La Bottega Di Luca Review

As a newbie in Bangkok 5 years ago, we asked the experts what the best “special occasion restaurant” was for celebrations, anniversaries, Valentines Day.  Hands down, a resounding echo from everyone was “La Bottega!”

La Bottega has built their reputation as a fine dining establishment at the hands of Luca Appino; the founder and genius chef who has created quite a name for himself even amongst the competitive and ever transient nature of the restaurant industry in this thriving metropolis of Bangkok!  Born and raised in a northwestern Provence of Italy, Luca draws inspiration from his roots where his family still owns a small vineyard.  He invites guests off the clamoring city streets of Sukhumvit 49 into his quaint restaurant perched atop the Terrace 49 building with options for intimate indoor dining, private room for dinner parties or corporate gatherings, or breezy al fresco dining on the terrace.  He serves as the head chef and offers warm Italian hospitality and an engaging personality to his guests!

Authenticity is evident through the genuine Italian flavors which are imported by upscale Italian suppliers.  Traditionalism meets innovation with favorite classic Italian dishes creatively plated and with modern spins.

After a number of special occasion dinners at La Bottega and sampling quite a few dishes, we can honestly say that it has always been surprising and memorable.  Never mediocre.  Always exceptional!  We’ve not encountered a dish we didn’t love and portions are always satisfying and sufficient.  Insalate selection is anything but mundane offering the freshest and most creative compilations.  The piedmont fassone beef tartare is a delicious first course with hints of lemon infused olive oil.  Follow with one of our recommended favorite pastas which include the homemade pappardelle served with wild boar ragu or trofie pasta with pistachio pesto sauce or my own personal favorite – the truffle ravioli!  Main courses are never standard or ordinary.  Always the finest ingredients with exotic and tasteful variations.  The pan seared turbot fillet is a must try for the fish lover, and the broad selection of red meats including a fantastic Australian wagyu beef cheek served over potatoes with au jus absolutely melts in your mouth!  We savored the suckling pig on our most recent visit and were duly impressed!

The presentation and attention to detail sets La Bottega apart.  Linen napkins and table cloths, crystal and silver table settings, roses on the table, candles, a vast and extensive wine list, refreshing towelettes, warmed bread basket, and usually a sample welcome appetizer, La Bottega encourages guests to linger, unhurried, for an evening dining extravaganza that will guarantee a memorable experience with your dinner party or date!

And lets not forget the broad assortment of imported cheeses and decadent desserts to choose from, because no Italian meal is complete without a little limoncello and something sweet!!  Guests are offered tea or coffee and served a sampler of truffles, biscotti and meringue drops to satiate the sweet craving!  Splurge for the tiramisu for a real treat!  Our five star recommendation for La Bottega de Luca!!

Reservations strongly recommended

Phone number: 097 114 7342
Open 11:30-2:30 for lunch and 5:30-11:00 for dinner
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Feast – Sunday Brunch Review at Royal Orchid Sheraton

We’ve scoured the city so you don’t have to to find the most renowned Sunday brunch options in Bangkok. While there is no shortage of hotels catering exquisite fare and celebratory bubbly for weekenders looking to wine and dine with friends, we have found unique attractiveness in the Royal Orchid Sharaton Hotel and Towers Sunday brunch at their acclaimed restaurant Feast!!  

Located with a dazzling view of the Chao Phraya River, dining at Feast ensures both a delicious dining experience and a vista you can feast your eyes on!  Terrace al fresco dining is available for optimal viewing of the waterway.

Sunday brunch at Feast boasts a wide assortment of flavors and fares!  Start off with a wide selection of salamis and cheeses or begin your binge with a healthy salad tossing in your favorite caesar ingredients for a fantastic fresh start!  The brunch is perhaps most well known for their seafood spread which rivals any other in the city.  Alaska crab legs, salmon, New Zealand mussels, fresh oysters, scallops and succulent lobster will tantalize your tastebuds and satiate your seafood cravings!  

Ethnic cuisines of vast varieties allow you to sample your favorites from every continent.

Cooking stations whip up made to order dishes of local flavors you’ll want to try.  Select your Australian Angus, ribeye, sirloin steak or pork chops and ask the chef to throw them on the grill and cook to your liking.  A carving station with roast beef and ham will happily satiate the carnivores appetite!  Chicken and sausage kebabs on skewers are laid out in vast quantity and variety.   Indian curries, naan and dal and BBQ meats are among other vaireties to choose from.  International cuisine is also available and the made to order Italian pasta dishes guarantee a carb coma of the best kind!  Freshly rolled sushi and customized pizzas ensure there is something for everyone!  We are partial to the rib eye stew in puff pastry dish!  A must try!

