The Khantoke dinner is a traditional northern custom and
the ultimate in relaxed dining!
At a Khantoke dinner, guests sit on the floor on cushions
around a round woven or wooden table (a Khantoke) laid with
delicious northern Thai specialties like curries, "sticky
rice" specialty Chiang Mai sausage, nam phrik ong (a
chilli paste accompaniment) and khao soi (chicken/ pork
/beef curry soup with egg noodles).
At a traditional Kantoke dinner, food is eaten with (the
right) hand, using sticky rice from the bamboo basket to
dip it into the curry or chilli paste. During the meal,
guests are treated to performances of traditional Thai dancing
and hilltribe cultural shows. So lean back on your cushion
and enjoy! Fairly touristy, but worth doing. Some Kantoke
dinners are set in old teak buildings which adds ambiance
to this traditional northern Thai entertainment.
Khantoke dinners are available at a number of local hotels
as well as the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre and is an
excellent introduction to northern food and culture.
Old Chiangmai Cultural Center
185/3 Wualai Rd, T.Hayya, Muang District Chiangmai.
Khum Kaew Palace
Kantoke dinners held in a genuine antique Lanna Palace made
of solid teak.
Aroon (Rai) Restaurant
Authentic northern food, in this low key garden restaurant.
Try khao Soy, a coconut curry/soup similar to a Malaysian
Laksa containing egg noodles & chicken and sprinkled
with crispy noodles. Sweet and spicy. Or Chiang Mai sausages
served sliced over steamed rice. Fear factor fans will appreciate
the fried insects, beetles, and frogs for which this place
is famous. Pre-packaged spices and recipes on sale to take
home.
Close to the old city, 45 Kotchasarn Rd near Tha Pae Gate.
Phone (053) 276947
Huen Phen hidden
among tropical greenery is hard to beat for northern Thai
food…if you can find it! Located in the living room
of an open-plan traditional wooden mansion, surrounded by
Thai antiques. Recommended - Laab (minced pork salad) popular
in the north and north-east Thailand, or the nam phrik kab
moo (crispy pork dip). Prices start $2-$5 a dish. 112 Ratchamangka
Road, tel: 277-103) just east of Felix Hotel.
Art Cafe, a local
western and local meeting place on the corner of Tha Pae
by Kotchasarn road, serves Thai, Mexican and European food
Piccola Roma Palace
Chef Angelo Faro, prepares daily specialties that depend
upon his latest fresh finds at the markets. No extra charge
for the entertainment, if you're lucky enough to select
a dish that is prepared at your table. Try linguine in squid
ink sauce.
144 Charoen Prathet Rd near the Ping River. Reservations
recommended. Phone (053) 820297
Ta-Krite
Lots of green plants, locally made blue-and-white pottery,
and old bric a brac here and there. House specialty is the
duck curry in coconut gravy and lots of quick lunch specials.
Most of the ingredients come from the Royal Project. A great
place to stop for a sightseeing lunch break. 17-19 Samlarn
Rd., Soi 1. Walk south from Wat Phra Sing and turn right
on Soi 1, The Old City
Frozen Fountain
A world of soothing classical music, hovering waiters and
style. Serving the best salads in town (no less than five
different types of lettuce) — plus the hallmark Fountain
Salad. Good selection of fine wines plus home-made bread.
6/1 Soi 1, Kotchasarn Road, tel: 07-1831731
Jasmine
An intimate, quiet, and expensive Cantonese restaurant that
specializes in dim sum lunch. Dinner and lunch main courses
are deliciously prepared by a Chinese chef. Specialties
include bird's-nest and shark's-fin soups, barbecued pig,
crystal prawns, and minced squab with lettuce.
112 Chang Klan Rd, in the Royal Princess Hotel, near the
Ping river.
Reservations recommended. (053)28-1033
The Amazing Sandwich
Opened in 1998. Brilliant choice of sandwich and salad
ingredients from traditional favourites to the more esoteric.
Choose from 14 meats, 8 types of cheese, 10 vegetables,
8 dressings/sauces and 6 herbs & spices.
252/3 Pra Pokklao Road, Chiang Mai. Open Monday - Saturday
9.00 a.m. and 8.00 p.m. Closed Sundays.
Chiang Mai Tea Shoppe
55 fine classic teas from the best tea gardens, served in
the traditional way.
Galare Food Centre
Local food centre in the night Bazaar. Lots of different
food stalls. Coupons are purchased to acquired your entrees
of choice from several different food venders. Everything
is fresh and prepared as you order. Since this establishment
was designed to cater to foreigners, a Thai nationals will
need to make sure adequate spices are added to their food.
Traditional Thai song and dance are performed during the
evening in the central dining area.
The Whole Earth Restaurant
One of Chiang Mai's older restaurants with an established
reputation for good food. Part vegetarian, Thai, and Indian
menu. The restaurant is housed in an old Lanna House with
an indoor air-conditioned no-smoking section, and a long
open-air verandah overlooking gardens (they'll bring a fan
to your table upon request). Good location, close to the
main shopping and business areas. Busy lunch & dinner
(but still peaceful ) so reservations recommended.
88 Sridonchai Rd, Chiang Mai (Near the Ping river) Phone:
(053) 282 463
Simon's Cabaret
Entertaining transvesite show - safe enough even for Granny.
Two shows nightly, the first at 7.30pm, and the second at
9pm ($10). Lots of "over the top" costumes, posing
and lip-sync glitz. Popular music numbers performed by katoeys
(lady-boys) with fantastic sets and scenes including a lava-spewing
volcano, Lara Croft being kidnapped by natives, Chinese
operatic shenanigans, Chicago showmanship and panto slapstick.
All good clean fun.
177 G Building, 1/F Chang Phuak Road, next to Rim Ping
Supermarket, tel: [66-53] 410-321, or www.simonchiangmai.com).
