The buzz: The Moroccan-inspired bar and restaurant left the charming old house on Ekkamai Soi 12 a few months back, but fear not, the owners quickly found a new (and easier to access) venue right in the heart of Asoke. Expect a similar laidback vibe, only refreshed and updated with a more colorful décor, to ensure it remains an appealing al fresco option.

The décor: The front yard features a huge rock wall bearing the name of the place. Here, a bohemian caravan sits by a smattering of beanbags (through Jan, 2013). Indoors is laid-out as more of a proper dining setting than before, colorfully fitted out with antiques familiar from the previous incarnation and a new set that the owners brought back from a recent trip to the Middle East. Expect tiki lamps, batik prints, cushions, carpets, and all the rest. The outdoor area is long and narrow, offering low sofas and daybeds, and there are two private rooms (5-6 people capacity) where you can smoke sheesha inside. There’s a balcony on the second floor. The hottest addition is another outdoor area beside the house defined by a sort of decorative permanent scaffolding.

The music: Soft jazz and bossanova like before. Live jazz will resume Friday and Saturday from Jan, 2013.

The crowd: It only opened a few weeks ago but on our last visit the bar was almost packed with returning customers, mostly young first-jobbers, looking to relive old times.

The price: Beer starts from Singha at B110/bottle, then there are imported options like Corona, Asahi, Hoegaarden, Stella, and Duvel at B120-240/bottle. Hoegaarden is also available on tap at B280/pint. Whiskey by the bottle ranges from Dewar 5 Years (B1,420) to Jack Daniel’s and Chivas Regal 18 Years (B2,800). Red wine includes Chilean Casa Silva Cabernet Sauvignon (B1,700) and French Chateau Gruaud Larose St. Julien (B5,850) all the way up to US’ Hundred Acre Ark Cabernet Sauvignon (B19,500). White wine comes from the same families, starting from B1,950/bottle. Cocktails include both standard (B225) and signatures (B255), with monthly specials to be introduced soon. The food side is mainly Middle East-inspired extending to more international fusion dishes such as the spicy shrimp with avocado dip (B155), salmon nori spaghetti (B220), and Arabic chicken and grilled vegetable couscous (B220).   

Why you’ll come back: Come wintertime, there’s little better than lazing on a daybed with your fave flavor of sheesha at hand. Also, if you’re working in the neighborhood, the bar plans to launch a lunch menu soon, while high tea is set to return on weekends, too. Vasachol Quadri