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[Mr.StickyRice]

I cant believe you guys are complaining about the decor at Gohan Tei, I guess this forum is a little too "high-so" for me.

The sushi there is excellent and if you are afraid of its quality I can assure you the chef buys it at the same places the other 4star Japaense places do because he has worked for those places for many years himself.

If you are paranoid about it ,order the salmon because this is never served "raw", since it is a fresh water fish.

Actually nevermind. That place should just be left the local secret for expat Japanese and "in the know" locals...

Edited by Mr.StickyRice, 2005-05-26 00:18:03.

[ProThaiExpat]

MrStickyRice:  Relax, both comments regarding Gohan Tei were not critical at all, just comments regarding how the decor compared to Fuji or other "decor" restaurants.

I have a real problem in dealing with mid-day temperatures this time of year and rarely go out to dinner, so that was the main reason I did not eat there the day I found it.

Having lived in Japan during the occupation when the Japanese were very poor, I am well aware that cleanliness has nothing to do with decor.

Having been virtually poisoned in high decor restaurants, I know it is the quality of the food served that controls in this area.

I certainly intend to patronize Gohan Tei, as my Thai is from Issan, and I am sure the ambiance of Gohan Tei is excellent or you wouldn't have reccommended it.

I learned a long time ago that sometimes your kindness in letting out "secret restaurants" ultimately ruin them when they become so busy they loose their appeal.  Hopefully, this will not happend to Gohan Tei before I get a chance to share your enthusiasm for the place.

Thank you for the recommendation.

[jaloochapurr]

[B]

I want to put in another of those night time food stalls.
Right down the street from McCormick hospital on the other side of street. Thre is a food vender who along with his wife sells the best Pad Thai. It is now 15 bahd for the meal. He has been doing this here in this spot for years and always great.

[Dustoff]

~

We would not agree with recommending Palaad Tawanron (on the hill behind CM Univ). Four for dinner all agreed that the place, on a scale of 1-10, gets a max of four and 2 of those are for the view.  Their service rates a flat zero.

My fresh water prawns were raw in the middle, a recook took half an hour and I have been on the toilet four times in the last two hours this morning. Three of our dishes were taken to the wrong tables where they were dabbled with and tasted before we got them,  two of the five dishes we ordered were either wrong or belonged to someone else and it was never straightened out; the Tom Yum Kung was decent (even tho it was one of the ones tasted by other customers before we got it) but the rest of the food was both boring and expensive.  1200 baht for four and one of us only had a dish of mushrooms and we all drank either iced tea or coconut water.

Nice place tho with a good overlook of CM, decent music but we had to ask them to turn it down a couple of times which we have never done before even here in LOUD Thailand. We may return during the day just for liquid refreshment and the view but will not be returning for a meal.

[meadish_sweetball]

Dustoff, on 2005-06-08 03:02:51, said:

~

We would not agree with recommending Palaad Tawanron (on the hill behind CM Univ). Four for dinner all agreed that the place, on a scale of 1-10, gets a max of four and 2 of those are for the view.  Their service rates a flat zero.

My fresh water prawns were raw in the middle, a recook took half an hour and I have been on the toilet four times in the last two hours this morning. Three of our dishes were taken to the wrong tables where they were dabbled with and tasted before we got them,  two of the five dishes we ordered were either wrong or belonged to someone else and it was never straightened out; the Tom Yum Kung was decent (even tho it was one of the ones tasted by other customers before we got it) but the rest of the food was both boring and expensive.  1200 baht for four and one of us only had a dish of mushrooms and we all drank either iced tea or coconut water.

Nice place tho with a good overlook of CM, decent music but we had to ask them to turn it down a couple of times which we have never done before even here in LOUD Thailand. We may return during the day just for liquid refreshment and the view but will not be returning for a meal.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is an overhyped place with overly expensive prices for what you get. One of the dishes we ordered was pumpkin sprouts stir-fried in Oyster sauce (80 baht), and there were 5 sprouts altogether...

The food we ordered did taste good (we had the German pig's leg with sauerkraut, Gaeng Som with cha om and prawns, and pumpkin sprouts in oyster sauce) but I have had better for half that price. The place is still packed with people during the weekends but my guess is this will change very soon, as people are not very likely to return after they have tried it once. The hype will die quickly.

I thought the music was the same tired American commercial folk crap they try to push everywhere else (take me home country roads, hotel california, etc.). It doesnt do it for me at all - the atmosphere would have been much better with proper Northern Thai or acoustic Pheua Chiwit songs.

