Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Bob! New Food listing

Ok, Bob, I'll give it a try in separate posts:

MY FAVORITE BANGKOK RESTAURANTS AS OF OCT 2005 (revised 12-31-06)

I will divide the restaurants by cuisine for easier reference….some I have
only eaten at once but many I go back to over and over again….generally food
is far cheaper in thailand, and presented in a much more pleasing and
innovative way with great pride and courtesy, than what you find elsewhere
in the world…

THAI

Tongue Thai---spicy thai restaurant located directly behind OP Place which
is in back of the Oriental Hotel (1/2 block off of new road)….small place
with maybe 10-12 tables…moderate price…they will spice the food to suit your
desires…res not necessary…lunch and dinner…very high on our list of
favorites…dinner for two with beer and bottled water about $30---1200 B
We had three meals there in 2006, two were ok and one was excellent…it has
perhaps slipped to #2 thai in Bkk for us… $45 for two , $36 for two another
nite…
18-20 charoen krung rd, soi 38 tel: 0-2630-9918

Harmonique---unique thai restaurant…located in a former alleyway between a
couple of buildings, and in some rooms directly off of that alley…when it
rains, if you are sitting in the alleyway you get wet…eclectic décor…owned
and operated by 3 (2?? 2006) old
people—family…delicious…reasonable--$22.---855 B full dinner with hors d’,
mains, rice, mango and sticky rice and beers and waters….huge menu….22 New
Rd (Charoen Krung Rd), soi 34…Tel: 02-630-6270….the soi is just to the left
of the huge general post office on new road….there is a colorful archway
over the entrance to the soi and the restaurant is down the soi about 200
feet on the right….they will hail a taxi for you when you leave if you ask
them…also very high on our list…
2006---stays at the top of our list, based on quality of food, serving size,
price, variety of menu----service is still slow but who cares at this price
and quality----closed Sundays…also closes for holidays from mid-December to
early January….the male owner was not seen this year….have never made a
reservation….a/c room on the right has been cleaned up and painted (well
partially painted) and has a new tile floor…we have only eaten in this room
which is a bit isolated but cool and dry (if it rains)—you have to ask for
a/c on arrival…appetizer plate with 4 choices, chicken cashew (best in
Thailand!!), fried morning glories (best in thailand too!!), rice, beer and
water, mango and sticky rice…505 B ($13.75 for 2)….800 B another visit--$22…

Celedon at the Sukhothai Hotel on south sathorn road….expensive….beautifully
served and decorated thai dishes…worth a visit if in the area…we thought it
overpriced and food was so so….we are told they have an excellent Sunday
brunch (featuring lots of chocolate)…..2006 – did not visit

Gallery Café---86-100 New Road, soi 30 Tel: 02-639-5580…near the Sheraton
Orchid Hotel…from the door of the Sheraton turn right , go to the end of
capt bush rd, turn left…it is along that stretch of the road on the right
before you reach new rd….excellent…moderate…massages available on second
floor…eat in or out…lovely asian decorations….good service…food is very
tasty…mostly foreigners as customers…$29—1154 B full dinner with one glass
of wine, one beer and bottled water…a gpanda favorite…nice gift shop
2006---still a nice and convenient place to eat….shop has even nicer things
than previous years….did not record price, but still moderate…excellent
service and food..

Spice Market---located within the Four Seasons Hotel on Rajadamri rd…average
thai food prepared with foreigners in mind….not very spicy… nice plain
restaurant atmosphere…moderate to expensive….
2006—did not visit….a favorite with many foreigners….

Face, Thai Restaurant---29 soi 38, Sukhumvit rd….Tel: 66-02-713-6048…open
lunch and dinner….excellent thai food and preparation…expensive…lovely
setting…beautiful at nite with candles…$45 for lunch—1385 B…see also Indian
section…hard to find on soi 38…watch for a black sign on the left of the soi
with a gold face on it…
Did not visit in 2006-----excellent spa on premises as well as bakery and
Indian restaurant (see below) and a bar…res essential for dinner….

