A girlfriend and I are having a 2 night weekend away from husbands and children and want at least one fabulous night out. We both live in Hong Kong, so please, no Chinese recommendations We are thinking of:
Cy'an, Melba or Ember...any thoughts on these 3? We are also going to go to Lan Na Thai - any good? Thanks!

oops, sorry this is all re: Bangkok!

we went to Cy'an a couple of years ago and whilst we had a great time (it was the people we were with) i thought it to be very expensive by BK Standards.

I was at the same dinner as Smeagol and completely agree. While the quality of the company was exquisite, the food was not. It was fine, but that's all. Nothing extraordinary. The food was not memorable.

I ate there once and won't again. Not worth the price.

Hey guys...I was there too. The food WAS beatifully presented and tasty, but I would agree not too memerable. It was the company that we all will remember.

Have you thought about The Bed Supper Club? It's very unique, and food/presentation/service are all terrific.

Also, we just discovered a lovely Thai restaurant, Kinnaree, on Sukhumvit soi 8. Very easy to get to, just down the soi from Nana skytrain station.

Have not been to V9, but it gets good reviews from those who have.

Carol

bed is a good suggestion....biscotti in the four seasons hotel would be another...

i liked the food at cy'an....the company was better as i was part of that group also...it was the most expensive meal i have had in bkk...

I loved bed the first time I went 3 or 4 years ago but when I went back 2 years ago I found the food only mediocre and the whole experience seemed more gimicky. Maybe it only works once or maybe it has declined. Seemed sort of tired. First time I went there were locals as well as tourists. Second time it was 100% tourists including some tour groups.

One of the 3 best meals I have ever had, anywhere, was at Le Normandie on top of the [excellent] Oriental Hotel. Food was beyond compare, and the ambience was fantastic (you knew you were in a top-top place, yet the service/atmosphere was never stuffy). When the dessert trolley appeared and my Former Beloved could only stare with her mouth agape, unable to choose, the waiter instantly sized up the situation and cheerily offered to prepare a (large) plate with a good-sized sample of each item.

Thanks, what a shame about Cy'an - any good reviews out there... Also has anyone dined at Ember or Melba (formerly Alex's)?
My girlfriend has been to Bed before and she liked it but felt we might feel a bit silly it being just the two of us rather then a group. Also - is La Normandie much more expensive than Cy'an or is it in another league price wise? Thanks.

I would recommend Lord Jim over Normandie at the Oriental. Gorgeous restaurant and outstanding food.I think Normadie is not worth the money.

gloria has an excellent idea...LJ is also very special at lunch for the fantastic buffet (cost about $27 inclusive)

I have looked at Lord Jim's and now this may be the one - any table I should request...? Also, do you know if they or any great restaurant in Bangkok offers a tasting/degustation menu at dinner?

ask for a table by the windows...

many of the french restaurants offer such a menu and so do some of the upscale restaurants like LJ...

The only caveat I would make about Normandie is that sometimes they have visiting chefs (often from Paris) for a week or so and then the restaurant can be fabulous. So I would find out if anything like that is happening when you are there.

BTW-- if you do eat at Lord Jim, I'd do a few other things. Start your evening with a drink at the Sky Bar which is a short walk from the Oriental. And after dinner go down to the bamboo bar (in the hotel) for some jazz.

I would echo the recommendation for Lord Jims. Never had the privilege to dine at Le Normandie but heard it was fabulous. We always enjoyed Lord Jims and never had anything but a superb meal there. David

Thank you everyone for your kind advice. We are really looking forward to our weekend. I think dinner is now sorted, so...any great bar's we should visit (we are both 32, married) so not after a pick up scene but a really good atmosphere and great drinks - not too worried about price.

Definitely Sky Bar. Top of the list. And after dinner at Lord Jim go to Bamboo Bar fo jazz.