A winter respite-at lightning speed in Thailand

Delicious Thai food: achiote chicken. [Photo/China Daily]

The next stop on our itinerary is Central Childlom, another shopping center, in which chic Thai designer brands and are set to delight any visitors in the Thaithai Zone on the second floor. The shopping area of more than 68,000 square meters is also rich in the latest imported fashions, beauty and cosmetics, jewelry, home decor, gifts and Thai-Asian handicrafts.

But the most impressive spot is near Central Childlom－particularly for us now that it is dinner time－is the restaurant Water Library, where classic yet innovative French food is offered in elegant surroundings, at a low price compared with its counterparts in China.

The restaurant's offerings show great respect for French cooking, but also add a creative Thai and Asian twist.

For example, its version of beef tartare, a classic French brasserie dish, has a touch of Asian taste with ponzu, a slightly spicy Japanese sauce made from soy sauce, lime juice, vinegar and fish flakes.