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Published on October 7, 2007

If you happen to be wandering around Sukhumvit and you find yourself a bit thirsty, why not drop by Ozono and enjoy a glass of wine at Dhanesha's, a wine bar that Ozono owner Dhanesha opened a few months ago.

Ozono, which has a bank, restaurants and beauty parlour, as well as a dog-park and dog and cat boutique, is pet-friendly. You can bring your doggie (or kitty) anywhere in the complex, and Dhanesha's is no different. Your pet is perfectly welcome inside the tiny wine bar, which seats around 12.

Dhanesha has "populated" the place with all sorts of statues of elephants, which, after dogs and cats, are his favourite animals. "Everything," he emphasises, "is for sale." One glance at the saucy papier-mache snakes, and you'll end up taking some of them home too.

Dhanesha has brought in a range of wines. The house wines, by the glass, range from Bt195 to Bt220, and by the carafe, from Bt550 to Bt650.

Sangria, either white or red, is Bt380 by the carafe.

Being health conscious, however, he also offers a wide range of coffees, teas and fruit juices as well as hot and cold drinks. Tea-lovers should enjoy his "Taj tea", which comes straight from India.

On a board outside, Dhanesha's offers a few dishes, simple noshes, again with a healthful twist. What goes on the board just depends on what happens to be in the fridge that day - mushrooms, carrots, peas. Dhanesha himself is the cook, and his salad dressings have a Japanese sesame flavour that complement the salads very well, a different approach to the snacks you enjoy with your wine.

A glass of wine, your favourite pooch, and a relaxing ambience - no other wine bar in Bangkok can offer that much.

Laurie Rosenthal

The Nation