DINE IN STYLE
Special occasion? In the mood for something a bit more upscale? Don’t miss these posh spots.
El Patio
Aptly named, this sophisticated little wine bar will transport you to the courtyard of an Andalusian tavern, where hot summer nights are accompanied by a chilled glass of tinto de verano, notes of guitar drift in the breeze and the proprietor’s home-cured jamon is served tapas style. At El Patio, wines range from the sublime collectors’ choices to the delicious house bottles and the Spanish chef with pretty eyelashes serves up a selection of over 20 wonderful tapas dishes ranging from only 15-35 baht per bite. Real Iberian jamon, sai-ua & brie (yes, it does work!), potato tortilla, deliciously creamy mushroom croquette, yummy quail eggs Manchego style, escalivada & anchovies, traditional patatas bravas, melt-in-your-mouth guacamole salmon, perfect rabas fried squid, and stunning seafood soup are just some of the delicious tapas on offer. If you can, try to make room for the 15 baht arroz con leche rice pudding! You can accompany your tapas with a glass of house wine which ranges between 180-420 baht a glass, order a jug of sangria, or if you are not that into wine, simply ask for neighbouring watering-hole-under-the-same-ownership Beer Republic’s menu, with over 16 beers on tap. Get yourself a glass of chilled Belgium Leffe or a wonderfully less chilled pint of good solid British Old Speckled Hen. Choices, choices. El Patio is a definite must for a cosy tete-a-tete or a group of mates.
Open Wednesdays – Mondays, 5 p.m. – 1 a.m. (Closed Tuesdays)
Nimmanhaemin Soi 11
www.elpatiochiangmai.com
082 038 6603
Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi
For a special night out in Chiang Mai, it doesn’t get more luxurious than Le Grand Lanna at Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi. In a beautifully decorated open-air Lanna teak house, you can dine in style while taking in traditional dance and music performances from a troupe of talented artistes. And now, a completely revamped menu has been unveiled, courtesy of the restaurant’s two brand new chefs from Central Thailand – twin sisters Virat and Vilai Kanjan. Experts in both taste and presentation and specially trained in the art of fruit and vegetable carving, the Kanjan sisters learned to cook from their parents and have been doing so professionally since 19 at luxury hotels throughout Asia, and even at His Majesty the King’s palace.
Their dishes are healthy and delicious, using fresh produce from the Royal Project Foundation and conveying a deep knowledge of the intricacies of traditional Thai cooking as well as a flair for creative fusion. Opt for one of their sumptuous set menus or go a la carte. Appetisers are conveniently served in a variety of portion sizes to share, from deep-fried crab spring rolls served with plum sauce to spicy papaya salad with soft shell crab to roasted coconut with dried shrimps, lime and ginger in a crispy cup. We swooned over the rich and slightly spicy tom kha soup, served in a coconut with succulent seafood and straw mushrooms, but saved room for the stunning mains, which included falling-off-the-bone southern style braised lamb shank with lotus seeds and pickled vegetable, a delightfully flavourful and perfectly textured deep-fried snow fish with organic Thai herbs and a dazzlingly presented stir-fried Canadian lobster cooked Thai-style with yellow curry and egg. For dessert, the taro dumplings in warm coconut milk with salted egg yolk and seasonal fruits was a perfect finale to a meal fit for a king.
Want to learn to cook from the masters? Chef Virat is now overseeing Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi’s Oriental Culinary Academy, which offers daily cooking classes with market tours and hands-on practice starting at 2,800 baht per person.
Open Daily for Lunch, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Dinner, 6:30 – 10:30 p.m.
51/4 Chiang Mai – Sankampaeng Road, Moo 1 T. Tasala
www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai
053 888 888
The Nimmana
Looking for somewhere modern, young and exciting to settle down in Chiang Mai? Maybe with an open design concept, clear views of Doi Suthep, and a fun exciting neighbourhood to boot? The Nimmana might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Located right in the heart of bustling Nimmanhaemin, with plenty of bars, clubs, restaurants and galleries within walking distance, the Nimmana Residential Condominiums are the newest in chic living in Chiang Mai. The complex is so new, in fact, that foundations are being laid this month. The project is expected to take roughly two years to complete, but when done, the brand new complex will offer studio, one bedroom, two bedroom, and premium suite apartments, all fully furnished with plush modern décor and comfortable open layouts. The Nimmana will include three 8-story buildings, arranged around a private saltwater swimming pool and English-style garden, along with a fitness centre, sauna, and easily accessible parking for all residents. With beautiful landscaping, open design aesthetics and plenty of units featuring breezy private balconies, the Nimmana certainly strives to live up to its slogan: “Where Nature Meets Design”.
Prospective residents can visit the Nimmana sales office to explore a two bedroom model unit, speak to Nimmana staff and maybe even reserve their future dream home. The sales office is open seven days a week, from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.
Nimmanhaemin Soi 6
082 427 2929
Chiang Mai Lanna Business Services Ltd. (CLBS)
Lots of people want to live in Chiang Mai, this crazy, beautiful, culturally stimulating city on the rise that we call home. But unless you’re retired or have a good bit of savings for sustenance, what you’ll really need in order to stick around is a job. And if the teacher or NGO track is not for you, it can be hard to find a farang-friendly occupation.
Enter Chiang Mai Lanna Business Services Ltd. (CLBS), an international, employee-focused company that offers professional business support with an emphasis on secretarial duties for other international companies all over the world. Here you can work legally and comfortably in a modern office environment ideally located within walking distance of all the necessities at the Airport Business Park in Chiang Mai. CLBS was founded in 2005 and has paved a successful path ever since, gaining a reputation throughout the city, and growing to become one of the biggest employers of European experts in Northern Thailand. CLBS hires English, German, Italian, French and Spanish native speakers as well as Thai professionals, and provides its employees with all the necessary assistance to obtain a visa and work permit.
With a fundamental belief in corporate and social responsibility at its core, CLBS presents employees with benefits such as medical insurance, weekend staff trips, charity events and childcare at the company-owned kindergarten.
Interested? Visit the CLBS website to check out their current job offers.
Airport Business Park Building B/C, 92/1 Mahidol Road
081 024 8080