SOI 43

12.) The Swiss Choice

(EAT) It doesn't look like much with it's crudely painted scenes depicting the Swiss Alps and otherwise barebones decor, but this little cheese shop and restaurant has some of Bangkok's best fondue and raclette.
Open Mon-Sat 11am-3pm, 6pm-10pm. 02-259-0590

SOI 45

13.) Cabochon Hotel & Residence (STAY)
Thai Lao Yeh (EAT)
The Joy Luck Club (DRINK)
Wooden Submarine (SHOP)

Taiwanese interior designer Eugene Tan’s love for classical elegance is clear in the grandeur of the eight-room Cabochon Hotel, tucked down this quiet dead-end soi. Completed last year, the building offers an imposing white neoclassical façade while the interior recreates the home of a Chinese tycoon in the heyday of 1920s Shanghai. Inside you’ll find an Aladdin’s cave of vintage items from animal skulls to huge Louis Vuitton trunks. Even if you’re not staying here, The Joy Luck Club lounge and bar supplies an ambience that’s part speakeasy and part library, while the Thai restaurant Thai Lao Yeh is furnished with traditional wood, marble tables and old prints. It serves up dishes influenced by Lao, Northern and Northeastern cuisines. The newest addition comes in the form of Wooden Submarine, a clothing and accessories store that lets you browse vintage Americana from confederate flags to old prison vests (see more details on page 19).
Restaurant open 11am-2pm, 6-10:30pm. Rooms from B8,600/2 nights. 02-259-2871/-3. www.cabochonhotel.com

14.) Casa Pagoda

(SHOP) The airy 600-sq-meter, two-story space is filled with an eclectic mix of tasteful home decor items, ranging from French country style wooden dining tables to industrial-chic leather couches to hemp rugs sporting giant Baroque prints. But smaller decorative pieces are also available.
Open daily 11am-8pm. 02-258-1917

15.) Quince

(EAT) Just up the road from the Cabochon is the equally handsome Quince. One of the hottest eateries in town at the moment, its intriguing and inventive “market” menu has a real focus on sustainability, ethical eating and local produce. That means simple, but delicious treats like roast carrots with shallot, honey and poppy seed and whole shoulder of lamb. It’s all served in a space that mixes industrial elements with vintage touches like European furniture and posters.
Open daily 11:30-1am. 02-662-4478

SOI 47

16.) Rainhill

The five-story venue, clustered around an impressive water feature, offers plenty of dining options from Thai restaurant Som Tum Dok Rak (2/F, 02-863-8593. Open daily 10am-10:30pm) to Japanese Udon noodle venue Marugame Seimen and contemporary sushi bar Kinki, as well as some quirky shops. See the following individual entries for highlight venues.
www.rainhill47.com

17.) Him and Her 

(SHOP) Owned by couple and self-confessed fashionistas, Diloklarp “Him” Junthachotibutr and Ploy “Paloy” Horwang, Him & Her started off as a vintage clothing store where the two curated items from around the world. Since moving to their new location they’ve also started designing their own womenswear ranging from dresses to pants, which are proving popular with local stars and celebrities.
Open Tue-Sun 1-9pm. 2/F, Rainhill, 02-261-7233

18.) Apostrophe’s

(SHOP) This is Bangkok’s second branch of this Japanese-style zakka store, a small shop selling everything from cute tableware to linen handicrafts—all of which follow a similar theme. Browse through their collection of handcrafted pillow cases and tote bags, and then sit back and sip a bag of their homemade lemon soda.
Open daily 10:30am-9pm. G/F, Rainhill, 083-110-0445

19.) Shuffle  

(EAT)The décor follows an industrial chic setup with bare brick walls, steel painted black and lamps dangling from the ceiling—and gets extra points for the outdoor terrace overlooking Sukhumvit Road. The menu embraces comforting dishes like chicken wings and burgers but also offers more unique options like peach and prosciutto salad with brie or the “rustic quesadilla” with smoked salmon, mornay sauce and chive sour cream. They stock decent wines and a few American craft beers and also promise a special brunch menu soon.
Open Mon-Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat-Sun 11:30am-midnight.
1/F, Rainhill, 02-261-6992

20.) Kinki     

(EAT)(DRINK) Nestled on the 6/F of Rainhill, Kinki may offer only modest views of the Sukhumvit skyline, including the nearby BTS line, but this newly opened rooftop venue delivers on its promise of “urban attitude” through its combination of Japanese fusion fare, custom cocktails, walls covered in graffiti and regular DJ nights (including international acts). Imported from Singapore, the Japanese-themed bar and restaurant serves up signature dishes like tai carpaccio (B380) and foie gras and scallop sushi (B350) while the cocktail list includes such offerings as the Spicy Hachimitsu (B240). (See more details on page 27.)
Open Mon/Tue/Thu/Sun 5pm-midnight, Wed/Fri/Sat 5pm-1am.Rooftop (6/F), Rainhill, 02-261-7204. www.kinki.co.th.

21.) Near Equal 

(EAT) If you have the energy to escape Rainhill and walk a little further down the leafy Soi 47 you’ll come to this 60s-style former home. The second floor boasts wooden walls, floors and colored screens while downstairs there’s a selection of Thai furniture, handicrafts and knick-knacks for sale. The kitchen whips up artfully-presented Thai dishes like stir-fried pea sprouts with oyster sauce, tom yum kung and fried chicken with lemongrass.
Open daily 11:30am-10:30pm. 02-258-1564