The Basil

Shop No 5, Level 13, Langham Place, Mongkok

Tel: 3542 5725

Open: 11am-11pm

Cuisine: Thai fusion.

Ambience: Located on the relatively small 13th floor of a giant mall, the Basil has pale wood furniture and decor. The tables are set well apart, so it's a comfortable place to dine.

Price: About $200 per person for a satisfying meal, including a drink and service charge.

Pros: The waiters are friendly and helpful, and the food is good, especially the desserts. For great people-watching, sit next to the French window, which overlooks the interior of the mall and the streets nearby.

Cons: The restaurant is often fully booked for dinner at the weekend, so if you want to eat at a specific time, reserve a table at least one day ahead, or you'll have to queue. Recommended dishes: The salmon and turnip rolls ($45, left) are well-presented. The raw salmon, wrapped in thinly sliced turnip, is served with a green, spicy-sweet chilli dip, which makes the dish refreshing and great for the summer. The Basil Sampler ($78, above) has five appetisers: satay rolls; Thai prawn cakes; mushroom and minced pork rolls; soft shell crab and avocado rolls; and the Basil 'gold purse'. The last one is chicken and asparagus in shrimp mousse, which is encased in a thin crepe. The satay has tender, succulent meat, and we enjoyed the gold purse.

The white chocolate semifreddo with Thai honey lime sorbet ($35) is an indulgent end to the meal. The semifreddo is a large, creamy half-frozen (hence its name) slab of white chocolate mousse. The tart, refreshing sorbet is a good contrast.

Anything else? The Basil is part of the group that runs Thai Basil in Pacific Place.