Located right near Buona Vista, Rochester Park is the latest dining neighborhood to hit the scene. This group of 11 tastefully restored black and whites, surrounded by foliage to give a sense of retreat and privacy, makes good use of our warm weather with large outdoor decks for plenty of alfresco activity. Cool crowds have been onto this for the last few months, but it’s only now that most of the dining joints are fully operational.

There are five food and beverage outlets open, with more lifestyle establishments planned. Landlord Jurong Town Council (JTC) is hoping to bring in more choice tenants such as a spas, galleries and boutiques sometime “soon” (that’s all JTC would tell us), adding even more drawcards to the mix.

But even with just the restaurants and bars, Rochester Park is a hip and happening place to chill, eat and drink among the beautiful people. What’s unique about Rochester is that patrons are surrounded by colonial architecture. This marks a significant change whereby restaurants and bars are moving back towards embracing our history, our heritage and (shock! horror!) our weather. I-S gets the lowdown on what’s happening at Rochester Park.

No. 1: One Rochester

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This bar was really the first to attract the crowds to the new scene at Rochester Park, and we can see why. A large deck area with plenty of greenery, couches and candles make this a simply fabulous (dah-ling) place to chill out with a group of friends. Upstairs there’s a balcony and more seats, and the crowd is very chi-chi and cool. This is the place that everyone’s heading to and, thankfully, crowd control is good, so your table won’t be surrounded by the vultures waiting for you to get up and go. The flip side of this is that, unless you get there very early, you can expect to wait. Very little standing room allocated. No reservations are taken so once the place is full, you’ll just have to mooch around until space becomes available. Open Mon-Fri 6pm-1am; Sat-Sun 6pm-2am.

No. 2: North Border Bar and Grill

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This is South Western cuisine from Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado, so you know what to expect: Big serves, tangy hot sauces and a friendly casual atmosphere. What you might not expect, however, are the wine room, the subdued and restrained décor of the interior and the gorgeous outdoor decking that has become Rochester Park’s signature architectural feature. They like things hot hot hot at North Border, so be prepared for spice in everything, including the desserts (chili ice cream anyone?). There’s also a retail store selling sauces and other accessories, including its range of Ass Kickin Hot Sauce products. Happy hour is from 3-8pm daily, and there are changing drink specials every day, including free corkage BYO on Wednesdays. Open daily 11:30am-midnight.

No. 3: Da Paolo Bistro Bar

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The latest edition to the Da Paolo group has just had a soft opening. Diners can sample the usual Italian fare they have come to expect from the Da Paolo group, and there are the signature Rochester alfresco seating arrangements, polished floor boards and chilled ambience. Signature dishes have yet to be decided, but we’re expecting lots of antipasti, pizzas, pastas and drinks. Da Paolo Bistro Bar claims to be open Wed-Fri, Sun-Mon noon-2:30pm, 6pm-1am; Sat noon-2:30pm, 6pm-2am—but we suspect that, with the soft launch, they may also be ironing out their hours of operation, so call ahead.

No. 4: Graze

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The latest venture for Hong Kong’s JIA Boutique Hotels is Graze, where contemporary dining, relaxing drinking and a good old barbecue meal all meet. The restaurant has a large outdoor drinking area, with rattan chairs, white cushions and a huge projector backdrop showing old black and white movies. Upstairs there’s the lounge bar, Mint, and inside there’s a modest range of sauces, spices and other culinary concoctions available for purchase. Chef Matthew Lawdorn offers a range of dishes, from barbecue meats to modern Western dishes. Graze’s point of difference, however, is its grazing menu, where the indecisive can order smaller tasting portions to share as they while their time away over a good glass of wine. And don’t miss the oyster shooters. Graze is open Tue-Fri 6:30pm-midnight (last food order 10:15pm); Sat-Sun 9am-3pm, 6:30pm-midnight (last food order 10:15pm); Mint is open Tue-Fri, Sun 6:30pm-1am; Sat 6:30pm-2am.

No. 5: Min Jiang

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Forget the tacky décor and deafening cacophony we’ve come to associate with Chinese restaurants—Min Jiang is taking Chinese dining to a whole new level. And what a refreshing change it makes. The place is decked out with tasteful antiques, sedate colors and a fully stocked bar, as well as a large alfresco dining area. Owned by the folks at Goodwood Park Hotel, this upper mid-range restaurant offers a full page of Chef’s Specials, such as shark’s fin soup with spinach ($45 per person) and Chinese red wine fried rice ($16 for small, $24 for medium), but the one that you cannot miss is the Beijing Duck ($40 for half, $80 for whole). This is perhaps one of the few Chinese restaurants in town where you may want to stick around for a few drinks after your food instead of getting out as quickly as you can to go somewhere nicer. Open daily 11am-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm; Dim Sum High Tea Sat-Sun 3-5pm.

Whatever your preference in food or drinks, Rochester Park offers a unique, tasteful and übercool place to hang out. Check it out before it becomes so popular that you can’t get in.

