Ciao @ Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

| December 15, 2011

 Ciao @ Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
 Address:
48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
T: +66 (2) 659 9000
Text/photo: Vasin Srivarathanabul

No introduction is needed for the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok for it’s above standard service and facilities. Ciao is an Italian restaurant, one of Oriental’s riverside restaurants which opens during dry season usually between October to May. This is one of our favorite for it’s vibrant riverside alfresco ambiance and fine food accompany with fine wines. We were there one evening to experience the wonders Ciao offers.

At the entrance of the hotel, we relied on the valet service who took care of our car while we spent some time at Ciao. The doorman welcome us like they know us. We walked through the lively lobby and through the walk way leading to the river. As we get to the river, we felt a pleasant vibe and a nice breeze. At the river front there are 3 restaurants, the Veranda, the BBQ terrace offers sumptuous international buffet, and Ciao. Ciao is set in front of the 130 year old garden wing  on a terrace over looking the Chaopraya river. The ambiance during the evening is spectacular. Apart from the ambiance the Oriental is very well known for it’s fine service Ciao is no acception. Many of the staffs here have been working for more than 10 year. They know how to treat customers and make you feel good. And if you are a regular customers they’ll always remember you and it happens both ways. Khun Naam (Tanchanok Maneenai) took care of us that night she has been working here for 14 years, we’ve meet her a couple of times previously when we were at the hotel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While seated we were recommended a nice chilled Pinot Grigio. We were offered a simple menu with a wide selection of Italian favorites and some unique dishes. There is a large selection of pizzas, it was tempting but it would be too filling to taste other dishes. So we tried a variety of dishes starting with something light. The first dish arrive fairly quick, Raw black eye tuna with capers, fennel, herbs, extra virgin olive oil and lemon. The tuna was very fresh, it did not need seasonings at all. The lemon, olive oil and the fennel made it more complex. A really good light dish to start with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next dish is a vegetarian Risotto with green leeks, porcini mushrooms, and white truffle oil. This is a very flavorful dish, I can still taste that powerful cheesy taste. The of texture of the porcini mushroom was so good a bit chewy, soft and so juicy. It makes me curious how this mushroom was cooked to have such a unique texture. This dish, I will want to order again when I come here next time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Silver bass was perfectly cooked with a nice crispy skin inside is very moist and tasty white meat with sautéed capsicum. A  perfect match with lemon tarragon sauce, and herbs. Another perfectly cooked dish is the lamb chops, pan fried. It has a really nice crusted well seasoned with ligurian herbs. Served with roasted capsicum and Sicilian cous cous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For dessert, the restaurant manager recommended Caramelized panna cotta. The texture was very smooth and thick almost gelatin like which make it very unique. It has a light cinnamon scent, served with forest berries macerated in Lambrusco wine. We had to order Tiramisu, just out of curiosity because in the menu it says Tiramisu “Ciao”. Having the restaurant name with this menu item has to mean something. It came to our table in a large cake form. The server cut a large piece from the cake to serve us. It was very creamy light and has an intense coffee aroma what every good Tiramisu should be like.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another great night at one of our favorite Italian restaurant. What can be more better? Great Ambiance! Great Views! Great service! Great Food! Great company!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sample Menu

Raw black eye tuna THB 480
Risotto and porcini mushrooms  THB 450
Silver bass and lemon tarragon sauce  THB 460
Pan-fried lamb chops and Sicilian cous cous  THB 860
Tiramisu “Ciao”  THB 290
Caramelized panna cotta with forest berries macerated in Lambrusco wine  THB 280

At-bangkok Ratings 
Ambiance:  5
Food:  4.5
Service: 4.5
Value: 4.5
 

 

About the Author:

Current: Editor of At-Bangkok.com, Managing Director at dp-Studio Co. Ltd. Past: Lecturer, Instructor at School of Architecture King Mongkut University of Technology, Architect at RNL Architect, Architect at Roth Sheppard Architects Education: School of Architecture Chulalongkorn University Bangkok Thailand (B.Arch) School of Architecture University of Arizona USA - School of Architecture University of Colorado, Denver USA (M. Arch)
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