I’m on vacation in Cambodia and thought it would be fun to try a fine dining place while I’m visiting. I just thought I’d share some quick thoughts about the experience.
Ambiance: The place had an interesting vibe. It felt a little confused about what it wanted to be aesthetically. The main artwork was a painting of a woman in a baklava which felt aggressively modern, but then they scattered these little glass beads that were popular in the 1990s on the table. I enjoyed the open feeling of restaurant; it was quite spacious. The lighting was a little dim for my personal preference.
Food: It was really fun trying elevated Cambodian food throughout the evening. Most of the courses were incredibly successful. I especially loved the “duck nam ngov” soup, which was a little sour and had great aromatic flavors. My main gripe would that the scallops weren’t cooked well. I had an herbal tea pairing with the meal, which was something fun and different.
Service: The staff were all amazing. Language barrier issues did pop up twice but a senior staffer would jump in for clarification when needed. Service wasn’t as flawless as other places (e.g., waitstaff timidly asked for permission to clear each plate even if there was nothing left). They were incredibly kind though.
Overall, I’d definitely come back if I return to Siem Reap. It was a fun meal that was far tastier than some of the one star Michelin I’ve been to in the US.
by CalMaple