The capital has a worthy successor to Odom Garden – and one that will hopefully survive longer as a vital green oasis to recharge mental batteries to face life in the foliage-deprived city. While Odom was doomed from the start as a cruel marketing stunt to sell an expensive apartment complex, Maloop Garden feels different. Or maybe it’s just wishful thinking. And I’m certainly not bitter about the loss of Odom.

Please stay forever, garden restaurant. Pete can’t take anymore pain.
Billing itself as “a small city park that offers a café, bar, and inhouse restaurant with local inspired dishes,” and run by the same team as Russian Market’s Kinin and Nesat, the verdant location in nearby Boung Tumpoun is a delight. And raises the important question of, “why can’t Phnom Penh ever have more than one nice green space at once?” Continue reading