BREEZE
(*****L): High-rise and high-end! We loved at first sight this impressive
dinning scene, spread over two-stories atop the luxurious Lebua
At State Tower hotel. We had our table booked a few weeks in advance
-the restaurant is always full- on the 52nd floor, in the al fresco Such a great location would be more than enough to attract tourists: overcharging them with mediocre food. Which is not at all Breeze management's choice. Part of the «Dome At State Tower» gastronomic concept (the best top class gastronomic restaurants in Bangkok, concentrated under one roof), Breeze features authentic Asian seafood cuisine. Better than Singapore. Dethroning Hong Kong. Was it the addition of many glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne? Was it the pure oxygen breathed over the Bangkok legendary smog? Was it simply the amazing quality of the top class dishes brought to our table? We became euphoric after our first starter: a «Steamed Dim Sim Basket» (THB 930), featuring a sophisticated selection of supreme Lobster Siew Mai, Chive Dumplings, rare Zucchini Prawn Dumplings and Chilean Sea Bass Mooli Rolls. Our companion had Wasabi Prawns, crispy friend and tossed with Wasabi Cream (THB 510), which we would also like to recommend. Our «Chicken and Shark's Fin Soup» (THB 1,8000) was a delicacy: shark's fin is a legendary Chinese specialty. One of the most expensive also. It displays a very special savour, and comes like a very healthy meat, saturated with vitamines. As a main dish, we did it the Chinese way, ordering a selection of the best Breeze specialties for the whole table. The Baked Chilean Sea Bass (THB 1,180), is prepared like in the best three Michelin Star we had visited in our long gastronomic life. We have been impressed, indeed, by the preparation of our fish, glazed with Chinese Honey, and served with fried Mushrooms, Kailan (a bitter-sweet green vegetable) and light Hoisin Sauce. It was competing, in term of savor and quality, with the yummy «Wok-Fried live Australian Lobster XO», with Wing Beans and Mushrooms, in a light red Chili XO sauce. At THB 3,450, this is one of the most expensive fares on the menu; but well worth the price. You can get lobster at a more balanced rate, ordering the «Breeze Fried Rice»: an epicurean dish, with diced Abalone, Crab meat, and a generous portion of lobster minced meat. A pure, divine, delicacy! At THB 1,900, we won't hesitate and order it again next time we visit Breeze. Desserts concentrates on one page in the menu. Great value for money (all come at THB 320). We just loved the «Portuguese Egg Tart with Birds Nest» (a delicacy collected in the South of Thailand), which is the pastry chef's specialty, together with the «Breeze on Ice» ( a refreshing selection of petit desserts on ice). Though Breeze enjoys one of the best -if not simply the best!- wine cellar in the Kingdom of Thailand, we ordered neutral beverages, not interfering with the delicate savor of the Chinese gastronomic cuisine. Two glasses of Laurent-Perrier Brut (at THB 1,980 by the glass) and a few cups of Jasmine Tea perfectly accompanied this sumptuous dinner. The
Guiness Book of Records reminds that the most expensive dinner ever has
been served under «The
Dôme», at 1 Million US dollars a head!!! Please, don't
be frightened: you will spend about THB 8-15,000 per person for a splendid
set menu dinner, with one or two glasses of good wine. Less than half the
price applied in a two Michelin Star restaurant in Europe. Which makes
this expensive restaurant still one of the best values in Bangkok.
