Enjoy gourmet meals at prices that won’t make you gag

By Nuttaporn Srisirirungsimakul

During this time of political and economic uncertainty, we all are more conscious about spending and saving money. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up the luxury of a good meal. And the good news is that many of Bangkok’s finest restaurants offer multi-course set lunches for a fraction of what a meal would normally cost there at dinnertime.
Here are some great places to treat yourself and impress your business partners without breaking the bank.

Cy’an

The menu: Customize your lunch by selecting a starter, main course and dessert from four listed options in each category. If it’s available, kick things off with light and fresh red snapper carpaccio. A choice of mains includes lobster tagliatelle, jamon pizzetta, black kingfish and roast chicken. Even if you aren’t a big fan of desserts, Cy’an’s sinful banana caramel tartine with chocolate ice cream might convert you.
The bill: B580 for two courses, B680 for three, including coffee/tea.
The verdict: Perfect for those seeking for a lingering midday meal. If, however, you need to scurry back to the office or have plans later in the day, save Cy’an for another time—they’re nice but not exactly known for their speed.
■ The Metropolitan, 27 South Sathorn Rd., 02-625-3333 ext. 3388/9. Lunch Mon-Fri noon-2pm

D’Sens

The menu: As part of the empire of twin Michelin-star chefs Jacques and Laurent Pourcel, the big D features what might be Bangkok’s most extensive luxe lunch menu with a choice of five appetizers, six mains and five desserts. The food is exquisitely presented, the food is fresh and light and the portions are just right so you won’t feel bloated after the meal. A sample set: thin slices of poached foie gras; slowly braised veal cheek; and soft chocolate cake with crystallized orange skin and Sichuan pepper ice cream.
The bill: B850 for two courses, B1,000 for three—but really you get more than that counting “pre-starters” and “pre-dessert”—as well as great bread and coffee/tea.
The verdict: The quiet and private ambiance coupled with friendly service and panoramic views of the city and Lumpini Park make D’Sens ideal for both business and romantic lunches.
■ The Dusit Thani, 946 Rama 4 Rd., 02-200-9000 ext. 2499. Lunch Mon-Fri, 11:30am-2:30pm

Ember

The menu: The menu is designed to satisfy every palate, offering a good variety of options including salads, soups, meat and pasta dishes. Awesome fish dishes. Try the crispy pan-fried snapper.
The bill: B345 for two courses, B370 for three, including baskets of delicious naan and coffee/tea.
The verdict: We’re not so impressed with their desserts (we prefer three savory courses), but this is still an amazing deal considering the quality and complexity of the food. Bright and cheerful during the day.
■ 99/11-99/12 Langsuan Balcony, Ploenchit Rd., 02-652-2086. Lunch 11:30am-2pm

Le Normandie

The menu: Mix and match your meal from the monthly menu, which includes options of four starters, four entrees and two desserts. For starters, it’s a tough decision between slices of marinated sea bass with basil pesto and roasted young squid filled with crab meat. Mains include specialties like tiger prawns, lamb and bouillabaisse. Sorry, no foie gras.
The bill: B1,000 net for three courses. An extra B400 scores a cheese plate.
The verdict: Who knew Le Normandie could be so affordable? With glamorous atmosphere, striking river views, five-star service and delicious food, there’s no better way to spend B1,000.
■ The Oriental Bangkok, 48 Oriental Ave., 02-659-9000 ext. 7670/1. Lunch Mon-Sat, noon-2:30pm

Tsu & Nami

The menu: For lunch, Tsu has six bento boxes and five noodles dishes. Try Unagi in the Box (grilled freshwater eel, veggie tempura, sashimi and appetizer, B400) or Sushi and Sashimi in the Box (daily nigiri sushi, sashimi, assorted tempura, potato croquette, grilled fish, cold udon and appetizer, B580). If you crave teppanyaki, head to Nami, where six grilled lunch sets are served with California rolls, salad, rice, shitake consommé soup and dessert.
The bill: Starting from B190 for tanuki soba (cold noodles with seafood and tempura flakes) to B650 for snow fish teppanyaki.
The verdict: When you’re ready to graduate from Fuji, head here. In the evening, Chef Aki’s exclusive marvels are beyond the reach of mortals without expense accounts, so enjoy lunch and dream big. Bento boxes are available through Sep 30.
■ JW Marriott Bangkok, 4 Sukhumvit Soi 2, 02-656-7709. Lunch daily 11:30am-2:30pm

Le Vendome

The menu: Featuring a choice between four starters, four entrees and two desserts, the three-course set lunch menu rotates every month according to what’s fresh along with Chef Nicolas Joanny’s creative impulse of the moment. Right now, starter choices are crispy pastilla of blue prawn, pumpkin soup, truffled scrambled eggs and, for B200 extra, foie gras ravioli. For mains, there are braised beef cheeks, pastilla of Tasmanian trout, chicken breast stuffed with foie gras and John Dory (B200 extra). End the meal on a sweet note with white chocolate pannacotta or poached pear in sweet wine.
The bill: B550 for three courses, including coffee/tea.
The verdict: Special occasion? Be adventurous and put down the menu. Let the chef cook what he wants to cook and you’ll enjoy a lunch that isn’t only good value but one you won’t forget.
■ 267/2 Sukhumvit Soi 31 (Soi Sawasdee), 02-662-0530/1. Lunch Tue-Sat, 11:30am-2pm

Zanotti

The menu: For starters, choose between a soup of the day, salad of the day, pizza and Caesar salad. Rotating main course choices include meat, fish or pasta—if it’s on offer, try homemade tagliatelle with lobster.
The bill: B290 for two courses, B320 for three (two plus dessert).
The verdict: Still busy, but much easier to get a table at lunch than dinner, and of course much more affordable. Beware: coffee is not included (B100 for an espresso). But great bread, crisp service and free water if you ask for it.
■ 21/2 Soi Saladaeng, 02-636-0002. Lunch Tue-Sat 11:30am-2pm