An evening gown is displayed at Ambre, Khmer designer Romyda Keth's boutique, one of Phnom Penh's major shopping destinations for fashionistas late February 2008. The Cambodian capital may be lesser known than Siem Reap for tourists, but its designer boutiques, colorful markets, art galleries and upscale restaurants are worth visiting.REUTERS/Thin Lei Win
Fri May 16, 2008
PHNOM PENH (Reuters Life!) - Got 48 hours to explore the Phnom Penh? The Cambodian capital's designer boutiques, colorful markets, art galleries and restaurants make for a satisfying shopping weekend.
FRIDAY
7 p.m. - Usher in the weekend with dinner at a European establishment, the elegant Art Cafe (Street 108) which holds regular classical music performances and features a French-German menu. Beautiful artwork by local and international artists adorns the walls and is available for sale.
SATURDAY
9 a.m. - Grab a sandwich from The Deli on Street 178 and rush over to Khmer designer Romyda Keth's "Ambre", the first stop for fashionistas. This two-storey colonial villa on the same street is the place for cocktail dresses, one-of-a-kind office wear or gorgeous wedding gowns. The friendly staff can make adjustments and you can order tailor-made outfits too. There's also a small, equally luxurious men's collection. Cross the Norodom Boulevard for more shops including Reyum Gallery and Silk & Pepper.
11 a.m. - The next stop is Keo (Street 222), home of Cambodia's haute couture king Sylvain Lim. Having worked for Parisian brands including Balmain and Dior, Lim's designs are classic. Browse through the small collection of prototypes from which you can order. For those with time and money, Lim's bespoke haute couture pieces are spectacular. By appointment only.
1.00 p.m. - Hop over to Street 240 for fuel at The Sugar Palm, a relaxed eatery serving local food -- don't miss the eggplant with pork or beef with ginger. The restaurant is also decorated with antiques that you can buy.
2.30 p.m. - Walk down the length of Street 240 and enjoy the shops. Couleurs d'Asie offers unique silk products in big, bold patterns. Next door is Bliss, boasting paisley-print dresses, massive cushions and home spa products as well as a spa with a plunge pool for a break in between the shopping.
Bead enthusiasts should not miss Water Lilly, showcasing Christine Gauthier's whimsical creations. Opening the hundreds of drawers holding the jewelry is an experience in itself. Le Lezard Bleu offers top-notch home decor: think bronze sculptures, dark wood tables. Two more not to be missed boutiques are Song, with its chic resort wear and Jasmine for silk wear.
5.30 p.m. - Relax with a sundowner at the famed FCC on Sisowath Quay -- make sure you face the National Museum if you want to see the sunset. The FCC is also a good place to combine culture with souvenir hunting: there are photo exhibitions with items for sale, T-shirts and other memorabilia.
7.30 p.m. - Dinner at Metro Cafe, a short walk from the FCC. The best way to enjoy the delicious food is to share. The martinis, especially the tamarind and chocolate, are a must-try.
SUNDAY
9 a.m. - The Russian Market can be noisy and busy but it also has lots of good buys and is best early in the morning. Products to take home include shawls, embroidered handbags, woven baskets, paintings and silver jewelry. Don't miss the Tooit Tooit stall inside the market for fun, funky bags and hats, and NYEMO on the outside for colorful soft furnishings and silk handicrafts.
12 p.m. - Lunch at Romdeng on Street 74. Not only will you get delicious, authentic Cambodian food served by former street children, but you can also take the delicious recipes home as the charity organization behind the restaurant published a cookbook.
1.30 p.m. - It may not have the same buzz or variety of stalls, but the art deco Central Market (Psar Thmei) is one of the city's landmarks. The souvenir stalls around the entrance hawking T-shirts and other curios are worth a visit while inside is an interesting combination of shops selling glittering gold and jewelry, electronic goods and second-hand clothes.
2.30 p.m. - For trendy silk outfits, head to Kambuja (Street 110). Local designer Kulikar Sotho specializes in women's clothes, most of which are intricately embroidered.
3.30 p.m. - Take a coffee break, and enjoy some cookies, at the Camory Cookie Boutique on Sisowath Quay, which sells everything from standard chocolate biscuits to more exotic flavors such as palm sugar, sesame and pepper.
4.30 p.m. - If all that commercial activity is starting to irk your conscience, its time to do some shopping that soothes the soul. Artisans d'Angkor on Street 49 is trying to revive traditional craft skills and offers gorgeous silk paintings, stoneware and clothes, Smateria on Street 57 is great for recycled products that are stylish and Rehab Craft on Street 322 offers wood carvings, silk accessories and jewelry made by disadvantaged Cambodians. (Details at www.stay-another-day.org)
6.30 p.m. - End the weekend the way you started it, enjoying and buying art. Java on Sihanouk Boulevard is a well-known art gallery/cafe which also boasts a cozy atmosphere and simple, tasty fare such as pasta and sandwiches.
