General Reports

[NicFrenchy]

Because a lot of the time. Er, never mind!

I guess if you live here then dining out expensively on Western food is something to look forward to. I do it back home often enough, and I'm also lucky enough to be treated to some excellent food overseas. But when I'm in Thailand I eat Thai food, and that doesn't need to be expensive to be good. And when I'm in Thailand I spend my time with Thai hookers. .

Well, I eat Thai food Everyday so it's not that "exotic" anymore for me, I have had about 3, 000 thai meals already so sometimes a bit of Western food does not hurt. And from time to time, a bit of higher rated food does not hurt either.

There is a restaurant soi 19, called LE BEAULIEU, the food there is exceptional. The Chef is great and all the produce are Fresh and imported. Meals there (for 2) with wine easily reach 10k. But these restaurants I do not frequent with hookers (Hell, I don't dine with hookers in Public, I am a little too "Thai" minded in that regard).

[Mouse1]

Not all of us dine with hookers. Sometimes we like to go out between friends and have a nice bottle of wine and superior food (Maine Lobster, USA scallops, Foie Gras). Why is it people always assume that because you are in Thailand and you go for expensive food you have to be crazy and a Hi-so deluded guy or the sort?

Because a lot of the time... er, never mind...!

I guess if you live here then dining out expensively on Western food is something to look forward to. I do it back home often enough, and I'm also lucky enough to be treated to some excellent food overseas. But when I'm in Thailand I eat Thai food, and that doesn't need to be expensive to be good. And when I'm in Thailand I spend my time with Thai hookers.

[Mouse1]

The ones I like to go to are low on ambiance and high on taste.

Talay Lek (Little Seafood) at the Chong Nonsi BTS Station.

Sabaijai in Ekamai Soi 59 for Isaan BBQ and fish.

An Isaan fish place on Narathiawat Road, closest to the intersection of Narathiawat Soi 24.

Derby King in Patpong.

MBK 6th Floor Food Court.

On Silom, the old man selling noodle soup close to Patpong 1.

Isaan BBQ place (only open for lunch (M-Sat) on Silom Soi Phiphat 1.

All of these places have very good food, cheap prices, and little or no ambiance.

Many thanks again. To be honest, when I said 'ambiance' I probably meant down-to-earth and unpretentious, so these all look pretty good to me (although I'm not going out for dinner in MBK!)

[NicFrenchy]

Mouse I think makes a very good point, at least indirectly. You don't want to dine expensively unless the girl is at a level that will really appreciate it.

Not all of us dine with hookers. Sometimes we like to go out between friends and have a nice bottle of wine and superior food (Maine Lobster, USA scallops, Foie Gras). Why is it people always assume that because you are in Thailand and you go for expensive food you have to be crazy and a Hi-so deluded guy or the sort?

[New Old Guy]

The purpose of absurdly high dining prices is to insulate the hoi-polloi from the riff-raff, to mark the consumer as a member of the hoi-polloi, and, of course, to pay for the restaurant owners many wives.

It's about who has the most money to waste frivolously rather than any low class considerations like value, etc.

Something like "Look at me, I'm so rich I can afford to pay $100. 00 for a $10. 00 meal, which makes me SO MUCH BETTER than you! Look how nice this table cloth is!".

I know all that, I've been invited to such dinners, had to go and even pay sometime.

Then when I broke free from bourgeois power-trips, I swore to myself. Never anymore.

Yesterday night here in Phuket we stopped our bikes 20 mt before a Police roadblock, I was with two girls. Non of use wanted yet another ticket so I suggested to eat at a mom an pop place just in front of the cops. It took about 10 minutes for them to prepare our dishes, everything was fresh made. It was delicious, one of best the Thai meals I ever ate. Paid 100 Baht each. But you, know, it's *so* expensive here. HAHAHAHAH

[Syzygies]

At the risk of inflaming the debate further, can someone suggest a nice little local restaurant serving authentic Thai food where I can celebrate my birthday, and where a cheap Thai hooker, sorry, smart young Thai lady, would not feel out of place. I'm probably more concerned with the ambience rather than the quality of the food.

