Foodie Heaven: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok (2) | 美食天堂：曼谷文華東方酒店 (二)
Al fresco dining at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. (Image: Mandarin Oriental)
HAPPY TUMMY, HAPPY LIFE
There are about a dozen dining venues on the premise of Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, and each is unique in taste, décor and atmosphere.
The formal restaurants cover popular cuisines including Thai, Chinese, French, Italian as well as seafood. For those feeling less puckish, you shall find lighter fares at the bar, cafe or the delightful, recently reopened Authors' Lounge.
One spectacle worth pointing out is the dinner and dance show at Sala Rim Naam, a stunning cultural performance that attracts both tourists and locals to the quieter side of the river bank.
通過胃，抓住快樂
曼谷文華東方酒店裡有十多家餐廳，酒吧與咖啡廳，個個都有獨特的美食與氣氛。
正式的餐廳包括了受歡迎的國際性料理，有泰式，中華，法國，意大利以及海鮮。提供小吃輕食的則有酒吧，咖啡廳，或是來到優雅的 Authors' Lounge 享受下午茶。
酒店有名的亮點是每晚在對岸 Sala Rim Naam 餐廳所舉辦的民俗舞蹈表演秀，結合泰國文化與美食，深受遊客和當地居民喜愛。
Spectacular dinner and dance show at the Sala Rim Naam. © Eileen Hsieh
Tucked away in a pavilion across the river from Mandarin Oriental's main premise, guests are ferried to the sumptuously decorated Sala Rim Naam by a hotel boat. Once here, you'll spend the evening tasting a gorgeous set menu of traditional Thai dishes against the backdrop of a classical Thai music and dance performance. It's feast for the senses, filled with enchanting songs, mesmerizing dancers with long nails and fancy props, and even an invigorating segment of Thai boxing.
Sala Rim Naam 與文華東方酒店隔河相望，所以需要坐船渡河。餐廳裡的裝潢典雅華麗，正中間便是舞台，是欣賞古典泰國音樂舞蹈表演的絕佳背景。
這兒所提供的表演比我以前看過的精采許多，是感官的盛宴。傳統泰式料理道道精緻美味，表演者迷人的歌聲，舞蹈與服裝則讓人眼花撩亂。
Main course: Teriyaki-style salmon. © Eileen Hsieh
Cake and roses for the happy couple. © Eileen Hsieh
Exotic fruits are part of the dessert platter. © Eileen Hsieh
Service here is also worth a mention. The staff are exceptionally attentive and even have prepared a little surprise for mom and dad, which leaves them both red-faced and absolutely elated!
餐廳的服務無懈可擊，細心的服務人員還特地準備了一個小驚喜，慶祝爸媽的結婚週年慶，讓他們倆兒眉開眼笑，心花怒放！
READ MORE: Where the Authors Lounged: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
繼續閱讀: 作家摯愛：曼谷文華東方酒店
Brighte your morning with these colorful fruits and yogurts form the breakfast buffet. © Eileen Hsieh
How I miss these tropical beauties! © Eileen Hsieh
Dim sum for breakfast. © Eileen Hsieh
Delicious pastries and breads are also on offer. © Eileen Hsieh
Another foodies' delight is the breakfast served in the open-air riverside café. The buffet presents a mouthwatering selection of staples from the East and the West from dim sim, pastries to a dazzling array of fresh tropical fruits. Do not miss the heavenly papayas -- juicy, sweet, and absolutely divine!
在文華東方，早餐也是一個可讓人心跳加快的時段。河畔的露天餐廳擺滿了一排排的東西方選擇，有剛出爐的法式糕餅，熱騰騰的港式點心，還有琳瑯滿目的熱帶水果。千萬不要錯過泰國的木瓜 -- 汁多，味甜，絕對難忘！
Refreshment boat by the pool. © Eileen Hsieh
The difference between a good hotel and a great hotel is in the details.
Mandarin Oriental is peerless in its ability to create understated elegance and pamper its guests in the most inconspicuous manner.
One afternoon spent by the pool proves to us why the Bangkok property, along with the first MO in Hong Kong, hold the accolade as the chain's flagship hotels.
高級酒店和頂級酒店最大的差別，就是在於細節。
文華東方是製造低調優雅的專家，無論是風格還是服務，它都能以最不顯眼的方式帶給客人最極端的舒適。
我們在游泳池畔的經驗，證明了這家曼谷酒店確實值得與香港並列為文華東方的旗艦店。
Frozen treats and fruits at your fingertips. © Eileen Hsieh
The hotel has two pools. One is 25-meter long suitable for laps, while the other is shallow and perfect for children or those wanting a dip. Large, comfortable cabanas and lounge chairs line the poolside, where a selection fresh fruits, refreshments and reading material are within easy reach.
Such amenities are typical at luxury hotels. Many places provide chilled drinks, some may even offer ice cream, but nowhere is as generous as Mandarin Oriental Bangkok in dishing out delicious treats and hospitality.
酒店有兩個室外游泳池。一個約25米長，適合游泳，另一個則是淺池，適合泡水解暑。池畔有許多寬敞舒適的亭子和躺椅，飲料，水果和報章雜誌也都近在咫尺。
許多五星級酒店都有類似的設施。很多地方提供冷飲，有的甚至提供冰淇淋，但很少地方會像曼谷文華東方一樣慷慨熱情，成天不斷的提供甜蜜的驚喜。
Iced lollipop and red rose smoothie. © Eileen Hsieh
Throughout the day, every few hours or so, a staff member goes around the pools distributing a delightful selection of locally inspired desserts and frozen treats.
Then there's the adorable afternoon ice cream run, a production of vintage charm wth a wooden cart, cow bell, homemade coconut ice cream and a colorful array of toppings. The timing is impeccable too, arriving shortly after our lunch plates were cleared and completely demolishing our will to refuse.
Alas. Surrender never tasted so sweet.
躺在池畔曬太陽，每隔幾小時就會看到工作人員繞著游泳池分發有當地風味的甜品和冷飲。
最有型的道具就是帶著牛鈴的復古冰淇淋推車，浩浩蕩蕩的呈現著文華東方自製的椰子冰淇淋和多采多姿的配料。它到達我們小庭時，午餐盤碗才剛被清除，讓我們完全沒有理由（也沒有意志）拒絕如此討喜的點心。
哎，甜蜜的投降大概就是最貼切的形容吧。
Toppings for the homemade coconut ice cream. © Eileen Hsieh
How can one resist? © Eileen Hsieh
MY RATING: 10 / 10
At MO Bangkok, I did the unthinkable. I didn't leave the hotel premise once in over 24 hours.
Didn't want to. Didn't need to.
我的評價：10 / 10
在曼谷東方文華，我做了不可思議的事。在24小時內，我完全沒有踏出酒店。
因為在這兒悠哉愉快，心想事成。不想也不需要離開。
Floating pink lotus flowers by the wading pool. © Eileen Hsieh