Lemongrass---Soi 24, Sukhumvit rd….old thai house….res essential or you will
be turned away…so so food and atmosphere….we would not go back there, but
many love it and it is always crowded with tourists and ex-pats…moderate…it
is sort of run down…
2006 did not visit but Kathie reported a great meal there…

Baan Khanitha, soi 23, Sukhumvit rd…there is another one, but we have not
yet been there—it is on sathorn rd…old thai house…lovely atmosphere…lunch or
dinner…res suggested…Tel: 02-258-4181…delicious thai food well prepared and
elegantly served…carved decorations…good service…moderate to
expensive…$35---1377B dinner with appetizers (always given free, house
selection, unique to this restaurant), mains, rice, beers and water, mango
and sticky rice…
2006---did not visit either one although did drive by new on on
sathorn—looks nice..

Cabbages and Condoms, soi 12 Sukhumvit rd….cheap thai food…eat in or
out…project of the international population control center…shop, with
everything made out of condoms…food was bland…tourists love it…lovely garden
dining outside if you wish…we would not go back there—uninspiring…
2006—did not visit

Salathip at the Shangri-la Hotel…indoor or outdoor dining, next to the
river…thai…lovely red thai pavilion building…have not eaten there myself but
have looked at the very varied menu….recent reports not good…expensive…
2006---did not visit yet again…

Sala Rim Naam---opposite the Oriental Hotel on the other side of the
river…owned by the Oriental…site of their nightly dance show…also dinner
only…expensive…food decent …uncomfortable seating for dance show…show good
if you like thai dance…they also provide outside lunch/dinner only service,
sans show…. Take boat from hotel…
2006 – did not visit

Thanying---behind the holiday inn silom…10 soi Pramvan, Silom road…old thai
house, formal dining…good food, moderate to expensive…2006 – did not visit
but did drive by..

Thalaythip at the Peninsula Hotel…al fresco dining…dinner only and only on
non-rainy nites…excellent…dine near to the river…3 tasting menus with
excellent choices or an a la carte menu…set meals for 2 in the 1900-2500 B
price range….moderate…$65 or 2600 B for middle priced tasting menu for
2….res necessary…one of our favorites…menus have great variety…
2006—did not eat there this year, but noticed a small 2nd floor dining area…

Jim Thompson House and Main Store (Suriwongse rd)….excellently prepared thai
and western dishes, lunch and dinner…reasonable….new restaurant at the JT
House Museum is large and well appointed, although modern…fits nicely with
old houses on property…walk from national stadium stop of skytrain…Main
store: 2nd floor….Suriwongse rd at junction with Rama IV rd…excellent
place for lunch while shopping…worth a trip just to eat….lots of local
business people were eating there when I ate lunch there in june, ‘05…always
cheap and excellent….$10 or 400B…2 mains and 2 desserts with water…excellent
desserts….we eat there at least once per trip…so cheap and good
quality…there are other jim Thomson eateries around town….all excellent…
2006---did not visit house….main store remains a favorite…prices up a bit…
there is a new JT café at the outlet on soi 93, sukhumvit…limited menu but a
great addition..5th floor…

There is a new thai restaurant next door to the Six Degrees restaurant at 42
convent road…it is very attractive and the food is excellent we are
told…can’t wait to try it…moderate to expensive…bright and airy with tons of
plants…very modern.. the name is Naj Exquisite Thai Cuisine…Tel:
66-2-632-2811
2006---had a reservation but went elsewhere in some minor re-arrangements of
plans

Kaew Saveoy---on the ground level of the Marriott resort and spa mini
mall…in back of the bank and directly across the parking lot from the
Swenson’s ice cream…very cheap…mostly thai families eating there….excellent
simple thai food…clean…$15 or 612 B…beers and glass of wine, many mains and
mango and sticky rice…tons of food..
2006---remains good with low prices…600 B with beers…excellent service and
tasty…

