I would like to finalize few more thing before we depart for our trip.

We have very limited schedule in Bangkok. On arrival from Chiang Mai (no jet lag), we will have a driver/car to pickup us at airport around noon, drop off luggage and check in at our hotel Marriott on the river and then continue to Jim Thompson house. After JT house (probably around 4-5) we want to shop nearby at MBK, Siam Discovery. Are there nice restaurants nearby? French, Vietnamese, Fusion/Pacific/Asian?

Otherwise will just make reservation at Jester at Pen.

Also, I do not know if I should keep driver for shopping and take train to Marriott hotel or Penn for dinner. But if I we will have packages, then probably makes sense to drive to Marriott, drop off staff and go to Jester for dinner? Looks like a busy day..

Porbably just decide on a spot, but is it possible to get to Jewster or other good restaurant without reservation?

thanks

If memory serves me correctly, I don't think you'll find "nice restaurants" in the MBK, Siam area. You will find Au Bon Pain and some other mall eating places at Discovery, but I wouldn't say any of them are "nicer" restaurants. You would probably enjoy Jesters better.

If you have lots of packages from shopping (which, if you are like me, you will) I would keep the driver to take you back to Marriott. I hate to tote lots of "stuff" on the skytrain and then have to hop on a boat at the pier besides.

There is a little restaurant at JT house. But they only serve light meals like sandwiches and stuff. I've never been disappointed in the meals I've had there, but it doesn't qualify as a "nice" restaurant IMO, like Jesters. Jesters has been very highly rated in the BKK dining guide.

Thanks Carol. We will probably buy something - at least in JT house. JT house is closed I think at 4.30 or 5pm. so we will shop a little and I think I will keep a driver. It will be probably hot and humid and we will be exhausted after long day of traveling, touring and shopping.
The thing is, once we will get to Marriott, it will be hard to get my husband get going again to boat and to Jester
I will probably make res at Jester. Can cancel it any time.
thanks

At JT Thomas House, they have a lychee drink at the restaurant. It is cooling, lots of shaved ice in it and tastes delicious and is refreshing.

Yum. Sounds delicious. However we were determined to skip ice in Bangkok. Or, Is Thompson cafe uses ice from distilled water?

The Pomelo salad at the JT house is unbelievably good.

Gpanda,
what does this Pomelo salad have beside Pomelo (it is kind of citrus, correct?).

Yes, Pomelo is a citrus. I don't remember what else is in there. I do vividly remember that it was delicious and did not have an overly citrus flavor. In fact, the taste memory I do have is not fruity atb all. It was so good, we may go back to the JT House just to have it again. Sorry, my memory is so feeble.

To be precise, pomelo is like a large grapefruit, similar in taste.

Other than the pomelo fruit it has peanuts, some of the large red chillies (the not so spicy ones) cut into slivers and often a bit of lemon squeezed on it.