shangri la

The regular price for the dinner buffet in Shangri La's Kad Kafe is 500 baht ++. Decent if you are on vacation and on a so-called "western" salary. Borderline highway robbery if you are on a local salary - which is my case. Yesterday, we lucked upon a group rate of 350 baht per person. The discount made this visit a reasonable [but not regular] treat.
On-site, culinary stations await ravenous buffet-goers. Chefs prepare maki sushi, made to order pastas and brick-oven pizzas, shiumai and salapao. Thai and east-west fusion salads, token western fare, bulbous grain breads, and a modest cheese spread are among the mix. Strategically centre is a dessert island, definitely worth a few trips from the table.

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savoury notables | fresh-made mini margarita pizza. cheese [namely brie and blue]. flaky breadtwists. paperthin baked flatbread. baked salmon with cream sauce. roasted asparagus and red bell peppers.

so-so | dim sum. japanese maki was fairly basic [tuna, salmon, or crab].

not so | the pasta tomato sauce was a bit too sweet.

sweet notables | marshmallow squares and chocolate fondue. tiramisu [light cream and fresh espresso. mmm]. any ice cream flavour drizzled with chocolate fondue sauce [more enjoyable as it hardens]. a layered rectangle of peanut butter, wafer, and cream.

so-so | pumpkin pie.

not so | a pot of hot peppermint tea cost 140 baht. always ask before you order. especially in a big name hotel restaurant.