Supatra River House—266 Soi Wat Rakhang, Arunamarin Rd..Tel: 02-411-0305..
This restaurant is located directly on the river, up opposite the grand
palace….lovely building with a huge dock for their private boat and other
boats to dock at…their boat comes from a parking lot across the river (call
for instructions)…delicious food but expensive…only had lunch
there…4000-5000 B for 5 people without booze….wonderful restaurant also on
the water at hua hin at a far cheaper price (our #1 rest. In HH)—2006

MahaNaga—2006---after passing it up mainly because of price in previous
years we did go there this time largely based on kathie’s and other’s
suggestions….huge disappointment…2 sukhumvit, soi 29…first building in on
the right from sukhumvit…Tel: 02-662-3060..the location is fantastic and so
is the building and its setting…the more we sat there the more we felt it
was overdone…service was showy and aloof, but moderately attentive…Karen
feels our waiter was new so this may be part of the issue….very few people
there for dinner at 8PM…expensive….1853 B .. $50…no desserts…food was ok but
nothing special …will not return…

Basil at Sheraton Grande Hotel, Sukhumvit Road….guenmai has raved about this
restaurant and others have had good comments but we were totally under
whelmed…our waitress, the head person, was totally distracted and bordered
on rude….no greeting, no smile, no warmness---one of the few times we have
ever experienced this in thailand…strangely other times have also been in
Sheraton hotels…food was decent but a bit bland..karen used the word
“unimpressive”…combo appetizer platter, chicken and cashews, beef with
mushrooms and asparagus and a house fried rice, one glass of wine and one
beer plus water—we were so unhappy with the meal that we skipped
dessert---1871 B--$51…they offer what travelduo and guenmai have reported to
be an excellent cooking school….we intended to do that but after such a bad
meal experience we decided against it…we might give it another chance
another trip??

2nd installment of Bob's New Food Listing:

INDIAN

Rang Mahal on the 26th floor of the Rembrandt Hotel, soi 18, sukhumvit rd….
great views of bkk…wonderful Sunday brunch…mostly Indian families…res
necessary and ask for a window seat…Tel: 02-261-7100, ext 7532…also open
nightly for dinner (not sure about lunch)….delicious food well prepared and
served…brunch is huge and turns over quickly---very fresh…brunch 575 B each
(june, ’05) --$14.50….very very high on our list..
2006---still at the top of our list for Indian…excellent brunch

Face---Hazara Restaurant…only open for dinner…in Face complex, soi 38,
sukhumvit rd…reconstructed thai houses….candle lit at nite….excellent
food…restaurant is on the 2nd floor of one of the houses…res.
necessary…moderate to expensive…huge menu…$43---1700 B for two…full dinner
with beers and water…high on our list..
Also thai restaurant at same location (see above), plus spa and bakery and
bar…only thai section is open for lunch …see above…
2006---did not visit

Himali Cha Cha---off new road, not far from harmonique but on other side of
street…excellent Indian food…small restaurant….… moderate…a favorite of
karen’s….
Branch off of sukhumvit closed in 2006…

ITALIAN

Biscotti---in the Four Seasons Hotel, Rajadamri Rd…excellent Italian
meal…german or swiss chef (new chef in 2006)…open kitchen…innovative and
attractive servings…excellent pizza and soups as well as intricate entrees
and first courses…artful…one of our most special favorites…moderate to
expensive…$73---2930 B…full meal…beer and glass of wine, 2 first courses, 2
main courses and 2 desserts, plus one cappuccino…meal would be $200 in
usa…there is a sense of excitement at this restaurant…only thing to change
in 4 years are the prices and they are up about 30%....well worth it
however…special occasion or a break from thai food…Tel: 02-250-1000…
2006---remains a favorite—new chef I read recently but not during our
visit.. 4048 B ($109)—one beer and one glass of wine ($12); water, crab
salad, parmigiana, 2 beef tenderloins, 2 fantastic deserts

