Wine Connection Nim City Daily (next to Rimping Supermarket), Mahidol Rd., T. Haiya, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200 Tel. 053-201252 Open daily: 10.30 am - 09.30 pm

Wine Connection has been importing and distributing wines to the Thai market for approximately ten years now. Initially established as a French wine specialist, it now imports wines from all over the world. Old world wines from countries including Italy and Spain were sourced first and then came new world wines from New Zealand, Chile, South Africa, etc. Today with nineteen stores in Southeast Asia, Wine Connection has become synonymous with quality wines from around the world.

Their maiden Chiang Mai store is located in Nim City Daily opposite Central Plaza Chiang Mai Airport. There is a decent selection of wines on offer, ranging from standard bottles to respectable premium ones. Certain whiskeys and spirits are also for sale as well as glasses and other wine accessories.

The wholesale market is taken care of by Pierre, who originates from Nantes in North West France, home of the Muscadet. Local fine restaurants and top end hotels are his usual customers but anyone interested in bulk buying is welcome to make contact.

Tam, the store manager, takes care of the retail side of things and is also in charge of the outdoor wine bar. There are two permanent house wines, an Australian Shiraz and Chardonnay that will set you back an amazingly reasonable 80 baht a glass. If you decide to open a bottle, Tam will gladly provide you with free drinking water and peanuts until the last drop has been poured.

Look out for the upcoming wine tasting event and in the meantime pop down and check out the wine of the week.

Wawee Coffee www.wawee.co.th Open daily: 7 am - 11 pm

As the word coffee itself can be traced back to Arabic qahva, a term from qahhwatal-bun or "wine of the bean," this world's dark and robust favourite is currently among the highest grossing global industries, second only to the oil trade. So we see too in Chiang Mai where the number of coffee houses has been mushrooming all over the place in recent years. As an indication of how the habit (don't tell me coffee isn't mildly and delightfully addictive) has taken hold here, is the fact that just one establishment, Wawee Coffee, now has 15 branches located in the Northern capital and beyond.

Step into any one of the three branches mentioned below and you will feel the philosophy of "Deliciousness, Mindfulness," getting to work on you, brought about both by the brick brown coffee decor and the intoxicating odour of the product, as well as the welcoming and friendly service that greets you. Winning a top award at the Barista Championship 2004, Wawee Coffee is guaranteed to provide you with pleasure at every sip of the beverage provided. So whether your favourite tipple is cappuccino, espresso, mocha, latte or even a non-caffeine drink, you're sure to feel that the prices charged are entirely reasonable. And that carries over to the patisserie items too, as any one of Chiang Mai's native coffee bugs or caffeine-hungry tourists will be glad to assure you.

Apart from the aesthetic coffee experience, each cup of coffee drunk ensures that one baht will be donated to the North Coffee Foundation to benefit the disadvantaged in Thai society. Select your favourite branch and have a splendid physical-moral-spiritual experience.

Branches: 1. Nimmanhaemin Rd. (Soi 9), 2. Suriwong Book Center, 3. International Center (IC), CMU, 4. JJ Market, 5. Suandok Hospital, 6. Nimman Promenade, Nimmanhaemin Rd. (Soi 4), 7. Mae Rim, 8. Rimping Branch, 9. Lampang Branch, 10. Ratchadamnoen Rd., 11. Pimantip Golf Club, Wings 41, 12. Soi La Lai Sap, Bangkok, 13. Room#2, 14. Lapas Cafe and 15. Soi Aree, Bangkok.

Hinlay Curry House 8/1 Na Watket Road Open: Mon-Sat 10 am- 9 pm Closed: Sunday Tel: 053-242621

Known as a city for its cultural diversity, Chiang Mai is also famous for the tremendous variety of cuisine found there.

Situated in Northern Thailand, Hinlay Curry House offers you curries from several countries. Hinlay is run by an owner who is an expert in making diverse styles of curry paste - Indian, Burmese, Thai, Indonesian, and Sri Lankan. Because of the homemade curry paste and the imported spices from India, Hinlay is able to serve you dishes with the authentic taste of the curry which comes with steamed rice, yellow rice, spaghetti, or traditional Indian roti of your choice.

One of the highly recommended dishes that you should not miss is Hinlay Pork which is a best seller now. If you want to try the authentic taste of Burmese curry paste, you will not be disappointed. Chicken Tikka Masala, and Mutton Curry are recommended as well. Several vegetarian dishes are also served. One of the best vegetarian dishes is Lentil Dahl Curry which provides the full spice taste in the authentic Indian style.

Now Hinlay also provides European dishes, such as several kinds of steaks, spaghetti, Chicken cordon bleu, Chicken a la cream, and fish and chips.

Located perfectly for people who love to take their meal privately in a garden-like environment, Hinlay is located in the shady front yard area of an old house on Na Watket Road. Parking space is available in the house area.