BREEZE
(at LEBUA AT STATE TOWER): State
Tower 1055 Silom Road, Bangkok 10500
SALA
RIM NAAM (*****): Our
first great tourist and gastronomic experience in Thailand. Still under
the jet lag, we booked our diner at the Sala Rim Naam in The
Oriental Hotel. This was a delight: after crossing the river Menam
Chao Phraya in an old fashion teak wood Meanwhile, we were entertained by dances from old Siam court, and episodes of masked Ramakian performed by "katoeys" (transvestites) any honest man would feel ready to marry on the spot... discovering quickly the sad reality ! Royal treatment, indeed. We left the Sala Rim Naam little bit dizzy with nostalgia, sweet music, great spicy food and cool Singha beer. A servant (could we talk about "waiter" or "waitress" in this such a noble place?...) returned our shoes, delicately polished. Was it a dream ? No: this was Thailand, Sala Rim Naam, and the superlative luxury of The Oriental. We recently heard that the SALA RIM NAM was also serving lunch. In a quiet and very local atmosphere -lots of guests were upper class Thai residents- we experienced their sumptuous buffet: lots of crispy, chewy, spicy, sour and sweet delicacies! This was on June 2003, and there was still that unique quality in term of food, beverage and service! Booking is essential. SALA
RIM NAAM (at The Oriental hotel):
48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok 10500
THE
MAYFLOWER (*****): Restaurants
in the Dusit
Thani are a logical extension of the luxurious and tasty atmosphere
of the hotel. We visited The Mayflower first , as we heard from its exquisite
Cantonese food promoted by the leading Chinese colony in Bangkok. Cantonese Decoration is very plush: successful mixture of European and Oriental designs. This is the perfect place to enjoy the famous Dim Sums: they have been making the reputation of The Mayflower for more than 15 years. The Andaman Sea's Lobster came to us from its aquarium , fresh and cooked like we wished. The Consomme with Soya and Black Mushrooms was little bit too light , missing a "je ne sais quoi". Though a very popular specialty , we enjoyed the way they cooked Fried Noodles with Shrimps and Black Mushrooms. Dessert was Tropical Fruits served with Coconut Creamy Milk. A very good quotation goes to this exquisite restaurant , which doesn't need our recommendation to be fully booked both for lunch and dinner. We just realize we were about forgetting the most important: the very nice hostess at the entrance door , whose long dress opens a little bit too high on her long and beautiful legs , attracting the male guests perhaps even more than the food does... THE
MAYFLOWER (at DUSIT THANI ):
946 Rama IV Rd, Bangkok 10500
LE
NORMANDIE (*****): You are both gourmet
and wealthy ? You like superlative French wines and legendary Thai service
? Le Normandie is THE place for a happy few like you. A Western,
highly experimented chef, and a stylish French "Maître d'Hôtel",
supervise this panoramic restaurant We particularly enjoyed the Duck Liver served with an excellent Sauterne, the Supreme of Lobster and the Filet Mignon (juicy and tender) with vegetables strudels. Most of the ingredients are freshly imported from France: only two or three REAL French restaurants in Bangkok can afford it. Cheese is wonderful, with a great variety from not so common Murol to popular Bresse Bleu, and from aristocratic Roquefort to Brie de Meaux, generously served on a trolley. As a dessert, we recommend the "Creme Renversée": a pure delight, which comes on the regularly updated menu. Time has gone, unfortunately, when a French "maestro" was hired for a long term as a consultant (Troisgros, Senderens, Vrinat... all of them have worked for Le Normandie in the 80's - 90's, with one of their best "sous-chefs" permanently in the kitchen); fortunately, some world famous chefs still visit Le Normandie from time to time, conducting special culinary menus. From March 1 - 6, 2010, the young and talented Three Star Michelin Chef Juan Amador ("Amador" restaurant, Langen, Germany) will propose his very own interpretation of Spanish cuisine, inspired by Ferran Adrià’s ("El Bulli") revolutionary way of cooking. Le Normandie remains one of our
best addresses in Bangkok for those who like the "Cuisine Bourgeoise".
Certainly the most prestigious.