To avoid arguments: 1000Bht / head is the most I am paying; and yes I know I am a cheap Charlie and 1000 bht will buy nothing, and yes I know it's impossible to get authentic Thai food within Bangkok city limits, and yes I know the staff will sneer at me for bringing a hooker out to dinner.

But if you have any suggestions, all gratefully received.

Mouse I think makes a very good point, at least indirectly. You don't want to dine expensively unless the girl is at a level that will really appreciate it.

No point in taking to a poor working girl to a lavish reastaurant where she will hate you for wasting so much money that she could have used far better (in her view). I took a girl from a very poor background to a French restaurant and she was upset and astonished by the bill, even though I was paying. We could have eaten well in Japanese, Italian, Thai for far less and bought her some useful present instead like a camera, phone etc.

One day we entered the "Shark Fin" style restaurant near Asoke Fx by accident and walked straight out again when confronted by astonishing prices.

Playing posh does not impress girls that normally have to be frugal. It just helps train them that being really wasteful is okay.

If you want to take your Hi So girl to eat expensively, or just with your buddies, that is a better idea.

[Fon Tok]

Many thanks, Fon Tok. The only facts in a whole series of opinion posts. But surely there is more than one good Thai restaurant in Bangkok?

The ones I like to go to are low on ambiance and high on taste.

Talay Lek (Little Seafood) at the Chong Nonsi BTS Station.

Sabaijai in Ekamai Soi 59 for Isaan BBQ and fish.

An Isaan fish place on Narathiawat Road, closest to the intersection of Narathiawat Soi 24.

Derby King in Patpong.

MBK 6th Floor Food Court.

On Silom, the old man selling noodle soup close to Patpong 1.

Isaan BBQ place (only open for lunch (M-Sat) on Silom Soi Phiphat 1.

All of these places have very good food, cheap prices, and little or no ambiance.

[Crazy4Thai]

Many thanks, Fon Tok. The only facts in a whole series of opinion posts.

But surely there is more than one good Thai restaurant in Bangkok? .

I was taken to The Same Old Place on Soi 22 a few years back. Truly delicious. Have returned many times but they are only open about half the time I drop by. Well under your budget too. Try the crab cakes.

[PinkPearl]

At the risk of inflaming the debate further, can someone suggest a nice little local restaurant serving authentic Thai food where I can celebrate my birthday, and where a cheap Thai hooker, sorry, smart young Thai lady, would not feel out of place. I'm probably more concerned with the ambience rather than the quality of the food.

To avoid arguments: 1000Bht / head is the most I am paying; and yes I know I am a cheap Charlie and 1000 bht will buy nothing, and yes I know it's impossible to get authentic Thai food within Bangkok city limits, and yes I know the staff will sneer at me for bringing a hooker out to dinner.

But if you have any suggestions, all gratefully received.

The "White Elephant" Thai Restaurant on the 2nd floor inside the beautiful JW Marriott hotel?

Tom Yam Goong 260 Baht. They also offer a buffet & many other dishes, reasonably priced.

[Mouse1]

Naj on Silom Soi Convent (just past BNH Hospital) has very nice ambiance and good food. You can easily dine there for 2000 baht (for two).

http://www.najcuisine.com/webnaj/home.html

Many thanks, Fon Tok. The only facts in a whole series of opinion posts.

But surely there is more than one good Thai restaurant in Bangkok?

[NicFrenchy]

I wouldn't expect the subgroup of men on this ISG board who often quibble over a few hundred baht when paying a hooker to have much interest in these costly pursuits. Not an issue really.

I say, to each their own, as it is only money. That is why we live in a world with many, many choices.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foie_gras

Absolutely.