L’Opera, 53 Sukhumvit, soi 39…on a corner where road goes to the left…not
easy to spot…worth the effort however…excellent italian foods, well
prepared…huge servings…all the favorites…good service…interesting
interior…$40 or 1600 B for full dinner…also open in Yangon, Myanmar….will go
again and again…
Did not visit in 2006

Gianni’s…off Lang Suan…very disappointing and expensive…lots of
attitude…would not return…

Angelini in the Shangri-la Hotel…two level restaurant with view out to river
over swimming pool…excellent lounge with live western music that can be
heard throughout the restaurant….expensive….$7.50 for a small pony size
bottle of Evian water (that made me mad)….excellent dinner…very
romantic…delicious food…great presentation…maybe $75+ without a bottle of
wine…
2006—did not visit

Lalo Italian---corner of soi 23 and Sukhumvit….small modern
restaurant…decent food…moderate…we only had pizza for lunch…good place for
lunch or even dinner…good location…2006—did not visit

Six Degrees, new restaurant at 42 convent road, off of silom…excellent, hip
place…minimalist…excellent food…straight forward service…highly suggested as
an alternative dining place…$48 or 1836 B…glass of wine, beer, two appet., 2
main and two desserts…we look forward to returning….excellent looking thai
place next door…Tel: 02-632-2995…2006—did not visit

Buono Italian Restaurant---286 Silom Rd…located in a house set back from the
street and just next to the Evergreen Laurel Hotel…excellent full service
Italian rest…moderate…2006—did not visit…

Portifino on the 2nd floor of the Bumrungrad Hospital….odd place indeed for
a good Italian restaurant…33 sukhumvit, soi 3..Tel: 02-667-2580…open lunch
and dinner…we had lunch and it was delicious…not cheap, but
affordable…expansive menu…thank you carol…2006

Shaz in the lobby of the Majestic Grande Hotel on soi 2, sukhumvit…behind
the JW Marriott hotel….thank you carol again!!..we had dinner res but had to
cancel but made it back for lunch and are glad we did.. excellent service
and delicious food… attractive restaurant on the first floor…953
B--$26---pizza, caesar salad, drinks…expensive but fantastic and beautifully
presented….2006----would definitely return there….getting good marks for
rooms also….we looked at them…they are small but decent…

ASIAN

Le Delat Indochine---Vietnamese…cousin restaurant on same street: Le Delat
(permanently closed in 2006)…excellent ….beautiful presentation and tasty
food (2006—not overly tasty)…grow all of their own greens so this is a place
to eat lettuce, etc…old thai house…costumed wait staff…excellent
service…exceptionally fresh…14 Sukhumvit road, soi 23…Tel:
02-661-7967….moderate…res suggested.. 2006---good alternative--$51…res.
necessary…lunch and dinner..fried carp is their specialty and its
presentation is worth the price of the dinner alone…

Liu restaurant on 3rd floor of the Conrad Hotel, Wireless rd…excellent fixed
priced dim sum luncheon…select items from a 36 item menu…unique dim sum…all
you can eat…the best we have ever had…I can’t get enough of this
place….highly highly encourage you to visit…600 B or $15 per person….total
bill 1458 B one time and 1500 B the next visit…high high on my list…
2006—remains my favorite for dim sum….huge menu for dim sum—42 items..1883 B
a la carte this time--$51, but worth every cent---huge quantity of food for
this meal…2nd visit 1200B --$33 fixed price menu…

Mei Jiang at the Peninsula Hotel…lower level, 333 Charoennakorn Rd, Tel:
02-861-2888…res not necessary…dim sum and other asian specialties…lovely
setting, overlooking the hotel lawn…excellent attentive service..limited dim
sum menu but Karen says it is the best she has ever had---very unusual
choices and all delicious….expensive…1030 B $28, 2nd visit 1383 B ..$37…2006

Oishi, Japanese Restaurant, Thonglor soi 10, Sukhumvit rd, soi 55…Tel:
02-712-2456..
Lunch stop for their buffet….anything Japanese and they have it…decent but
not fabulous but reasonable…$30 for 2….

