From the moment you walk into Oldham Street’s District you can tell the team like to do things differently. Subtle neon hues reflect off polished steel fittings, the back wall boasting a vision of some imagined city skyline, open kitchen with flaming woks adding eye-catching action to proceedings, turntable and mixer set up by the door. A place that wants you to pay attention and notice just how much attention to detail has gone into everything from overall concept to individual cocktails.

Inspired, at least in part, by a vision of Bangkok in decades and centuries to come, this progressive Thai eatery is the product of a close relationship with the South East Asian country and sprawling metropolis, and a new wave of high end restaurants that have opened there in recent times. Originally focused on taster menus, today District offers an exceptionally curated a la carte menu — highlights including Raw Stone Bass with nam jim dipping sauce, Thai basil emulsion and purple yam crisps; sweet salad of peach, pear, ginger, lemongrass and shrimp, and Olympic gold medal-winning beef wagyu served in a massaman curry with trim used to make keema-like topping for roti flatbreads. Eating aside, the drinks are equally innovative, with tonics and colas made on-site, and creations like Robot Blood (lemongrass gin and citrus) bottled here to ensure the ultimate consistency of flavour. A unique synth wave soundtrack completes the scene.