Duc De Praslin famous Belgian chocolates and pralines are now available at moderate prices on the ground floor of the Royal Garden Plaza. All the goodies with real Belgian "Callebaut" chocolate are produced in Bangkok by the Graindorge Family. Watch for special items to come for Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day. You’ll be glad you did it!

L’ Opera Bangkok just opened another branch in the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate. The location is conveniently situated in the commercial complex of the Estate. A great selection of home made pastas, ice cream and pizza. Open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., Sundays closed. For more information call 955 124.

Do you know the place where every meal is a show? Right, it is located at the Royal Garden Plaza and its called Benihana, the slightly different Japanese Restaurant! Be amazed with the chef’s skills as he flips food, juggles knives and creates the most magnificent food at the same time. For reservations call 412 120-3.

Pinewood Condo hosts a traditional German Grill Party every Friday starting at 7:00 p.m., with an extensive range of homemade German sausages, salads, fish and steaks. All for only 155 Baht per person. New is the special Thai buffet for the same price. Daily Happy Hour from 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.! For reservations call Udo at 361 403-8.

Hefty, deftly food at Butcher Hans Pub, located at Sunee Plaza. Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. special price: 250 baht net instead of the normal price of 360 baht. This magnificent "Butcher’s Meal" is prepared by the master himself and contains Kassler, Smoked Pork Belly, Sausages, Sauerkraut, yellow potatoes and farmer bread. Hurry up and grab your portion!

Throughout January and February is Strawberry Season at the Amari Orchid Resort. Chef Lehmann prepares not only the usual creations but also lots of his own.

The Camillo Restaurant at the Siam Bayshore Hotel is offering a special promotional menu: "A Passion For Pastas" for an undetermined time of no less than 2 months. 10 different pasta dishes are on the menu, starting app. at 75 Baht (appetizer), main course at 150 Baht. Call 428 678.

O’ Henry’s Restaurant located at the Flamingo Hotel next to the former Day & Night Department Store on South Pattaya Road, now has live entertainment three times a week (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) featuring solo guitarist Dalton O’Sullivan from San Francisco, California. Dalton has taught and performed solo-instrumental guitar for over 20 years. His specialties are Spanish and South American music and a CD recording is currently in the works. It’s great music and very enjoyable to listen to while enjoying excellent food at the restaurant. For reservations call 427 161-3.

There is a rumor going around that the Soulhouse Band, playing daily at the Moon River Pub, will soon feature an additional singer. We heard he is terrific!

S. S. Sausage Co., Ltd. (Belucky), located at 157/38 Naklua Road, is always having very special offers. New: English Sausage, 1 kg for Baht 125, Zurich Pate, 1 kg for Baht 125, and Schblic Sausage, 1 kg for 145. Still on sale is 1 l fresh orange juice for 65 baht and 1 l fresh pineapple juice for only 35 baht. They also have 11/2 l bottles of pineapple and orange juice concentrate (makes 6 l juice) for 210 baht. For more information call Khun Somchai, tel. 422 904.

U&J Mart "The Price Cutter", with 2 locations in Pattaya (Sukhumvit Rd and Naklua Rd.), Ban Bung, Bangkok & 2 locations in Chonburi has, besides their 1,200 permanently low priced items, other very special offers while stocks last. Right now: 12" Fan TW 31 for only 299 baht, and Organic Conditioner, 200 cc for 39.75.

You need a very special gift? Go and take a look at the Benjarong Shop in the Ambience Hotel in Pattayaland 3, where you’ll find the most impressive and beautiful articles. For more information call 424099 or 425 145.