48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Tel. +66 (2) 659 9000
Website: www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/
Opening Hours: Lunch: Noon-2:30 p.m.; Dinner 6p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Credit Cards: all Major
Prices: Expensive-Very Expensive

After some time in the culinary doldrums, The Normandie Grill was dead-on at a recent lunch from beginning to finish, and that accomplished in spite of the closure of both of the city’s airports by protestors for more than a week. The only thing they could not deliver was a quince tart, although dozens of other choices were provided. I might add that the hotel was reporting the lowest occupancy in their history thanks to the political squabbling, which escalated to the point of practically shutting down the entire country.

We started with escargots and a puree of white bean soup moving right along to saute of St. Pierre, the fish being extremely delicate and enhanced by a light sauce and dollops of white foam and my companion had an incredibly delicious crayfish dish. The views of the river are spectacular from the narrow dining room and I am happy to report that the service, the cuisine including the desserts were all at the Michelin star level.