FINE FRENCH DINING AT LE NORMANDIE, MANDARIN ORIENTAL BANGKOK

The highlight of my Bangkok trip has got to be our 5 course lunch at Le Normandie. Le Normandie is a fine dining French restaurant located in Mandarin Oriental. Berms and t-shirts aren't allowed at all times and during dinner, guys are required to wear jackets. The "James Bond type" as the maître d' told the little boy when his mom brought out his windbreaker. They lend you if you don't have one, by the way. Some might say that the restaurant feels too formal or too strict, but I loved it! What's wrong with me!?! Hahaha! The "properness" isn't just limited to this french restaurant, as the hotel lobby has a dress code after a certain time! LOVES IT!!! I mean, yessss, I may live in shorts (hehe) but I'm a sucker for all things fancy schmancy. Thanks Tripadvisor for pointing me to the direction of delicious, gorgeously plated food in a beautiful restaurant with excellent service. ;)

the lobby of Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

passed by MO Bangkok's Author's Lounge and it is too pretty for words

As much as I would love to stay at the Author's Lounge, we had to proceed to Le Normandie

it's on the 5th floor of the hotel and it offers both sides of city views

First impression of Le Normandie: WOW!

our table

our river view. I think it would look really nice in the evening :) 

my picks from the bread basket 

bread pa lang, ang sarap na!

to prepare the palette

me and my lunch date :)

my entree: tuna, foie gras, vichyssoise

Luke's entree: beef, beetroot, goat cheese caraway

fresh flowers in every table

speaking of every table, isn't the setting just gorge???

velvet pumpkin cream soup and coconut for me 

chicken consommé with celery and sichuan pepper for him

totally in love with the color scheme, the fuchsia perfectly complements this gold room

my meat: duck breast, endive, quince-verbena

for him: pork tenderloin, rosemary-cassis, polenta

a closer look at the cook of the pork

fire from a distance. don't worry, by the time we left, it had already subsided.

for dessert, my boyfriend and I each got our own Grand Marnier soufflé. It was something we both didn't budge on because normally one would order something else so that we could try more dishes, :)

I'm so glad I didn't need to share, hahaha! The soufflé was so heavenly!

they serve your choice of coffee after the meal

so sweet of Le Normandie to present us with yummy anniversary chocolate cake that we got to take home

ending our meal with more sweets, can this lunch set be any more sulit?!

Not only was the restaurant and our food pretty, their service was excellent too! They really paid attention to their guests and instead of saying "no" when they ask you if you want them to explain the menu, let them! They actually enjoy talking about the food and giving recommendations. 

Speaking of the menu, it is by Arnaud Dunand Sauthier - Chef du cuisine - and his team. They offer lunch and dinner degustation sets and you can also order ala carte. As with all fine dining restaurants, opting for lunch will easily save you tens of dollars. 

a satisfied me after our meal. :)

Le Normandie is located at Mandarin Oriental, 48 Oriental Ave, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand

Make sure to check their website for the current menu and to place a reservation. 

Bon appetit!

xx