Krua Nai Suan 146/4 Mahidol Rd., T. Padad, A. Muang, Chiang Mai Tel. 053 903 687, 086 911 0810

The garden-like atmosphere you may be longing for, good food isn’t found only in luxurious and expensive restaurants. Only a minute’s drive from town, Krua Nai Suan (‘the kitchen in the garden’) is located on Om Muang (aka Mahidol) Road, left side going towards the airport a mile from the Airport Plaza complex, but tucked behind a lush, green garden, away from any highway traffic and noise.

Once you take a seat, either outside in the garden or in the air-conditioned indoor dining area, you feel miles away from the hustle and bustle of the town and in a calm and relaxing environment. Here you can put aside the chic, trendy concept food found in some city restaurants, because if Krua Nai Suan was a man, he’d be a middle-aged countryman, simple in his appearance, but lovable for his friendly, frank personality. The Chinese-Thai food served here is made from only the best ingredients and always guaranteed to be fresh.

Recommended items are dishes with curry powder or black pepper. A favorite of the regulars is fried tap tim fish topped with tamarind sauce and herbs, and squid in sour and spicy soup.

On our visit we enjoyed the fried fish topped with sweet and sour sauce, shrimps with black pepper sauce, and fried e-sarn sausage wrapped with bacon. While the food presentation was appealing, more importantly, the taste was impressive. The number of guests occupying the restaurant, especially at dinner, further supported the credibility of the food served here.

In the five years since Krua Nai Suan first opened they have never experienced a decline in business, and through word of mouth the restaurant continues to thrive. Private parties for 20-40 guests can also be arranged at this garden getaway, and Karaoke service is also available, rotational from table to table. If you wish, pick your favorite song and share your talented voice with others. If not, just sit back, enjoy the food, and listen to others share their voice with you.

Open daily from 11 am to midnight. If you still don’t have plans for this evening, maybe we’ll see you there.

Brix Restaurant at the Montri Hotel Tel. 053 418 092 E-mail: Brix@montrihotel.com

Brix Bar and Restaurant is conveniently located across from the old city’s main entrance, Thapae Gate, at the starting point of Chiang Mai’s famous Sunday Walking Street Market. The extensive food and drink menu at this stylish hot spot features just the right blend of international and Thai cuisine. Dive into a fillet of steak imported from France, or go the local route and order the fried rice with spicy northern sausage. Additionally, the menu features other Thai favorites such as spicy Thai beef salad, or green curry, and old Western favorites such as Chicken Cordon Bleu.

The atmosphere at Brix is both cozy and inviting. Enjoy a comfy booth by the window, or settle into one of the cushioned chairs at a classic wooden table. Featuring two bands nightly and open until midnight, it offers you and your friends outdoor seating and encourages your indulgence in one of its many cocktails or mocktails – all this while you’re listening to live music and taking in the bustling surrounds of the busy Thapae Gate area. The Singapore Sling, a refreshing mix of gin, cherry brandy, grenadine, soda and fresh limejuice, will tantalize your taste buds and keep you cool in the summer heat. Or you might try the Mojito, a crisp combination of rum, mint, fresh limejuice, soda, and a dash of sugar. The first band starts at 7:20 pm and entertains with an easy-listening music style for your dining pleasure. At 9:30 pm things pick up a bit with a live rock band that plays until 11.30 pm. To keep things fresh, Brix features Monday menu specials that change monthly.

Located adjacent to the Montri Hotel, Brix serves breakfast from 7 – 11am and lunch and dinner until midnight. Food and drink prices here range from a 50 baht muffin or 80 baht Thai dish, to 550 baht for the more extravagant Western cuisine.

For more information visit www.montrihotel.com.