China House, Oriental Hotel, Oriental Lane, Tel: 02-659-9000…recently
renovated (2006) into a ‘Shanghai Opium House’ look-a-like…lovely to look
at, horrible to work or eat in….they have ruined a perfectly good
restaurant….the rhkkmk’s and the gpanda’s had longed for the peking duck
that fodorites rave about (1100 B and will feed 4 with an additional dish or
two--$30)—beware there are two peking ducks listed on the menu—one is much
cheaper than this one.….we had it and are completely non-plused….there was
nothing wrong with it, it just wasn’t fantastic, ioo’s—none of us had had it
before and will probably never order it again…we were badly disappointed,
and the service was awkward at best….lets put it this way…we left no tip…!!
They did know it without even a word from us, and the restaurant manager
offered us a complimentary dessert….he was ‘no wheres’ to be seen when we
left the restaurant even though he had been falling all over us upon
arrival…2006
We had been twice to the old china house for dim sum and quite enjoyed
it…now we will never return….but this does not mean that you should not try
it….i had to be honest in my comments…

GENERAL/INTERNATIONAL

The Loft on 7th floor of the Central Chitlom Department Store, Plenochit
road…direct access from skytrain…excellent upscale cafeteria…unique system
for purchasing and paying…very fresh food…almost any cuisine you
want…inexpensive to moderate…staff provides some table service…each thing we
tried was excellent and very very fresh…italian pizza for two with water and
desserts $11—431 B…Japanese tempura for two $22—866 B…quick and
delicious….shop and eat at the same time….great place for a break during
shopping…lots of shops are near by as well…freshly made items/ongoing and
cooked to order…will go often in future….
2006---remains perfect lunch destination—852 B--$23…huge sushi selection,
water for me and Karen had pasta plate—waters and desserts…

Crepes and Co…18/1 soi 12, Sukhumvit rd…Tel: 02-653-3990..directly next door
to cabbages and condoms…open from early morning to late at nite…middle
eastern food as well as crepes of all sorts…a favorite for a full meal or
for just a dessert…dining inside or out…Swiss owned…relaxed
atmosphere…moderate..very fresh and delicious….$28 (1100 B) for full dinner
with glass of wine and beer and two courses…. $19 (750 B) for late nite
supper…all very delicious…unique in bkk….high on our return list…we have
eaten there many many times…
2006—contiunes to be a favorite—1100 B--$ 30

Lord Jim---located in the Oriental Hotel…Tel: 02-659-9000…one of the best
luncheon buffets in bkk…about $27 per person…emphasis on fish/seafood but
loads of other items…very extensive…lovely view out to the river from large
picture windows…excellent for dinner as well…
2006---simply fantastic buffet…one of our best meals of
2006…expensive…expanded varieties over previous years—2519 B--$68…no
booze…almost anything you might want to eat…res important for best tables
overlooking the river…

Senses---simple restaurant located in the lobby on the 2nd floor of the
Gaysorn Plaza on Plenochit…lunch and dinner…excellent sandwiches and
entrees…moderate…gaysorn is an upscale designer plaza with nice thai shops
on its 3rd floor…
2006—did not visit

Senor Pico…excellent Mexican restaurant located in the Rembrandt Hotel on
soi 18, Sukhumvit rd…moderate to expensive but very good…
2006—did not visit, but most consider it the best mex in bkk….

Suan Lum nite market at the corner of Rama IV and Wireless roads….open air
beer garden and restaurant in addition to a tourist orientated nite
market…one stop shopping especially when you don’t have much time in bkk….
Still open in december, 2006

Gourmet Gallery---6/1 soi Promsri 1 which is a right turn off of soi 39,
Sukhumvit rd…Tel: 02-260-0603…restaurant is located behind a row of shops on
the soi…on the right, look for a small parking lot behind a dry
cleaners…excellent continental meals…onion soup a specialty—get the one with
the “hat”….good steaks…excellent desserts…we almost always go there the nite
before our long plane ride home…American style food…moderate…$33 or 1339 B
for glass of wine, 1 beer, 2 filet mignon, 2 desserts…
2006---unfortunately did not visit in 2006

