BILLY BAUTISTA & OH LAOPANICH
This couple is the reason behind the heaven-sent existence of three restaurants: Osita Unique Spanish, Thai Niyom, and last but certainly not the least, La Monita. Billy Bautista is at the helm of all the kitchens as chef in the three restaurants, as well as being the co-owner with Oh Laopanich, who also takes care of the business side of things.
How did you guys meet? We met in San Francisco where Billy was born and Oh was studying for her master’s degree. We started dating and, after a few years, moved to Bangkok with the dream of opening our own restaurant.
Which restaurant(s) do you frequent? We usually like to find hidden spots that serve good food and are very local. Billy’s go-to food is Isan food while Oh typically likes rod jaad — strong flavoured food regardless of nationality. For our Isan fix we like Terd Jim Joom located near the Laos Embassy (Soi Sahakarnpramoon). For southern Thai food, we go to Janhom in Ramkhamhaeng 21 or Doorae in the Korean Town (top of Sukhumvit 12) for Korean BBQ.
What’s a ‘date night’ like in Bangkok? Date nights for us are always about good food and booze. We love going to Ginza Sushi-Ichi in Erawan building for great sushi while chatting and drinking with the Japanese chefs. Daimasu for grilled tongue, chicken wings, cold beer and chill conversation. Philippe restaurant on Sukhumvit 39 for Champagne, Tsarskaya oysters and oxtail stew.
Is there a food that one of you likes but the other despises? Billy loves tum tua with pla-ra (snake bean papaya salad with fermented fish) while I don’t like the ‘green’ grass smell and flavour. I like black sesame dumplings in ginger tea but Billy thinks it’s like eating raw rice dough. Name a dish that you both fell in love with. Where did you have it? A dish we both adore is beef fire pot. One of the best is at Heng Chun Seng near the Port Authority of Thailand.
Any recommendations on what to do or where to go this Valentine’s Day? To celebrate Valentine’s Day, have dinner and then bar-hop in the old town. Start dinner at 100 Mahaseth, 80/20 or Jua, have a drink at Tropic City and then go bar hopping in Yaowarat’s famous Soi Nana at Tep Bar, Teens of Thailand and 23 Bar & Gallery.