Namsaah Bottling Trust

This colourful and innovative eatery is the brainchild of restaurant-chef guru Ian Kittichai (of Issaya Siamese and Iron Chef fame), and is set in a bright pink mansion with a colourful retro interior that served as a soldiers residence, then as the headquarters of a soda water bottling company, and finally as a trust bank, hence the restaurant's name (Namsaah is an old Thai word meaning soda or sparkling water). The food here is Thai-Asian, but completely nouvelle and fusion laced, with enticing small bites a la tapas the likes of salmon tartare wonton tacos, pad thai with foie gras, and larb soft shell crab, served up with coriander and roasted rice dressing. The dishes are meant to go with the mean lineup of signature cocktails created by master mixologists such as the Sangsom salted caramel whisky sour, or the Aide De Camp's Choice, made with Beefeater gin, lychee, krajeab juice, and elderflowers, and the venue is just as chic as the food and drinks, with soft colorful decor, comfy sofas, and an array of colorful rooms to relax in. Hidden down an alleyway away from the bustle of Silom, this is an excellent spot to unwind, eat creative food and stellar drinks in, all the while forgetting that you might be in Bangkok.