LE
NORMANDIE (at The Mandarin-Oriental Bangkok hotel):
48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok 10500
RANG
MAHAL (*****): Good Indian restaurants are
overabundant in Bangkok, which is certainly, together with London, the
most interesting city outside India to experience a great curry or a succulent
tandoori. But when it comes to entertain itself in style, the local Indian Arguably one of the best gourmet restaurants we have experienced in Bangkok, it occupies the 26th floor of the luxurious Rembrandt Hotel, and gives the impression of dinning in a real « rang mahal » (name given to the banqueting room, where the maharajahs of India were treated to the best food, drinks and music). Decorated with complicated mirror work and lovely paintings, the restaurant has a heavily carpeted large main dining room, filled with Indian music. This is where you will feel the beat on: the atmosphere is festive, though of course quite noisy. Indians guests book their table there far in advance; the first time visitor will get more chance to have his table reserved in the second room, close to enormous windows with a splendid view over Bangkok or, even better, in the large, breezy terrace, ideal for al fresco romance... or cigar smoking (it is prohibited by a ridiculous recent law to smoke in the restaurants: so all smokers are looking for terraces!). No need to be connoisseurs of this cuisine to enjoy the yummy truly authentic Northern Indian specialities brought to our table by a myriad of servants supervised by a beautiful hostess acting like a seducing «maître d'hôtel». We simply followed her wise advice, and have been served a best of the Indian cuisine in fine porcelain plates sorted to luxurious silverware. . The «Tandoori Nazrane» are kebabs made out of selected Indian herbs and spices, according to secret recipes which have been handed down the generations to the present time. Wonderful appetizers, they feature « Tandoori Prawns » (THB 675), marinated in succulent spices, and finished in a charcoal oven. Crunchy, amazingly palatable, those jumbo prawns constituted a great introduction to our banquet. It came with « Saada Chawal » (THB 195): fluffy steamed Basmati rice. We loved the « Makhani Naan » (THB 100), fine flour bread topped with butter, and the « Laccha Paratha » (THB 100), multi-layered whole-wheat flour bread, which came with our « Murgh Tikka » (THB 395): so tender pieces of boneless chicken marinated in spices, then grilled in the Tandoori. We had it with « Dal-Maa Rang Mahal » (THB 250): black lentils cooked with asafoetida, garlic and tomatoes. Simmered over night on a charcoal fire, this legendary « Dal », enriched with butter and cream, is a Rang Mahal specialty. Our happy stomach was full, but couldn't resist a small portion of « Burra Kebab » (THB 425): Mutton delicately flavored, and finished in clay oven. A real Indian banquet ends with a rich selection of desserts. Out of the great choice offered at the Rang Mahal, we pick up the « Gulab Jamun » (THB 175). This was the first time that we tasted those cream cheese dumplings, flavored with cardamom, saffron, and topped with roasted almonds. Energetic would be an euphemism to describe such a rich specialty. Forget your scale, and order it: this is simply yummy. Excellent
menus are available, which we found very good value for money. The «Maharaja
Menu» would be a perfect initiation to the Rang Mahal resources,
at THB 995 ++ (this was the best offer the day of our last visit, in March
2009). It comes with Tea Masala; though we would like to recommend the
astonishing Indian «Champagne IVY Brut, Chateau Indage»,
An interesting New World style wine, blended from Chardonnay, Chenin
Blanc, Riesling and Muscat. Displaying an inviting clear straw color, with
a lasting stream of effervescence, we found it better than many Californian
or South African sparkling wines.
