…AsiaLIFE magazine…
The latest delivery on the Siem Reap bar and arts scene is 4Faces, a relaxed bar, café and photo-gallery, the offspring of Dutchman Eric de Vries, Englishman Tom Blackie and their partners. Words by Nicky McGavin.
At a time when many others in Siem Reap were considering closing theirs, 4Faces opened its doors in April. “We wanted to start in the low season, to get all the mistakes out, as you can do some things during the low season that you can’t get away with in the high,” says Eric, a professional photographer who has lived in Cambodia for the last three years.
Located a few doors down from the Maharajah Indian Restaurant, the bar is set within one of those notoriously difficult very long, very high rooms, so typical of Cambodia. However, clever design touches mean that you never get the impression you’re standing in a defunct wind tunnel, as is so often the case. The main feature is the “black wall” on which are shown revolving photography exhibitions. The opening exhibition, featured Vietnam War photographer Tim Page. Subsequent exhibitions have shown the works of local photographer Steve Goodman and Eric himself. The photographers will be available at openings for questions about the images and their work.
In addition to Eric’s own work, those of other Cambodia based photographers, including Doris Boettcher and Deborah Groves, are available for sale in the shop, alongside the exhibition pieces. “It works because people come to see the pictures, and then stay to have a drink, or come to have a drink and unexpectedly get to enjoy the pictures,” says Eric. The bar itself is broadly stocked. Eric promises if there is anything a customer wants that isn’t there, he’ll make sure to get it in. All the drinks, including shakes and juices, coffee and cocktails, are very reasonably priced, and complemented by a bar snack menu that has an equally sensible attitude to prices.
“We have the best fish and chips in Siem Reap”, boasts Eric, “done in the English style, with vinegar and tartar sauce, and wrapped in newspaper.” Other highlights include vegetable spring rolls, (US$2.75), Kampot pepper chicken wings (US$4), chicken satay (US$4) and sweet spareribs (US$5). At US$3.50, the Brilliant Burger certainly has a brilliant price and must be the best value for money for a burger in town. The bar also has free WiFi, and three TV screens showing English Premier League football, and any other sporting events you ask for if showing.
4FACES – Café Bar Gallery Shop, Old Market Area, Tel: 089 20 83 36, Open 10am – late. www.4faces.net. Happy Hour 4pm – 6pm. An exhibition, featuring the works of Russian photographer, opened on Jul. 31. It runs through this month.
Om het een en ander in goede banen te leiden heb ik vanaf a.s. maandag een assistente. Now, een vrolijke meid met computer-ervaring en goede beheersing van de Engelse taal. Behalve mij helpen met de administratie, de shop en planning zal ze de hele maand oktober aanwezig zijn in de Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor om mij te vertegenwoordigen en de potentiele klanten te woord te staan…
