Winning plaudits for making fine dining affordable, Khéma’s outlets on Rue Pasteur and in the Postal District beside Wat Phnom are bringing a smart, sophisticated edge to the city’s culinary scene. Set in a restored colonial building, Khéma La Poste features a French-style restaurant, café, boulangerie and gourmet delicatessen. The Post’s Moeun Nhean sat down with Nov Sambo, general manager of Khéma La Poste, to discuss their unique concept.

Thalias Hospitality Group operates a number of prestigious restaurants, including Topaz and Malis. Where does Khéma fit into its brand line-up?

Both Topaz and Malis represent the high-end in their respective markets. Khéma is different. We aim for the middle to higher ground with a mission to offer great food, a great setting and great service at very attractive prices.

We came onto the market just three years ago and now our third branch will open soon, in Siem Reap.

What type of food does Khéma offer?

We mostly serve Western food with an emphasis on classic French cuisine. But we also feature Asian dishes such as amok, kuy teav and green mango salad.

But Khéma isn’t just for dining. It’s also a delicatessen where you can pick up cheeses, charcuterie, breads and cakes from our own bakery and wines. Many of these items are house-made, and all our imported products have been carefully selected and checked for the highest quality by our management team, many of whom are chefs.

How expensive is the menu?

People today don’t mind paying the right price for high quality dining. But when you take into account our location and setting, it’s incredibly affordable. You can have a seafood spaghetti for just $10 or coq au vin for $8. The most expensive item on our menu is $15.

What in your opinion is Khéma’s pièce de résistance?

I would have to say our Steak-frites Café de Paris. You get a beautiful steak, dressed in a wonderfully rich, buttery sauce, and a generous portion of our house-made French fries for just $9++. It’s inspired by the famous Café de Paris in Paris, where they ask you one question when you enter: rare or medium-rare? It’s their only main course and people queue for hours to get in.

Can you tell us about your dining room schedule and activities?

We are open from 6am to 10pm every day for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. We’re extremely proud of our Free-Flow Breakfast, which is $10.90++ for a complete free flow of everything on the breakfast menu, juices, tea and coffee from 6am to 11am every weekday, and until 3pm on the weekends and public holidays. If you’re not feeling peckish, you can of course simply order à la carte.

In the afternoons, we serve a divine High Tea with a scone, cakes, sweets and savouries and a free flow of Harney & Sons loose leaf tea for a crazy price of just $6++. Every Tuesday and Thursday, we host Wine & Cheese Evenings with all-you-can-eat wine, cheese, charcuterie, and selected salads, pastas and desserts from 6pm to 8pm, for just $20++.

What is the dining capacity of Khéma La Poste?

We can seat 126 people on two floors and there is space for up to 150 for events. We also have four private dining rooms for those who want their own space. The main thing is that, whether you want to hold a big celebration or a romantic dinner for two, we can do it.

Address: #41, corner St 13 & St 98, near Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 015 841 888