I thought the dim sum at the China House was very reasonable as is their Peking Duck -- I think it's about $22 or perhaps even less for the two of us. What is very expensive is their wine. But you can eat there quite reasonably by U.S. standards -- obviously anything at the Oriental is high for Bangkok but I've never had a meal that I didn't think was a bargain for what I got.

Ok we can agree to disagree- on the pricing at China House- IMHO by US standards this place is high- that is for good chinese food. By Bangkok standards its really high. Maybe Gloria is from Boston or some other high priced US city and so maybe China House is still a bargain. I'm from Houston and we get outstanding Chinese food (as good as what you get in SF).

I find that the Peking Duck at the China House is cheaper than here in NYC, and much, much better.

There is another open air roof top restaurant other than sirocco. This is Vertigo at Banyan Tree, 61 Floors up and open to the elements. I used to get confused which is which. I think all visitors to BKK must go to either Sky bar at Sirocco or Vertigo for the drinks and enjoy the sunset!

The Thai restaurant at the Penn is superb - ask for a table by the river. The atmosphere is really special and although I have eaten better Thai food elsewhere (they do westernise it somewhat) I would rate it for the overall experience. It wasn't really that expensive either, although the wine is a bit steep.

kilo
Sky Bar is much more dramatic in its ambiance with that grand gold dome and the wide staircase (IMO). Vertigo is just a "rooftop" after Sky Bar.

$22 for two people for Peking duck? That is inexpensive by Seattle standards (for real Peking duck). Gloria, do you know if they serve Peking Duck at lunch time or only at dinner?

biscotti in 4 seasons--uitalian
face soi 38 sukhumvit--thai and indian--seperate restaurants
hoarmonique--thai next to PO on new road soi 34>??
crepes and co soi 12 sukhumvit
jesters in peninsula hotel--asian fusion
lord jim in oriental--lunch seafood buffet
dim sum in liu rest. in conrad hotel

I think they only serve the Peking Duck at dinner but I won't swear to that. I always have their dim sum when I go there for lunch but they may also offer their regular menu. I do know that you don't have to preorder it as you so often do in America.

Just provide another non-hotel Itialian option:

Calderzzo, 59 Soi Langsuan, Tel: 252-8108

The restaurant is on Langsuan Road (street behind Four Season Hotel) and 3-4 minutes walk from BTS Chitlom station. The chef used to work at 5-star hotel.

Check out the following comments for Calderzzo as well as other restaurants:
http://www.asiacuisine.com.sg/Nacws/2002/3/996
http://www.chicasia.com/res_italian.php

Yes, go on chicasia.com. Happy Travels!

I am fairly certain that China House has Peking Duck for lunch. We had heard so much about the Peking Duck (best in the world) that we ate our first BKK meal there (last October).But I thought I read somewhere that the restaurant was going to be closed for renovations.

just got back from our 3rd trip to bangkok. loved the blue elephant...it was probably my favorite. salathip at the shangri-la was also good, as was the chinese restaurant at the pen (peking duck was great!). While I did not like the ambience or the service at the harmonique, the food was good....but not good enough for me to go back.

Is it not bird flu that is carried by ducks and chickens?
They have not yet irradicated the problem by far from what I read.I realize the cases are isolated but some 40+/- in Thailand alone in past 12 months, right?
I realize it is cooked but at what temp does it kill all the bacteria?

In reply to the question about avian flu in Thailand, here is what the CDC web site has as its most recent statistical update: "As of May 19, 2005, there have been 97 human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) in Vietnam (76), Thailand (17), and Cambodia (4) resulting in 53 deaths." Although a very small number of human-to-human cases of transmission are suspected, this is almost always a disease that affects individuals exposed to poultry farms or otherwise working with live animals. Since the disease is caused by a quickly-mutating form of the influenza virus, there are no bacteria involved at all, and there is no indication whatsoever that eating Peking Duck or any cooked poultry would have even a remote risk of a person's becoming infected. Birds that are infected become visibly ill -- and die --very quickly and it's extremely unlikely that they would be sold as food.

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