01DqpKrH2GkcHoYxk117w98k9HxdFMJK-JuIhrcyAVxTuP70kTg5S0BrAviW-J-t4kX8Y63WH-DgSwRJH0gcRQjPl8ApMsNqaOrdmWfseFK-Xn_dfBtlgnmMHXGmyeYPNPk0SzVZ1QcHjeB5zUYI7f7Fbzb30hr3lFY63Llti3oLEl29T29sIDCfKUt_ot06vC55ES0QCLlQpeTLlra-0KFK5oSdoP1w5F-npVJzeeqtXnpoiKjGMRg&__tn__=K-R
Wow, thanks Izy. That’s astonishing. Clearly the counterfeit paintings were used to add to the overall ambience, attractiveness and value of the restaurant. Personally, I would not eat at No Idea again even if they paid me. As I said in the review, the owner / chef was quite threatening when I complained about the food. Perhaps he doesn’t like criticism and is only used to people fawning over his food. It doesn’t surprise me that No Idea has been embroiled in this row over paintings.
Bullshit! I’ve eaten there many times and the food is consistently good. My favourite is Banger’s and Mash. I’ve ordered that the last six times in a row. Stick to your road dust street food and mystery meat Burgers! I am planning to dine there next week with three other mates.