Thiptara

Description:

• This alfresco riverside venue is set amid a pretty Thai garden with lotus ponds, goldfish pools, and individual, private wooden pavilions, all next to the Chao Phraya River. Flaming torches light the passing boats, giving it a truly romantic air. The menu includes both spicy and nonspicy Thai dishes, all of which carefully encapsulate the taste of simple home cooking. Try a refreshingly zesty pomelo salad with grilled prawns (mention to the waitress if you don't like it too spicy) or dip into a Thai-style duck curry or fresh seafood dishes. If you don't want to risk street eats and are dying to try some Thai classics, Thiptara offers the well-loved Thai-style noodle, pad thai goong sod, or tom yum goong (spicy coconut and prawn soup), as well as the addictive Thai dessert, mango and sticky rice. More adventurous diners can try the more unusual pollamai nampheung, a two-person dessert of Thai fruits roasted in honey with splashes of chili and vanilla, served with a refreshing lemon sorbet. You can take the free hotel shuttle boat from Saphan Taksin BTS, or from the hotel's own private pier next to the Shangri-La Hotel, to get here.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Very Highly Recommended 2010