The buzz: Avani Riverside Hotel's 26th-floor rooftop restaurant has transformed into the third global outpost of Portuguese celebrity chef Olivier Da Costa's Seen Restaurant and Bar, which can also be found in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Lisbon, Portugal.

The decor: Like its predecessor, Attitude, the bar-restaurant shares the top floor with a swimming pool, which helps maximize the impressive river view. Inside you're greeted by a palate that’s big on black and gold, bold geometric motifs that give the place a ritzy ‘80s vibe and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out on the city. The occasional bamboo flourish helps bring things back down to earth. For more privacy, there’s an upper-floor terrace where you can catch the breeze.

The food: The menu is devised by chef Da Costa, who’s got six restaurant brands around the world. For drinking snacks, order the Beetroot Carpaccio (B490) topped with caramel macadamias for a nice combination of sweet and savory or the giant Seen Taco (B620), which comes stuffed with Alaskan crab meat and salmon, and bursts with the freshness of pomegranate, mango and guacamole. For something with even more heft, try the sliced wagyu (B1,390 for 250g) served with a zinging Mexican-style sauce.

The drinks: The nine signature cocktails all pack playful Asian twists. We can see the Don’t Call Me Mr. Mule (B400), with its lemongrass-infused vodka, homemade ginger beer, galangal and kaffir lime syrup, becoming a firm after-work hit. If you like a refreshing citrusy cocktail, the Forbidden River (B400) packed with coriander-infused soju and yuzu is for you. In need of a pick-me-up? Make it a Seen Cafe Latte (B400), a mug filled with rum and coffee-infused port wine.

The music: Scottie B, formerly of Ministry of Sound London, is now the resident DJ and is responsible for upbeat house sets long into the night.

The crowd: Riverside after-workers and young couples on a fancy date.

Why we’d come back: There’s no beating those views, while the fresh and exciting menu is not something you always associate with Bangkok’s many rooftop bars.