The buzz: The claim to fame for Rama 3 Road’s Monopoly Park may have been the Hajime robot restaurant, but with Ciao’s grand opening, that limelight will now have to be shared. Featuring traditional Italian and fusion dishes, Ciao is a classic-meets-contemporary Italian eatery. The wine boutique, pizza bar and counter of imported meats and cheeses out front also provides customers a one-stop shop for having an antipasti or pizza at home.

The decor: With a lounge upstairs and a dining room downstairs, sleek white leather seating, natural stone tile walls and meticulously placed plants, the restaurant feels like a modern home, sophisticated yet casual. In the center, a lone wooden table seats 10, while the front of the restaurant houses shelves lined with wine bottles for sale at the wine boutique.

The food: Despite the modern atmosphere, Chef Sanit’s cooking sticks to tried and tested favorites. The crema di zucca con gamberi e prosciutto crudo (B120) is a cream of pumpkin soup served with prawns covered in parma ham—a good balance between rich and light. The signature pizza, pizza ciao (B350), is garnished with smoked salmon, capers and olives. For some meat, the filleto di manzo la pepe verdi (B590), is an affordable cut of Australian beef with roasted vegetables. End with panna cotta con salsa frutti bosco (B120), a vanilla cream custard with wild berry sauce or the sinfully rich dark chocolate gelato ice cream (B45).

The drinks: The fittingly Italian-heavy wine list is brief and without tasting notes, but ranges from affordable to prohibitive. Wines by the glass range from B100-150.

The crowd: Professionals in the area, half foreigners, half Thai. Sasinipa Wasantapruek