AsiaLIFE

A new creperie and a fresh look for Selantra ...

BLACK WHEAT
A chic new entrée on the Siem Reap food scene is Black Wheat, a contemporary take on the traditional French creperie. Made from the traditional buckwheat, the savoury crepes (US$4.50 to $8) are filled with delicious offerings such as merguez sausage, black pudding with apples, moussaka, reblochon, rum sautéed scallops with raspberry, squid, salmon, spinach and mushroom with nutmeg béchamel, and cauliflower cheese. A short wine list of very reliable and well-priced wines to match the crepes, is rounded off with the traditional Breton cider. At US$2, the beer is a little expensive as are the deserts. Stylish and smart, the new outlet is a different offering in this crowded and often repetitive market. The crepes really are delicious and filling. Reviews from individual diners have so far been universally enthusiastic.

Black Wheat is between Pub Street and The Alleyway, Siem Reap.

SELANTRA
Continuing on the contemporary theme, Selantra opened its doors several months ago, but seemed to run up against some teething problems. Our visit at the time was very disappointed, but a recent re-visit was much more satisfying. Khoy Dara, 24, formerly of the Hotel de la Paix, is the proprietor of the restaurant on Wat Bo Road, which fuses Southeast Asian décor and artwork with a Mediterranean architectural style creating a strong visual brand. This blend is reflected in the Euro-Asian menu. Summery dishes dominate the starters menu, including a seafood broth, gazpacho, spring rolls and salads. The mains include staples such as stir-fried chicken with holy basil, fettuccini, linguine and fried chicken with a thyme sauce, as well as a more fun blue shrimp with caramel sauce. The highlight is the reasonably priced Brazilian steak at US$10. An extensive cocktail list is available, and the wine list is thoughtfully separated into different styles.

Selantra, Wat Bo Road, Siem Reap.