I feel that I should write up what I did for future reference.

We went to the Oriental Sala Rim Naan the first night as we had just gotten of a flight from the NYC-SIN-BKK, and after 18.5 hours in a plane plus the time to BKK, we were exhausted. Additionally, we thought our two young girls would love the show (which they did). Food was good - more western - but not by any standards the best we had.

We tried Ban Klang Nam (the place written up in CN Traveler for Jan). Didn't love it although some of the food was good.

We went to Celadon twice. The first time the food was excellent, but the service was terrible (we compared it to the flight over on SIA, but said they couldn't even fulfill what the FAs had done!). We went back again, and service was much better. Overall, this was our favorite restaurant in BKK, not the least because of its varied menu (and high quality, of course). I believe dinner for five (essentially 3 adults/2 children) was around 100USD, quite affordable for most westerners.

We went to Thiptara. We enjoyed this very much. Food was very good and service was excellent. Felt about the same for Baan Khanita, although it was much more lively .

We had breakfast at the Oriental everyday. Buffet was not wonderful so we mostly ordered a la carte which was very nice. We found service geniuine, efficient, and friendly; we loved the aspect of being out on the river, especially before it got too hot.

We also had tea in the author's lounge a couple of times. Great experience - service, atmosphere, and music. I recommend it to anyone going to Bangkok.

Overall, in Thailand, our best meals were those in the FS Chiang Mai. The food here was phenomenal (contrary to some things I heard hear and in the Luxury Hotels forum). The food was the most creative, and of the highest quality. Much of the menu had northern influences in it (being that it is in the north), which we enjoyed. Breakfast at this resort is phenomenal (it is western), and not to be missed. BTW, this is a phenomenal resort. We were there for a good portion of our trip and loved it. Chiang Mai is not really worth going into much. The night bazaar is nothing exciting and the temples in CM are worse than those in BKK.

Amanpuri, Phuket also had excellent food. If you go, make sure to get the set menu. I'm not sure what breakfast is, however, as we had room service delivered to the villa (actually, all of our meals but one were in the villa). One thing we enjoyed here, too, is that some of their food is regional; additionally, they are willing to make whatever you want for you.

OT, but in SIN, I recommend the Chinese restaurant in the FS (on Orchard Blvd). It was phenomenal - best Chinese food I have ever had. One thing to note is that on Sat/Sun, they have a special menu of 100 items that you can order as much of as you want (including a boal of shark's fin soup) for a set price of around 45 SD. It is a great value. Add unlimited Veuve Cliquot for only around 50SD. I wholeheartedly recommend this place to anyone in SIN.

I'm reading this thinking, wow it's creepy how we had the same experiences/opinion :)

We finally made it to Celadon and dare say that it is our best Thai meal in Bangkok to date, up there with Blue Elephant. I would go back to either on my next trip. For the river, I much prefer Thiptara to Sala Rim Naam which, unfortunately for me, was just mediocre to the point where I would not even consider going back.

I felt the same way about CM - both the night-bazaar and the temples were ho-hum compared to Chatuchak or the Grand Palace in BKK. The FS|CM is out of this world. The setting of Sala Mae Rim where they serve meals, overlooking the rice paddies with the impossibly perfectly-shaped mountain in the background, is seared in my memory. The cooking class is highly recommended, complete with a windswept setting that is unforgettable. We learnt how to make northern specialties like khao soi, and popular dishes like tom yum and pad thai. It was a blast. And the pool.. Wow. Did you get the chocolate ice-cream on lemongrass stick thingies? How do you even begin to describe the service? Or the spa? Sensational.

Jiang Nan Chun is fabulous! The lunch thingie is a great value and the quality of food and service is superb. The ambience is very classy, not too modern but not OTT either. One of the best places in SIN, IMO. That and Jade (Asian fusion) at the Fullerton.

One of my favorite experiences in Thailand (and there are many) is having dinner at the Four Seasons Chiang Mai at sunset. The food here is superb, setting is stunning, and the service is gracious. I still can't believe that my parents and I had a two-course dinner, all for US$50. A bargain! The khao soi gai here is so tasty.

My parents took the cooking class at the Four Seasons Chiang Mai. They enjoyed it immensely. They said that the staff were super friendly and helpful. The staff also took my parents on a tour of the beautiful resort, including an up close visit to the resident buffalos.

