Inside Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai Floating Restaurant
Chiangmai, Thailand has many great restaurants, but the Chiangmai Floating
Restaurant is a favorite for lunch. If you are not in a rush and want to try
excellent Thai dishes in a wonderful atmosphere for an unbelieveable price, this
place is for you.
Now if you are in a hurry, it's best to eat at a vendor's stall, as excellent
Thai food takes a lot of preparation and is cooked fresh. Almost all good Thai
restaurants have beautiful flower gardens, waterfalls, or ponds with fountains,
lots of orchids, and playgrounds for the children. For Thai people, eating out
is a pleasure and the food takes a while before it comes to the table, so the
atmosphere is very important. Taking family or friends to a noisy restaurant on
a busy street is unacceptable and considered very rude for Thai people. Street
vendors and busy street side restaurants are okay to purchase food to take home or
if you are on your way somewhere, but never for pleasure dining.
One of the best restaurants in Chiangmai, Thailand is Chiang Mai Lan Ahan
Reampae, or Chiangmai Floating Restaurant. They now have two, one on
Sankhampaeng Road and the other on the outer-ring road to Mae Rim.
When you first enter the restaurant, you will notice right away a sign with
their health department number and government rating of ?Very Good". This putscustomers at ease knowing the kitchen and dinning area are clean with the food prepared
with fresh ingredients.
You will be escorted to your seat in one of the three areas of your choice,
one open-air and the other two, covered. The dining area is floating on
pontoons that are extended out into a large pond surrounded by fields and trees.
During warm days, it is best to sit in the covered area where a sprinkler system
is installed on the roof to cool the hot metal sheets.
They have an extensive Thai menu and a shorter English menu. If you have a
Thai friend or your Thai guide along with you, ordering from the Thai menu is
best, however, the English menu is sufficient.
With friends, five adults and two
children, and had 11 different dishes including rice, soft drinks, and fruit
shakes, and the total price will be under $18. Some dishes offered are Tom Yum Goog
(Lemon Grass Soup with Shrimp), Gai Priew Waan (Sweet and Sour
Chicken), Khai Jiew Pak (Vegetable Omelet), Pla Grapong Khao Neung
Manao (Steamed Sea Perch with Chili in Lime Sauce), Poh Pia Sod
(Fried Spring Rolls with Pork, Vegetable Filling and Tamarind Sauce), Paad
Bai Gra-pow Gai (Saut?ed Chicken with Chili and Basil Leaves), Gai Paad
Med Ma-muang Himmapaan (Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts and Dry Chili),
Paad Paak Boong (Stir-fried Morning Glory), Plaa Goong
(Grilled River Prawn Salad Marinated with Peppermint and Lemon Grass), Gai
Hor Bai Toey (Marinated Chicken in Coconut Milk, Wrapped and Baked in
Pandan Leaves), and large plates of mixed fruit.
Once the order was placed the drinks come first, then the soup and finger food
such as the spring rolls then the food for the children such as an omelet. When
eating Thai food DO NOT scrape one dish onto your plate. Each dish has it's own
serving spoon where you take a little and put it on your plate then use your own
spoon and fork. This gives everyone a chance to taste all the wonderful dishes.
You are provided a small soup bowl, a plate, fork and spoon. Chop sticks are
provided if you order a noodle dish.
The great thing about eating Thai-style at a good
restaurant is you never know what dish is coming next and when. The first two or
three come rather quickly, and then comes the rice. Just when almost
finishing one or two dishes, one or two more come to replace them.
Also,the service is excellent. There is always someone there to fill up your water
or beer glass when it gets low or add more rice to your plate before you run
out. All you need to do is enjoy your food, friends, family, and the beautiful,
quiet surroundings.
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