The buzz: Within barely a month of opening, Fatbird has earned a reputation as a comforting hangout. Owned by a group of friends, led by M.L. Nipanoppadara Yugala, the restaurant features the owners’ decorative pieces collected from all over Europe and New York. Food-wise there are classic Western recipes to match and a few Thai options.

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Night shoppers who love digging around for cheap retro buys will be thrilled to learn that Rod Fai Market has just opened up a new branch on Srinakarin. Although smaller than the original (and not yet the finished article), all units are rented out both indoors (open Tue-Sun 3pm-12am) and outdoors (open Wed-Thu 6pm-12am) selling everything from head-to-toe apparel to decorative arts. We recommend going on a Thursday night when you’ll get the most out of the place. Srinakarin Soi 51, behind Seacon Square, 081-827-5885.

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Thanks to its location hidden deep in a residential area of Sukhumvit, the leafy complex of Rasayana Retreat is perfect for those wishing to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and recharge their batteries with a full-day retreat. Among the menu of holistic treatments, the highlights have to be the detoxification and therapeutic massage options. The one-day package lets you experience both, starting with an infrared sauna session, followed by a salt scrub, detox bath, oil pack, aromatherapy massage and a colonic detox.

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Tucked away within a beautiful compound of wooden Thai houses, this spa takes you on a trip back in time thanks to its traditional setting and a series of massages and therapies that utilize old-school principles. One of the most popular is the Wat Pho Healer, named after the famous Thai massage school. It starts with your choice of body scrubs using Thai herbs, and is then followed up with a choice between an Ayurvedic massage, or an herbal compress and oil massage. The program ends with a more focused massage for your head, feet, back and shoulder.

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New eatery Calin Café offers up a French-influenced dining experience. The Parisian-style venue serves dishes like razor clam with garlic and chili (B390), eggs benedict with salmon and zucchini (B260), and croque monsieur (B260). There’s also bakery offerings and six choices of coffee using Cafés Richard brand beans starting from B130.
 

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Chiang Mai boutique coffee roaster Pacamarahas just opened its first café in Bangkok. The place sells beans, coffee-making equipment and, of course, cups of coffee starting from B55. In line with one of Bangkok’s hotter trends, they also offer craft beers from Hitachino Nest.

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Yoshoku cuisine is Japanese interpretations of Western food, which mostly appeared in the Meiji era (late 1800s, early 1900s). You have this great tradition to thank for such comforting fusion favorites as korokke (croquettes), katsu curry or Naporitan (a bastardized pasta dish). And if you’re going to open a Japanese restaurant in a town that’s overdosing on sushi, it’s definitely an interesting focus, as Waizo’s popularity with middle-aged Japanese salarymen can attest.

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Buzz: Dentist turned fashion designer Wilasinee just opened her second cozy little shop in Terminal 21.

Vibe: The store definitely aims for the cute and girly crowd with its light pink walls and candy-toned clothing hanging from gold clothes racks. It looks a bit like a studio or gallery with its framed artworks on display.

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Another new eatery in Ari is Hiso Sushi —easy to spot by the red lantern out front. With its plain decor and vibe, this typical sushi bar serves up all the usual suspects.

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