Kratie
Eat and meet
Kratie
The only notable restaurant in town that's not attached to a guesthouse is Red Sun Falling, established in 2003. Run by eccentric Joe from Chicago, a former bookstore manager, the restaurant has an interesting library as well as some good food. Joe bakes one dessert daily, usually a cake or a tart of some kind. There's also a daily special and the lentil stew with pork meatballs we tried was outstanding, though our co-diners were disappointed by the regular menu fare. Joe's a great source of advice and his stories are endless. What expat community there is in Kratie seems to convene here.One of the best Khmer restaurants in town, according to locals as well as personal experience, doesn't have a sign in English script, but it's across from the only gas station in town, about a block northeast of You Hong I, to the left of the Department of Cults and Religion office. It looks like a typical roadside Khmer restaurant, with high-backed wooden chairs and TVs blasting Khmer comedy, but the food is exceptional. Try the Mekong Fish with ginger; it's fantastic.
Another popular Khmer restaurant is the one attached to Heng Heng I guesthouse, across the street from You Hong II, facing the river. We didn't try it, but it's large, has a comprehensive menu, and is always packed with Cambodians -- usually a good sign.
The guesthouses all have their own restaurants, too. Balcony's pasta specials all sounded scrumptious, particularly the homemade pesto with freshly-baked bread. The best part is that the restaurant is situated on a lovely, second-floor veranda. Star is also known to have good food -- its desserts are particularly notable and made fresh daily. We tried the brownie sundae late at night, and it still tasted soft, fresh and delicious. You Hong's food is uninspired but fine.
