City Buzz

 |  February 25, 2009


On the 24th floor of Centara Duang Tawan Hotel, you can take in a spectacular birds eye panorama of Doi Suthep and Chiang Mai city while dining on fine Chinese cuisine in an elegant atmosphere. Sunflower Chinese Restaurant recommends their smorgasbord of dim sum buffet at 310++ baht per person. So grab friends, reserve a big table and experience Chinese Dim Sum the proper way.

Open daily 6 p.m. -10 p.m.
24th Floor, Centara Duang Tawan Hotel
Tel: 053 905 000 ext 3227

Finding a mattress that is not rock hard or bank draining can be tough in Thailand. Latex Innovations cuts the costs for you by selling online and delivering your vacuum packed new mattress to your doorstep. These mattresses are certified 100% organic, made from a renewable resource grown in Thailand, the rubber tree. They are hypo-allergenic, non-flammable and will not absorb fluids making them great for infants and children. A cool and comfortable sleep, with no moisture build up or movement transfer ensuring a sound sleep for each individual. Comfier than spring mattresses, Citylife staff had trouble returning to the office after trying out these mattresses.

Tel: 089 434 8067
www.latexinnovations.com
latexinnovations@mac.com

The newly opened restaurant, Rico de Rica serves both Japanese and European food. With more than 40 items on the menu to choose from and new items added every month, there is a lot to please your taste buds. The owner’s recommendation includes beef sashimi, ordered directly from France, sushi tapas, grilled pork and spare ribs with barsamico sauce, which is made with wine specially ordered from Sicily. This fascinating little restaurant which seems to blend Japanese and Spanish cuisine influences is well worth checking out.

Open daily 5.30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Nimmanhaemin Soi 5
Tel: 053 213 121
Email: plaa.16@gmail.com


Pizzamania’s refreshingly stress free prices, inviting family atmosphere, and above all, homey dishes puts you right at ease to enjoy a relaxing and yummy meal. The huge menu provides a choice for every family member with a variety of crisp salads, to an array of hearty steaks, pizzas and pastas. The fisherman’s friend is highly recommended, a generous filet of salmon covered in a creamy mushroom sauce and topped with a liberal serving of melted cheese. The accompanying mashed potatoes is creamy textured with oft peaks of whipped perfection.

Open 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Closed on the second
Monday of every month.
Branch 1: 411 Mahidol Rd.,
Tel: 053 308 966
Branch 2: 333 Chiang Mai – Mae Jo Rd.,
Tel. 053 246 855

Tomi Sushi uses high quality ingredients and works hard to keep original Japanese flavours, making their food delicious. This traditional sushi house features several delicious set menus, and heart warming saki. If you are not a sushi lover, don’t worry, they offer an extensive menu of many Japanese favourites. Sit at the sushi bar and watch the owner put on a show as he prepares your meal or grab a table and invite your friends. Recommendations include Tomi maki, Tomi bento and rainbow roll.

Open daily 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
(Next to Mae Ping Police Station)
Chiang Mai 89 Plaza Food Centre
Ton-yang Road
Tel: 081 952 2261, 083 765 9377
www.gindee.com/tomisushi

CafĂ© De Naga stands out from the crowd. Their menu features a diverse range of international and local food with flair. With everything from Vietnamese spring rolls, to great pastas and salads, there is much to choose from. Come relax during the busy midday with a cup of ‘bristot’ Italian coffee or a fruit smoothie in a free Wi-Fi zone. Treat yourself to a coffee or tea with a piece of Black Forest gateaux from their in-house bakery for 99 baht, or cool off with a frozen strawberry margarita as a sundowner. Calling all beer lovers: draught Chang beer is just 39 baht/glass, 80 baht/jug and 250 baht/tower, and they are big towers. Citylife readers get 10% off for food during March.

Open daily 9.30 a.m. – midnight
Ratchamanka, Moon Muang Road
Tel: 053 209 030
www.denagahotel.com


Heaven awaits you at the Shangri-La’s world famous spa, Chi, where pampering is taken to the extreme and serenity surrounds. Try any one of their Chi Journey packages, which includes the Paradise Found package that features a Himalayan Bath Therapy, a Vieng Ping Body Wrap and the exquisite Chi Facial; this little triad of luxury will take a whole afternoon, they don’t believe in rushing it. You can of course find a whole range of massage therapies, body therapies, facial treatments, skin care treatments and water therapies. Chi is world renowned and they know what they are doing when it comes to the pleasures and rejuvenation of the body.
March promotion: when indulging in the Wild Flower Body Glow scrub (1 hour) in combination with the Traditional Thai Massage (1.15 hours) you will receive an extra half hour massage for free.

Open daily: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Shangri-La Hotel, Chang Klan Road
Tel: 053 253700
E-mail: slcm@shangril-la.com
www.shangri-la.com/chiangmai


Decadent, delicious and utterly delightful, the Four Seasons Sunday Brunch is unsurpassed for a gastronomically pleasurable Sunday outing. Set in the cooking school area, you can enjoy mellow jazz while visiting the multitude of food stations: Thai food, salads, tandoori oven, Chinese table, the grill, pasta choices, imported cheeses and a bewildering array of delectable desserts. Those wishing to imbibe can pay extra to enjoy free flow house wines and vodka based cocktails from bloody Marys to lychee martinis. The Four Seasons now also offers Gourmet Club cards which you can apply for to receive 25% discounts on food and beverages. 1,200 baht per person including non alcoholic beverages and 1,500 baht per person including free flow Thai beers and wines and martinis. (Plus 7% VAT and 10% service charge.)

Sunday Brunch: Noon – 3 p.m.
Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Road, Mae Rim.
Tel: 053 298181
E-mail: fb.chiangmai@fourseasons.com.
www.fourseason.com/chiangmai.com


Chiang Mai’s latest addition to stylish dining is the Saitong Restaurant. Not just another Japanese restaurant, Saitong offers what it terms ‘contemporary home-style Japanese cooking’. The dishes show influences from various international cuisines, with Japanese flavouring and presentation. The restaurant is in a modern, yet tranquil setting, making it a nice place to relax, enjoy a meal or just drinks at the bar with friends. Signature dishes include the five appetizer taster, ‘tenmusu’ (rice ball with shrimp tempura) and beef tongue stew. Even better, all proceeds from Saitong benefit the Ban Rom Sai orphanage in Chiang Mai. So, you can do some good, while enjoying an excellent meal. As an enticement, bring this issue of Citylife for a 10% discount on your meal!

Open Wednesdays to Mondays:
11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 5.30 – 11 p.m.
(Closed 1st and 3rd Wednesdays)
21 Soi 11 Sirimankalajarn Road
(near Little Stars Bilingual School)
Tel: 053 222379