Uno---ground floor restaurant/coffee shop/bakery at the Marriott resort and
spa…simple fare like pizza, salads, bakery items and limited menu including
the famous Marriott burger made with American beef…a quick stop for a bite
or bakery items…moderate..2 caesar salads, desserts and with water…$24 or
1070 B..
2006---ate there a couple of times…no more Marriott burger…good but moderate
to expensive….great salad bar…

Bed Supper Club---soi 11, Sukhumvit road…unlike anything else in bkk or this
world…you sit on 50 foot long beds with bed trays as your table, bathed in
white sheets, with loads of pillows to prop you up..…everything is white in
the place….gourmet meals--continental….set meal on weekends and choice of 3
appts. and 3 mains and 3 desserts during the week…during the week the price
is 1090 B per person (june, ’05)…expensive…our total bill was $69 or 2640
B…excellent drink list…good service…res necessary…lounge/club attached…free
entertainment each evening…dj with good tunes…projections on walls of
animation…good for all ages…adults only—over 20 I think…Tel: 02-651-3537..
2006---we did not visit—its really a one time thing we think…we maintain
that the food is excellent contrary to some reports…

Manohra---sunset cruise on the chao payra river…operated by the Marriott
resort and spa hotel…one hour cruise up the river to memorial bridge and
back at the time of sunset…lovely trip and chance to enjoy a cocktail…dinner
cruises also available, however we consider the food storage and preparation
on the edge…many other hotels also offer dinner cruises on the river…
2006---complimentary cruise offered with our accommodations…a nice leisurely
hours ride to observe river activities…

Saladaeng Café—one of the Jim Thompson restaurants, also called JT Farmers
Market…1 Saladaeng, soi 1, Silom….similar menu to other JT outlets…excellent
place for lunch or dinner…sort of in back of the dusit thani hotel…near to
the nite market..cheap to moderate…
2006---did not visit in 2006

Sky Bar…atop the State Building at the corner of Silom and New roads….64
floors up… an open air bar with an unparelled views of Bangkok and
beyond…there are several other venues up there as well including the ultra
expensive Sirocco restaurant….don’t go if it is going to rain…indoor and
outdoor dining…2 beers at the bar are a whopping 610 B or $15….well worth a
visit on a clear nite…we were there as a thunder storm approached and it was
unbelievable…2005

White Lodge—41 sukhumvit, soi 4, Tel: 02-251-1701…quaint English looking
building down past all the hub-bub of soi 4 on the left… lovely dining room
with both thai and continental food….we had a quick lunch there…2006----look
out onto the pool of a local hotel…friendly service…525 B--$14—sandwiches
and water…

Witch’s Tavern English Pub, 306/1 sukhumvit, soi 55…Tel: 02-239-9791…we did
not eat there but nicely located amongst the shopping area of soi 55….2006

Fiji Japanese Restaurants….a chain with shops popping up in various places
around Thailand….we ate in the one in Hua Hin which was excellent….they have
about 32 (2006) in Bangkok…excellent fresh sushi and other Japanese
specialties…475 B for 2--$13…very cheap…we both had a set meal with soups,
and a main…excellent value and delicious…we do not like chains generally…

Flow, the main restaurant at the new Hilton Hotel on the river—“other
side”…much of the front, riverside, of this hotel is devoted to a series of
restaurants….most have no walls, just dividers, that make one sort of ‘flow’
from one to the other…there is a huge open kitchen and a very unusual buffet
area….we took lunch one day at flow so that we could experience the
hotel….we were quite impressed….we were not expecting much as one senior bkk
hotel person had told us the food was terrible…we found quite the
opposite…huge windows allow a fabulous view out to the river and river city
shopping center on the other side…they have an office, like the penn does,
on the other side of the river at river city shopping center, so you can
just go in there (entrance from outside the building on the river side and
nearest to the Sheraton) and they will call the pathetic Hilton boat for
you…did not record the price but a simple lunch was hotel prices, but it was
fresh and delicious…
Guest rooms are weird—we will glad we cancelled our res there and stayed at
penn instead….

