Rustica Pizza Punna Place, Nimmanhaeminda Rd. Tel. 080-122-1514 Open: Mon - Sat 4 pm - 10 pm

There's something nicely refreshing about going out to eat at a restaurant where you know exactly what you're going to get. Not in the sense that you have a favorite dish in mind, rather to a place that concentrates on a particular cuisine. Pizzas are aplenty in Chiang Mai, some boasting the use of wood-fired ovens, others claiming to be authentic Italian. Rustica makes no such claims, and simply came about from wanting to have a place where foreigners could go to that had a familiar-tasting pizza; somewhere that served pizzas that tasted like they do in most pizza joints back home.

Having spent weeks trying to create the perfect pizza it was discovered that the use of a slow fermentation technique with top grade, Italian double-O fine grade flour cooked in an oven at 440 C produced a crust that was crunchy to the bite with a tender centre. The toppings came next, and on the focused menu can be found a well-thought-out mix of original ideas with some indispensable favorites.

All pizzas are 12 inches and average around 240 baht, and the modest wine list affords ample choice. Artichoke Hearts and Sundried Tomatoes; The Rustica, made up of premium pepperoni, artichoke hearts and freshly crushed garlic; and the Ham & Wild Mushroom, with deli ham and imported wild porcini mushrooms are a sample of what's on offer. And for the adventurous the Northern Thai sausage (Sai Uer) with mashed potato pizza is an innovative creation surprisingly popular with regulars. On Fridays and Saturdays the Party Special is a superb promotion where any three pizzas plus a liter of wine is offered for 1,190 baht; a perfect opportunity to give Rustica a thorough investigation.

Playhouse Entertainment Complex Chang Pueak Rd. (Behind Tops Supermarket) Tel. 053-410-671-5

At the beginning of November Chiang Mai's local performing artists let out a collective cheer as at last they had somewhere to showcase their talents. The Playhouse Entertainment Complex was opened, where twice nightly (8 pm and 10 pm) an hour long show of sequin-clad dancers and (lip) singers display their characteristically Thai traits of beauty, poise, suppleness, and strength and their renowned artistic flair in a cabaret performance with a difference.

Of course the show, Sequins and Dance, is the star attraction of The Playhouse whilst the beautifully-renovated 350-seat theatre is a wonderful addition to Chiang Mai's entertainment venues. However The Stage Bar is the centre of attention this month, a truly top class venue in its own right. Luxurious outdoor seating, an elegant bar and an impressive wine list made up of affordable old and new world wines, draft beer, and a host of special cocktails combine to create a fabulous chic new hangout for the local community. As you would expect from a place focused on entertainment, live bands are employed to fill the night air with easy listening melodies and velvety sounds.

You could easily wile away an evening here enjoying the musical talent and the "really special drinks" such as the Apple Mojito made up of Captain Morgan's Rum, lime juice, sour apple juice, soda and fresh mint. And those that come for the show will find The Stage Bar a very pleasant surprise, doubtless staying for a cocktail or two afterwards. The Chiang Mai Surprise and Playhouse Colada are other interesting beverages to try out, guaranteed to put you in the mood for a fun-filled energetic performance at The Playhouse.