RANG
MAHAL (at REMBRANDT
HOTEL): 19 Sukhumvit Soi 18, Klong Toei, Bangkok 10110
NEW-YORK
STEAKHOUSE (*****): Located in the ritzy JW
Marriott hotel, this plush, private-club like restaurant ranks among
the best steak houses in Bangkok. The top quality fresh chilled meat, imported
from the USA and Australia, comes out from grain fed beef: which makes You don't like meat? No problem: the New-York Steakhouse is still a place for you. It has got remarkable seafood. We experienced the Lobster Bisque : friendly Chef Dieter Ruckenbauer knows how to make it! The French way: with Cognac and generous bites of crunchy lobster... This is the specialty which will make us come back. A great value for money, at THB 340 only! Many guests like the Seafood Mixed Grill (THB 1,650): with lobster, salmon, tiger prawns, tuna loin and swordfish. Another super fresh delicacy is the Seafood Market, featuring lobster tails, mussels, oysters and shrimps, served on crushed ice by the small (THB 1,600) or large (THB 2,950) portion. Have it with a refreshing, well chilled French « Château Alexis Lichine, Chardonnay » (THB 450 by the glass). Salads are another signature: prepared tableside, the Caesar Salad (THB 390), with anchovies and pork bacon, can be accompanied by a wide variety of rich, palatable sauces. For dessert, don't hesitate: the New York Cheesecake, rich and decadent, is simply a must. Smart casual dress code required... just to feel at ease in front of the dressed to kill French Maître d'Hôtel! The Bangkok society loves this place, which is also very much visited by the hotel residents: so reservation is as warmly recommended as the restaurant. Open for
dinner only (6:00PM – 11:00PM)
NEW-YORK
STEAKHOUSE (at JW MARRIOTT HOTEL BANGKOK ): 4 Sukhumvit Road,
Soi 2, Bangkok 10110
CIAO
(****): What a location for a romantic moonlight
diner! Settled between the river Chao Phraya and the tropical gardens of
The Oriental «Authors'
Lounge», this is certainly our favorite terrace in Bangkok. You feel
like far from Italy, with a breathtaking panorama on the We enjoyed very much the Antipasto of small Calamari, with Sun Wilted Plum Tomatoes, Oven Roasted Pumpkin, Small Olives and Sweet "Pepperoni" (THB 380), which is one the chef's signatures. Very light and tasty. Another favorite: the Casareccia Pasta With Lamb Meat Balls, Salted Ricotta and Touch of Chillies (THB 390). The Original "Alex Cesare Cardini" Salad, with Anchovy Fillets, Garlic Tiles and Parmesan (THB 380) is a best seller. The Risotto with Crustaceans, Green Asparagus, Aromatic Herbs and Drops of Saffron Oil (THB 450) has been adapted to the climate, and we liked very much this light, palatable version of what is basically supposed to be quite an heavy meal. Excellent desserts, featuring original Italian ice-creams. We had our diner with a very affordable (THB 400 by the glass) «Primo Amore 2006 IGT, Pinot Grigio delle Venezie» with light pear and almond aromas, with dilute fresh pear fruit flavors and a soft and slightly tart finish. Interesting and refreshing. Friendly and efficient service, supervised by Khun Nattanone: the «Maître d'Hôtel », which has been working at The Oriental for ages. We warmly recommend this genuine, affordable Italian restaurant. Open daily
from 5pm until 11pm (closed during the rainy season).
CIAO
(at The Oriental hotel): 48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok 10500
We stepped in the restaurant at 10:30pm and, though it usually closes at 11pm, it was still quite full; we were offered a table and promptly served without any kind of remark. We were advised to watch out when ordering: all dishes are served in generous portions. We therefore suggest dinners to order and share three or four specialities. Service is anticipating and fast: so those who want more will be served within a few minutes. The «Tom Kha Gai» (THB 180) is our favorite Thai soup: featuring chicken, galangal and coconut milk, this is a perfumed delight. Not as spicy as the legendary «Tom Yam Goong» (THB 240): traditional hot King Prawn soup, with lime, lemon-grass a,lot of chilli. For experienced palates only! Red Peppers is a place for vegetarians specialties: we found lot of them in the extended menu. The «Poh Pia Je» (THB 150) are very good vegetarian spring rolls. We like the refreshing «Yam Som-O Je» (THB 140) pomelo salad. Excellent «Phad Thai Je» (THB 160): fried vegetarian noodles Thai style, recommended for children because not spicy at all. The fish and seafood are proficiently prepared. As spicy as yummy, the «Pla Krapong Khao Neung Manao» (THB 310), steamed boneless sea-bass with spicy lime sauce,is much recommended. More expensive (THB 560), the «Goong Tod Gratiem Prik Thai» is a delicacy a gourmet cannot miss; we like it with «Khao Phad Gratiem» (THB 150): tasty garlic fried rice. Have it all with a bottle of well chilled local beer (Singha or Chang); Thai food doesn't go along with wine. Small though
good selection of desserts: the best remains the «Kluay Bowd Chee»
(THB 95): palatable banana cooked in coconut milk.
