Chu remains a popular brunch spot (see our breakfast favorites city-wide), especially for its solid eggs Benedict (B290 with salmon). Its popular dark chocolate drinks and brownies have also been making regular appearances at pop-up markets lately.

 

 

Koi Art Gallery (Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-662-3218) launches a new art exhibition on Friday, Mar 13, featuring the beautiful oil paintings of Silawat Poolsawat. Titled Life in Monogram, the works are inspired by old photographs of Asian women in decades past. Through Apr 30. The nearby La Lanta Fine Art (Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-204-0583) currently exhibits the debut solo exhibition of Thanawat Promsuk, who integrates woven yarns into prints on canvas in Love Interlaced. Through Apr 2.

 

 

For a coffee break, the first branch of the Chinese-chic Salapao Koouan (68 Soi Julin, Sukhumvit 21, 02-664-3231) makes a nice change from the cutesy cafes. It serves up traditional and creative steamed baos like krapao gai kai dao (B30) and other fried buns. Alternatively, you can hide away under the green patches of Benjakitti Park (Ratchadaphisek Rd., open daily 5am-8pm), a bit beyond Asoke intersection for a chill bike ride, or have a laugh on a duck paddle boat.

 

 

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to dining. Al Majlis (68/2 Soi Julin, Sukhumvit Soi 21, 02-664-0212) offers a Moroccan-style escape, with Middle Eastern-inspired fusion food and live acoustic performances in the laid-back garden. You also have some of the best pizzas in town at Pala Pizza Romana (MRT Sukhumvit, 02-259-1228-9), which just opened a new branch in Silom, and Chef Paolo Vitaletti’s Peppina (27/1 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-119-7677). For Japanese, Isao (5 Sukhumvit 31. 02-258-0645) is a sleek option for sushi.

 

 

For rooftop drinks, try Axis & Spin (38-39/F, The Continent Hotel, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-686-7000). Whisgars 23 (02-661-3220, 16 Sukhumvit Soi 23) is your place for whiskey and cigars, and hosts live blues every Friday night, featuring Keith Nolan. For a late, late night, hit infamous dance venue Glow (02-261-3007, 96/4-5 Sukhumvit Soi 23), which is the setting for Underground Circus this Saturday, Mar 14.