It's not about Bragging or anything like that. Why can't some people accept that some of us like to drink champagne or above average wine, while eating "Foie-gras", caviar, cheeses, expensive seafood and the likes?

I just came back from a French restaurant that serves an amazing Beef Cheek, how often can you eat that? And it was cooked to perfection. Cost? 1, 200 thb. But worth all the money.

Some people don't understand that it's all about the produce. Grain Fed Chicken, Real OZ Beef will beat Local Birds or Bufalo any day.

So if you're not ok with some people eating good food from time to time, then go eat your som-tam on soi 4.

[Rjsss212]

For many, enjoying a superbly prepared meal is more about enjoyment than appearances. Understandably, fine dining in hotels and restaurants is not for everyone. It is somewhat akin to the appreciation and consumption of luxury cars, fine watches and jewelry, tailored clothes, and well-dressed, beautiful women with class. Some people like, and can afford, these things.

I wouldn't expect the subgroup of men on this ISG board who often quibble over a few hundred baht when paying a hooker to have much interest in these costly pursuits. Not an issue really.

I say, to each their own, as it is only money. That is why we live in a world with many, many choices.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foie_gras

Well said.

I believe there might be a valid argument against luxury watches and autos et. al. (though I love both and am VERY guilty of excesses) as they perform a basic function. BUT food, while serving its main function as nutrition MUST taste good, unless one is destitute. So, if one can not taste a difference in fine cuisine then so be it as its then money wasted but no one should knock those of us with more refined tastes and the money to enjoy them...

[Fon Tok]

The purpose of absurdly high dining prices is to insulate the hoi-polloi from the riff-raff, to mark the consumer as a member of the hoi-polloi, and, of course, to pay for the restaurant owners many wives. - It's about who has the most money to waste frivolously rather than any low class considerations like value, etc. - Something like "Look at me, I'm so rich I can afford to pay $100.00 for a $10.00 meal, which makes me SO MUCH BETTER than you! Look how nice this table cloth is!".

For many, enjoying a superbly prepared meal is more about enjoyment than appearances. Understandably, fine dining in hotels and restaurants is not for everyone. It is somewhat akin to the appreciation and consumption of luxury cars, fine watches and jewelry, tailored clothes, and well-dressed, beautiful women with class. Some people like, and can afford, these things.

I wouldn't expect the subgroup of men on this ISG board who often quibble over a few hundred baht when paying a hooker to have much interest in these costly pursuits. Not an issue really.

I say, to each their own, as it is only money. That is why we live in a world with many, many choices.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foie_gras

[Naughty]

You're high as a camel, no food on earth is worth USD 133 or even 66!

The purpose of absurdly high dining prices is to insulate the hoi-polloi from the riff-raff, to mark the consumer as a member of the hoi-polloi, and, of course, to pay for the restaurant owners many wives.

It's about who has the most money to waste frivolously rather than any low class considerations like value, etc.

Something like "Look at me, I'm so rich I can afford to pay $100.00 for a $10.00 meal, which makes me SO MUCH BETTER than you! Look how nice this table cloth is!".

[Fon Tok]

At the risk of inflaming the debate further, can someone suggest a nice little local restaurant serving authentic Thai food where I can celebrate my birthday, and where a cheap Thai hooker, sorry, smart young Thai lady, would not feel out of place. I'm probably more concerned with the ambience rather than the quality of the food. - To avoid arguments: 1000Bht / head is the most I am paying; and yes I know I am a cheap Charlie and 1000 bht will buy nothing, and yes I know it's impossible to get authentic Thai food within Bangkok city limits, and yes I know the staff will sneer at me for bringing a hooker out to dinner...But if you have any suggestions, all gratefully received.

Naj on Silom Soi Convent (just past BNH Hospital) has very nice ambiance and good food. You can easily dine there for 2000 baht (for two).

http://www.najcuisine.com/webnaj/home.html