An Exceptional Buffet Experience with Outstanding Service
I first walked past the buffet entrance from the lobby, not particularly hungry, but was greeted warmly by the host. Their genuine smiles and welcoming energy drew me in. I decided to take a look, and once inside, the sight of beautifully presented dishes was simply irresistible. What sealed the deal for me was the impeccable hospitality from the staff — Khun Saifah, whose outstanding service and warm personality instantly made me feel at ease, and Khun Joy, who escorted me to a perfectly chosen table with a beautiful night view of the street outside. This set the tone for a truly delightful dining experience.
This buffet easily ranks among the best in terms of variety, quality, and taste. The standout highlight for me was the grilled lamb — cooked to a flawless medium rare, with tender, juicy meat and none of the strong smell that lamb can sometimes have. I can confidently say this was the best I’ve had. For lamb lovers, this place is a must-visit. Just a few days ago, I paid over 1,000 THB at another restaurant for two small, underwhelming pieces of lamb — a stark contrast to the exceptional quality here, which made every baht feel worth it. Also if you love scallops and foie gras this place is the best!
The grilled pork was equally impressive, perfectly marinated and flavorful. Another memorable section was the sushi station, particularly the marinated salmon — a refreshing change from the usual sushi and sashimi. In the dessert corner, I was delighted by the warm mooncakes with a thin, delicate crust and balanced sweetness, as well as the rich, perfectly baked brownies. The banana ice cream was an unexpected surprise — I initially thought it would be ordinary, but it turned out to be remarkably good.
If I were to give any feedback, it would be on the breadsticks, which lacked texture, and the nuts on the cheese board, which weren’t crisp or fresh. Blueberries in the fruit section could also be replenished more regularly.
Overall, I was highly impressed and will certainly return — especially on evenings when traffic is bad and I want to enjoy a relaxing dinner nearby. Most importantly, if you’re a fan of lamb racks, I can promise you won’t be disappointed here.
Like to add more that this restaurant and was impressed by its beautiful atmosphere and elegant setting and everything along the way to our table felt perfect. The highlight of the service was a young male staff member on floor who worked tirelessly, helped carry dishes for guests, and served with genuine warmth. Unfortunately, I didn’t get his name, but his dedication truly stood out.
Another point for improvement: although the ambiance was generally great, one table had a group of men speaking very loudly from start to finish. I tried to ignore it, but in a hotel of this standard, staff should be able to politely address such disruptions — this is a fine establishment, not a...
Read moreThe Raintree Buffet at the Athenee Hotel offers a solid dining experience, with high-quality food despite a relatively limited variety.
Food: The highlight is the grill station, which features premium selections such as lamb rack, beef, tiger prawn, and squid, all made to order. Each item is cooked to perfection, and the quality of the meat and seafood is outstanding. Recommend tiger prawn and lamb. Though wish it was more choice of beef options.
Also the downside, ready to eat grilled station, the meat seem like dry and overcook meat , better to order new one. Also the grilled fish in other station like cooked whole fish , I took few piece of them , it is quite dry texture and overcooked.
A particularly exciting addition is the return of foie gras, which had been absent for a while. It's served with a well-balanced sauce, small slices of bread, and a hint of fruit —perfectly cooked and delightful. The pan-seared scallop is another standout, with excellent flavor and preparation.
The Thai station offers classics like pad Thai and tom yum, but the dishes tend to be overly salty, even though the ingredients, such as squid and shrimp are fresh.
For those who enjoy cold seafood, there's a solid variety including squid, king prawn, crab, crayfish, and oyster. While I'm personally not a fan of cold seafood, I took the river prawns to the grill station and had them cooked, which worked out nicely. The accompanying seafood sauce is a great complement. On Fridays, they feature a Talay Thai section, which offers even more Thai-style seafood dishes.
Desserts are a mix of Thai and international options. Around 50% of the dessert selection leans Thai, while others include Western-style sweets like tiramisu. The tiramisu could use some improvement, but overall, the dessert offerings are satisfactory. Highlight would be ice cream, sorbet is really nice and refreshing after the big meal.
Ambience: The atmosphere is peaceful, with plenty of space and not too many diners, allowing for a pleasant, uncrowded experience.
Service: The best part of the experience is undoubtedly the service. The staff are incredibly attentive and friendly, always checking in to refill water or asking if anything is needed. Their exceptional service truly elevates the dining experience.
In summary, while the selection isn't vast, the high quality of the food and exceptional service make the Raintree Buffet a worthwhile experience at...
Read more🍽️ Relaxing Dinner Buffet with Quality Touches at The Athenee Hotel
I visited Rain Tree Café at The Athenee Hotel, Bangkok for dinner during a long holiday. While it wasn’t their highlight event like the Sunday brunch, the experience was still enjoyable.
The restaurant has a well-organized layout with a sense of privacy in each section. The atmosphere was calm and pleasant, with a nice view through the large windows.
The buffet offers various zones — Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Arabic, and Thai. While the selection in each zone isn’t huge, it covers the essentials well. The highlight for me was the pan-seared foie gras and pan-seared Hokkaido scallops, which were a very pleasant surprise and made the meal feel extra special.
Grilled items like lamb rack, beef tenderloin, tiger prawns, and salmon were also nicely done. I paired the beef tenderloin with the foie gras — absolutely delicious.
The dessert section was not overly extensive but had the basics covered: seasonal fruits, cakes, chocolates, ice cream, and some Thai sweets.
Note: Drinks are not included in the buffet price. A bottle of water and a pot of hot tea at the end cost about THB 95. There are also drink packages available: • Soft Drink Package: THB 200/person • Beer Package: THB 600/person • Wine Package: THB 1,200/person — which I think is great value as it includes sparkling wine, white wine, red wine, beer, and soft drinks.
Overall, it was a satisfying dinner with good quality highlights and a relaxing setting. I’d love to return, maybe next time for the famous...
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