You’ve heard the saying “life is uncertain, eat dessert first” and we’d echo a resounding “amen!”  While the dessert selection was not quite as extensive as the impressive brunch spread, there are some excellent treats to be found.  The chocolate mousse cake for the chocoholic and the cold-stone creamery ice cream station with endless toppings was irresistible.  The chocolate fountain of course tempts even the strongest self-willed sweet abstainer.

One other feature that sets Feast apart as a Sunday Buffet option for families, is their kids room featuring entertainment for your little ones.  While a number of weekend brunch buffets in Bangkok claim to have a kids room, nothing we’ve seen compares to this!!  The bounce house and staff in character costumes entertained our little ones with elaborate balloon artistry and face-painting.
Our kids thought it was a carnival!!

A special meal spread catering to the young (and young at heart) is available specifically for the picky palate ensuring everyone leaves with full and satisfied bellies!….A kids lineup of all their favorite foods – hotdogs, chicken nuggets, mini hamburger sliders and French fries!  The kids corner is within eyesight of parents who can linger over their meal while restless little ones run off some steam!
If dining with friends or on a date, there are other brunches in the city that are more posh or upscale, but we’d argue you’d be hard to find more “bang for your buck” if you’re brunch-ing with families or with children in tow!
Children 9 and under dine free!!
10-12 year olds are half price!

We found traffic to be no issue at all getting down to the Royal Orchid Sheraton on a Sunday morning in time for Brunch!  Served 11:30-3:00.
Sunday Brunch at Feast
THB 2,000 nett per person with free-flow blended fresh juices
* additional THB 800 nett for free-flow premium beverage package which includes red, white and sparkling wine.

The Great Kebab Factory Review

After frequenting The Great Kebab Factory on a number of occasions in India, my husband was thrilled when he discovered the franchise had opened a location in Bangkok.  With great expectations, we visited this week hoping it would live up to its reputation.
We were not disappointed!!

There are few cuisines so bold in flavor as Indian food and we anticipated authenticity that we have grown to love from our many visits to India.  The blessed difference dining here is you are not bombarded by the crowds, noises, smells and blaring traffic horns of India, but are able to enjoy the rich flavors and regional favorites in the comfort of a high-end dining experience.  Located inside the Majestic Grand Hotel just off the BTS on Sukhumvit Soi 2, The Great Kebab Factory welcomes you with authentic decor and live entertainment and a set menu of unlimited servings!

The uniqueness of The Great Kebab Factory hinges on the ever-changing menu.  With a selection of hundreds of dishes and kebabs, the variety changes from night to night, begging the connoisseur to return time and time again to taste the rich variety from which they craft a new serving selection each evening!  While veg options are available, our party opted for the non-veg menu and ate like kings!

You begin your dining experience with Kebabs.  Similar to the concept of a “Brazilian steak house” you are served a variety of portions of meat which are prepared and brought to your table.  The legendary Galouti lamb is a patty of seasoned lamb meat minced and served over roti.  An ornate large copper pot displaying Rampuri Murgh Tikka Chicken coarsely coated with coriander and crushed chilis was my personal favorite and we all ordered second helpings of the Tali Machhi deep fried fish with was melt-in-your-mouth tender!  Generous portions of kebabs are offered and you are encouraged to request more of your favorites.

Eat to your hearts content and then when you can take no more, the “main” course starts….

Waiters plate up Gosht Biryani (lamb and basmati rice), Murgh Pasanda (chicken curry), yellow dal and black lentils, and order after order of piping hot butter and garlic naan are brought to your table.  While I typically am not one for “spicy” food, The Great Kebab Factory perfectly tempered the aromatic spices and our variety of tolerance.  Each member of our party ate their fill (and then some) and found the delicious flavors impossible to resist!

Hot milk tea and light desserts and ice cream are then served with pomp and circumstance presented over dry ice for a visually appealing treat.

The Great Kebab Factory also offers a week day lunch set menu at a reasonable price for business lunches and corporate gatherings.
The dinner menu we enjoyed is a set price of 950++ per person.
Good drink list and live music make this an optimal gathering place for larger parties or dinner out with friends as the dining experience encourages you to linger, enjoy and taste and try new things!
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