Some questions about Bangkok dining
 

I've reviewed some older threads and would like to go to

- Celadon (but...I've heard mixed reports - any more comments?)
and
- either Lord Jim or le Normandie
- Possibly also to the Spice Market.

Any suggestions?

I've also heard good reports on the afternoon tea at the Oriental; is it considerably better than the one at the Pen? (as that's where I'll be staying). If anyone happens to be in BKK on 15-18 April and would care to join me for the a'noon tea...let me know! :)

I personally really enjoy Celadon- don't have a bad report to give. In January, I was on a flight with a guy to Bangkok who had actually planned an overnight at Bangkok just so he could have dinner at Celadon. Impressive...
As for afternoon tea, it is not really my thing- but I understand the Pens is just as good as the Oriental (perhaps you can get a better opinion from an afternoon tea lover).
Spice Market is nothing special- at least I don't think it stands out as being exceptional. Please do post if you decide to go there and you believe it has improved.

I am BKK every month and I always go to lunch at the Oriental.
You need to take the hotel boat across the river to the restaurant or you can walk from Pennisula hotel.
You sit right on the water and it is quite a nice view,they only serve until 14:00.
Make sure you wear nice socks, because you need to take you shoes off!

Go to Celadon and form your own opinion. I wasn't disappointed and I doubt you will be.

Food is excellent, service was great, and I liked the decor (three items I've read nits about that I don't agree with).

There's a reason it's listed as one of Gourmet's 50 best world-wide restaurants.

Thanks people!

I'm having lunch at Basil tomorrow, dinner at le Normandie tonight and at Celadon on Sunday - it will be good :)

Just came back from dinner at le Normandie - Pretty good but I was not overly impressed. It's a nice restaurant, with good views both over the river on one side and the city on the other. The service is friendly and professional. The food was good, but not oustanding. Bread was not really warm, butter was cold and hard, the amuse was weird (in a bad way), one of the entrees was way too sweet (a lobster/mousse concoction), some accompaniments were really only so-so, the foie gras dish was somewhat disappointing (although certainly not bad). Some dishes were very nice, however (there was a very good pigeon and decent scallops). Cheese selection, petits fours, and coffee were very good. Considering the price (this place is *expensive*), I would not go back; it was a nice evening but once was enough.

Sorry it didn't blow you away, but then high-end restaurants can really build up your expectations. We ate dinner at La Pergola in the Rome Hilton Cavalieri and felt the same--nice evening, but wouldn't go back (and expensive; $US335 for two with a very modest bottle of wine!).

Just curious, how was the foie gras prepared and how large was the portion? I've found the foie gras portions in Asia (HKG, BKK, and SIN) are HUGE compared to the US and Europe. Enjoy!

Chapel Hill Guy: you are right about the foie gras in Asia. Here it was reasonably generous at about an inch and a half wide by two and a half. It just wasn't particularly special (what I get in Auckland at Chandelier for 1/3 of the price (and 50% more) is way better (they make it themselves). Nothing had been done with it but it came with a rather boring herbs sauce. The foie gras with tamarind sauce at the Blue Elephant was much more exciting.

Looking forward to Celadon tomorrow.

Yes, agree with you about the Blue Elephant; great foie gras dish. My son tried the durian cheesecake and I had a bite; hmmm...interesting. :)

Will look with interest for your report on Celadon. Hope you enjoy it.

Not sure how long you're there, but a nice place for lunch is Baan Khanitha at 49 Soi Ruam Rudee 2 Ploenjit Road. It's behind the Conrad on Wireless. Great fruit drinks and excellent food. Inexpensive.

Enjoy!

Thanks, will do! And thanks for the tip.

Baan Kaanitha was just about to open a new branch on Sathorn Road (a couple of blocks from the Banyan Tree/Sukothai/Metropolitan) a few weeks ago. Should be open by now...concierges should know. Both the orginal and second branch off Sukhumvit are great, so this one should be too. My favorite place in Bangkok for Thai.

Just came back from Celadon - great food, nice atmosphere. Not exceptionally special cuisine or anything but very nice Thai food and a huge range to choose from. I was with a Thai person - the only one in the restaurant, except the staff!

Le Normandy
 

Le Normandy was very good and the lunch is well worth the price. Dinner is much higher in price. We also heard that the tea is very nice, but we haven't tried it.

We went to Celadon once. We thought the atmosphere was nice, but the food wasn't that good for us. We like our Thai food spicy.