Many folks will remember Dang Fantastic from the days of the Amari Rincome, where he played in the lobby for years. He is an affable, accomplished and talented musician, probably one of the best of his kind in Thailand, has performed for members of the Thai royal family, and regularly plays at big name venues in Bangkok.

I had lost track of him and recently discovered he opened a restaurant in Chiang Mai and went there for dinner. I'd expected a big garden with stage etc., and curiously found the exact opposite - a hole in the wall with about 25 seats, just off the Superhighway, on Photaram Road. This is quite an extraordinary place - the waiters turned into performers around 7.30pm, and with Dang in charge, this tiny little place was soon throbbing with superb sounds, with all of us tapping feet and clapping hands.

The menu is all in Thai - not a problem as good advice was given - and the Thai food was really very good. Mostly Thai customers, just one other farang present who'd apparently discovered it passing by. I suspect not many expats know about it? This is not an elegant place - far from it, it's simple and quite basic - certainly not a place to take your VIP guests, unless they enjoy an unpretentious 'local' ambiance

However, if you want to listen to good music, and enjoy Thai food, this is worth a visit in my opinion, especially with a group of like-minded friends.Our dinner for two with soft drinks was Baht 550. It's open every evening, but since Dang is often absent playing elsewhere, best to check he'll be playing if you decide to go, and book a table.

If this sounds appealing - Baan Khun Dang, 109/6 Moo 2 Photaram Road, just off Superhighway, opposite the Esso petrol station, at the entrance of the soi to Lanna Commercial College. Tel 086-587-4960

Good review, and thanks!

good news to hear that he's still around, wasn't one of his daughters also playing sometimes at the Amari Rincome ?

He helped make it our favourite lunch-venue ... sadly missed now.

Glad to hear that Dang the Fantastic is still around. It is probably some 20 years since I last heard him play. I will try to stop by his new place next month while I am in-country.

I have been lucky enough to trip over Dang's place. Been there a few times now - never disappointed - some nights the music really gets going! Great musicians, and wonderful vibe in the place.

Glad to hear that Dang the Fantastic is still around. It is probably some 20 years since I last heard him play. I will try to stop by his new place next month while I am in-country.

I too, am glad to hear that he is still around. You and I must have been hanging around the same places about 20 years ago.

I remember when he had the courtyard place in front of the Top North Hotel, next to the old Dominos.

Some great nights there...... had some sit ins and a guy nick -name George Washington, cuz he had a white pony tail would play sax. In Chiang Mai , with a name like George Washington, of course he had to be a Brit. Another old guy was a wanna be drummer with a katoey partner, always wanted to bang the drums.....Seems that everyone wanted to play the song they wanted to play and always at the same time...... Really it came out good as well as pretty funny.....

Ahhhh the good old days by the old Bar Beer Center, before anything on Loi Kroih

This place sounds like fun. Is it 18.809123,98.973994 (paste the numbers in google maps)?

Please confirm.

Thanks.

This place sounds like fun. Is it 18.809123,98.973994 (paste the numbers in google maps)?

Please confirm.

Thanks.

Pewe, you are correct, thanks for the co-ordinates. Must confess I have since been back for more, and this time measured the distance from the old Amari Rincome intersection (passing the Grandview Hotel on the right and Tarin Hotel on the left) to the Soi Photaram entance at 0.9 kms.

See the attached image - the big green sign for Sukhumvit Asset Management is very prominent. I have arrowed the restaurant - there is a little seating area outside where you see the umbrellas. Enjoy.