Hundreds of venues for all price points and palettes to take your girlfriend/gik/lover/huband/date on Valentine’s Day, so Citylife has picked just a handful of as yet unreviewed places to give you an idea of what is out there. For more ideas check out our Valentine’s special
Charcoa
Mood:
Adorably quaint little guesthouse, reminiscent of rustic European villas, in the old city with a petite courtyard offering only a few tables for lovers to moon over each other. This is a no-frills, no pretension sort of place where you can sit in an intimate setting and whisper sweet nothings to one another.
Food:
A decent selection of Thai and international dishes ranging from steaks to pasta, barbeques to Thai staples with an emphasis on their bakery products, which are divine. Prices of main dishes range from 50-300 baht and will not break the bank. For the day and night of love, you will receive a free cake for any spend over 400 baht.
053 212 681
www.charcoa.com
4 Soi 1 Sriphum Road (first soi to the left when turning the corner from Moon Muang to Sriphum Road, Charcoa is on the right hand side of the soi.)
White Tembo
Mood:
A mosaic of Swahili, Middle Eastern, European and Thai arts and collectables adorn this bright and breezy road-side restaurant where opera music does its best to muffle the sound of passing cars.
Food:
Who better to serve up simply the best in Royal Thai cuisine than the owners, direct descendents of King Rama I and II who grew up dining from palace kitchens? And save room for the scones, home made jam and fresh cream – the best this side of the Firth. Dishes average at around 90-120 baht and corkage is 200 (alcoholwise, only Heineken is served).
081 813 9554
201/90 Moo 2 Nong Hor 3 (opposite Chang Puek Police Station)
Upper Deck
Mood:
On the roof top of this four-floor urban-grunge townhouse (an interesting photo gallery on the ground floor) there is a wee gem of a bar offering panoramic views of the old city. Great chill-lounge music, a bustling barman, cosy daybeds and chairs, this is the place to go for sundowners or after dinner drinks with your special someone.
Booze:
Normal city prices, and the bartender makes a very decent martini. Some bar snacks such as peanuts, but you go there for the drinks and the views.
086 429 1963
Opposite(ish) Charcoa
Deck 1
Mood:
Lounge on daybeds facing the Ping River and watch the boats sliding by. This romantically lit prime viewing location restaurant is a sure-fire hit for Valentine’s.
Food:
Though pretty expensive by Thai standards (180-250 baht for Thai, international and steak dishes, 160 baht for cocktails and wine ranging from 850-4,800 baht), it is probably worth the spend to impress your lady/man.
053 302 788
www.deck1.rarinjinda.com
1 Charoenraj Road (where the old Riverside used to be, opposite RarinJinda Hotel)
Hop onto your bike/into your car and really get away from it all for a bit of romance. Though there are dozens of great resorts and restaurants out of the city, we have compiled a petite smorgasbord to whet your appetite for lurve.
Proud Phu Fah: Romancing in the hills
Feasting:
A special offer for Citylife’s readers (booking absolutely necessary) is a private barbeque a deux under the moonlight. A free glass of wine each and romantic kom loy lantern after desserts for only 1,250 for the pair.
Sleepover:
Two nights for two persons in the private villa for February only is 12,222 baht and includes round trip transfer, one day tour around Chiang Mai with driver (excl. gasoline), one dinner with two glasses of wine and breakfasts.
40 minutes drive from city centre.
053 879 389
relax@proudphufah.com
www.proudphufah.com
Baan Deva Montra: Under the spell of angels
Feasting:
Granny’s recipes with a modern twist, Mondeva Restaurant serves a fusion of Thai, Mexican, Chinese, Indian and western dishes, all unique and delicious with prices averaging 100-300 baht a dish.
Sleepover:
Each bungalow is unique and ranges from the garden cottages at 3,200 baht to the executive pool villa at 6,200 baht per night (20% discount for Valentine’s Day).
Fifteen minutes drive from Suthep Road.
089 755 8976
www.baandevamontra.com
Chiang Dao Nest: Passionate cuisine served with love
Feasting:
Tete a tete in the candle light at Nest 1 with arguably the best gourmet European cuisine in the north of Thailand or on fine Thai dishes at Nest 2, average dishes around 300 baht. Reservations recommended.
Sleepover:
Basic, but clean and cute Nest 1 bungalows at 895 baht and Nest 2 bungalows for 795 baht excluding breakfast.
One hour’s drive from city centre.
086 017 1985
nest@chiangdao.com
www.chiangdao.com
Food For You: Passionate about food
Mood:
Hidden away in a quiet San Sai residential area this shaded restaurant with outdoor and indoor seating is the perfect spot for a meal for two lovers.
Food:
They serve mostly fusion dishes, Thai and western, from a chef who left the big name restaurants of Bangkok and beyond to start his own little place in this lovely area in the ‘burbs. Expect to spend anywhere from 700 – 1,500 baht for a meal for two without alcohol. The crispy duck salad is to die for! (Chosen by Thailand Tatler as one of Thailand’s best restaurants in 2009.)
28 Moo 5 Chiang Mai-Doi Saket Road (best to call for directions as it is hard to find).
053 491 604