665096 Thu Nov 05 22:18:42 -0800 2009 10 48 Greater Asia 0 5160081 Hello-we will be in Bangkok for the first time at the end of December for four nights. We are a family of two adults and two teen-aged girls and are looking for a variety of experiences. Lunches will be more casual, and though we don't need fine dining or super-expensive, we would like to dine at places that are fun, interesting, beautiful or just have delicious food. We will have just spent 10 days in Phuket and Chiang Mai, so not all of the restaurants need to be Thai. Also, can anyone recommend something fun to do New Year's Eve? Thu Nov 05 22:18:42 -0800 2009 118428 holleygolitely 1 5160179 Every time I go to Bangkok I eat at Bourbon St. Cajun and Louisiana food done great!! It's on the sky train at the Phrom Pong stop behind the movie theater. Fried oysters!!!! Fri Nov 06 01:06:59 -0800 2009 5160081 281288 thetitan99 1 5160193 Have you selected a hotel in Bangkok? It's quite a large city, with some nasty traffic. It might help to know what part of town will be home. Fri Nov 06 01:50:49 -0800 2009 5160081 11046 Curt the Soi Hound 2 5162720 We will be staying at the Sukhothai Hotel. Fri Nov 06 21:47:11 -0800 2009 5160193 118428 holleygolitely 3 5162765 You might walk a few hundred meters, east, to the Lumpini MRT (subway) station, then take the train a couple of stops to Sam Yan. This will get you to Somboon Seafood, home to some of the best curry crab and stir frid morning glory. Add some white rice to these two dishes, and you have a great meal. Do not flag a taxi and ask to go to Somboon. There are a couple of knock off eateries that pay drivers well to divert you. The food is bad and the prices are astronomical! The north end of Convent Road has some great sidewalk offers, weekdays, during lunch. The carts cater to all Silom's office staffs. Mondays are the exception. The ban on street vendors is enforced. Convent is across Sathorn, west of the Sukothai. Fri Nov 06 22:44:53 -0800 2009 5162720 11046 Curt the Soi Hound 4 5164634 Curt I am also considering this hotel for a trip in February. Would you consider it to be decently located as far as eating? What about location of Four Seasons? I have only three nights; only food "must" is a return to Chote Chitr. On another board I read reports of a good new upscale place, Bo Lan. Any comments on this, please? Many thanks!! Sun Nov 08 04:32:09 -0800 2009 5162765 12618 erica 5 5165531 The Four Seasons is more central. It provides much easier access to the BTS, which will connect you to many of the downtown shopping/dining venues. Yes, taxis are cheap, but they can also be a hassle. Here's a map of the Soachingcha area. This is where Chote Chitr is located: http://importfood.com/media/saochingcha_foodmap_2007-1.jpg The few good "reviews" I've read about Bo Lan read like press releases. The real comments haven't been so stellar. Bo Lan can't be too bad. After all, the owners are protégés of David Thompson, the Aussie who invented Thai cuisine! ;-) Sun Nov 08 14:43:05 -0800 2009 5164634 11046 Curt the Soi Hound 6 5166476 Curt: Many thanks! I will have three nights in a hotel but only have two actual nights for eating, due to late arrival on first night. So I have to plan very carefully! You were so helpful before my last visit two years ago! What do you mean about the Aussie who invented Thai cuisine?? Mon Nov 09 04:11:58 -0800 2009 5165531 12618 erica 7 5168357 For many "refined" diners, David Thompson is a god. Mon Nov 09 15:34:02 -0800 2009 5166476 11046 Curt the Soi Hound 8 5169715 Thank you! So you think the Sukothai is a little inconvenient compared to the Four Seasons? What about the Mandarin Oriental? Also, do you have any ideas for New Year's Eve? Tue Nov 10 07:15:43 -0800 2009 5168357 118428 holleygolitely 9 5171180 NYE? You're talking Four Seasons again. Centralworld, just up Ratchadamri, is Bangkok's Times Square! Tue Nov 10 15:53:02 -0800 2009 5169715 11046 Curt the Soi Hound