The buzz: Blue Velvet is the latest in a string of ultra-hip restaurants by the same group of friends who launched Extra Virgin and Café Chilli. Just off Thonglor’s main drag, it’s not only an imitation of a chic medieval castle but is becoming a bastion of interesting fusion food, strong cocktails and, after 10pm, eclectic dance music.

The décor: The moat-and-drawbridge façade leads into a dimly-lit, low-ceilinged, brick-and-stone interior with lots of rugs, dark furniture and, you guessed it, blue velvet drapes and couches. The inspiration, we’re told, comes from Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet, which explains the stylish anachronisms such as the ceiling sculpture made of light bulbs, and the dek naew haircuts of some of the waiting staff. The two smoking rooms (a greeting-the-kingdom balcony upstairs, and a colonial-style verandah out back with black wicker furniture) make one want to take up the habit.

The food: The menu, thankfully, is not medieval. Self-taught chef, Chalee, a friend of the owners, combines Thai, Japanese and Western tastes. We are heartened by the relative brevity of the menu and expect it means everything is carefully made; though the sake clam soup (B150), spaghetti larb calamari (B280) and chicken green curry lasagna (B250) are particularly intriguing recommendations.

The drinks: In addition to wines, beers and hard liquor, the cocktail menu showcases some house-adapted recipes. The Apple Beyotch (B270) is a high quality apple smoothie spiked with Bombay Sapphire. Named after one of the owners, the Bloody Rikki (B240) packs an extra spicy punch.

The crowd: Hi-so young ladies with immaculate hair and bold accessories, and their gentlemen escorts. After 10pm, the crowd heads upstairs for the DJ of the night. Mrigaa Sethi

105/2 Thonglor Soi 5, Sukhumvit 55, 02-392-1769. Open daily 6pm-1am.