Amid the constantly improving Sathorn Soi 10-12, right next door to the buzzing new-American restaurant Bunker, sits this contemporary Thai eatery. On our last visit, at half past nine on a Thursday night, we filled the last table available downstairs. Even the outdoor seats in front of the place were all taken.

What looks like a casual Thai restaurant from the outside actually feels more like a bar. A local live band plays Thai ‘90s pop tunes, while big group tables make just as much noise. But these aren’t university kids downing Johnnie Walker; rather a young-professional Sathorn crowd drinking wine and tucking into a menu that spans drinking snacks to serious curries and chili pastes.

Overall, flavors are decent. The crispy-fried shredded duck breast (B280) makes a nice nibble thanks to its saltiness and crispy-on-the-outside tender meat. We especially like the stir-fried crab meat with chili (B420), which sees punchy lumps of flesh well complemented with the use of garlic, shallots and other herbs and spices.

As you’d expect from a contemporary Thai place, they also offer a few Western dishes as well as Thai-inspired fusion pasta and pizza. As good as it sounds, skip the underwhelming pad kaprao pizza (B360) and go with the green curry pizza (B320) instead, which works surprisingly well with the thin crust and cheese thanks to the creaminess of the curry.

We’re told things are different at Charm when you don’t show up on a Thursday night (Sun-Wed there’s no live band), in which case we can see why some might choose it over Supanniga just around the corner. Prices are similar but here you have stronger flavors and a younger, more easy-going look. Though dishes don’t compete with the delicacy of something like Supanniga’s stir-fried cabbage with fish sauce.

This review took place in December 2016 and is based on a visit to the restaurant without the restaurant's knowledge. For more on BK's review policy, click here.