My husband and I and our two sons (13 and 19)will be in Thailand in mid February, mostly in Chaing Rai, but we'll return to BKK for two days before departing. The first night in BKK we plan to have a night tour which will include dinner. The second night, however, we would like to find a restaurant to celebrate our 25th anniversary. In an ideal world, it would have marvelous food, great setting and ambiance and it would not bore the kids to death. We've been considering Bed (because it sounds unique and the kids might get a kick out of it), China House, Sala Rim Naam (outside) or Lord Jim (near the window). Can we do o.k. with any of them, or do you have a new suggestion?

You can cross Bed off your list, as you have to be 21 (or is it 20?) to get in.

My vote would be for China House - the Peking Duck - as it would be my personal choice.

Sala Rim Nam gets good reviews for it's a la carte menu, but not for the buffet. Other choices for Thai food would be Mahanaga or Face Lana Thai.

Lord Jim is supposed to be wonderful, but I rarely eat continential food in Bangkok. There are a number of Italian restaurants that get good reviews as well if you want non-Asian food.

It all depend on how much you want to spend for a special dinner. I have a few ideas as follow.

Lord Jim, live music, great atmosphere with ok food. Just ate there last week and was not impress with the food especially their "signature" dishes.

China House, if you are going to celebrate your anniversary there ask for a private room with special decoration(flower arrangements etc). I've arrange a few special dinner there where we converted one of the private room into a bar with live music and connecting to another room for dining(all upstairs on the second level).

Other suggestion for a romantic anniversary dinner with kids:

1/. Dinner cruise on a small private rice barge. Example: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hotel/510000041.asp

2/. Al Fresco dining on top of a building. Example: http://www.thedomebkk.com/web/corp_home04.html

That's all I can think of but I'll try and think of more choices.

Since you'll be around Chiang Rai you might want to check out the new Four Seasons Tented Camp there - http://www.fourseasons.com/goldentriangle/index.html

Might be worth a few extra nights stay and celebrate your anniversary there.

I think your kids might get a bit bored at the China House. I mean it's very pretty, but...

Now Vertigo or the Dome state tower would be a mindblowing experience - the view is amazing and bound to wow kids, teens and adults alike

We ate at Sala Rim on Jan 1st, the first night of our trip and it was amazing. The thai dancing is gorgeous and the river setting is ideal. The kids would be impressed by the fruit carving which is exhibited as well. The food, some of the best we have had in 2+ weeks. Even better than 4 Seasons Chiang Mai (where we stayed one night just to experience)

We plan to go back to Sala Rim tomorrow or the next day b/f heading home.

I can imagine that a city view from Vertigo or the other mentioned would also be great.

Don't forget The Dome at the top of State Tower. That would be my choice. But its not cheap.

the dance dinner at the oriental WOULD send the kids into orbit....don't do that..

china house would be ok....brad's idea of the sirroco at the top of the state building at the corner of silom and new roads is excellent and the boys would love being way up high....expensive however...there are several restaurant offerings up there and the sky bar...

biscotti in the four seasons would be a good choice...italian food

face would be another choice for either thai or indian food

la normandie at the oriental is french

the thai rest at the peninsula would be wonderful, alfresco but even nicer is jesters at the penn...great food and fabulous view and unique setting..very expensive but worth it

Thank you so much for all your suggestions. You've given me lots to think about; we're willing to be quite spendy for this experience. I like the idea of a private barge trip, but wonder if the food would be good. Also I'll check out Dome and Vertigo. I was surprised that Bed has an age requirement. My 19 year old son seems to think there are no laws limiting alcohol consumption by age in Asia. Is there? Can he (and the 13 year old) go to bars? We were thinking of capping the night at the Sky bar or similar.

Basil restaurant...Marriot Grande Hotel...Sukumvit Road... a 3-minute walk after exiting Asoke skytrain station. Happy Travels!

guen--i think you have it mixed up??

Thanks, Bob. I meant Sheraton Grande....Sukhumvit...at Asoke station. I must be losing my mind. Smiles. Oh, by the way, did you receive your Bangkok 101 magazine? Kathie got hers. Happy Travels!

i have not received it guen....it has to walk across america to get to me...kathie's only has to swim north....i look forward to it...

It should arrive soon, Bob. I mailed yours, Kathie's, and Laurie's at the same time. Maybe it's buried in snow somewhere along the way and you'll have to wait until the snow melts in spring...when it can float in your direction. Ha...Ha...Ha... Happy Travels!

leigh- I think the Bed's age limit (20) is to keep it adult oriented, not because of the drinking laws. And they do check ID.

Bob,
The Dome is not Sirocco. The food and the view are better. When you come out of the elevator on #64, go up the stairs instead of outside.

I'll see to it that Mom eats there this trip. We'll see what she thinks?

Brad, The Dome is the location on top of the state building. There are 3 restaurants there. Sirocco, Distil & Mezzaluna. I think the one you are refferring to is Distil.

i remember that there were several different venues atop the state building...sirrocco, a back bar inside and the sky bar.....but i also remember that there were at least two other areas with combos playing inside...these must be the other mentioned places....

Yes, Bed's age limit is 20 and they do check I.D. Happy Travels!

Just back from Bangkok and dinner the last night at Sirroco an excellent experience. Outdoors on the 63rd floor (the Dome is one flight up indoors) The ambiance setting cannot be beaten. Food was excellent. Prices pretty high. Don't believe the boys would be bored as the views are so spectacular.