[yeoldesage]

meadish_sweetball, on 2005-06-08 10:35:44, said:

Dustoff, on 2005-06-08 03:02:51, said:

~

We would not agree with recommending Palaad Tawanron (on the hill behind CM Univ). Four for dinner all agreed that the place, on a scale of 1-10, gets a max of four and 2 of those are for the view.  Their service rates a flat zero.

My fresh water prawns were raw in the middle, a recook took half an hour and I have been on the toilet four times in the last two hours this morning. Three of our dishes were taken to the wrong tables where they were dabbled with and tasted before we got them,  two of the five dishes we ordered were either wrong or belonged to someone else and it was never straightened out; the Tom Yum Kung was decent (even tho it was one of the ones tasted by other customers before we got it) but the rest of the food was both boring and expensive.  1200 baht for four and one of us only had a dish of mushrooms and we all drank either iced tea or coconut water.

Nice place tho with a good overlook of CM, decent music but we had to ask them to turn it down a couple of times which we have never done before even here in LOUD Thailand. We may return during the day just for liquid refreshment and the view but will not be returning for a meal.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is an overhyped place with overly expensive prices for what you get. One of the dishes we ordered was pumpkin sprouts stir-fried in Oyster sauce (80 baht), and there were 5 sprouts altogether...

The food we ordered did taste good (we had the German pig's leg with sauerkraut, Gaeng Som with cha om and prawns, and pumpkin sprouts in oyster sauce) but I have had better for half that price. The place is still packed with people during the weekends but my guess is this will change very soon, as people are not very likely to return after they have tried it once. The hype will die quickly.

I thought the music was the same tired American commercial folk crap they try to push everywhere else (take me home country roads, hotel california, etc.). It doesnt do it for me at all - the atmosphere would have been much better with proper Northern Thai or acoustic Pheua Chiwit songs.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry guys you've got it all wrong! See this extract from the latest City Life:

"But, its (Palaad Tawanron) authentic Thai food and service are also outstanding and keep people revisiting the place over and over again. To complement your romantic dinner there are the serenading musicians who sing love ballads at your table."

I rest my case.

PS Could it be (God forbid!) that City Life and Chiang Mai Mail use the same 'Dinning-Out' Team? Makes me shudder at the thought.  

[ProThaiExpat]

Unlike the west, restaurant write ups in Thailand are "puff" pieces done for advertisement purposes.  Restaurant critics are not used in this regard.

Does anyone know what the "Phucom Manor" is going to be.  It is across the canal from La Casa, north of the intersection of  121 (canal road) and Huay Kaew rodads, 1000 meters from Dunkin Donuts?

Very expensive and impressive structure, very curious.  They seem in no hurry to open.  One wonders about their choice of location, among a lot of CMU style new apartment buildings.

[Sansai Sam]

If you regularly follow restaurant critiques that you read in magazines where the restaurant in question is a regular advertiser I am sure you are a real connoisseur.

[yeoldesage]

Sansai Sam, on 2005-06-09 15:07:02, said:

If you regularly follow restaurant critiques that you read in magazines where the restaurant in question is a regular advertiser I am sure you are a real connoisseur.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow! Looks like my sarcasm was too well disguised, or am I not sensitive enough to your sensitivities? For the record, I'm on your side.

[sabaijai]

I've eaten at Palat Tawaron five or six times, never had anything but good service and good food. However I haven't been there in the last six weeks or so, perhaps it has taken a dive.

One thing I would never do, though, is condemn a place after only a single visit. I've got diarrhea from eating at perhaps a dozen different restos in Chiang Mai at one time or another, particularly in the hot season - not enough to turn me away (unless it happened repeatedly!).

Have to agree about the music, although the Thai clientele seems to like it. Could it be they're bored with northern Thai and phleng pheua chiwit?

[groo]

SBACM, on 2005-05-07 09:34:50, said:

naammanow, on 2005-05-06 08:19:22, said:

had a great meal yesterday - again - at Buonissimo on the road to Chiang Rai, with owner Sergio. they also do some italian fare in their little supermarket. pity the place is divided in several stages, outside, downstairs, upsatirs, private room and diners are all over the place. food good though. wine cellar is impressive. had a meal with my wife, one starter, 2 mains and 2 small heineken for 550 baht. good deal. ask for billy, great waiter!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Buonisimo is I think the best all around Italian food next to Giorgios next to piccollo Roma next to Rimping italian place.

I Tried the new Dukes which is the old Tavern Great looking Menu but food didnt quite keep up with the expectation any else try it?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Can anyone help explain exactly where Buonisimo is? its 200 ++ kms between Cm and CR. help help.

