FAHTHAI
91
A FOODIE GUIDE TO ARI
COUNTRY CODE
+66
EXCHANGE RATE
THB30 = US$1
KOH CHANG/TRAT FREQUENCY
3 flights per day from Bangkok
B A N G K O K
Neighbourhood guide: Ari
PLA DIB
The original hip hangout in Ari, this converted
industrial-chic house brought sophisticated dining
to the area when there was little else besides a
7-Eleven and mum-and-pop stores. It has retained
its friendly service and added coffee roasting to
an expansive fusion menu, with wood-fired pizza,
salmon laab and sashimi being the key highlights.
facebook.com/pladib.restaurant
HOR HIDDEN CAFƒ
Tucked away down a side alley, this renovated
house serves as a laid-back space for coffee and
international fare. You can build your own shakes
and smoothies or opt for a cold beer in the garden
with your plate of organic fusion pasta. While
Hor Hidden has a student/worker vibe during the
day, at night it’s a magnet for local nine-to-fivers
looking to unwind.
facebook.com/horhiddencafe
BAAN MAE YUI
This lovely little restaurant has been operating for
more than a decade. The owner, Mae Yui, makes
the type of traditional comfort dishes you’d expect
from a beloved Thai aunty. A cute home garden
setting with brightly coloured wooden furniture
and tropical plants turns up the charm, with spicy
local dishes cooled by a selection of Western-style
desserts.
maeyui.com
With its quaint cafés and street-food
stalls, Ari is ahaven for food lovers.
Serving everything fromThai fusion
toFrench, the eateries here draw
discerningdiners fromacross the city.
Hopoff theSkytrainatAri, take exit 3
andwalkdownPhahonyothin7
SALT
Salt draws style-savvy locals and expats to its
industrial-look premises for international variations
on French and Japanese cuisine, as well as wood-
fired pizzas. A concrete and glass “cube” dining
room is supplemented by an outdoor patio,
providing the requisite see-and-be-seen quality of
any celebrity-owned-and-frequented restaurant.
saltbangkok.com
ROCK RESTAURANT AND BAR
Traditional Siamese dishes get the modern
treatment here, with aromatic dishes balancing
rich flavours and plenty of spice. The space is
warm and intimate, with the “rock” motif taking
the form of boulders of quartz. The bar serves
up stylish cocktails designed by Joseph Boroski,
premium spirits, sake, craft beers and wine.
facebook.com/rockrestaurantandbar
Just opened is Vick’s, an
offshoot of the popular
Thai high-fashion
label Vickteerut. The
clothes here are more
relaxed but adhere
to designer Teerut
and brand director
Pang Sudhinaraset’s
penchant for clean,
minimalist lines and
cuts. At this new Ari
Soi 2 boutique you’ll
find lots of denim
and casual crisp
white: tailored shirts,
linen playsuits, flared
trousers and super
soft tees.
FASHION FIND
LANEWAY TREAT
Hor Hidden Café’s
Pad Thai; (below)
the courtyard and
tasty tuna salad
ARI FOOD STAR
Rock Restaurant
and Bar; (above)
the spicy cuisine
and stylish cocktails
