I must admit that I am quite forgetful about what I have written. Each time I start writing a column for the Nation I have to look back at what I have written. This weekend’s column is no different from any other. I am not sure if I have told you that I live at a riverside condominium called River Villa’ which is in Nonthaburi on the Bangkok side of the river.

       I bought the house before I moved my office closer to where I am living and since then I have been searching for places to eat near my home and office. My offce is five minutes from my home on Rattanathibeth Road near Jusco and there are quite a few eateries within a five kilometer radious. Starting with the ones closest to the offce on Rattanatibeth and Ngam Wong Wan road there is a Chinese restaurant called Nom Sod Restaurant. The word Nom Sod means fresh milk and the place sells fresh milk from the King’s project as well as a separate restaurant next to it.

       This place is right at the Ngam Wong Wan intersection at the bus stop. Going down the road towards Rama III bridge on Rattanatibeth road opposite Jusco there is Isaan food that is very popular and doing a thriving business call Gai Yang Nithaya. I already wrote about the braised duck and goose place on Chaeng Wattana Road and today I want you to follow me down Chaeng Wattana road towards Pak Kled intersection and turn right. Follow the road out of town for about 2 kilometers and on the left handside of the road there is a sign for Lanthong Housing project. Turn left into the project and follow the sign which says Sunee Pla Kung. After a right turn and another right you will find this very pleasant restaurant on your left at the end of the Soi.

       Sunee is the name of the owner and her husband is the chef. Pla in Thai means fish and Kung is the name of the fish. This restaurant specialize in good old Thai food which uses the freshest seafood available. There are all kinds of fish on the menu here. There is an air-conditioned room for those that do not like the heat.

       But the open air space is very bright and airy. Don’t rush to order right away, order some beer and order some deepfried tiny fish called Pla Sew Dad Diew ( sundried Sew fish) to munch on as an appetiser. It is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and you can eat the whole thing. Dip it in a little chili sauce if you like Thai hot chili sauce (Sriraja). Then order the many salads (yum) that they have there.

       I recommend a wild mushroom salad called “Yum Hed Kone” it reminds me of Italian mushroom salad but spicier.Is you don’t want it too hot just tell them that you are a farang but these days I am happy to say that there are many Farangs that can eat really hot food.

       There is also a crispy fired fish skin salad that is quite exciting for your palate because every mouthful you will experience many different taste sensations crispiness, sourness, sweetness and chewiness.If the thought of this dish turns you off then try something more traditional like slices of fish poached and topped with garlic oil and eaten with a dipping sauce. This dish is fresh and refreshing. Their salted fish fried rice is also not bad. If you like pasta with anchovy oil and garlic you will indeed love this dish. There is the usual Tom Yum Kung which is always good and Mee Krob served with crispy Chinese broccoli stems. A twist on an ancient recipe.

       If you like fresh water prawns that we Thais are famous for then this place is where you should have it.. They grill it fresh and just to the point of perfection. Not over cooked and still have the flesh slightly pink. That’s the way it should be cooked and eaten. The meat will be sweet and not too tough.

       And for those that want to eat some meat you should try their beef steak which is done the style of the old chinese cooks that use to cook in big restaurants in the olden days. It is fried and then a sauce is made and poured over it. The sauce, interestingly enough, is a cross between your ketsup and A One steak sauce. It is very interesting and it reminds me of my youth.

       There are many interesting dishes here and the most important thing about Sunee Pla Kung is that everything is very fresh. The restaurant is hard to find and I am not sure if they speak English but you could ask your Thai friends to take you are have your driver or made take you there.

       You can call them at 583-1520 or584-6407. Try to find this place and it is worth a trip.