The Chao Phraya is a marvelous thing, and anyone who isn’t captivated by it—the views, the lights, the boats, the riverside dining opportunities—should have their head examined. If, like us, you never tire of a meal by the river, check out these suggestions.

Samsensoisam

Vibe: Feel like you’re having your own private party in your own lovely garden. And that you’ve acquired a pool table along the way. Find a lot of university students, young office workers and couples here having a good time. The place can be quiet, so it’s a good spot for romance amidst the sounds of mellow pop, jazz, and bossanova. Service here is terrific.

View: The riverside tables win the best view prize. If you’re annoyed by the noise from the passing boats, grab a table inside the adorable house, decorated in a modern white color scheme.

Victuals: They serve nicely styled Thai food, which will cost you a very reasonable B200-300. Try the kai ta-khrai samsen (deep-fried chicken with lemongrass served with spicy sauce, B150), and sii krong muu ob sauce Tokyo (roasted pork rib with Tokyo sauce, B180).

Venue: 10 Soi Samsen Soi 3, Samsen Rd., 02-628-8362. Open daily 5pm-1am.

Baan Klang Nam 2

Vibe: The restaurant has a retro vibe and dark wooden tables and chairs with music comprised of old Thai songs. The now famous Baan Klang Nam 1 has paved the way for Baan Klang Nam 2’s popularity: A lot of loyal customers come here. On weekdays the place is packed with office workers, while weekends see the family crowd. Riverside tables are always occupied, so book ahead if you want one. Attentive waiters are energetic and work fast.

View: Sunset brings a gorgeous view. Across from the restaurant is a lush forest, making you feel like you are sitting in suburbia.

Victuals: Seafood cooked Chinese style is the way to go. Try plaa ka phong tod nam plaa (deep fried white sea bass in fish sauce B500), puu phat phong karii (stir fried crab in curry powder B300).

Venue: 762/7 Chatuchak Market Rama 3 Rd., 02-819-3880/-2. Open daily 11am-10:30pm.

Buri Tara

Vibe: Decorated in a classy black and red theme, with a mix of Balinese and Thai styles. Tables and seats are big and comfortable. Bands take turns playing soft jazz and acoustic music. Wear your most fetching new outfit: everyone here is well-dressed. Service is supreme: the staff is both well trained and well mannered.

View: Surrounded by trees, with the river nearby, the view is quite magical. At night, candles and red lamps are lit, adding to the romantic atmosphere.

Victuals: They serve three different cuisines—Thai, European and Chinese. Try puu lon song khreuang (chopped crab and pork with coconut milk served with vegetables B450), plaa ka phong rad sauce wine kao (white snapper with white wine B450) and paw pia thawd sot sai phak khom kab cheese (deep fried spring roll with baked spinach and cheese B150).

Venue: 762/2 Rama 3 Rd., 02-682-9457-9. Open daily 6pm-1am.

Khin Lom Chom Saphan

Vibe: This casual restaurant is the place to go for university students. But their exuberance doesn’t scare off the large contingent of office workers. Hear live music in the form of pop, acoustic, country and folk. Reservations during weekend evenings are highly recommended.

View: The place is popular for its fabulous view of the Rama 8 bridge stretching over the Chao Praya. The sunset view is perfect and the traffic lights at night create a memorable picture.

Victuals: The kitchen isn’t known for consistency, but we always have good luck with these dishes: miang kung foy (baby shrimp with herbs B90), paa thong ko yad sai (fried wheat pastry B100) and ruam mit talay (mix charcoal grilled seafood B380).

Venue: 11/6 Soi Samsen 3 Samsen Rd., 02-628-8382-3. Open daily 11am-2am.

River Bar

Vibe: This chic restaurant next to the river is a great choice for senior university students and young office workers, as well as couples out on a date. At the bar the DJ plays hip hop and other hits at 9pm, while at the restaurant side live bands play jazz and blues.

View: River Bar is one of the most attractive riverside dining places in town. The restaurant offers a great view of the Sang Hee bridge, the dimming lights of Bangkok and, of course, the Chao Praya. In the moon light, reflections are gorgeous.

Victuals: Choose from a variety of delicious food, including kung sa dung fire (sizzling prawn, B300) and yam sam lao thap (squid, shrimp and oyster spicy salad, B120).

Venue: Soi Chaopraya Siam Rachawitee Rd, 02-879-1747-8. Open daily 5pm-1am. (Take the express boat and get off at Saphan Sang Hee pier.)

To Sit Pier 92

Vibe: This well-known Mediterranean beach style hangout (with lighthouse) looks simple with white plastic tables and chairs. On Friday, the place is filled with office workers, while weekdays see university students and families. The music is Thai pop songs. Staff is nice and service minded.

View: Your best bet for a view is the second floor terrace of the lighthouse.
Victuals: Authentic Thai food includes laap muu tod (deep fried, mince pork salad, B90), and paw pia To Sit (spring roll stuffed with lichee and shrimp, B90). You’ll spend about B250-300.

Venue: 115 Charunsanitwong Soi 92, 02-879-1717. Open daily 5pm-midnight.