Four courses at The Raintree in the Plaza Athenee. OK, I know you you are bored with food shots ... but, I'm not.
Can you identify which aunt and cousin was with us? No, how about the dishes?
Shall I go back to car shots? Or, Patpong shots?
Yesterday's blog didn't produce a stream of email asking me to return to Patpong or cars so I guess we are a bunch of foodies after all.
Last night five of us went to the Shang Palace in the Shangri-La Hotel for Peking Duck. They do it so well there. Our duck carver has known us for years so she always gives us that extra bit of artistry with the blade. Incidentally, her young apprentice wants someday to become a senior carver (with white gloves).
After the duck some of us were still feeling peckish so we ordered crab with sticky rice.
After Paris back to food.
The Next2 buffet at my neighbor (Shangri-La) probably offers the widest selection of foods in Bangkok. This is our 'default' dining room when we have not made another restaurant our destination. Last night I had five plates that started with oysters and finished with soup.
Not only is food its attraction; so is the view.
Should I return to Paris?
My two grand daughters are growing up so fast. Flora is taking tennis lessons while Ellie is awaiting braces.
Annie, how are your boys doing?
Lest you think that we dine only at home or in hotels, here are a few shots of last night's meal. River Garden is located next to Little India, a Punjab restaurant that specializes in food from northern India.
Even less hotelish is our favorite soi food stall. It is right across the street from the garage entrance to River Garden. The operator and his wife operate two stalls ... one concentrates on breakfast, while the other is more of a PM place. Three or four days a week I take out an order of their boiled rice with shrimp soup. Then, in our kitchen, I add some more spices and some green chili.
My friend, Dan, from Shanghai and Taipei sent me this.
Even if you are not a fan of ballet, you really should watch this ... this couple is incredible! It takes 7 minutes, 29 seconds to watch it.
The introduction is in French. It took this couple, husband and wife, 8 years to create and perfect it.
PS: I knew I was going overboard with the food thing. Reader Bull confirmed it with this:
OK OK - too much food. Here's something to spice up your site:
http://www.honors.umd.edu/HONR269J/projects/petzko/ohlala.htm
Thank God for Good Shit!
PS: Bon appetite, Don!
From Don:
"Thank God for Good Shit!
I'M HUNGRY"
Not every view from River Garden is pleasant. Yesterday while searching for the squash court which is located on the 5th floor I found some less than postcard views of and from the building. In the six years that we have lived in River Garden I have never before wandered about in here.
The buffet at The Peninsula, in my opinion, is not the best one in Bangkok. That laurel probably goes to the Next2 in the Shangri-La (our immediate neighbor) or, maybe to the Intercontinental. But, for what The Pen lacks in breadth and depth it easily makes up for it in its riverside view.
And, to really cap that view a short boat ride and a walk brings me to the State Tower. Sixty-four floors up and there is yet another magnificent Bangkok view.
So, from both near the water and up in the sky it is another beautiful Bangkok night. Oh, and there is the food.
No, it is not Adobe Photoshop!
Next: Part III