You have to hand it to BOX Thai; their reasonably priced, delicious Thai cuisine, casual attitude and warm ambience certainly put them shoulder-to-shoulder with SoHo’s finest, but their latest foray into live entertainment was both a raging success and testament to their dedication as a leading venue in Hong Kong.

Inviting Yuki Makita, a talented Tokyo-born Jazz pianist, to close her whistle-stop tour of Hong Kong at BOX Thai was a brave move- but one that certainly paid off.

Beginning at ten thirty, the sociable seating plan and plentiful supplies of Thai food floating between tables must have made for a tough audience; ambient noise was high and their first few songs were more a battle to be heard than anything else.

The venue itself produced surprisingly good acoustics for Makita who was joined by a trio of skilled musicians- their makeshift quartet marrying double bass, drums, guitar and keyboard. Midway through the first of two sets the audience began to really take note, piping down, and allowing Makita’s offerings to fill the room uninterrupted.

Her music is energetic and full of eccentricities, none more so than ‘Cuckoo Bird’ a playful piece featuring early in the night that contained an instantly memorable tune mimicking the call of a cuckoo.  

By the second set it was impossible to miss Makita’s running theme. With mention of her stellar album ‘Little Bird’ and several featured tracks including the aforementioned ‘Cuckoo Bird’, ‘Bird of Paradise’ and ‘Crows Song’, it became very clear where her inspiration lies. Unsurprisingly, the music reflects the grace and character of each winged muse to the ticket.

The BOX Thai staff spent the evening pirouetting between tables with perfect poise, silently delivering wine and desserts to onlookers without the slightest interference.

A successful night, thoroughly enjoyed by all, perhaps none more so than Makita who spent the small hours of the morning whirling excitedly around the venue taking photographs of the last remaining audience members and expressing tremendously sincere gratitude for such a great night.

With a first show under their boxy belt, the only question that remains is: what's next, BOX Thai?