G et RED. And get to RED fast, because Phnom Penh's newest, trend-setting

restaurant will probably have lines around the block with diners jockeying for

reservations once word gets out.

The brain child of Bill Grant - the man

who gave Crackers its snap and who appears to have been hiding out quite

successfully in various gardens around town, including the French embassy's, for

over a year - RED is, well, absolutely RED. Try RED's Mexatini cocktail while

you're at it, described by one contented customer as "a savoury blend of

soothing rocket fuel."

To gas up, look for something RED between the two

Green Houses on Sihanouk Blvd.

Of course, one can also gas up at the new

Irish Rover pub on the corner of St. 51 and Sihanouk Blvd where, according to

owner Jim Kennelly, "you can meet Irish people who speak English you'll hardly

understand." The pub was supposed to be named "Wild Rover" but after a late

night epiphany enhanced by some Tullamore Dew, the license forms mysteriously

ended up with the word "Irish" on them. Kennelly says a Molly Malone Salad Bar

is in the works, he had no trouble finding green paint, the Irish Times will be

available, and he has green and orange-colored trash cans.

The grapevine

has it that for the upcoming visit by US Secretary of State Warren Christopher,

the embassy has put in a request to reserve 138 rooms at the Cambodiana.

The distinguished patrons of the Ettamogah Pub want to salute Vuthy, and

wish him all the best on the occasion of his marriage.

It's official. The

new French Embassy compound has been voted the chicest in Asia. The July 14

celebrations there were a roaring success, in spite of a few grumbles about

French gendarmes using strong arm tactics to keep juiced-up revellers from

drowning themselves in the pool.

The embassy also needs to be applauded

for its unheralded stand in support of free speech. The word is that

Municipality police suggested they prohibit the demonstration outside the

embassy against the planned nuclear tests in the South Pacific. The embassy

replied: "Absolument, Non."

All due apologies and a serious correction is

in order. Mark Blake did not take his own life. He died from complications

resulting from pulmonary failure.