[Ajarn]

[quote name='groo' date='2005-06-15 18:15:14'][quote name='SBACM' date='2005-05-07 09:34:50'][quote name='naammanow' date='2005-05-06 08:19:22']had a great meal yesterday - again - at Buonissimo on the road to Chiang Rai, with owner Sergio. they also do some italian fare in their little supermarket. pity the place is divided in several stages, outside, downstairs, upsatirs, private room and diners are all over the place. food good though. wine cellar is impressive. had a meal with my wife, one starter, 2 mains and 2 small heineken for 550 baht. good deal. ask for billy, great waiter!
[right]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/right][/quote]



Can anyone help explain exactly where Buonisimo is? its 200 ++ kms between Cm and CR. help help.
[right]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/right]
[/quote]
It's actually on Mae Jo road, West side, halfway between the Super hiway and the Middle ring road. Before the Caltex station.

[polecat]

ProThaiExpat, on 2005-06-09 08:21:44, said:

Unlike the west, restaurant write ups in Thailand are "puff" pieces done for advertisement purposes.  Restaurant critics are not used in this regard.

Does anyone know what the "Phucom Manor" is going to be.  It is across the canal from La Casa, north of the intersection of  121 (canal road) and Huay Kaew rodads, 1000 meters from Dunkin Donuts?

Very expensive and impressive structure, very curious.  They seem in no hurry to open.  One wonders about their choice of location, among a lot of CMU style new apartment buildings.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Spot on with the first point though I think if you look at free press in 'the west', it's not much different. Advertising is what floats free mags. I include The Chiangmai Mule as free press as surely no one in their right mind would pay 25b for it.

The Phucome Manor is going to be a conference centre. Same owner as the hotel. He's owned the land for years and never known what to do with it, but with Chairman Maew spouting off about all the business that is (not) heading Chiang Mai's way, he thought he'd try to cash in. The faux-Lanna style is down to the whim of one of his mia-nois.
Expect the building to be idle 90% of the time, and the owner not to care in the slightest. he must almost be as rich as Ajarn!

Edited by polecat, 2005-06-17 15:50:07.

[wimpy]

Several years ago I was taken to a lovely upscale Thai restaurant for my birthday.  I would like to go back, but can’t remember the name or exact location.  

As I recall, we drove South on the Chiang Mai – Lamphun road.  Not far south of the airport road intersection, we turned right on a soi.  I remember sitting next to a pond while eating in stylish Thai décor.

Anyone know the place, and how to get there?

[Dustoff]

wimpy, on 2005-06-22 15:32:32, said:

Several years ago I was taken to a lovely upscale Thai restaurant for my birthday.  I would like to go back, but can’t remember the name or exact location. 

As I recall, we drove South on the Chiang Mai – Lamphun road.  Not far south of the airport road intersection, we turned right on a soi.  I remember sitting next to a pond while eating in stylish Thai décor.

Anyone know the place, and how to get there?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

~
Sounds like the Raintree. About 3 kms or so south of the airport on Hang Dong road, right behind World Club. There was a right turn just before the Samong Road and down the bumpy soi a ways..?

We used to go there frequently - jungle kinda decor like you were entering Disneyland, a pond with swans, good food...?

Alas, the last time we went there, there was no sign of it. Obviously closed for good...

However, there is an alternative!  Even closer to the airport and on the East side of Hang Dong road just south of the new "counting the seconds" traffic light is Ban Wang Tan , a gated community with a restaurant that easily surpasses the Raintree. Better food/atmosphere, live music, bigger pond with fountains, great service.  The problem is that you almost have to take a tuk-tuk because the roads into it (actually only two) are a bit of a maze.  We like the community and the restaurant (not to mention the very clean olympic-size pool) so much that we are now in the process of buying a home there. So far, after over four years here, it is my favorite restaurant in CM...

If interested, let me know and I will draw/scan a map and give detailed directions.

da Dustoff

Edited by Dustoff, 2005-06-22 17:37:01.

[wimpy]

Dustoff, on 2005-06-22 17:33:16, said:

wimpy, on 2005-06-22 15:32:32, said:

Several years ago I was taken to a lovely upscale Thai restaurant for my birthday.  I would like to go back, but can’t remember the name or exact location. 

As I recall, we drove South on the Chiang Mai – Lamphun road.  Not far south of the airport road intersection, we turned right on a soi.  I remember sitting next to a pond while eating in stylish Thai décor.

Anyone know the place, and how to get there?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

~
Sounds like the Raintree. About 3 kms or so south of the airport on Hang Dong road, right behind World Club. There was a right turn just before the Samong Road and down the bumpy soi a ways...

We used to go there frequently - jungle kinda decor like you were entering Disneyland, a pond with swans, good food...

