Casa Antonio 11/1 Charoenprathet Rd. 12 (opposite the Convention Centre, The Empress Hotel), T. Chang Klan, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50100 Open daily: 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 6 pm - 10:30 pm Tel. 053-233160, 087-1849107

Run by the owner of Giorgio Italian restaurant near the Saeng Tawan Intersection, Casa Antonio, situated opposite the Convention Center of The Empress Hotel in Chang Klan, is the latest restaurant in town offering a complete Italian dining experience - and that's within a peaceful garden ambience suitable for either a romantic or family meal. All culinary items are well prepared by the Italian chef who spent over a decade working in several restaurants abroad.

How can one possibly think of Italian food without thinking about pasta? A wide selection of pasta items are served at Casa Antonio; from Bigoli pasta, thick spaghetti with salami and spicy sauce, to the aromatic truffle pasta. What makes them different from those of other restaurants is that fresh pasta is made daily in-house and cooked with ingredients imported directly from Italy. If you are looking for something special, then simply turn the first page of the menu and check out the dishes of the day. Carpaccio with parmesan, rocket and cipriani sauce, homemade Ravioli with pumpkin, and Risotto Marinara are also recommended.

To stimulate your appetite whilst savoring your favorite dish, why not have a glass of the premium Italian wine available at the restaurant?

Chern Chim Korean Culture Center 34/1 Nimmanhaemin Rd., T. Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200 Tel. 053-210723 Open daily: 11 am - midnight

Nimmanhaemin Road really does offer everything a tourist expects to experience: fantastic nightlife, sophisticatedly-designed local handicrafts, and of course global culinary delights, even including rare Korean dishes.

Apart from offering several services regarding Korean culture, the Chern Chim, set in a garden ambience on Soi 7 Nimmanhaemin Road, recently launched its restaurant section highlighting Thai and Korean delicacies. All are guaranteed their authenticity by the Thai chef who specializes in Korean gastronomy.

The current delights include bibimbbob rice with stir fried beef, vegetable and egg, topped with sauce; grilled ddok flour wrapped with minced pork, and Korean pizza featuring pork and spices served with a dip. For all you fusion maniacs, try kim chi spaghetti whilst sipping on a sojoo cocktail, a traditional Korean alcohol mixed with watermelon juice and Sprite.

All dishes are served with kimchi as a side dish. Or you can order a wide selection of kimchi off the menu, from lettuce to cucumber and papaya.

If you are clueless when it comes to Korean food but still want to try it, then the Friday buffet featuring 13 different dishes, which are changed every week, is a perfect choice at only 150 baht per person.

What makes this eatery different from other Korean eateries? Well it's undoubtedly the use of high technology. At the Chern Chim, one makes one's order for food and drink via the laptop, available on each table, where the bill is immediately displayed. Of course a beefy 4 MHz wireless internet service is also available