Tucked away by a quiet stretch of the Ping River just past Le Crystal restaurant, is a beautiful new resort boasting a restaurant with a wine and tapas bar. The atmosphere at Flow is very tranquil, set in the large garden of the contemporary-styled Zensala Resort. Onto the food…Asian or Mediterranean, this restaurant does them well. We enjoyed the beef pastrami, duck liver terrine, shrimp wasabi salad and grilled rack of lamb with lick-the-lips gravy and creamy mash. Wine can be bought from 650 baht a bottle, there is a permanent promotion offering two glasses of excellent house wines and four choices of (amuse bouche-sized) tapas for only 350 baht. And if you want to stay the night the intimate resort has 14 rooms with views of the mountains or river and which come with Jacuzzi baths.
Open Daily 11 a.m. 11 p.m.
168 Patan Road
053 225 888
www.zensalaresort.com/food.php
www.facebook.com/zensalachiangmai
A Citylife member of staff stumbled upon this humble restaurant whilst shopping at one of the most buzzing student markets in the city. From the outside it may not look much, with standard stools, tables, plastic menus and free jugs of water. However, the chef has over 14 years experience in cooking Italian food which is noticeable in the flavours, presentation and quality. We enjoyed the black spaghetti and creamy seafood sauce, ravioli stuffed with crab, classic beef lasagna, layered aubergine and cheese bake and the ‘Success Pizza’ which was topped with black olives and sundried tomatoes. At Success Italian Food, pizza and pasta is made from scratch. Even though this is a cheap eats place for a mainly student crowd, it definitely deserves a thumbs up and is recommended for those looking for a satisfying farang food fix in an unpretentious setting, and very kind prices. Enter Nar Mor market area from the entrance next to the Suan Nom Café (Milk Garden), the restaurant is just down from Suan Nom on the same side.
Open Daily 5 p.m.- 10.30 p.m.
Closed every last Monday of the month
Opposite Chiang Mai University at Malin Plaza, Nar Mor
Market
081 568 3990
Jagajee is THE latest hangout for the Nimmanhaemin crowd. The owner and chef, Vin, came up with the idea for a ‘tapas restaurant, bar and prosecco lounge’ when he returned to Thailand after spending over twenty years abroad studying cooking and working in Germany and living all over the globe. He claims tapas is the perfect way to bring Western food to Thailand as the bite sized dishes can be served up as a snack or turned into a feast, and the small plates are perfect for sharing. Ingredients are selected locally and seasonally, so the menu is always changing and always fresh. Usually Jagajee will follow a theme, such as Russian or Italian, for a week and Vin puts a Thai twist on his creations to incorporate local ingredients such as a pesto sauce made from Thai basil and sunflower seeds. To find out what’s on the menu, either check out their website or walk by and see what’s on display behind the bar.
Sitting with your chilled glass of wine while sampling the latest tapas, is as close as you will get to a cantina in Barcelona this side of the Ping.
Open Daily 6 p.m. – 11p.m.
Closed on Sundays
1/1 Nimmanhaemin Road entrance of Soi 15 (opposite Kasikorn Bank)
www.jagajee.com, www.facebook.com/jagajeebar
This is an open air pub styled around a vintage car and music theme, there is also an air-conditioned area to sit in. On show you will see three authentic Cadillac cars, an American classic car and many big bikes such as a shining Harley Davidson. Check in @ Chiang Mai have live musicians and bands on every night, who play mainly 80s, 90s and indie music. The music volume is at the right level so that you can enjoy it whilst being able to hear yourself think and talk to your friends. The restaurant serves a variety of Thai and international food. The food is best washed down with a bottle of imported beer, cocktail or bottle of whiskey. This is a decent one-stop-shop type of Thai pub with food, drinks, live music, typical fresh coffee and the rest. Go if you fancy a nostalgic evening with some memorable tunes, fairly priced food and drink and generally easy going atmosphere. There is smoking and non-smoking seating available.
2nd Ring Road (Drive along the Sankampaeng Road (no. 1006) and turn left to head to Payap University on the 2nd Ring Road. Just about 500 metres from the intersection, you will see an orange Volkswagen on your left hand side and the pub is right next to it.)
Open Daily 6 p.m. – 1 a.m.
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. for Western Coffee Shop
081 884 0780
This mini-complex comprises three individual shops; the main shop sells audio, video, home theatre, lighting and security equipment and systems; there’s a great little coffee shop down stairs; and a sound testing studio and a soon to open Bose store. The test room gallery upstairs allows customers the chance to sample sound and video products, it’s a very cool room and once you try it, you’ll all want one. The company sells and designs audio, video, lighting and security systems for homes and commercial properties. They offer a free consultation service and can design personalised entertainment and security systems to suit individual needs, with great warranty and service. Even if you’re not buying audio products, the coffee shop is still worth a visit. The owner is a passionate coffee connoisseur and has jokily named his coffee shop ‘Snob @ Neo’, and it is something to boast about, the trained barista can whip you up a frothy cappuccino or delicious hot matcha milk green tea to go with some shortbread or a cookies. There is a free coffee for all on the 15th of each month which is a monthly coffee tasting event from 1-4 p.m. From hot and cold drinks to hi-end audio systems, this is place is superior providing only the best at every level.
Huay Kaew Road, Class One Complex
Open Daily 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (coffee shop)
053 217 703/4, (053 212 70, coffee shop)
neo_entertainment@hotmail.com
www.neoentertainmentgallery.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Neo-Entertainment-Gallery/196604290375613
Chiang Mai is pretty fantastic, but sometimes you just have to get away; Chiang Dao makes for a convenient and fulfilling change of scenery. Staying overnight at Chiangkham Luang Resort will complete your city escape. Surrounded by over 70 acres of thick forests, this is an ideal hideaway for nature lovers, families or couples. The restaurant can keep you happy with its wide selection of Thai and European food, oh and don’t miss the wine buffet priced at 590 baht per head from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Room rates include breakfast, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, a fitness centre and much more. Staying at a charming place like this you needn’t venture outside, though for those who want to there are plenty of sights to see. In the area you can visit the Chiang Dao cave, lesser known hot springs, national parks, and local villages. When it comes to decent facilities, location, service and that extra something, Chiangkham Luang Resort won’t disappoint.
437 Moo 2 Chiang Mai – Fang Road, Chiang Dao
053 388 333, 081 671 9069
chiangkhamluang@gmail.com
www.chiangkhamluang.com, www.facebook.com/chiangkhamluang