360---this is the bar at the new Hilton…it is on its top floor and is
perhaps floor 34?? The bar completely circles the round top of the
building, thus its name….the views are fantastic…we were there in the
afternoon and it was not operating so we got a good walk around…highly
suggest a nite time visit or late afternoon (sunset)….it has its own
elevator or it can be reached by the regular elevators and you enter through
the club lounge and then have to climb one flight of stairs…

Le Bouchon…the oldest French restaurant in bkk…37/117 Patpong II, Tel:
02-234-9109
A bit difficult to find but it is there about ½ down patpong on your right
if you access from silom…set back from the soi a bit…just ask anyone…very
small and simple like a real neighborhood paris bistro, and I was told they
do not take res…does not open until 7…3 of the 4 of us had delicious
dinners, mine was under cooked stew….all your favorite French things, and
moderate in price….did not record the actual price…moderate…2006---would
return again….

Cy’an in the Metropolitan Hotel , 27 South Sathorn Rd….Tel:
02-625-3333—total minimalist hotel…cool and calm as you enter the front
doors—black and white…fusion…delicious and expensive…$140 for two…3 courses
and a few drinks including wine by the glass…a splurge but a memorable one…I
thought the food quite delicious, others were turned off by the price I
think…

Tawandang Brewery…a german brewery in Bangkok…99% thais in this huge, and I
mean huge place with a stage show…did not eat there but Brad says the food
is very good and huge portions from what I observed….the beer is
excellent…dispensed from 3 litre + cylinders with its own ring of ice to
keep it cool…very dramatic…rama III… a young peoples place really….good nite
out…2006

Many food outlets at the new paragon mall on plenochit rd….check them out
and a gourmet grocery and wine and cigar shop in the basement…..2006

Marriott Resort and Spa Sunday Brunch in the Trader Vics Restaurant…billed
as the ‘best brunch in Bkk’, just as each other hotel bills themselves…every
cuisine represented….huge undertaking and very delicious…soup to nuts
affair….1500 B per person ++ --$48 each all in….unlimited booze of certain
types…we took 3 hours there….we did not find one thing that we did not think
was perfect….fois gras to satay to ice cream sundays….nice laid back affair
to talk with friends and lay low….

I hope that this gives you some ideas on where to eat in Bangkok….it is one
of the best eating cities on this globe….there are many, many more
restaurants, but these are our favorites, and some not so favorites…bon
appetite!! I will be updating this listing after my Fall, 2006 visit to
Bangkok, and here it is….

Elsewhere in Thailand:

Hua Hin
‘
Figs at the Hyatt Regency, Hua Hin….this is the main restaurant at the
hotel…a fabulous breakfast buffet (400 B each...$11—a bargain) is served
here daily….totally open kitchen…3 meals per day…dinner quite delicious:
wine and beer, cannelloni and penne main courses, ice cream and a chocolate
tarte…671 B..$45….breakfast is extraordinary—try to have it included but it
is also worth the expense as a stand alone…each day they feature a fruit
cooler/shake all of which were exceptional…pizza and salad another nite was
very reasonable….hyatt has made a wise choice to keep food prices down and
thus many people stay at the hotel for meals…

You & Mee…at the hyatt regency hotel…poolside….excellent casual
eating….lunch and dinner…burgers, salads, noodles, lite fare or just
drinks…847 B..$23 for 2 phad thai and soft drinks…very charming and again an
open kitchen…

Let’s Sea---located on the beach south of the hyatt….road and beach
access….return transportation a bit of a problem…but you could walk out to
main road…83/188 soi talay 12..Tel: 032-536033—odd number of digits??
Charming location right overlooking the beach…interesting thai
architecture….nice bar just above beach…several seating areas…1900
B..$51..pommello salad, chicken larb, yellow curry shrimp, fried butter
fish, rice, desserts, drinks…reasonable and tasty…thank you jamesA….they
have a new hotel there as well…

