2046

2/F, 02-261-7278. Open daily 5:30pm-midnight.
Run by the people behind hip sushi-spot In The Mood For Love, 2046 strikes a similar balance between a cozy-but-chic décor and an intriguing menu of comfort dishes with a twist. Billed as a modern izakaya, the indoor area has a slight bistro vibe, thanks to the bright walls and mosaic flooring. The real highlight though is the large outdoor terrace that hangs out over the edge of the mall. The dishes are very booze-friendly, so expect the likes of tori teri shiso yaki (pan-fried chicken with teriyaki sauce, B140) and fried squid with ponzu (B120), though they also have some nice salads and heartier main courses. There’s also a decent list of local and imported beers, including Bavaria (B220) and Bloc Beer (B220).

Ramen Kio

3/F, 02-236-6509. Open daily 11am-10pm.
Of course, Rain Hill has a ramen option and, of course, it follows the tried-and-tested plain wood theme for its interior. However, there’s a buzz about this place, thanks to their meaty chashu (slices of grilled pork), making the chashu don (pork with rice and fried egg, B200) a popular option. They also have all the usual ramen options like abura soba (soba noodles without broth topped with chashu, B195) and shoyu ramen (ramen in shoyu soup, B185).

Marugame Seimen

2/F, 02-620-8777. Open daily 11am-10pm.
The first Thailand branch of this wide-reaching Japanese Udon franchise (a second will soon arrive at Big C Ratchadamri) is already packing in the homesick expats in the ‘hood. They come for the simple selection of nine udon dishes (B79 for regular and B99 for large), such as the popular mentai kamatama udon (hot udon), all cooked in front of you in the steam-filled open kitchen. You can liven up the soup with toppings like soft-boiled egg and meat (B19-B39), tempura offerings like prawns (B39) and pumpkins (B29) and mentaiko omusubi (Japanese rice ball stuffed with mentaiko’s eggs, B35).

Penguin Likes Chocolate

1/F, 081-206-7778. Open daily 10am-10pm.
The name is pretty unique even if the Victorian vintage theme of this spot has been seen before. The petite café looks to stand out from the crowd with its use of imported Lindt and Hershey’s chocolate in desserts like chocolate cake sundae (B145), chocolate triple-layered panna cotta (B85), brownie sundae (B145) and chocolate crème brulee (B65). Thirsty? Choose between the usual tea/coffee and Italian soda (B65), which come in flavors like kiwi or strawberry.

Sweet it is

1/F, 085-099-3234. Open daily 11am-10pm.
Right next door you’ll find another tiny café, albeit one that goes for a simpler, IKEA-inspired wood finish and boasts a relaxing outdoor terrace. Sip on some fruit tea, or one of their tasty smoothies, nibble on a macaroon (B30) and get ready to do battle with their rattan rocking chairs. The owner is a bakery chef and teacher, so you can also expect baked treats like crepe cake (B110), red velvet cake (B95) and brownies (B45). Delivery is also available.

House of Salad

2/F, 084-931-7711. Open daily 10am-10pm.
A very serene, floaty white space with plenty of vintage touches, House of Salad just about succeeds in making you forget you’re in a mall. It’s all about the green stuff here with the focus on building your own salad from an array of toppings, like mixed greens (B44), grilled duck breast (B240), New Zealand mussels (B89) and foie gras (B480). For their opening, they’re running a 50% discount in Feb on all of their salad options. They also have some more complex dishes like parma ham pizza (B320), spaghetti carbonara (B220) and pork chop (B380).