RED
PEPPER (at Rembrandt
Hotel):
DOC
CHENG'S (***): Paying tribute to once legendary
Singapore Raffles hotel's doctor, DOC CHENG'S is not a Chinese restaurant.
We found the dinning room very much in the western design. Trendy, comfortable,
with enough distance between each table to preserve intimacy or As a starter, the now world fashionable Spanish Tapas looked like our favourite choice: the Wok-Fried Calamari with Chilli Dressing, marinated, with an appetising golden crisp, were excellent. Wise alternatives, the Lobster Summer Rolls, with succulent chunks of lobster, wrapped with crispy fresh vegetables in soft rice paper, are a delicacy. Classy dinners will prefer the rich Szechuan Smoked Salmon with Oscietra Caviar: imported from Iran, which is the world best caviar provider, it is served with blinis and sour cream. Note that we found the price quite affordable, at THB 750; while others Tapas are in the THB 200/300 range. Herbal teas and soups were a Doc Cheng's speciality. The Herbal Beef Soup has been partly inspired by his original receipts, with chef's addition of some tasty elements: like the toasted lotus flower croutons. The soup was THB 230. Main courses include Crisp Sea Bass Fillet. The fish was delicate, lightly seasoned and delicately deep-fried: with a shattering crispy skin, but with a warm and tender flesh. At THB 320, this is a warmly recommended speciality. Quite in the Singaporean style, the Indochine Duck, smooth pieces of breast marinated and cooked in its own juice, then laid on a bed of aromatic rice and garnished with a tasty coconut-pineapple sauce, was like a masterpiece of that inventive cuisine displayed at DOC CHENG'S. THB 270 buys a course that would cost at least five times more in a Michelin star restaurant in Paris! As a dessert we have been wisely suggested the Composition of Crème Brulées. This symphony of five crèmes -sago, banana, coconut, red bean and pandan-, glazed with sugar and arranged around a tuile biscuit, was light and palatable. More inventive desserts, like the astonishing Warm Langra Mango with Glazed Frangelico -served with a banana-tofu ice cream- are available for gourmets looking for testing deeper and deeper the subtlety of flavours. All those sweet marvels are on the THB 150-200 range. We enjoyed the all lunch with chilled local Singha beer; though sophisticated dinners will certainly prefer to choose some more accurate beverage in the wine list... whose unique default is to be more oriented on the "new world" vineyards (California, South Africa, Australia...) than on the French vintages. But if you like Dom Perignon, it is available for THB 11,000/bottle. Without this bubbling treasury, DOC CHENG'S is the dreamed place for an unforgettable meal for less than THB 1000. Warmly recommended. DOC
CHENG's (AT LE CONCORDE SWISSOTEL): 204, Ratchadapisek Road, Huay Kwang,
Bangkok 10320
TRADER VIC'S (***): Chains of restaurants are not our cup of tea, as standardization in both food and design doesn't match our Epicurean tastes. The real exception remains TRADER VIC'S. The style is upper-class , though relaxation is encouraged to taste top quality food. There are two TRADER VIC'S in South-East Asia: one in Singapore the other in Bangkok at the Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa. Here we enjoyed a romantic view on river Menam Chao Phraya , a warm decoration , a friendly service , and a reasonable bill for such an honorable restaurant. The food is Polynesian, Chinese, and more generally tropical. Specialties include delicious Pressed Almond Duck Lomi-Lomi (marinated Norwegian salmon Tahitian style), and really succulent Indonesian Rack of Lamb ,grilled in a Chinese wood fired oven giving the meat an extraordinary taste. Desserts with fresh fruits, and refreshing tropical drinks are worth being enjoyed. This is a restaurant we feel like visiting again and again: which is not so common in Bangkok , where the multiplication of good places serving great food involves versatility. TRADER VIC'S
at MARRIOTT ROYAL GARDEN RIVERSIDE
FOCAZZIA
(***): This trendy trattoria at the
Novotel Bangkok (on Siam Square) is successfully packed every
night with Italian food connoisseurs. This is actually not only a pizzeria,
thought they prepare the best Pizza (THB 160-290) in town: a wide selection