Alas, the last time we went there, there was no sign of it. Obviously closed for good...

However, there is an alternative!  Even closer to the airport and on the East side of Hang Dong road just south of the new "counting the seconds" traffic light is Ban Wang Tan , a gated community with a restaurant that easily surpasses the Raintree. Better food/atmosphere, live music, bigger pond with fountains, great service.  The problem is that you almost have to take a tuk-tuk because the roads into it (actually only two) are a bit of a maze.  We like the community and the restaurant (not to mention the very clean olympic-size pool) so much that we are now in the process of buying a home there. So far, after over four years here, it is my favorite restaurant in CM...

If interested, let me know and I will draw/scan a map and give detailed directions.

da Dustoff

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, this was definitely off the CM-Lamphun road, not the Hang Dong road.  If you wouldn't mind posting a map Ban Wang Tan, I'd appreciate it.  Sounds good!

[chanchao]

Sawai Riang.

But it's gone downhill a bit..  Even though its easier to get there now, as there's a new entrance off the middle ring road, just past the Lamphun road tunnel on the way towards the river and the Hang Dong road.

Used to be very nice, I agree. Quiet lake-side setting, old wooden houses and sala's, and that floating walkway on the pond.. Lovely. But... gone downhill. Both the setting as well as the food.

Cheers,
CHanchao

[wimpy]

chanchao, on 2005-06-23 11:37:48, said:

Sawai Riang.

But it's gone downhill a bit..  Even though its easier to get there now, as there's a new entrance off the middle ring road, just past the Lamphun road tunnel on the way towards the river and the Hang Dong road.

Used to be very nice, I agree. Quiet lake-side setting, old wooden houses and sala's, and that floating walkway on the pond.. Lovely. But... gone downhill. Both the setting as well as the food.

Cheers,
CHanchao

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you sir!

[Dustoff]

~

Not our experience, altho everything goes thru cycles, but offer of a map cancelled..

More privacy is a good thing...  

da Dustoff

[wimpy]

Dustoff, on 2005-06-23 22:50:08, said:

~

Not our experience, altho everything goes thru cycles, but offer of a map cancelled..

More privacy is a good thing... 

da Dustoff

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dustoff,

I don't think chanchao is talking about the same restaurant as you, is he?  I don't remember a gated community or pool.  If it is not the same place, I would still be interested in directions to the restaurant you are referring to.

[mrmillersr]

I'd like to try the Ban Wang Tan restaurant this Saturday.  Could someone please provide details of how to get there from the intersection with the timer.

Also, it appears moving the Fillmore from Loh Kroa to the Ping River didn't work out.  The place is now up for sale after only being open at the new location for about 5 months.

[Mistralita]

Judge, on 2005-02-24 20:00:48, said:

Sansai Sam, on 2005-01-25 20:47:12, said:

Pasta Cafe is so-so. The prime rib is the worst I have ever had. If you gotta go stick with the pasta.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I really don't get why people rave about Georgios. Nice people, but the same Italian food as a bunch of lesser rated places that have been around a lot longer - and more expensive than the older places.
Pum Pui is just as good.  

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm a PumPui fan myself. Good food, big servings!

[Dustoff]

mrmillersr, on 2005-06-30 18:53:06, said:

I'd like to try the Ban Wang Tan restaurant this Saturday.  Could someone please provide details of how to get there from the intersection with the timer.

Also, it appears moving the Fillmore from Loh Kroa to the Ping River didn't work out.  The place is now up for sale after only being open at the new location for about 5 months.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry, been busy with the new house in Ban Wang Tan..

From the new lights, head south on Hang Dong Road (1km or less);
JUST before the REALLY tall SONY sign on the right, turn left under the tall Johnnie Walker sign;
Go straight (500 meters?) to the T intersection & turn left;
After another 500 meters or so, bear right at the Y;
Pass through the guarded gate and stay straight on to the restaurant on the right.

We may be there as well...  Enjoy.

da Dustoff

Edited by Dustoff, 2005-07-01 09:41:44.

[Bleeder]

I assume you guys are joking about liking Mike's Burgers. Surely no-one eats there a second time.

Anyway, IMO the best burgers are at the newish Duke's- they're still pretty bad, but a million times better than the vein-cloggers at Mike's. I mostly save my burger eating for Bangkok.

So, where is Arctica, it gets loads of press, especially in Bangkok, and I hear it's the coolest place in CNX but still can't find it.

[polecat]

Fishing, Infidel?

Bleeder, on 2005-07-03 14:28:17, said:

So, where is Arctica, it gets loads of press, especially in Bangkok, and I hear it's the coolest place in CNX but still can't find it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>