Fuji Japanese Restaurant in the new village mall opposite from the Marriott
hotel…a chain written about above….excellent and very very reasonable…

Regency Club Lounge, hyatt regency hotel….drinks and canapés are offered
nightly to regency club guests….open air pavilion overlooking the
pool….delicious varied canapés and various drinks…lovely service and
beautifully displayed foods…could make it your meal but we chose not to…too
many other good places to eat….not sure we would spend the extra money for
club rooms another time ($50 per nite)—rooms themselves were identical in
club and regular hotel…

Supartra by the Sea….fantastic, our best meal in thailand we think…right on
the beach…lovely thai buildings but we ate al fresco under the
stars…charming service, exceptional food…just up the beach from the huge
standing Buddha at the base of the hill where La Mer Restaurant is
located…they have their own tuk tuk transportation, small charge…122/63
Takieb Rd, Tel: 03253-6561..fresh sea prawns out of the shell, fried whole
fish, other dishes, rice, beers—many…laughs galore…1600 B..$43…a steal at
double the price….a must visit!!!

La Mer Restaurant….rustic restaurant atop the hill overlooking the entire HH
beach back towards the town and palace….did not eat there in 2006…all
fish…little English spoken….excellent fresh fish!! Moderate…

Villa, for Italian….we did not make it there in 2006, but are told that it
is excellent by an ex-pat friend…

Pattaya

Casa Pascal, 485/4 Moo 10…Tel: 038-723-660…directly across the road from
the pattaya Marriott….excellent service and fantastic food…International
fare with a european feel….water, beer, wine, lobster soup, mushroom soup,
thai seabass, goulash, crème brulee and mango sorbet…2477 B--$67….they will
pick you up for a fee equal to a taxi…old world upscale feeling
inside….2006---would return in a minute…

Lobster Pot, 228 Moo 10, Tel: 038-42683…on the walk-in street….a pier out
into the water….select your seafood from the display or eat from the
menu….excellent…did and would return again…2005

Bruno’s, 306/63 Chateau Dale Plaza, not far from the Sheraton towards
jontien…Tel; 038-364600…excellent European restaurant…fantastic
service…delicious food….were we in france or nyc?? 2006…beer, southern
comfort, 2 wines, lobster bisque, French onion soup, liver pate, angus beef
filet, angus sirloin, angus rib-eye and pork tenderloin, share mango ice
cream and coffees….5568 (for 4)--$150….excellent and expensive meal but
again well worth it, especially for a splurge…res necessary…

Pan Pan Italian Rest….across the road from Bruno’s….reasonable family style
Italian red sauce restaurant….delicious….we went twice…pizza is
delicious….so are pastas….simple to complex meals…moderate…not far from
jomtien beach….

Several good quick restaurants in the mall attached to the Marriott hotel,
including Au Bon Pain, a boston restaurant chain….

Rim Haad Restaurant, off of Sukhumvit Road, south of Pattaya and
jontiem…near to the sun, sea, sand resort…THE BEST THAI MEAL WE HAVE EVER
HAD IN THAILAND OR MAYBE IT TIES WITH SUPATRA IN HUA HIN……..the freshest of
fish and seafood served informally on a pier jutting out into the ocean near
to the fishing village of Bang Sarae…there are several restaurants along
this sea side road…I think they are the first one you come to….moderate
price I believe but we were guests so I really don’t know…yellow curry crab
(my newest favorite dish or with shrimp---Nuea Poo Pong (the crab); spicy
tom yam shrimp soup; grilled prawns; rock lobster steamed; mussels cooked
with basil; fried morning glories; steamed rice….simply fantastic…we went in
a private car but I think a taxi could take you out there….have them wait as
it is
very isolated…

I have tried to be objective and informative and to give you our honest
impressions on the day or days we have eaten in these places, but as we all
know each of us has different tastes and establishments vary from day to
day or cook to cook…bon apetite!!