ATTN: GLORIA
 

there has been some talk lately of an open air restaurant at the Oriental that specializes in thai food...

some have mentioned eating outside of the pavillion where the nitely show takes place over by the spa

more recently someone has mentioned a riverside terrace...

i remember some tables outside of the pavillion but really did not consider it a restaurant...perhaps they are referring to the restaurant near the hotel's pool where you get off the boats on the hotel side??

can you clarify these restaurants for me and tell me if you have eaten at either??

how would you rate the thai food??

thanks

BOB

Here are the restaurants at the Oriental with a few comments.
Sala Rim Naam-- this is the inside restaurant across the river. Excellent thai buffet for lunch. In the evening is the show with mediocre food.

Terrace Rim Naam-- this is the outdoor river across the river (outside of the Sala Rim). I think it's only open for dinner. Pretty authentic thai food. I have eaten there (although not in the last couple of trips) and liked it.

Ciao -- outdoor Italian. More northern/creative Italian.Only open during peak season I think. Ate there once recently and it was very good but I tend not to eat Italian food in thailand because I get so much of it at home and of such a high quality. Only open for dinner.

Riverside Buffet-- outdoor buffet with lots of dishes of varying cuisines. It's called a barbecue but it isn't in the way we think of barbecue. Lots of grilled foods, lobster, lamb chops, chicken etc.

Verandah-- their indoor and outdoor restaurant which serves ala carte. Their "coffee shop". Indian, thai, chinese, indonesian, italian and american food. If you want pad thai or a hamburger or excellent fried rice this is the place. Food very good for this type of restaurant and reasonable. Open for breakfast lunch and dinner. Menu the same for lunch and dinner.

China House -- indoors. My favorite. Outstanding peking duck and lovely atmosphere. Dim sun at lunch.

Lord Jim -- predominately seafood. Gorgeous setting with view of river. Outstanding. Excellent and lavish and reasonable lunch buffet. Ala carte dinner.

Normandie -- french and formal and expensive. Many say one of best restaurants in asia. Very romantic. Lunch is cheaper. I have only eaten there 3 times partly because of the cost and partly because I can get this kind of food easily in Chicago or NY -- the two places I have lived since starting to go to Bangkok. It's a restaurant that could be anywhere.

I should add that the Terrance Rim was once my favorite restaurant -- reason I haven't been there recently is simply because I usually have the lunch buffet once because iI get it complimentary and because my recent travel companion likes less spicy food. The thai food here is a bit spicier than some of the other "tourist" thai restaurants which I love but she doesn't. And while, yes, they will tone it down she's happier at their other restaurants if we are going to stay at the hotel to eat.

Gloria--not sure when you leave but do want to coordinate to meet when we are both in Chiang Mai? Will you have Internet access after you depart?

Chiang Mai is actually my first stop. So I have internet access until Dec. 31 when I leave. I will be arriving late on Jan 1st and will be staying at Baan Orapin until Jan, 11. Where will you be? My email is [email protected] if you want to contact me directly so we can make arrangements.

gloria---thanks so much for this very comprehensive review....still not sure which rest. they are referring to but suspect it is the one across the river and only open at nite...thanks

bob