The buzz: The folks behind hangout hotspots like Café Chili, Extra Virgin and Blue Velvet are now taking a stab at the recent casual French dining trend that’s been spreading along Sukhumvit. Chef Chalee Kader and the team behind Surface are doing simple French dishes from produce that they’re largely growing themselves. It’s not far from thriving hi-so hive Audrey Café, so it’ll be interesting to see how the crowds handle the competition, though Surface does have the added bonus of a nice outdoor space.

The decor: Surface emphasizes an outdoorsy vibe. In the glass dining room, the furniture follows a white and blue color scheme, while the front room is all green couches and candles. The actual outdoor space has chic blue daybeds with pillows, set among one of their seasonal gardens (the other one is in Korat). There’s even a wine bar with a metallic, industrial feel.

The food: Classic French comfort food and iconic dishes. There’s a spinach salad with Roquefort, peaches, and blue cheese (B280) and mains like the cleverly-named Tongue and Cheek (braised ox tongue and veal cheek in a borderlaise sauce, B350). Old school desserts, too, like the chocolate fondant (B190) and the slightly more unusual white chocolate cheesecake with passion fruit and strawberry (B180).

The drink: Lots of signature cocktails like the 1 Night Stand (tequila, pineapple juice, passion fruit and cream B275) and Arms Beauty of Surface (gin, fresh strawberry, ripe banana and vanilla essence B275). Wine ranges from B900-B1,800 per bottle.

The crowd: For now it’s pretty much the owners’ cute friends but we expect young, hi-so Thong Lorites will flock here in no time. Pieng-or Mongkolkumnuankhet