Are folk gearing up for the high season, opening now to find and
train good staff, test out the market, dip their toes into the pool of
catering and hospitality? Or is it just coincidence that I'm noticing new
places.
A new pub with a familiar face is to be found in an "interesting"
location in Anusarn Market - if you turn sharp right after entering from
the Night Bazaar end. The Britannia is, well, a very British-themed
pub with mandatory long bar, darts and clean toilets.
If that sounds straightforward and unpretentious then I'm bang on the
money. This is a fan-cooled double shophouse with friendly atmosphere and
reasonable prices. The familiar face belongs to jovial English Jerry, best
known for the Cafe Loco coffee bar in the Galare Centre,
strong supporter of the annual Cricket Sixes and the ever-active Darts
League. His choice of site, amid the fish restaurants which used to be
oh-so-cheap, could be inspired - certainly inspires value-seekers like
me - and deserves success. But please, entrepreneurs everywhere, no more
Britpubs! I for one think this market is now full and much as I love Molly
Malone's in Phuket I'm not even sure another Irish theme would work
in Chiangmai.
The Belgians are coming! Foolish of me - they've been here a long time
- but they just seem to be grabbing a higher profile. A pleasant couple
who live in one of the petite des res at
the Amari Rincome have opened a consular office (see the news pages)
and Luc from the land-of-over-800-beers runs the Thai-Bel on Moon
Muang, almost next to the H3 Pub. Always healthy to have a meeting
place for your own nationality, even if talk tends toward "the old
homeland will never be the same, I wouldn't go back if you paid me"
which, to be fair, I hear from every expat nationality!
"I knew an engineer before he died" goes the song (and don't
expect any more of it in a family magazine) but the one I have in mind
has built Amazing steel furniture rather than a steam driven machine. The
engineer (electrical) is customer-turned-saloonkeep Major Ron Rae (Scots)
and The Engineers Bar (Chiangmai Land) is the result. The smart
little place sits about half way down this strange street, a new oasis
of common sense amid computers, karaokes and (very good) Chinese and Japanese
restaurants. See for yourself - and that's an order laddie!!
Japanese brings me nicely to the last new move this month, Kazu Sushi,
now to be found in the coupon food area over Lotus Super Store,
Hang Dong Road. Mr Kazumichi has served his excellent value cuisine at
two previous locations in town, both of which left a certain something
to be desired. With much bigger volume here he looks certain to succeed
and will become my regular shopping drop, right after that great deli counter
down below!
* Ever eaten at the Novotel? I hadn't until late last month when
I invested 500b in a 4 course dinner with quality red and white wine aplenty.
The folk who meet up to do this sort of thing regularly have researched
alternatives and are sure they won't get better value anywhere. The red
snapper served on the linen-laid table was superb, while the quick, unobtrusive
and polite waiter service was quite outstanding. Must try their buffet
next!
* Seekers after comfortable lodgings, especially those who love good
Italian cuisine, should know that Il Colosseo near the eastern end
of Loi Kroh now has luxurious, fully fitted air-con and fan rooms for rental.
Check 'em out.
* Ever on the hunt for a good Indian meat curry (lots of great veggie
Indians in town), I have good news from Thapae Road where the open-sided
Indian Food, half way up on the right, has a sensational chicken
masala for 50b. Best I've tasted east of east London and they even have
yellow pilau rice for just 10b. Time it right, though, they close at 7.00pm!
* My taste buds lost all interest in Vientiane after they heard The
Taj had closed down. The restaurant near the central Fountain was the
best Indian all-rounder I'd ever found north of Soi 11, Sukhumvit, Bangkok.
Now my spies tell me one of the same name has opened in Luang Prabang.
Same folk, same high standard? Clue me, do!
* Read all the market share claims by the big boys fighting the beer
war? Add them all up and it seems like the total market for premium
suds in the realm is a minimum of 140%.
It's from 'The Lure of the Limerick'
by W.S.Baring-Gould: There was a young girl from St.Paul Wore a newspaper
dress to a ball. The dress caught on fire And burnt her entire Front page,
sporting section and all.
BUT I DON’T GIVE A CLUCK!
Night
Fowl
.
Two
Kingdoms - One Promotion! The 5th Mekong Tourism Forum took place
this year in the Kingdom of Cambodia, hosted by that nation's Ministry
of Tourism.
Night
Fowl
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