First there was Bangkok Noir, a collection of stories released last year, and by this autumn Phnom Penh Noir will join the bookshelf. Readers who relish a journey into the dark side discovered noir long ago. We are just starting that journey in Southeast Asia.

In a non-descript recording studio at the end of a twisting alley off Street 246, three musicians have been spending the last year and a half recording a collection of 14 original songs that rely solely on a guitar and two voices: one from a man who is well aware of vocal limits, and another from a young Khmer woman who may have none.

Say what you will about the Michelin-rating system, but getting a star creates buzz, especially when its earned in Lyon, which ranks among the highest stars per capita in the world: 20 in a population of 480,000 according to one estimate.

From behind her check-in desk at Rome international airport and between gritted teeth, Beatrice Falchini would resentfully wish happy holidaymakers a wonderful journey as they headed to departures.

In the last 12 months, the Legend and Sabay Cineplex theatres have opened their doors, a committee has been established to formally submit local films for consideration at the Academy Awards.

Although it’s possible to domesticate some deadly wild animals, most people would prefer to see the deadlier members of the animal kingdom kept in cages, but at a pagoda about eight kilometres past the airport on Highway No 4 seven pythons have free rein.

As any woman in Cambodia at this time of year knows, looking good in tropical heat is no easy task.

When Sopheak Pov was sent to France to work with Michelin-starred chef Alain Dutournier two years ago, it was meant to be much more than a learning stint with the one of the top chefs in French contemporary cuisine.

Meta House founder Nicolaus Mesterharm chats with 7Days about documenting transitions in Cambodia  and the role artists can play in changing  perceptions about the Kingdom.

Moepara is the vision of friends Yamamoto, Katsuyama and Rin, who share a mutual obsession for Japanese Manga cartoons. After seeing the mushrooming industry of maid cafes in Japan, the trio decided to bring the first Moe (pronounced Moe-eh) maid bar to Phnom Penh.

Chan Seiha makes a dash for the Olympics.

If a child asks to study painting in Cambodia, the usual reproach from their parents is lack of employment.

What happens when a group of 40 prominent and up-and-coming artists are given an identical mask on which to express their deepest creative desires?

Clothing tells a story. If you have the time, interest and money to invest in it you can create an elaborate tale, with vintage clothing providing perhaps the most twists, subplots and multilayered interpretations.

A Canadian comedian due to perform at Pontoon last Monday had a panic attack at Singapore’s airport, which sparked erratic behaviour on his part that was interpreted by security guards there as a possible security threat.

Another watering hole has materialised in central Phnom Penh, on Street 214, and it may reduce rather than increase the spasms of choice anxiety that are accompanying the mushrooming of venues.

After I heard that the primary clientele at Sayana Rumdul was backpackers, I was a bit reluctant to touch anything.

A stone's throw from FCC, a bit further down Street 178 away from the river, is Warung Bali. The non-descript restaurant, the last in a row of identical looking Khmer places, has long been setting the standard for Indonesian food in Phnom Penh.