Phnom Penh restaurants: Hot 3

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Scallops with lemongrass cream at La Residence

In a quest to experience all the culinary delights Phnom Penh has to offer, I recently tried three of the city’s best new restaurants – La Residence, Van’s Restaurant and Chow.

La Residence is a modern French-influenced eatery set in an elegant villa, with a contemporary interior reflecting its cuisine. Van’s is more of a classic French fine dining restaurant, suitably located in an opulent restored colonial mansion in the old French Quarter surrounding Phnom Penh’s post office.

Each is a definite contender for the city’s best restaurant – the food at La Residence is by a Japanese chef with experience working in Michelin star restaurants in Europe. It features modern and interesting flavour fusions (scampi with earl grey tea, scallops with lemongrass cream) and is served with fine attention to detail. Meanwhile, Van’s Gallic fare is hearty and indulgent with rich flavours and sauces (e.g. pepper and coffee crusted steak flambéd in cognac).

An excellent dining experience was had at each, though the atmosphere of each restaurant was vastly different. La Residence had a more formal feel with a multitude of staff at the ready and dining couples speaking in hushed tones, while in contrast Van’s was playing host to a few boisterous groups creating a more relaxed feel. Combined with a more ‘normal’ number of service staff who came by the table just at the right moments Van’s set a slightly more comfortable scene.

And then there’s the new kid on the riverfront, Chow, standing out as an urban, all white, minimalist outpost on a strip of tired old wicker furniture decked establishments. Despite being the restaurant and bar of the FCC-owned boutique hotel The Quay (upstairs from Chow) it’s already looking like a Phnom Penh expat spot to see and be seen.

The menu features an array of tapas-like bites (try the tasty lobster rolls), noodle dishes and heartier mains from all over Asia, at prices a little higher than the Phnom Penh norm (yet suited to a place of its calibre). A 4pm to 8pm happy hour with half price drinks softens the blow of the cocktail list, which features a few innovative drinks like a lavender martini. There’s also a very sleek and chic rooftop bar – it will apparently be only for hotel guests so have a drink there now if you can!

Image via La Residence

A visit to Cambodian artist Chhim Sothy

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Today we had the pleasure of visiting the home and studio of established Cambodian artist Chhim Sothy. After noticing his work at a few exhibitions around town and in local magazine Touchstone we contacted Sothy to ask if we could see more of his art, to which he obliged.

In his late 30s, Sothy has lived, studied and exhibited abroad, which is reflected in his style fusing traditional Cambodian imagery with other influences. Though many of his paintings are celebrations of colour at first glance, some contain hints about Cambodia’s past. Sothy is about to show some of his works at Phnom Penh’s Ocean Restaurant, then is off to exhibit in Jakarta.

I would love to own some of his art as the ultimate Cambodian memento, though sifting through his extensive stacks of paintings makes the decision about which piece to buy a very difficult one!

Image via Saklapel

Bliss by name, bliss by nature

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Bliss Spa Phnom Penh

As a birthday surprise I was fortunate enough to be taken to Street 240’s Bliss Spa for two hours of treatments. First up, a one hour foot massage followed by a one hour facial using products by cult Australian beauty brand Jurlique.

The high ceilinged treatment room was located on the second floor of Bliss’ colonial-era building, and its decor featured their signature green batik fabric. The massage featured more of a Swedish style than the sometimes uncomfortable pressure point variety used in most Phnom Penh foot massages. It blended seamlessly into the facial hour – a blur of scented oils, masks, toners, moisturisers and more.

For the quality of the treatments, professionalism of the staff and gorgeous surrounds the spa menu offered quite good value for money. Hopefully I won’t have to wait until next birthday to visit again.

Welcome!

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Welcome to A Girl in Asia, a blog dedicated to all things lifestyle in Phnom Penh and beyond. From cafes and bars to shops and spas, this blog aims to present reviews with a Cambodia focus mixed with finds from further afield.

As someone with a professional as well as personal interest in writing about lifestyle topics, I aim to present an insider’s view of where to go and what to do in my home city Phnom Penh (and elsewhere in the region), and to also have a fun and informal creative outlet. Read on, feel free to post comments and enjoy!