The buzz: Perched way out on the edge of Bangkok, Material Concept Bar seems to be the only place in the neighborhood showing off some sophisticated city trends—think industrial hues, a lengthy wine list, fusion food, house and jazz music and the occasional live DJ.

The décor: Bare brick and cement provide the backdrop for the dining area which is furnished with vintage sofas and some lavish items like a glittery deer head and a large ornamental silver frame mounted on the wall. There’s also an open-air space out the front of the main dining room with wooden seating.

The food: Classic appetizers like green salad with deep-fried soft shell crab (B220) and deep-fried mozzarella cheese balls (B170) are fun starters, before you get to the heavier fare like rib eye steak (B480), smoked duck breast with berry sauce (B220) or fish and chips (B220). There are also lighter mains available like the salmon steak served with salad and stir-fried mushroom (B280), as well as Thai options like raw shrimps topped with spicy sauce and wasabi (B140) and grilled pork with jaew sauce.

The drinks: Visit before 9:30pm and take advantage of their buy-one-get-one free promotion on wine and cocktails. Beers (B150-B180) are mostly Belgian like Vedett St. Louis Framboise and Schneider with more imported brands to arrive soon. Draught beer is Singha (B200). Classic cocktails are B180 including the recommended Better Than Sweet (Midori, triple sec, tequila, pineapple and lime, B200) and Blue Arrows (gin, Blue Curacao, triple sec, B200). They also have more than 150 labels of bottled wine (mostly new world), starting from B750.

The crowd: Local residents and groups of office workers in their early 30s. Pieng-or Mongkolkumnuankhet