: A 10-plus year veteran of the ultra-competitive dining scene in Middle Sukhumvit, Soi 31’s Appia is Bangkok’s flagship Roman restaurant, bringing the delights of one decadent, traffic-choked, yet immensely compelling capital city to another. Why we love it: Chef-owner Paolo Vitaletti grew up as a butcher’s son right next to the Appian Way, the legendary ancient Roman road that reached from Rome to the Italian bootheel, and his commitment is to the fine traditions of the Roman trattoria. These are the sorts of simple, rustic, meaty recipes that countless visitors to the Eternal City fall in love with, from a fat-bomb guanciale pastas and porchetta to delightfully tender veal tongue to trippa alla romana that will make you ever wonder why you were afraid to eat tripe.

Jarrett Wrisley, a food critic turned restaurateur, and Paolo Vitaletti, a five-star chef whose dad toiled in a storied Roman meat market, run this small cozy space for which reservations are highly advisable. The Italian menu is mostly devoted to Rome specialties.

After nearly a decade of top-notch casual fare, Italian restaurant Appia switched things up a few years back with changes to both the venue and the food and a move toward the finer side of the spectrum. The setting is as welcoming as ever, retaining its charming trattoria feel with linen tablecloths, warm lighting, and a wall newly decked out with photos and artwork, while upstairs the mezzanine has been transformed into a beautiful wine room filled with over 120 labels. Here, ingredients are king and allowed to shine, exemplified by something as seemingly simple as the salad of roasted organic red beets.

The beloved Italian restaurant has opened its doors with some new changes to show off. The recently renovated patio has been made over with creamy yellow hues and bright greenery, capturing the al fresco essence of a true Roman trattoria. The homestyle cooking by chef Paolo Vitaletti is at its best in house favorites like eggplant parmigiana, fresh cavatelli with lamb ragu, and their famous porchetta.

An absolutely fail-safe choice and the favourite of many a Bangkok foodie, Appia is the friendly Sukhumvit neighbourhood restaurant that is popular for family dinners and date nights. You’ll find many of the classics on the menu here, from cold cuts and antipasti, over to the pastas you know and love. Particularly great for sharing, portion sizes are generous, and outdoor seating is available, too.

COMBINING simplicity with flawless execution, Appia shows how less indeed is more. A genuine Roman style trattoria, the chef and owner, Paolo Vitaletti, grew up as a butcher’s son, eating hearty homemade pasta, stews, and roasted meats, and now serves up dishes on Soi 31 that are as authentic as anything you’d find along the cobbled backstreets of Rome.