(Writing by Thin Lei Win, editing by Miral Fahmy)
PHNOM PENH (Reuters Life!) - Got 48 hours to explore the Phnom Penh? The Cambodian capital's designer boutiques, colorful markets, art galleries and restaurants make for a satisfying shopping weekend.
FRIDAY
7 p.m. - Usher in the weekend with dinner at a European establishment, the elegant Art Cafe (Street 108) which holds regular classical music performances and features a French-German menu. Beautiful artwork by local and international artists adorns the walls and is available for sale.
SATURDAY
9 a.m. - Grab a sandwich from The Deli on Street 178 and rush over to Khmer designer Romyda Keth's "Ambre", the first stop for fashionistas. This two-storey colonial villa on the same street is the place for cocktail dresses, one-of-a-kind office wear or gorgeous wedding gowns. The friendly staff can make adjustments and you can order tailor-made outfits too. There's also a small, equally luxurious men's collection. Cross the Norodom Boulevard for more shops including Reyum Gallery and Silk & Pepper.
11 a.m. - The next stop is Keo (Street 222), home of Cambodia's haute couture king Sylvain Lim. Having worked for Parisian brands including Balmain and Dior, Lim's designs are classic. Browse through the small collection of prototypes from which you can order. For those with time and money, Lim's bespoke haute couture pieces are spectacular. By appointment only.
1.00 p.m. - Hop over to Street 240 for fuel at The Sugar Palm, a relaxed eatery serving local food -- don't miss the eggplant with pork or beef with ginger. The restaurant is also decorated with antiques that you can buy.
2.30 p.m. - Walk down the length of Street 240 and enjoy the shops. Couleurs d'Asie offers unique silk products in big, bold patterns. Next door is Bliss, boasting paisley-print dresses, massive cushions and home spa products as well as a spa with a plunge pool for a break in between the shopping.
Bead enthusiasts should not miss Water Lilly, showcasing Christine Gauthier's whimsical creations. Opening the hundreds of drawers holding the jewelry is an experience in itself. Le Lezard Bleu offers top-notch home decor: think bronze sculptures, dark wood tables. Two more not to be missed boutiques are Song, with its chic resort wear and Jasmine for silk wear.
5.30 p.m. - Relax with a sundowner at the famed FCC on Sisowath Quay -- make sure you face the National Museum if you want to see the sunset. The FCC is also a good place to combine culture with souvenir hunting: there are photo exhibitions with items for sale, T-shirts and other memorabilia.
7.30 p.m. - Dinner at Metro Cafe, a short walk from the FCC. The best way to enjoy the delicious food is to share. The martinis, especially the tamarind and chocolate, are a must-try.
SUNDAY
9 a.m. - The Russian Market can be noisy and busy but it also has lots of good buys and is best early in the morning. Products to take home include shawls, embroidered handbags, woven baskets, paintings and silver jewelry. Don't miss the Tooit Tooit stall inside the market for fun, funky bags and hats, and NYEMO on the outside for colorful soft furnishings and silk handicrafts.
12 p.m. - Lunch at Romdeng on Street 74. Not only will you get delicious, authentic Cambodian food served by former street children, but you can also take the delicious recipes home as the charity organization behind the restaurant published a cookbook.
1.30 p.m. - It may not have the same buzz or variety of stalls, but the art deco Central Market (Psar Thmei) is one of the city's landmarks. The souvenir stalls around the entrance hawking T-shirts and other curios are worth a visit while inside is an interesting combination of shops selling glittering gold and jewelry, electronic goods and second-hand clothes.
2.30 p.m. - For trendy silk outfits, head to Kambuja (Street 110). Local designer Kulikar Sotho specializes in women's clothes, most of which are intricately embroidered.
3.30 p.m. - Take a coffee break, and enjoy some cookies, at the Camory Cookie Boutique on Sisowath Quay, which sells everything from standard chocolate biscuits to more exotic flavors such as palm sugar, sesame and pepper.
4.30 p.m. - If all that commercial activity is starting to irk your conscience, its time to do some shopping that soothes the soul. Artisans d'Angkor on Street 49 is trying to revive traditional craft skills and offers gorgeous silk paintings, stoneware and clothes, Smateria on Street 57 is great for recycled products that are stylish and Rehab Craft on Street 322 offers wood carvings, silk accessories and jewelry made by disadvantaged Cambodians. (Details at www.stay-another-day.org)
6.30 p.m. - End the weekend the way you started it, enjoying and buying art. Java on Sihanouk Boulevard is a well-known art gallery/cafe which also boasts a cozy atmosphere and simple, tasty fare such as pasta and sandwiches.
(Writing by Thin Lei Win, editing by Miral Fahmy)
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