Cream is the kind of gloomy, old Thai restaurant that somehow manages to channel Europe circa 1960 with its doilies, starched tablecloths, plastic flowers, landscape paintings and windows that seem forever shuttered.

Even though the majority of the customers are tourists (probably from the Peninsula Hotel nearby), Cream’s taste miraculously remains fairly authentic, with the correct ingredients and decent spiciness. The result is a menu where dishes tend to fall near the average line: most are OK, with a few letdowns and some nice surprises thrown in.

The nam pad kratiem tone (stir-fried fermented sausage with marinated garlic, B95) is very pleasant thanks to the sweet crisp onions, fragrant prik haeng (dried chili) and garlic that is both light and aromatic. The khao pad mun gung ped (stir-fried rice with duck meat and holy basil, B70), too, is very comforting. The rice is stir-fried with shrimps’ head fat and chili to balance the greasiness of the duck—tasty! While we thought that the recommended pla muek ob noey (baked squid with butter, B110) would be your typical fusion dish dripping in grease, the squid is actually fresh and baked with a tiny amount of butter. The seafood dipping sauce really brings the dish home, making it a joy for local palates.

As for the failures, you’ve got the yam kai pla duk (spicy salad with catfish roe, B110)—fresh fish roe let down by a flat seasoning. The pla krapong pad prik gluea (fried seabass with chili, B100), too, is very blah. The overly thick flour coating tastes really pedestrian, something out of a street fishballs stall.

Still, the staff are friendly and the prices are unbeatable when you consider the quality of ingredients used. We just wish there was more here to get excited about.

The buzz: This gentlemen “members-only” club turned nightclub promises to be a hotspot, featuring various types of music in an elegant setting with five-star service.

The décor: After being greeted by the cute welcoming committee, you’ll find yourself in a huge black and red lounge with a high ceiling. The DJ booth is in the back, and there’s a big stage located in the middle of the hall, with a long black granite bar on the left. Those who want to sit and chill rather than move and groove, can station themselves either at one of the white glowing glass cubic stools, or on a comfy sofa, while watching motion graphics projected onto the white wall. On the upper floor, a separate bright white room is furnished with leather sofas and table sets, all in white.

The music: The ground floor features live music similar to other Thonglor and Ekkamai spots and you can expect the band to play Thai soft/pop rock music. Also, a DJ throws down all the latest radio hits. Meanwhile, in the white room you’ll hear house and progressive tunes.

Drink prices: Black Label B1,800, Red Label B1,400, mixers B60, beer B200 and cocktails B180-400.

The crowd: Mostly occupied by “young” bachelors wearing shirts without ties. Young, attractive 20 somethings come for the concert nights.

Why you will come back: When you have to take your boss or a prospective client out, and you want a crowd that is more classy than crazy, but still lively, this is your answer.