Tsang is the author and designer of her own book, “Chic Restaurants & Bars Bangkok 2005”, which made its debut at local bookstores earlier this year. The super-stylish tome features chic places to dine and entertain. The restaurants have high-style ambience and a creative atmosphere, perfect for mingling with friends day or night.

Tsang, a graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles and the Art Centre in Pasadena, California, put her passion to work during the five months it took to create her book. As a savvy dining-out expert with an eye for details, she strove to pick places where she could enjoy the design concept.

“Dining is different from eating,” explains Tsang. “In a way, eating is only to fill your stomach. But dining is when you take your time to dine and absorb the atmosphere around you.”

Restaurants in the book include hip, new places like Chi and To Die For in the H1 compound. It also lists handsome, tried-and-true places like Biscotti at the Four Seasons Hotel as well as Eat Me on Silom Soi Convent. The book is divided by location, so readers can find restaurants near them or the neighbourhood they want to visit. The paperback has loads of slick photographs, simple maps and charts with price ranges and amenities, such as bars or live music.

Tsang’s background is in graphics and interior design, but her passion is excellent cuisine. Flipping through old school projects, Tsang says her education comes into good use whenever she dines out, whether for fun or for work.

“I usually look for places with a complete conceptual design,” says Tsang, who also writes for The Magazine, Marie Claire and In Residence magazines. “That usually encompasses everything from colour schemes, to tables and chairs, to the menu. A well-designed restaurant shouldn’t neglect any details. It should come as a whole to complete the total look.”

Tsang says the best designers strive to excel in their jobs. Bangkok’s competitive market also means that designers must distinguish themselves by putting thought behind their designs.

“A good designer is someone with something to say about his or her designs,” she says. “You need to venture into the real world to find the right inspiration.”

Tsang travels for stimulation. She says people with limited time or budgets can go to bookstores or libraries to flip through books for ideas.

“People are increasingly dependent on technology,” she says. “I say, ‘Go back to basics, sit at the drawing board, read as much as you can about all subjects to expand your horizons.’ You need to know a lot to become a well-rounded, successful designer.”

Tsang’s book is available in both Thai and English at leading bookstores. She also has a website, www.chicasia.com, listing her latest finds of chic places to visit.

Sirin Wongpanit

The Nation