COCONUTS HOT SPOTS — There’s no denying it: a trip to Asiatique qualifies as an outing. The mall’s relative remove from the center of Bangkok means that in order to go out there, one must commit to a full night of entertainment. Fortunately, a newly revamped riverside restaurant called Happy Fish provides the perfect place to settle in.
Although Happy Fish has been open for nearly a year, its partners have recently made a few improvements, breathing fresh life into the establishment. Trying to cram multiple identities within the same eatery is often a recipe for disaster, but Happy Fish somehow pulls it off. It’s a trendy bar, a family dinner spot and a place to catch some good live music.
A menu packed with simple Western comfort food and staple Thai food is the backbone of the eatery, although the ample selection of booze certainly wins the hearts of the trendy Thais and farang tourists who frequent the spot. The simple yet diverse approach to food seems to work. You can order some baby back ribs slathered in real barbeque sauce and accompany them with a Budweiser. Or select the seafood linguine and opt for one of the rotating wine specials. The sea life motif painted on the walls, the friendly menu and the location mean that Happy Fish can provide adequate entertainment for a wide variety of patrons. Upon first visiting, you many even think Happy Fish is a family oriented chain restaurant along the lines of Bubba Gump Shrimp Company or Chili’s Bar and Grill.
If you’re after a quiet dinner at Happy Fish, then it’s best to sit outside and enjoy the river breeze, because the inside of the restaurant can adopt a pub-like atmosphere. The likes of Hennessy, Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve and Ketel One help conjure this rambunctious air, as does the beer selection, which includes the usual domestics along with Budweiser and Hoegaarden.
FIND IT:
Happy Fish
Asiatique The Riverfront
BTS Sapan Taksin
Continue to Asiatique by free ferry service
Photo: Cole Pennington
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