Description

Shintamani is uniquely refined for Cambodia. Dining indoors is cool, referring to both the air-conditioning and the decor: dark wood furnishings against a minimalist backdrop of peach pastel walls and simple, modern artwork. Outdoors is a small open bar area and a few tables set under a heavy wooden lattice thatched roof. Candlelight and a single white lotus flower, with its exterior petals bent into origami shapes, complete the effect. Service is professional, but the staff seems slightly nervous, often worrying over the details a bit too much, and you might even catch yourself rooting for them. Prices are high for this part of the world, but everything that comes out of the kitchen has panache. Elegant presentations on white china enhance the experience of fine Khmer and Western dishes made with the best of local ingredients. I enjoyed a Khmer-style chicken coleslaw consisting of a grilled chicken breast with pepper on a bed of shredded lettuce and carrot and dressed with a sweet and subtle coconut milk and lime juice dressing. Other popular entrees include a fine beef sirloin, a savory stuffed chicken breast, and comfort foods like spaghetti and fried rice (which are a bit easier on the budget). In a town where you can eat for so cheap, Shintamani is carving its own niche and attracting rave reviews from international critics, but the backpackers are kept at bay. Find yourself among a more discerning crowd here. The wine list is exhaustive, the drink list doesn't stop, and whether dining in the cool, intimate inside or the among the humming cicadas outdoors, this is the place to enjoy a slow-paced savory meal with good conversation. Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.