Oh, I'd just thought of Biscotti at the Four Seasons for Italian, but Carol beat me to it. Bob often cites this as his favorite "special" restaurant in Bangkok. He should be able to tell you whether it comes in at your budget or not.

you might get out of biscotti for $100/couple, but maybe not either....limit one drink...

it remains a favorite, but the price has put it up there with the it./american restaurants at home.....it is a bit unique however and being in the four seasons is always a treat....res. necessary.... the crab appetizer is K's all time favorite....soups are good, pizza is good....pasta dishes are fantastic....meats are excellent....

OK. Two more places after quick look at "meals" listings in my journals. V9. It's not Thai or Italian, but it is very nice. It's the rooftop restaurant at one of the Silom hotels.

Zanzibar on soi 11. Garden atmosphere, but you can also dine inside. Good Italian. Not great, but difinitely good. I got red spots around my ankles (tiny bug bits) from eating outside the last time we did that. It did not happen any other time... must have been the table location? Anyway, I've sent a few others to Zanzibar, and they seem to like it.

I think you already know my favorite pizza place... Via Vai on soi 8. I keep going back there because their pizza is the best we've found. But for a special meal, you don't want to go to Via Vai, I don't suppose. Kinnaree still sticks in my mind as the best choice.

Carol

Carol,

The Italian at Bumrungrad has closed. There's a new food court there instead.

That's too bad. It was really delicious! I couldn't imagine an Italian restaurant in a hospital lobby being THAT GOOD, but it was!

There used to be a really nice restaurant in the basement level at Gaysorn. We tried it about 2 years ago. I'd have to look up the name of it. We tried it once, and then the next time we looked... it was gone! It was a really very nice place. But then, I don't think Gaysorn gets much traffic, does it? And especially on the basement level.

Degas... sorry for jumping into your thread to ask a Q of our friend Pook. Is there construction now of the extension to Gaysorn? Just curious.
Carol

via vai is not a fancy place...its just very plain, but the food is good

Carol,

I haven't been to Gaysorn in ages but if I pass by I'll stop in and look for you.

When I was last in the city in May, they had not yet torn down the old NariPhand building, I don't believe. I was expecting that building to be gone by then! That is where the expansion of Gaysorn is supposed to be. Oh well.... it can take a long time in Bangkok. Take for example Suan Lum Night Bazaar. That was supposed to be closed about two years ago, and it's still going strong! Wasn't there supposed to be some new shopping center built there?

Carol

Yep you're right about the Night Bazaar. The court cases are taking forever but it's shrinking in size day by day. The Central group was suppose to build a new shopping complex there but they have to wait until the court cases are final. Basically all the remaining tenants are paying rent to a company who does not own the land and is not paying any rent them self!

"Long Table, Suk soi 16? Have you been there yet?"

Have not been yet, on my to do list, but thought it might be best for sunset drinks rather than dinner?

Drinks at sunset would be OK, but the view isn't 64 floors up, like it is at Sky Bar. If I'm going for just the view and a drink, I'll take Sky Bar anyday.
Carol

Try Salathip on the river at the Shangri La Hotel. The night we dined there we got to see fireworks on the river.

I do appreciate all these great recommendations. Hard put now to pick just one.

So true, degas. I've been to Bangkok 20+ times and I always have a long list of restaurants I want to try that I haven't gotten to yet!

can i add Supatra by the river? (thai) Not near a sky train but if staying on the river they will pick you up by boat!! KILLER views of the Grand Palance at night, lovely food.