the house

The House. Mmmm.
Go after payday or when you have friends in town -- it's worth the splurge, trust me. Our group of 4 strategized our appetizers and entrees so we could all try each others' dish. For the sake of everyone's palate, go with friends who like to share. The menu changes seasonally (as we discovered a few weeks ago) but remains consistently delish. There are a number of vegetarian-friendly options, a tapas menu, and a nice selection of wine. It's very romantic, so enjoy it with someone you actually like. No one should experience such exquisite food in bad company.

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notables | due to the seasonal menu, I can't guarantee these will be available by the time you save enough baht (or your parents - biological or sugar - are in town to foot the bill).
Here's a sample of what we ordered: beef carpaccio with blue cream cheese, crisp parmesan, mini herbs and truffle cream. spicy grilled prawns marinated in chili paste, coriander, lemongrass, pomelo, mint salsa and basil. five-spice crusted tuna served on polenta and spinach with red capsicum sauce (sooo good). roasted salmon with black olive crust, red chili potatoes and semi dried tomatoes. eggplant gnocchi wrapped with ricotta cheese, pine nuts, raisin, and tomato herb sauce (also, sooo good).

dessert notable | chocolate ganache served with raspberry sorbet while sipping a neat Grand Marnier.

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199 Moonmuang Rd - north or Thapae Gate, inside the moat
tel. 053.419.010

miguel's cafe

I tend to hear mixed reviews about Miguel's, one of two mexican [more like tex-mex] restaurants in CM. But, during the 2+ years I've lived here, the place has really grown on me. I always stick to what I like and leave pretty satisfied every time.
Miguel's location isn't the quietest - it sits right on the busy road outside the moat. Sometimes you'll have to alternate between shouting and talking to friends as noisy choppers and tuk-tuks obnoxiously whiz by. That aside, the atmosphere is cheery and there will always be farang faces stuffing themselves beside you. At peak dinner hours the place fills up, so choose your timing wisely.

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notables | chicken fajita soft taco. baja fish taco. nachos grande. sizzling fajitas [huge!]. any kind of wet burrito. the margaritas.

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tel. 053.874.148

smoothie blues

Smoothie Blues sits on the corner of Niman's soi 6 and is well-patroned by mostly farang. It's run by a friendly family who also own the eyeglass shop next door. I've never been overly excited by the breakfast here, but the smoothies are yummy and I've recently discovered a really great pesto tuna sandwich.
As Niman continues to build up [literally, with the number of condos and complexes under construction] so increases the number of foreigners and expatriates in the area. Smoothie Blues has become a default rendez-vous point for this growing population. In fact, occasionally I almost forget that we are in Thailand as the joint is somewhat of a farangy bubble.
It's a popular spot for brunch-goers and ideal for people-watching. Whether seated on the outdoor patio or inside absorbing the a/c in windowed comfort, you can't help but cruise the daytime Niman bustle.

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notables | any of the smoothies. pesto tuna sandwich [add avocado] on whole wheat bread.

bake & bite

A Chiang Mai weekend isn't complete without brunch at B&B. You'll find me and my regular compadres at either the Kaew Nawarat or Nimanhaemin locations, probably sometime after 11:00am on any given Saturday or Sunday. Don't mind us as we leaf through the Nation or Bangkok Post, commenting here and there about the latest political shenanigan or an interesting article on gender and/or transgender.
Apart from a spot to catch up on the news, the food is reliably rockin'. We basically order the exact same thing every time.
The newest residential location off of Kaew Nawarat has the main bakery and supplies the other branches with bagels, bread, biscuits, english muffins, scones, cinnamon rolls, quiche, brownies, cookies, pies...and so many more I can't remember them all. The owner informed us recently that they've started supplying Rimping Supermarket with bagels. Excellent.
B&B is like the daytime Duke's as missionary families and friends tend to fill up the place before and after church on Sundays. So, schedule your hunger accordingly.

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notables | spinach and cheese enchilada. eggs florentine. hash browns. muesli pancakes. whole-grain bagel with cream cheese, garlic & chives. goat cheese bruschetta. hot latte [the regular size is huge, so ask for the small mug, unless you need a jumpstart after a loss-of-braincell type evening].

alternate notable | the vegetarian set [includes yogurt, fresh fruit, a small muesli pancake, spinach & cheese omelette, and coffee]. Share this with someone and order one of the notable dishes above.

locations | There are two. Driving eastbound down Kaew Nawarat, look for the yellow signage to your right. Nimanhaemin Rd, soi 6, across from Powerhouse Gym.

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Nimanhaemin 053.400.577