Things
are Heating Up in Phnom Penh
Weather-wise at least, the city is starting to really
heat up. As temperatures reach the mid-30s the tourists
are starting to drop off. As are some of the local bar
operators. The new operators of SOHO2 have returned
to the British Isles for six months and currently the
bookies are taking bets as to whether or not there will
be an operation to return to after that long absence.
On the Riverfront,
The Jungle Bar has changed hands and
similarly, the new owner has returned to his homeland
for several months. The "Buy It and Run" pro
forma seems to be in vogue these days. One who didn't
run is the former owner of the K Bar who has now taken
the GYM Bar and turned it into a first rate Sports Bar
with all the requisite accoutrements. Slate Pool table,
lots of TVs, good food and cold beer all aimed at the
Sport aficionado ...... Should do well.
The well established
Walkabout Hotel is this month's recipient
of the Bamboozler's 'Good, Bad and Ugly' award. The
Bad is that I failed to win last weeks Joker Draw and
the Good is that the Jackpot is now over US$ 8100 with
only 5 cards left ! No doubt this Friday will be a zoo
of activity as we all elbow our way in to have a flyer
on the El Gordo. We even have punters coming in from
Vietnam just to play the action.
Now the 'Ugly' bit is that the Walkabout has lost both
its long time Farang managers. Cleve has uprooted himself
and family to return to the smog and drizzle of London
with a new career, while Bill the Night Manager for
the past 3 1/2 years, has decided to retire. Having
a social one with him a few nights ago, he explained
that although he really missed the place and all his
mates over the years, he really needed to look after
himself and his health a bit better. Way too many all
night shifts along with several hundred cases of red
wine have taken their toll. I must say he looked much
better and we all wish him the best for the future.
Neither of these fine chaps will be easy to replace.
BREAKING NEWS.........
Friday night saw a corpulent Welshman finally win the
Joker Jackpot and he is more now US$8100 richer. Guess
I'd best keep my day job.
Phnom Penh has a great
reputation for being a gastronome’s delight, but
this edition I will concentrate on the fare more suited
to True Trenchermen. The BBQ or Bar B Que, depending
on one's origins. Lanzi, the owner of Dan Meats
is responsible for the majority of fine meat cuts gracing
most of these beds of coals and is often present himself
to lend a capable hand and imbibe a few cold ones.
Sharky Bar: 1st Sunday
of the month 5pm-9pm Free Angkor draft $7, all you can
eat.
Shanghai Bar: 2nd Saturday
7-9pm Free Angkor Draft $7.50 all you can consume.
Billabong: Every Sunday
afternoon, Auzzie style, specialities and $$ varies.
Elephant Bar: (Le Raffles
Hotel) Every Friday night, pricey but great.
Flamingos Hotel: Every
Saturday night, small, value priced, great views from
the rooftop, $1 draft beer.
It is HIGHLY recommended
that you get to all these venues early as they often
sell out. In addition, Shanghai has a Paella night on
the 3rd Saturday of the month and Sharky's has a Pasta
night planned as well.
For those that prefer
more of a party atmosphere, 'Elsewhere'
has a large outdoor party around the pool the 1st Friday
of the month. Well over 200 attended the last one and
rocked the night away to two live Brit DJs. Very relaxed
atmosphere.
New Bar of
the month is Pancho Villa on 108 Street, a
couple of doors from the Rendezvous on the Riverfront.
It just opened this month and is run by a couple of
good guys, Randy and Andy. The claim to fame is that
they are open from 10am and serve great TexMex food.
The 'Pulled Pork on a Bun' is fantastic. They advertise
'Stiff Drinks' and 'Cheap Prices'. Works for me.
While we are talking
'Cheap Prices', the Flamingos Hotel
on 172 St at 51 St (across from the Shanghai Bar) is
offering some great deals. Stay a week and get 10% off
the room rate, stay two weeks and get 20% off. This
new Boutique Hotel sat right in the middle of the late
night action will even get you a room for a month for
$400, throw in free breakfast every day and provide
you transport from the airport to avoid the taxi mafia.
Check it out www.flamingos.com.kh
Off on a more diverse
tangent, some will be interested to know that there
are two Golf Courses near the Capitol.
Some mates have played both of them and while not up
to Thai standards, certainly are playable. Be warned
that as we are now reaching the height of the dry season
(read drought ....... I haven't seen even a sprinkle
of rain in 3 months) and the greens can only be described
as slightly harder than concrete! One chap described
how his approach shot hit the green fairly and then
bounced 40 feet in the air, careening back onto the
fairway. Unique for sure, as is playing the courses.
For more info contact the Flamingos Hotel.
Latest news
has a new Irish Restaurant Pub opening
on 'The Strip' between Heart of Darkness and Howie's
Bar. More on that, and more happenings in the next report.
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