Aree Bar

Hard liquor heaven - superb selection for spirits drinkers.

If a Pad Thai Western film is ever made in Thailand, the relatively new Aree Bar would be perfect for the obligatory saloon scenes and shots.

It's darkish brown, exposed brick interior, wooden floors, bar stools, round and long tables, swinging doors and a whiskey and bourbon laden open bar evokes a Siam 'honky tonk' vibe (in a good way).

Triple treats, from left: salmon larb, lemon grass steamed mussels and chicken knuckles.

Run, I believe, by the same family/group, who manage the very successful (and good) Salt restaurant across the road, Aree Bar is built for drinking and snacking Thai style.

So not too many beers or wines, but an excellent selection of spirits complemented by a compact menu of glab glaem (Thai bar snacks and salads) dishes. While the menu is quite small, the dishes are full of big flavours, packing as much punch as their impressive selection of bourbons and single malts. We really liked our lemon grass steamed mussels and salmon larb.

Calm before the storm - all quiet before the band kicks into action.

And why aren't deep fried lemongrass chicken knuckles on more bar menus around the world? Yes, the cholesterol damage is likely to be immense but now, and again, they are finger licking awesome.

In addition to hard liquor and bar nibbles, Aree is popular as a live music venue - we visited too early to catch any acts but given its layout, and vibe, I think Aree Bar would be a good place to watch a band. Wonder if Willie Nelson or Tammy Wynette are keen to play Bangkok?

More information about Aree Bar

Steve Cafe & Cuisine

Location, location, location.

If charm, character, and warmth could be packaged and sold, the owners of Steve Cafe & Cuisine (SCC) would be billionaires.

Raw power -  prawns and red hot dipping sauce.

Besides stunning river views, SCC offers a 'dining with the family' vibe that's unmatched (only my opinion) and pretty special.

The restaurant is an old riverside family home that has  been renovated to accommodate around 40-50 dining guests. Besides a sheltered open-air front deck, there are small side dining rooms and a large'ish lobby.

On arrival (after a short walk from the National Library car park), guests are invited to take off their shoes before being welcomed by the SCC staff. The servers range in age from 8-40+ and everyone is friendly, affable and helpful - the "Tao of Steve" is a serene, and peaceful one.

Onto the food, the menu is crammed with Thai home-cooked favourites.

We tucked into raw river prawns - served with spicy dressing, Yam Som O, a refreshing pomelo salad, and wafer thin sliced deep fried chicken with lemon sauce (a very creative and delicious take on lemon chicken). In need of some carbs we also enjoyed thin pasta with bacon, preserved egg, bacon bits, onion complemented with deep fried onion and fish - another creative dish that proved yet again, everything tastes better with bacon and eggs.

Don't tell the Colonel - this lemon chicken dish is sensational.

Like the ambience, the food was spot-on and according to my mum-in-law, was prepared and flavoured with Thai people in mind.

Yam Som O - delicious and refreshing pomelo salad

Oh, and their coffee is excellent. All up, a great afternoon out and SSC is a super relaxing wining and dining spot by the river - we think we're going to be long-term friends with Steve.

Pasta Thai? Pasta with a Thai twist or three.

More information:
The Steve Cafe & Cuisine web site

16.18

Sixteen minutes and seventeen seconds of joy. How I wish I was walking in New Orleans with these guys.