My parents and I also had dim sum at the Chinese restaurant at the new Mandarin Oriental in Chiang Mai, only a couple of months after they opened. Wow, what a beautiful restaurant in a spectacular resort. Service was a bit slow. I think they were overwhelmed by the number of diners. Throughout the meal, they apologized profusely for the slow service. At the end of the meal when we were about to leave, they again apologized and asked to please come back again so that they can do better next time. I almost felt bad by their graciousness.

Yes, the Chinese restaurant at the Four Seasons in Singapore is great. The dim sum here is so unique, tasty, and imaginative. Service is sterling.

BlueDC: I believe that you were one of the people in the Luxury Hotels forum that sold that Four Seasons to me, especially because of your raves about the cooking class!

Totally forgot to mention the cooking class. That was one of our absolute best memories from Thailand. The atmosphere was phenomenal, the people (especially Chef Pitak and the coordinator Goi were amazing. The recipes were the same (or incredibly similar to) as the restaurant ones. For example, at the hotel they make their pad thai in an "egg net." In the cooking course, they showed us how to make it. I recommend these to anybody going to Thailand/CM.

As for the rest of the hotel, everything was amazing: service, spa, restaurants, pool (small but a beautiful location). Unfortunately, they no longer have the chocolate ice cream.

I'm another big fan of Celadon. I make a trip there every time I'm in BKK, whether I'm staying at Sukothai or not.

I'll have to agree -- the Four Seasons Chiang Mai is spectacular, and the food is perhaps the best part. I had an incredible dinner and was fortunate enough to be there for the Sunday brunch -- served in the cooking school with seating outside -- when I visited in September. Service, of course, was unparalleled. I can't wait to go back and attend the cooking school.

Had a five-hour layover in BKK en route from CNX back to the U.S. (to NRT on TG and back to IAD on NH), and asked the hotel to arrange a car to take me to the Four Seasons in town to have dinner at Spice Market. I was very disappointed.

I've never had dinner at Spice Market. Please tell us how you were disappointed. Thanks.

I am surprised about Spice Market.... I ate at Spice Market almost every other night while I was in Bangkok and absolutely loved it. Gracious service, nice ambiance, and just fantastic food..... the roasted duck red curry is my all time favourite!!

Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I find it somewhat difficult to atually find a place in BKK where I really did not like the food. Truthfully, I like pretty much all the places asked about, and mentioned here in this thread. Perhaps I'm not all that picky? ;)

Happy eating! :)

Mark

The food just wasn't that great, especially compared to elsewhere in BKK (as doc points out). I had a multi-course meal, and the food didn't have the spicy, fresh-tasting flavor that I expected. The service and atmosphere were fine. I wish that I remember my specific menu, but I remember that most of the courses were underwhelming. Sorry I can't be more specific -- but it looks like I am in the minority here, so perhaps you'll try and have a better experience.

Oriental
 

We ate at a banquet at the Oriental two years ago and weren't all that impressed.

We'd a much better Royal Thai cuisine meal at a place called Bussacarum (not sure of the spelling) on Thanon Pan, off the Silom Road. It was also about a third of the price!!! :)

Thanks.

I will always remember arriving at the Oriental, BKK, after flying about halfway around the world from Rome. We were starving. Within a few minutes, after a room-service request, a lovely dining table arrived with fresh lobster, spring rolls and a good salad. I have traveled to many places since then. Still, that experience at the Oriental in BKK is just seared in my memory.

We were in BKK last September. We had amazing, memorable dim sum at the China House in the Oriental. They have something called the China House dumpling (I think) which was amazing. The atmosphere is soothing, and the service was great.

Dinner at Lord Jim's was a wonderful experience, but more for the view and presentation. I would return, but the food wasn't particularly memorable.

We have always loved the Spice Market, but hadn't been for ten years. We returned in September, and were very pleased. The restaurant hasn't really changed, but was absolutely kept up, and the atmosphere was great. I recommend the lime juice as a great accompaniment to the food.

This thread is quite timely.... I am planning to return to BKK in May and now that my accommodations are set, I was starting to plan where to eat. Thanks for all the recommendations.