Up to date with the latest changes in Chiangmai’s eats-and-drinks
scene? The following doesn’t claim to be comprehensive, but it’s better
than a poke in the eye with a cold hot dog. Take these little tests to
see if you have a finger on the pulse, a spoon in the beans, or whatever:
The Pub, first farang
watering hole in the city.
Where can you now find Mexican vitals on the same menu as Swedish meatballs?
In the shadow of the huge Rimping Condo, on the site of the former Cowboy
Guest House is where. By demolishing half the buildings and transforming
what was left, Swedish Lennart has created The River Deli. Famous
for his successful Bangkok restaurant, The Wall, Lennart has trebled the
size of the garden directly across the river from the Municipal Hall and
made a large car park.
First sign that my first meal there was going to be different was the
advance arrival of a huge basket of condiments. Amongst the usual salt
and pepper was Parmesan cheese, Swedish mustard, green - as well as red
- Tabasco and (wow!) oregano powder. The beef burrito which came next was
more than generous, tasty and avoided the usual hazard of being dry inside.
Generous onion was maybe the answer. Swedish meatballs in a piquant sauce
were excellent, if a tad on the salty side, and accompanied by large pieces
of boiled potato. Ultra-filling, tasty stuff which, with two small Singhas
and a Walls ice cream came to 260B. Then Scottish Alasdair, a great local
seeker-after-value, told me about their 10-dish, all-you-can eat Mexican
buffet every Saturday for 150B. I’d better starve in preparation.....
Where do you get the biggest plate of ribs in town? Most certainly,
once more, it has to be The Escape where English Jeremy’s hand is
on the tiller, big breakfasts are back up to par and Spanish dishes are
being planned. Tucked away north from Chang Moy Road and east of Chaiyapoom,
the cosy bar/restaurant was taken over by a French film crew last month.
They paid handsomely to film a lovelorn tourist seeking out his errant
bar girl in sleazy hotels and torrid taverns. Now there’s a novel tale......
Here’s the tough one. Where’s the new place just outside town for genuine
Indian biryani? Score 10 if you know the Amena Biryani House in
Borsang, just on the left at the main road crossroads. Khun Tam, who has
just finished his studies near New Delhi, couldn’t find a mutton dish to
his satisfaction in the city, so established this light and airy, low cost
eatery. Nice folk, looks good, more after I taste it!
Which pub has reverted to British ownership and really buzzing? This
is your easy one to finish this month’s test because it’s The Pub,
first real farang watering hole in the city. Now run by Chris, newly landed
from Cambodia with years of expat experience in Africa and Singapore too,
this man is a mine of interesting info, dedicated to up-market hospitality
and professional standards of service. Well on his way to achieving it
too, from what I’ve seen. Look out for a newly appointed sports bar coming
soon. Former mein host Marco stays in town, concentrating on his Sa Style
sa paper business.
* Top cook Ratana has moved her Kitchen from Charoenrat
Road to the new group of small food stalls off Kotchasarn, between Loi
Kroh and DK Bookstore. Tasty Thai and western food (try the steak and mash)
at good prices and writer/photographer Ron Emmons, ever-ready with helpful
info. Their previous place is still on the block.....
* The general absence of graffiti is a credit to Thailand, so it was
quite a shock to see multilingual remarks scrawled on the screaming yellow
walls of Lemontree on Huay Kaew, opposite and not far from Central.
All the comments are complimentary and, in my view, correct.
* English Roger, pool league enthusiast, should have his own table at
The Full Monty Pub by the time you read this. Close to El Toro,
just east of Thapae Gate, this is a good late night spot. But where did
the name come from?
It’s from Montague Burton, the huge
British high street tailors, first to offer a full 3-piece suit at a fixed
price. Thus "the full Monty" became English slang for the whole
nine yards, so to speak. And where did that come from?
Forty-plus enlightening souls from 9 nations took part
in the first Silver Dove Congress at the Chiangmai Garden Hotel, February
14-19. (...).
MISS
SUPHITCHA. I am seeking friendship or relationship with
a respectable, kind, foreign gentleman 35-60 years old. I am a 28 year
old Thai girl, 158cms tall, 46 kgs weight. (...).