The buzz: It’s almost worth traveling to this charming eatery on the edge of Bangkok for the setting alone. Tucked behind the Golden Place Market on Praditmanutham Road, the newly-built conservatory resembles something from the early 1900s, all faux-candelabras and white-washed décor, but the menu takes in everything from Thai standards to Western favorites, as well as a “secret” African chicken recipe that the owner says they brought back from Paris.

The décor: Nestled in a small, nicely landscaped garden, the restaurant presents guests with a choice of sitting indoors, where the abundance of natural light suggests a much wider expanse of space than is actually the case, or enjoying alfresco dining under two expansive red patio umbrellas. Both spaces light up a treat at night time. The overall vibe is one of peace and elegance which we feel would be accentuated in the wintertime.

The food: The above-mentioned African chicken (B300) stands out as the restaurant’s signature dish. This simple-looking dish is served with rice, mushroom soup, habanero chili paste and dried sweetened bananas (to help you recover from the chilis’ heat). As seems to be the current trend, local favorites like somtam (B120-200) can be found right beside imported classics such as rib-eye steak served with mashed potatoes and salad (B600). The remainder of the menu is largely determined by the availability of seasonal produce: among this month’s specials are French oysters (B120 each). And you shouldn’t leave without trying the homemade ice cream available in refreshing flavors like kiwifruit and watermelon (B29).

The drinks: Right now there’s only a limited selection of drinks, but the wine list continues to grow. Beers are Singha (B90) and Heineken (B90). Wine by the glass is B250.

The crowd: Neighbors, inquisitive shoppers for organic produce at the Golden Place (the neighboring mall) and city-dwelling foodies looking to make a day of it. Pieng-or Mongkolkumnuankhet