Wine Connection Tapas

1/F, 02-261-7217. Open daily 10-1am. www.wineconnection.co.th
The newest member of the city’s wine-bar pioneering family doesn’t look to reinvent their very successful formula. Still, we think this is probably the nicest spot of the lot. Windows on all sides means the industrial look is never too heavy or oppressive and the trees growing through the middle of the space are a nice touch. They’ve also tweaked their menu of simple Italian dishes by bringing in a brief tapas menu with bite-sized options like mixed olives (B90), sliced salami (B90) and patatas bravas (B90). As well as the wide variety affordable wines (they have a little wine shop next door), they also have an impressive choice of mostly Belgian beers on draft, and for once we don’t just mean the usual Hoegaarden and Duvel, but rare treats like Barbar (B140) and Pils (B140). A live DJ on weekends means this place is already pretty lively despite being new.

More Chow Choices

Hong Kong Kitchen

3/F, 02-642-2136. Open daily 10am-11pm.
A chain restaurant that focuses on authentic Hong Kong cuisine. That means classic dishes like congee with preserved eggs (B125), egg noodles with wontons (B125) and grilled goose (B320 for small).

Som Tum Dok Rak

2/F, 02-863-8593. Open daily 10am-10:30pm.
Seems like Thai-Isaan is the hot new food trend, well in the chain world anyway. Arriving in Bangkok from Chiang Mai last year, this chain by Indy Kitchen does all your northeastern favorites like somtam kor moo yang (papaya salad with grilled pork, B100) and yam hed ruam (spicy salad with mushrooms, B90).

Kasa

2/F, 02-261-7610. Open daily 11am-10pm.
With another branch already open at The Circle, Kasa really looks to be a one-stop shop for Japanese dining. Still, aside from the more standard sushi and sashimi choices, they do have some exotic options like Kobe beef tazuna maki (B680) or kampachi jalapeno (kampachi fish with jalapeno sauce, B290) on the menu.

How did you get this role?
I believe that Thunwarin Sukpistit spotted me on Thailand’s Got Talent. Also, my personality is very similar to the character, Tonliw, who is a transsexual who behaves naturally like a woman. So he wanted me to be in the movie without any casting call or audition.

Did you like this role?
I am a singer, not an actress. So this is very new to me, but honestly, this is very fun and I realized that I like it as well.

Has singing helped you with acting?
Not really. I believe that my playful personality has helped me a lot, though. I love to tease people all the time, so that helps me to get along with others.

Were there any challenges in making this movie?
First, I was very anxious that I would slow down others because I have never been in a movie before. However, Thunwarin was very detailed and friendly. He taught me a lot about many things, which helped me get better and better.

What about the other actors and actresses?
We all really helped each other out. Still, I have to thank Salim so much for the love scene. I was very shy to kiss him, with him being so cute, but he made it very easy for me to. So it didn’t take long, just three takes.

Will there be any more of your work launched soon?
After this movie, my song will be released by Sony Music. The music video and everything are ready, but because of the flood situation we had to postpone it. But definitely, anyone who’s waiting will get to hear my song soon.

Is your family supportive?
Absolutely. I have worked for my family since I was young. So my family trusts my decisions.

Do you feel like you’re in a new place since the last time we talked with you?
Totally different. However, I still don’t feel that I am a professional in what I am doing. I feel like I’m experiencing something new and challenging.

How’s the feedback from the fans?
Very good. Every time I go anywhere, people ask for photographs.

How do feel about the fans abroad?
I’m very glad that many people have seen my videos on YouTube, because with that, they might rethink their attitudes about Thai transsexuals and our Thailand’s Got Talent can become well-known.

Have you been able to travel abroad?
I’ve only been to Singapore because everything had to be postponed because of the flood crisis. But there will be more opportunities. I know that there are millions who are waiting to see more of my work, which makes me happy and also nervous about their expectations.

Tell us about the movie?
I really want everyone to see it. It’s actually not only geared to transsexuals; it’s a love story to which everyone can relate. Anyone can enjoy this and you’ll leave with new perspectives about love and probably will reflect on your own love life. I have learned that love is more about understanding than anything else.

How are things between you and your boyfriend?
He’s OK now. At first, the fame was a lot to get used to. We used to sing together in pubs, but not anymore.