REASONS TO RELAX

Lounge lizard Ric Klein and camera moved smoothly and happily from one of the biggest to one of the smallest caterers….

FOLLOWING THE FOOD CHAIN

Well, it's a lousy job - but someone has to do it. QC research on behalf of you, the customer, highlights one of Chiangmai's top delights: true diversity in catering.

I started the month sampling the international buffet in the over-modestly named Coffee Shop at the Imperial Mae Ping lately, where (and here I digress) a 1,000b M-CARD gets you this enormous variety 175baht's worth for just 120b. Take some friends and get your money back fast at one of the best - and most consistent - hotel buffets in town. Never miss those incredible fresh tomatoes and the addictive suchi!

Who should be there at the time but Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister, welcomed by resident manager Khun Chusak Namhansawong. The management were also busy with large parties of travel professionals from such diverse markets as Bangladesh, Britain and Russia who came to see what our city has to offer.

In a busy month, General Manager Khun Worapong Moochaotai also had the pleasant task of congratulating Khun Boonlert Pepera on his appointment as head of the Chiangmai Tourist Business Association. He'll be busy, the CTBA seems to be over-flowing with initiatives and plans to boost business around here.

For a waiter-served, linen-laid totally up-market experience, the Chillis restaurant at the Rydges Tapae is another 'must' with similar, excellent value. Beer Garden opening soon and more as I know it.

But excellence knows no financial limits - and I mean lower cost too! So I'd be failing you this month without recommendations to the restaurants of 2 city centre guest houses. There's a totally relaxed, almost colonial atmosphere about British-run Golden Fern in the little soi between Rachapakinai Road and Wat Chedi Luang. The excellent Thai and western food is a major reason for the high proportion of long stay clients here. Further down Rachamanka, I predict that the same will happen to Lemongrass, formerly Connections. Australian chef and hotel tutor Brian Walsh is now at the helm, thus superb value cuisine is now served within ultra sophisticated d?cor. Generous, faultless, pork tournedos for 110 baht? Where else, I ask? Tune in next month for the next links in the chain. Tastefully designed, garden setting Salad House opposite the superb Chez John, near the airport and sparkly little Campbell Cafe down past the Red Lion in Loi Kroh.

What's so hot about chillies?

Shaheen Perveen, whose native India now claims to produce the hottest, explains.....

Shaheen Perveen

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FOLLOWING THE FOOD CHAIN

Ric Klein

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The Drinks Page

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Letters

DOES CHIANGMAI HAVE ITS OWN ATLANTIS?

Does Chiangmai have it's own Atlantis - right on it's southern doorstep? Local historian Garry Harbottle-Johnson thinks so. (...).

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