The buzz: Clove has taken over the space previously occupied by popular Ekamai drinking spot Sode Samo. The new owners have given the place a fresh look, turning the old house into a bistro bar that serves fusion, Italian and French dishes that they promise go well with wine.

The décor: The pleasant two-story house retains the sizeable front yard which now incorporates a standalone glass house that they plan to turn into a café during the day. Bean bags will be set out on the grass once the rains finish and they also want to set up a barbecue station. Inside is definitely more grown-up; the low-ceilinged ground floor features formal tables, complete with white tablecloths and candles, though the live jazz band (Fri-Sun) and open kitchen do provide some energy. Upstairs you’ll find the private room and a still-to-come cigar area.

The food: A large menu offers a mix of classic European dishes and some Asian-Western fusion. Appetizers cover well-known standards like the mixed cold cuts (B590), beef carpaccio (B350) and calamari fritti (B350). Mains include everything from margherita pizza (B220) and spaghetti alle vongole with seafood (B270), to the owner-recommended grilled rack of lamb (B890) or Wagyu rib-eye (B1,290). Otherwise, opt for something a little lighter like the laab salmon (B250) or the seared Hokkaido scallops served with spinach (B590).

The drinks: The walk-in wine cellar is right at the entrance to the dining room, so feel free to head in and pick out a bottle (both new and old world wine options) ranging from B600-B13,000 while wine by the glass starts from B190. Beers are Singha (B120), Heineken (B120) and San Miguel Light (B190).

The crowd: For now, it’s acquaintances of the owners, some executives in suits and well-off families from the neighborhood. Pieng-or Mongkolkumnuankhet