Check out these three excellent eateries, where you’re guaranteed a delicious dining experience, perfect for a special occasion dinner with friends.
Ruen Tamarind
A premier destination for authentic, upscale Thai dining, Ruen Tamarind Restaurant is located at the luxurious Tamarind Village Boutique Hotel. Consistently named one of Thailand Tatler’s top restaurants in Chiang Mai, Ruen Tamarind has already won us all over when it comes to northern Thai food, from their signature laab ped to their famous tamarind glazed pork spare ribs. And from now through the end of September, they’re offering a very special “Southern Flavours” promotion, featuring a selection of some of the best hot and spicy delicacies southern Thailand has to offer. Chef Phayong, Tamarind’s head chef, is originally from the south and has spent the past 20 years cooking at both Tamarind Village and its sister resort, Rayavadee in Krabi. His southern dishes range from 200-280 baht each and include the delicious khao yum (turmeric-scented rice salad), goong phad sator (wok-fried shrimp with petai beans) and pak mieng tom kati (succulent tiger prawns in coconut milk broth). Order family style so you can try everything!
Open daily, 7am – 10pm
50/1 Rachadamnoen Road
053 418 896
Cook With Love
This talk of the town dining destination has already become so popular that all its tables are booked a week or two in advance. Of course, this may be helped by the fact that there are only two tables, but that just adds to the hidden little restaurant’s exclusive allure – when you go, it feels like you are in on a secret. That secret is fantastic Japanese food, made with fresh, top quality ingredients like wild Norwegian salmon, Canadian lobster and Japanese Kobe beef. However, Cook With Love is not snooty or stuffy, due in large part to the warmth and friendliness of Chef Khai and Chef Ef, two passionate young Chiang Mai natives. Menus are available only in sets, but there are a variety to choose from. We indulged with the Lobster Set (7,000 baht for four people), which features ten lavish courses ranging from soft shell crab salad to Kobe beef sushi to decadent grilled lobster with cheese and wasabi caviar. Not cheap, but totally worth the splurge.
Open daily, 12 – 3pm, 6 –10pm
(reservations required)
57/4 Rat Uthit, Soi 8
www.facebook.com/cookwithlovecnx
085 616 3966
Focus Gallery
Since its opening at the end of last year, this cosy cafe/bar/art gallery has become a haven for expats, Thais, and travellers alike. It is also the much-lauded location for both weekly Couchsurfing meet-ups (every Friday at 7pm) and a biweekly Language Exchange (an opportunity for Thai and farang to come together and practice languages in a relaxed, informal setting, every Wednesday and Sunday at 6pm). Co-owner Daniel Styles wants customers to feel like Focus is their home away from home, complete with delicious, healthy food, coffee, tea, desserts and plenty of beer and wine. Don’t miss the fabulous roasted eggplant, stuffed with beefy cheesy goodness and served with fresh salad. Also worth trying are the stuffed baked potato, omelette, and paninis served on bread baked in-house, perfect for washing down with a Heineken on the spacious, leafy patio.
Open daily, 7am – midnight
213 Huay Kaew Road, next to 71 Export Shop
www.facebook.com/focuscoffeebargallery
053 213 201