The restaurant is only a 3 or 4 minute stroll down Sulhumvit Soi 11 from the BTS Nana station. Zanzibar is a lovely renovated 1920's home with an open glass panelled wall that faces the outside dining area in a relaxing garden area.

Patrons enter the restaurant through large glass doors where the first level greets you with egg-shell white painted walls with scarse decorations while the crisp linen table covers almost touch the grey slate floor.

My father joined me to enjoy his last evening before flying home to Australia. We sat next to a window facing the garden, ordered a glass of house red wine and relaxed to the sound of live jazz. As a starter, I suggested the soup. To both our delight the lobster cream, with its lovely rich broth and the Minestrone soup with a medley of mixed vegetables were excellent. I had an appetizer of smoked salmon with tasty crab roll while my dad chose the Japanese-style salad of lettuce, octopus legs, Japanese crab meat, shrimp eggs, Japanese dressing, sesame oil and lemon. The menu has a vein of Italian with more than a dozen pasta and pizza selections, chicken, lamb and some mouth-watering specialties. From the many spicy soups, som tum and deep-fried dishes to the grilled and stir-fried selections, the heart of this restaurant is Thai. We also selected the spicy garoupa, buried in lovely taste-enhancing herbs making each bite of fish simply delicious. We also chose the lamb in citrus mint sauce with roasted vegetables, which was devoured in only moments. My dad couldn't resist the spaghetti with seafood that included shrimp, mussels, squid and snapper in a tomato sauce.

Dessert offers crepe suzette, pana cotta, and banana fritters. The selection of wine offers vintage choice from Italy, France and the New World. There's a good selection of beer, including Bud and Corona, while the list of cocktails never ends.

We found the staff to be quick on their feet and observant. Prices are reasonable with quality imported beef and nice-size portions that make it a very good value.

NOT A MEMBER OF THE VIP CLUB.