The Brasserie, Chiang Mai

The Brasserie sits on the eastern side of the Mae Nam Ping river, and is a wonderfully romantic spot, especially if you request a table adjacent the water (get them to light a mosquito coil under the table, a few mosquitoes around).

Lit by colourful lanterns in the trees, it's Chiang Mai at its very best, and much more intimate than the more famous Riverside and Good View which are just 100m up the road.

They have live music nightly, with an acoustic artist playing during dinner, then a couple of acts ramping things up from around 10:30 to about 1 or so (hey, this is Chiang Mai, so approximately, OK!). Took, rated as one of Thailand's best blues guitarists, blazes away nightly with a set of classic stuff from Hendrix, Marley, Dylan.

Open from 4pm onwards ... so it's also great to catch a sunset beer here, too.

Favorite Dish: Crispy duck, fried
Fried fish with spicy salad
sirloin steak - tender and sliced

Our next door neighbour told us about this place, he says he comes here everytime he is in Chiang Mai. Right on the banks of the Ping River, it is very scenic, and the food was pretty good.

We didn't stick around for the music, but I understand the joint really jumps.

Favorite Dish: I don't remember what we actually ordered, but it was oriental, and good.