of Mediterranean We started our dinner with a Selezione d'Antipasti Misti Del Giorno, featuring a selection of daily prepared appetizers, for two. Including: Pan Bruschetta (fresh oven-backed bread, with diced fresh tomatoes, Mozzarella and oregano), Affettati Misti (Italian cold cuts) and Grigliata Di Verdure (selection of grilled vegetables in aromatic olive oil). All came freshly delicious. Most of the ingredients are imported: we therefore found the price (THB 310) much affordable. Still as an appetizer, another good option would be the great Grigliata Di Frutti Di Mare: that rich selection of grilled fish, seafood and vegetables featured some samples of Carpaccio Ai Pesci Di Mare (raw marinated sea bass and tuna, with lemon dressing), and Totanetti Balzi Rossi (spicy-sour marinated grilled baby squid on tomato sauce). Same range of price as the previous course (THB 340). Pasta is also much palatable. We enjoyed the classical Lasagne Bolognese: well oven backed, creamy, with first choice meat. Their Taglioni Primavera are also first rate, and not expensive al all: only THB 150 for a most generous portion. The Sabaione was slightly too sweet according to our taste, but many people like it that way. The Tiramisu is much recommended (THB 130). For such a good value for money,
nobody would believe it, but there is live guitar music till 10pm; then
a curtain opens in the back of the room which, in a minute, becomes part
of the CM2 : one of the most popular night club and entertainment complex
in town !
FOCAZZIA
(NOVOTEL
BANGKOK ON SIAM SQUARE) :
SELECTION OF CHEAP HOTELS IN BANGKOK
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terrace
which is accessible by a glass sky-bridge that is illuminated by an alternative
spectrum of colors. We were lucky enough to be seated beside a glass balcony,
more than 200 meters above the Menam Chao Phraya river, enjoying a dramatic
panorama over the most exciting and bustling megalopolis in Asia.
ferry-boat,
when at dawn the lights of the ships are starting reflecting in the obscure
water, we reached the Thonburi's right bank where is located the Sala Rim
Naam, just behind a romantic garden and terrace. Our dreamed Thailand became
reality as soon as we stepped into this traditional and luxurious pavilion:
a stream of servants drove us to a table -after our shoes had been softly
removed !- kneeling quite permanently in front of us to present a set menu
of tasty typical specialties.
meals
-more characterized by their texture than by their savor- are catching
some exquisite taste here , under the Thai influence.
on
the top floor of the lavish 
community
goes nowhere but in the Rang Mahal.
elegant,
tender and juicy steaks. We ordered a Rib Eye Steak (14 oz) from
Omaha (Nebraska): cut from the center of the rib, this « Certified
Angus Beef » steak develops an excellent full bodied flavor.
Although slightly more fatty than the Fillet Mignon, the Roasted
Australian Grain Fed Prime Rib or the legendary NY Strip Loin
(one of the restaurant signatures), the flesh melts on the grill and comes
rare or medium, always very juicy. As a side dish, we chose Deutsch
Asparagus: light and palatable, creating a smart association with an
aristocratic beef (at THB 1,700, we could even call it « royal »).
Steaks and fillets arrive on their plate with minimal adornment: we had
it with a full bodied, aromatic red wine from South Africa: a superb «
Kanonkop Cadette, Merlot Cabernet » (THB 570 by the glass / THB 2,700
per bottle).
starlit
«menam» (=river), jammed with rice barges, speedboats and ferries;
but we must recognize that the food is close to what we would have enjoyed
in a Roman trattoria. The sauces are lighter, the olive-oil dosed with
parsimony; but we are in a tropical country and, indeed, your stomach will
like it. Else, the pizzas are cooked in an authentic Neapolitan wood-fired
oven. There is a variety of home-made pasta which make the Italian
diaspora, quite active in Bangkok, come back again and again.
restaurant,
entertained by live piano music, for its renowned scallop delicacies and
sophisticated curries.
have
a discreet business discussion, it is complemented by cozy private lounges
for VIP dinners, families and small groups.
specialties
is also available on the menu.
