1. If you couldn't make it to Japan this spring, Zen restaurants are bringing you a taste of the archipelago's delicious seafood dishes, and the cherry blossom tree decor that goes with it. For the duration of its Hanami Festival, the restaurant chain offers eight dishes prepared by expert chefs, with discounts of up to 50%, satisfying your palate as well as wallet. While the Hanami Festival at Zen restaurant branches lasts until June 15, you'll have to hurry in order to taste top-quality dishes and the four healthy dishes the chefs have concocted. Executive Bento Boxes, Teriyaki Duo Salmon Unagi, Salmon Black Pepper Steak and Shima Hokke sets are available under the "Happy Fish, Healthy Food" campaign until May 31.
2. Indulge your inner bookworm today with Neilson Hays Library's annual used book sale. This favourite book sale has quality English-language books of all genres, with prices starting at 20 baht. The recently renovated 1922 building that hosts the Neilson Hays on Surawong road is also an attraction in itself. And if you can't find books you're looking for in the book sale, make sure to browse through the library's collection of 17,000 titles -- making Neilson Hays one of the largest English-language books collection in Thailand.
3. Centara Grand Hotel's Chatuchak Cafe and International Restaurant is celebrating Ramadan this year with a special Iftar Buffet, serving an impressive array of halal certified delicacies. The favourites menu includes seafood on ice, sautéed duck with chilli sauce, harira (chickpea soup), tabbouleh, Arabic lentil soup, beef or lamb kebab, as well as "ouzi", a roasted whole lamb. The list goes on, as Executive Chef Christian Werdenberg and his team promise many more delicious options. The Iftar Buffet to mark the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is available every day at dinner time until June 14.
4. The Evil Man Blues jazz and cocktail bar in Bangkok improvises itself as a matchmaker. For the second edition of its Speed Dating event -- to be held on May 30 -- the Thong Lor bar offers a 300 baht ticket for a free Tanqueray gin and tonic and shooters while you get to meet new people and listen to jazz tunes performed by special bands. Be fast though, as the bar offers limited availability for only 20 people. Be sure to RSVP through 02-392-7740 by May 27. If you can't make it this month, Evil Man Blues has announced it will hold a similar event on a monthly basis.
5. If film and theatre is what gets you going, then head straight to the Alliance Francaise, where not one but two screenings will be held today. At 1pm, the acclaimed "Indonesian Western" -- or "satay Western" as critics have dubbed it -- Marlina The Murderer In Four Acts follows a widow seeking justice for her rape. The tale of female empowerment directed by Mouly Surya is surely not to be missed. But if you prefer a comedy of manners, the "theatre in cinema" screening at 4pm of the classic Moliere play The Misanthrope should be your pick. It is directed by Clement Hervieu-Leger and features a cast ensemble from the Academie de la Comedie Francaise.
