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By Michael Moore
Although people usually "think Thai" when going out to
eat in Bangkok, the cosmopolitan city is blessed with excellent
restaurants serving a variety of cuisines. French cooking, particularly
dishes from the "nouvelle" mold or from Provence and the
area around the Mediterranean is especially well represented. In
addition several of the French dining spots are eclectic and include
regional specialties, classic dishes and nouvelle cuisine on the
same menu.
What follows is a brief description of some of Bangkok's best French
restaurants. If you are interested in a touch of France while in
Bangkok, give one them a try. They vary from simple bistros to elegant
dining spots requiring a coat and tie and all serve food representative
of the best France has to offer.
Lyon is one of those restaurants where customers seem to immediately
relax and enjoy themselves. The menu is comprehensive with dishes
associated with Provence dominating. Everyone who comes here often
seems to have a favorite dish or two. For many, the mussels are
especially delightful, and the "Mussels drowned in butter"
(Moules Au Beurre) never fail to please. Located on Soi Ruamrudee,
near the Sukhumvit entertainment area, the restaurant is located
in a charmingly restored house and is blessed with plenty of on
site parking.
Perhaps more than any other French restaurant in the city, Auberge
Dab in the Mercury Tower building on Ploenchit Road has the feel
of Paris about it. This is caused not only by the fact it is a franchise
of a well-known Parisian restaurant, but also by the menu. If you
love French oysters, Auberge Dab has them flown in from Brittany
and at times even has live Atlantic lobsters in a specially created
tank. In the evenings the memorable meals are made even more so
by live music. The interior here is sumptuous with heavy chairs,
carpeting and a substantial feel, making Auberge Dab one of Bangkok's
most elegant restaurants.
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Located in a renovated villa on a small soi off Convent Road, Indigo
is surrounded by skyscrapers, making it one of the best places in
the city "to get away from it all". The food is inspired
by the fresh and light ingredients of the south of France, the region
where executive chef Jean-Francois de Korsak grew up. For a casual,
tranquil setting and topnotch food, this is a good choice. The bar
opens at 17:30 and remains open until 02:00. The kitchen is open
from 18:30 until 23:30, making it a great place for a late meal
of signal quality. The restaurant is easily accessed from the Saladaeng
Skytrain stop.
Bangkok's three most elegant French restaurants can be found in
three of the city's leading hotels. The doyen of the group is The
Normandie at The Oriental. The setting is magnificent, with an unrivaled
view of activity on the Chao Phraya. Chef Paul Quarichioni is a
master at his craft and there are frequent guest chefs from famous
restaurants around the world. The food is, as you might expect,
outstanding and the wine list legendary. It is open for both lunch
and dinner; a coat and tie are required in the evening. Ma Maison
at the Hilton International emphasizes modern French food with an
emphasis on lightness and seasonal specialties. The service at this
restaurant is arguably the best in Bangkok. Open for both lunch
and dinner, there are economical set lunches for business people
in the area. Dining here is always an experience to be remembered.
One of Bangkok's most attractive dining spots is the Les Nympheas,
the outstanding French restaurant on the 4th floor at the Imperial
Queen's Park Hotel. Decorated with Monet like paintings, it has
massive windows and plush furnishings. There are economical set
menus available at both lunch and dinner. Easily accessed by the
Skytrain and only a short distance from the Emporium Shopping Center,
it is a convenient as well as delicious place to stop for a meal.
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One of the city's most authentic French restaurants is Le Banyan
on Sukhumvit Soi 8. Located in an old house that is decorated like
an elegant French country home, the menu here is especially comprehensive.
The restaurants signature dish is pressed duck prepared according
to the Ordre des Canardiers de Rouen of which the owners are members.
The wine list is impressive and extremely well-chosen.
An excellent place on Langsuan Road is Le Moulin de Sommai. The
food here is like you would find in a French home. Especially recommended
are the Boeuf Bourguignon and the Blanquette de Veau. The daily
special here includes a starter, fish dish and main course. A casual
and unpretentious place; it is suited for those interested in good
food at a reasonable price.
If you are in the Sukhumvit Road entertainment area and want a
French meal, try Les Chevaliers on Sukhumvit Soi 3. The menu here
has a wide selection of French favorites including Confit of Duck,
Boeuf Bourguignon and a variety of lamb dishes. Especially good
is Lamb Shank with White Beans. For what you get, the prices here
are surprisingly reasonable.
If you are seeking a romantic, out of the way restaurant that is
brimming with atmosphere, get thee to the Le Caf? Siam. Located
in a magnificently restored house that was built in 1921 by the
Director of State Railways, it is filled with antiques and has the
kind of charm that will make any heart melt. The food is imaginative
and emphasizes the modern style of French food. The restaurant is
located at 4 Soi Sri Akson, just off Chua Ploeng Road. Open from
18:30-24:00 every day.
Another romantic spot is Philippe on Sukhumvit Soi 39. Popular
with trendy Bangkokians, it features a menu with lots of imaginative
dishes, like the carrot sorbet served before the main course. Especially
recommended is the Rack of Lamb with green beans and riced potatoes
flavored with nutmeg. The desserts are imaginative and addictive,
particularly the Apple Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream.
For French food with a Mediterranean touch the Aioli Restaurant
on Sukhumvit Soi 23 simply can't be beat. Located in a modest, but
attractively decorated, shophouse, this restaurant is always filled
with knowledge diners. If you love garlic, olive oil and the spices
of the Mediterranean, this is the place for you. Reservations are
a must at this tiny and very popular bistro. It is open from 19:00-22:00
each evening.
Ask a Frenchman living in Bangkok where he likes to eat and the
answer will probably be Le Bouchon. Located on Patpong Soi 2, the
food reflects the cuisine of central France and Provence. Prices
are very reasonable, the atmosphere is casual and homey, and Serge,
the owner, is always around to insure quality is maintained. This
is French bistro dining at its finest. Open for both lunch and dinner;
As you can see from the foregoing, the Flavor of France is very
much alive in the City of Bangkok. The restaurants feature a variety
of dishes, the quality of food is high and the settings range from
causal bistros to the formal and elegant.
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