Thai dinner 1st night in Bangkok
 

Hi all - on our first night in Bangkok, I thought it would be nice for my husband and I to have a nice Thai dinner somewhere on the water (we're staying at the Old Bangkok
Inn). Someone (Gloria?) recommended Thara Thong. Would this fit our needs, and if so, how do we get there? If not, any other recommendations?

Thanks! -Pam

Pam-- I would suggest the buffet at the Oriental which is outside and relatively casual. Food is excellent and atmosphere wonderful. It is also fairly reasonable. You'll still be jet lagged so I'd save the fancier dinners for later in your trip.

I have to admit, I don't like buffets, even at the Oriental. So I'd opt for somewhere else. Thara Thong is in the Royal Orchid Sheraton. Take a taxi.

Kathie-- again you and I agree. I almost never eat at buffets and I avoided the one at the Oriental for 17 years but when I finally had it I loved it. Largely because things are being made on the spot constantly so stuff isn't just sitting out there. And they have waiters around to carry your plates etc.

these are both good suggestions, but i also do not do buffets, except at breakfast...

so may i suggest tongue thai...it is located directly between OP Place, which is directly behind the oriental hotel, and new road....in the same area is harmonique, on soi 34, new road... the soi is just to the left of the general post office on new road...
both serve excellent thai food...

i just reread your post and see you want to be "on the water", not near the water....so in that case may i suggest the thai restaurant in the garden of the peninsula hotel...they have 3 tasting menus which are delicious and combine a good selection of thai cuisine...all are served in a beautiful out door setting...res. is necessary usually...

The buffets at the Penn are great also.
I would suspect that at the true 5 star properties the food is replenished fairly often so that the quality is maintained.

at the oriental buffet they are actually cooking it in front of you. It's about 5 minutes old.

I just think a fancy restaurant (like the one at the Pen) should be saved for a night when you're not jet lagged. But maybe that's me. I do, however, think the river for your first night is a great way to start a trip.

can i relate an experience...last year i was at the shangri-la...i had laundry done in back of the hotel on a soi....in the late afternoon i walked by the rear entrance to the hotel on the way to the laundry...i observed at least 40 dressed chickens sitting on a stainless steel table in a room with full outdoor access---in other words full outdoor heat, no a/c....when i returned about 30 minutes later, they were still sitting there....i decided that i would not eat chicken there...
i make a transfer directly from this experience to buffets...maybe it is incorrect but i want to be careful...
how is the food treated...

They also cook the entrees in front of you at the Penn. You have the option of inside or outside seating by the river as well.

The Thara Thong is indoors at the Royal Orchid, overlooking the river. So if you want outdoors, choose one of the others. If you are still acclimating to the heat and want the comfort of air conditioning, the Thara Thong might be right for you.

Kathie - I don't recall acclimating to the heat at any time! (And realize that I live in Houston which gets that heat 5 months a year!)

Is the Oriental buffet something you need to make a reservation for? Is it on the same side of the river as the hotel or in the restaurant across the river where there is a buffet lunch?
Thanks!
J

Forgot to ask if anyone knows the cost?

Thanks again

J

I would opt for an inside meal my first night. Being tired and sitting out in hot, muggy air is not enjoyable to me- and I'm from Hawaii.

The buffet at Lord Jim in the Oriental is $27 for lunch. It is wonderful! As Gloria said, much of the food is cooked to order at small stations.

Thara Tong actually has a few tables ouside. While we stay at the ROS and have eaten at TT many times, it is good, but not great. However, it is less expensive than either the Oriental or the Pen. If you're looking to really splurge, go for one of those. The TT is very pleasnt especially if you're outside. I know this is a mixed message, but food is such an individual item that I thought it best to be complet rather consistent.

Well, I learn something new every day. As you know, Gpanda, I always stay at the Royal Orchid and I never noticed that there are outside tables at Thara Thong. Oh, I'll bet there are outside tables at night, but not at lunch time. I usually opt for a lunch at Thara Thong.

Jules-- the Oriental buffet is on the same side of the river as the hotel. You probably should make a reservation as it's pretty popular -- especially during the peak season.

From Dec-Feb, weather in the evenings are close to perfect. I loathe heat and humidity and never eat outside during the summer in Chicago. But I love eating outside at night in Bangkok during their "cool" season.

And the buffet at the Oriental is under $30.

Kathie-Beth and I ate lunch outside in November of 2004 at TT. The table was to the right near the corner (perhaps around the corner) after you walk outside TT onto the promenade.

I live in BKK and you didn't mention whether you had been here before but Lord Jim's is very well rated and the ambiance at the Oriental being a landmark/historical place in BKK may be a nice experience. To add, I just read an article on a man who travels 6 months out of the year, and his favorite place in the world was listed as Lord Jims. The Peninsula is just across the river and is always very nice. The Peninsula is less $$$ then Lord Jim's. If you want Thai food there is an old fashioned pavilion at the Shangri-la. For hotel Thai food it has some good dishes. I cannot comment on the hygiene but I have heard worse stories about so many hotels around the world, i.e. rats at the plaza in new york... As for price none of these are cheap, and the prices listed so far are similar to what you pay of course more for dinner. For less $$$ or if you want more low key there are great places to eat along the river near the hotels, but I don't feel confident in suggesting any one place.