Just narrowing down restaurant choices for three days/nights in Bangkok. We booked the Peninsula for our stay, so will eat at Thiptara one night (thanks for the pavilion table hint in a previous thread, Bob).

We're looking at doing a morning of temples starting at Wat Po then to Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, then across to Wat Arun and then to Royal Barges (with a few bits in between). My lonely Planet book says that Supatra River House and Krua Rakhang Thong are good places to eat, with lovely views of Wat Arun - does anyone know of these?

For our other two evenings we were looking at Baan Rim Nan (seems to be just along a bit from the Pen) - does anyone know this place?

Lastly, we were thinking of something classy but other than Thai for our last evening meal and here I throw the whole thing wide open - what is the best restaurant in Bangkok for food which is not Thai? Le Normandie has to have some fans but is it all it is cracked up to be? Any Italian restaurant suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Normandie Grill is superb in every respect. But personally I like the newly redecorated and new menu at Lord Jim at the Oriental.

Another vote for Le Normandie.Good food, service and views.Enjoy!

Angelini's at the Shangri-la is very good. It's Italian and an easy shuttle from the Pen.

Supatra River House has received some bad reviews from a number of fodorites. Since you only have two evenings I'd skip it & try some of the other restaurants that have received raves.

our most favorite is biscotti in the four seasons....very informal but delicious and reasonable in comparison to similar in usa....german/swiss chef last year, but italian food...open kitchen...res. suggested..excellent all around...you would not be disappointed....

la normandie is too formal for me on vacation in thailand...

don't know the restaurants near to wat arun...would be very careful in selection however....

the dim sum lunch at the conrad is fabulous...fixed price and you order from a simple menu...we are going there twice on our next trip...

if you are in bkk on a sunday, the indian buffet on the top floor of the rembrandt hotel is fabulous, sukhumvit rd soi 16 or 18???....make a res however and ask for a table near the window.....brunch---limited time--maybe 10-2????

don't forget harmonique for one dinner too....easy from the penn....

angelini in the sh-la is very good, but we like biscotti better...

I would say go with a non hotel choice and go to Zanotti for Italian. AMAZING food. Def make a resrevation - all Bkkites love it!

I'd support the suggestion of Angellini at the Shangri La for an excellent Italian meal. The hotel is opposite the Pen and the Pen's city side River boat pier is right next to the shangri la. However, Angellini is a big lively Italian restaurant not a quiet one.

Normandy is very good food but very formal as mentioned by someone else. For another French alternative try D' Sen at the Dusit Thani - especially for dinner(nice city view). The current chef, Olivier, is cooking really good food at the moment but he's leaving at the end of March.

My favourite Italian is Zanotti. Not too far from your hotel and you can get directions from your concierge. Reservation needed since it's quite full most night. Gianmari is the owner and head chef and he's very good.

I would vote for The Bed Supper Club for a most unique dining experience and fabulous gourmet food! It's my favorite restaurant in BKK.
Carol

I would go to Bed Supper Club one night and either Normandie or Lord Jim another night.

hope you saw the report on biscotti at the end of hawaiitraveler's trip report today....they rated it #1....it is in a hotel which adds significantly to the price but also adds to the overall quality control--- imo....

<b>www.bedsupperclub.com</b>

IS the bed supper club a suitable experience for a mother/daugheter couple ot share or is it for intimate couples? silly question, but thatnks for answering. Jan

Jan-- It would be fine to go to Bed Supper Club with your daughter. I went with my oldest friend so we were two women in our 50s and had a great time. There were a lot of groups (4-8 people) and we saw a couple of parent and children (children being adult). Actually, now that I say that they may have an age limit. You may need to be either 18 or 21. You should check their website. But you won't feel out of place because there is no &quot;romance&quot;. It really isn't that kind of place.

Jan-- I just checked and you need to be 20 to go to Bed Suuper Club and they ID you. So looks like it's not an option for another couple of years for your daughter.

I can't guarantee anything, but I will tell you that the age restriction seems to be applied ONLY when it's bunch of young people without any adults.

My friend took his 18 year old son and his 16 year old daughter(looks about 15 at best) and no problems whatsoever. They had a wonderful time.

They could not get into the nightclub, but the resaurant was fine.

I would call and ask them when you make the reservation but if others have gotten in with an adult you probably won't have a problem and you will both have a terrific time. It's worth trying in my opinion.