Green Mill 43 Sookkasame Soi 5, T. Patan, Chiang Mai Tel. 053-210999, 053-212400

Arriving in Chiang Mai, I bet one of the first things on your mind is checking out all the great food. Most Chiang Mai food is served in local restaurants without air conditioning, and while you could grab a bite to eat in the comfort of an air conditioned hotel, your daily budget may not be up for the high price of such luxury, and anyway you may want to keep it more low key.

In this case, Green Mill restaurant is what you’re looking for. Turn left at Lanna Hospital and go to the end of the road, it’s on your left. Air-conditioned and comfortable, it’s well known for serving Thai, Western, Chinese and international food, and recently added a new menu of Northern specialties, available for lunch only.

Inspired by the owner’s desire to offer his guests a unique taste of Thailand in a cool and welcoming environment, the Green Mill is getting things right and these dishes have all the authentic qualities of truly Northern food, but perhaps with the spice factor toned down just a bit for those a little less accustomed to such a traditionally spicy style.

Among the recommended dishes here is the pork leg in hanglay curry. While many restaurants use thick, stringy pork for this dish, the meat here is soft and tender. Green chili dip served with vegetables, boiled eggs and pork rinds is a very good appetizer, followed by the spicy minced pork, mixed curry and spicy stewed pork. Every dish is best served with hot sticky rice, and the food presentation is in beautiful harmony with the relaxing atmosphere here. Open daily from 10 am to 2 pm for lunch and 5 pm to 10 pm for dinner (closed on Sundays). Coffee and baked foods are also available.

For music lovers fond of that high quality stereo sound, the Green Mill has a separate room showcasing only premium grade, brand name stereos.

Citrus Restaurant, Mercure Chiang Mai Tel: 053 225 500 E-mail: exsec@mercurechiangmai.com

Located just minutes from the city moat and close to Chiang Mai Rajabhat University, the Mercure Hotel is home to one of the city’s most elaborate international buffets, set in the beautifully decorated, Mediterranean-style Citrus Restaurant.

The all-day dining venue is open from 6am to midnight. You can enjoy wide arrays of the à la carte menu here available throughout the day, and European classics like grilled lamb chop served with oven-roasted potato, leek, tomato and mashed potato with a hearty gravy sauce can be enjoyed for just 490 baht, or the grilled fillet of salmon served over a bed of rice with zucchini, carrot, butter potato and a ginger-soy sauce with just the right Japanese flare for just 480 baht. The portions are hearty and bursting with flavor. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

The newly updated menu also features a finely executed selection of Thai fusion dishes such as pla preaw waan, crispy fried fish fillet served with a Thai-style sweet and sour sauce with cucumber, bell pepper, onion and pineapple over rice. This fusion favorite is offered for a mere 290 baht, and again, the healthy portion dares you to leave room for dessert.

As for complementing your meal with an equally arousing beverage, Mercure offers its very own line of fine wines, featuring Italian favorites such as Trebbiano, Sangiovese and Montepulciano. Glass wine is offered at 130 – 190 baht per glass, and bottles go for 950 -1190 baht. Stocked with a full bar as well as juices, teas and coffee, and with seating available both outside on the terrace or inside with air conditioning, Chiang Mai’s Mercure Hotel Citrus Restaurant is ready to serve.

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