March 25th, 2006 | The lowdown by Gordon Candelin

Friends - the Restaurant

Friends (Mith Samlang) is one of the most interesting places I have come across in Phnom Penh. Not only is the restaurant part of a non-profit organization that helps kids get off the street by providing them housing, education and vocational training, but the food here is so good, the staff is so attentive and the ambiance so friendly, that everbody wins.

The menu is an interesting mix of Khmer and Western cooking, and prices are very reasonable. There is truly amazing variety of tapas to satisfy anyone, including vegetarians. They also make the best daquiris in town.

Alas, the 'Bana Fritters in Lime Sauce' are no more. They were so good that after repeated pleading I managed to keep them on the menu long after they wanted to update it. They have done a decent job at compensation with the 'Chocolate Cake with Rasberry Sauce.' Throw a bit of vanilla ice cream on the side and you're good to go.

If you're still not convinced, have lunch there because they are actually doing something for the people who need it most - you'll be glad you did.