Sen Monorom
Eat and meet
Sen Monorom
Sen Monorom is not famed across Cambodia for its vibrant nightlife -- mainly because this sleepy, little town has no nightlife whatsoever save for occasional expats drinking at one of only a few restaurants in town. There are a couple of Khmer restaurants on the main road leading towards the airstrip that all resemble each other but aside from that you're left with your guesthouse restaurant. Sen Monorom goes to bed very early.Green House Restaurant and Bar is located right near the bus stop, and is essentially the only real backpacker hangout in town with any steady clientele. There are two main reasons for its draw. One, it has bamboo floors, rattan walls, and low ceilings covered in palm fronds. There's a small bar and Western music always playing. In short, it has the ambiance that appeals to foreigners, whereas most other places right in town are more Khmer oriented, with cold tile floors and stiff, upright wooden or plastic chairs. Secondly, it's the only place in town that has internet. There's one computer that sits in the corner. It costs $2 per hour and moves along at a decent speed. The food is tasty, and includes popular Cambodian dishes like Khmer curry, amok, tom yam (Thai) soup, as well as Western dishes like steak and French fries.
The Middle of Somewhere, owned by Jack Highwood, the director of an elephant sanctuary (http://elie-cambodia.org/), runs this cafe next to Green House. It serves primarily drinks and snacks, but serves as a makeshift travel agency, organizing elephant treks with Jack's refuge, which are about $50 for a full-day trip. The shop also sells an array of handmade Phnong crafts. Bananas restaurant, located on a patio behind the bamboo hut where Middle of Somewhere is housed, serves full meals.
Khmer Kitchen, also within eyesight of the bus stop on the same road, is a nice compromise between a Khmer- and Western-oriented restaurant. The ambiance, long tables under a metal awning, is so-so. But the food is great and well-priced. Its all-inclusive breakfast combo -- eggs, toast, and coffee -- for $2, is a steal. The restaurant's main attraction is its Khmer BBQ. You can choose fish, chicken, or beef. A one-person platter, with salad, marinated meats, and rice, is $5 while a two-person platter, which is plenty of food for three, costs $8.
Green House Restaurant & Bar: T: (017) 905 659. Open 06:30 a.m. to 23:00 p.m. http://www.thewaytomondulkiri.com
Khmer Kitchen: T: (092) 963 243. Open 06:00 a.m. to 22:00 p.m.
The Middle of Somewhere: T: (012) 161 3833
