Sunday Brunch Review At Chatuchuk Cafe, Sofitel Centara Grand

[cwldanny]

Sunday Brunch Buffet Review at Chatuchak Cafe, Sofitel Centara Grand

http://www.bkkgastro.blogspot.com

Wow! It seems like it has been forever since I have posted up a tasty review. I have been caught up in piles of work and haven't had the time to treat myself to a nice buffet. In fact, I'm not even in Bangkok right now but I made sure I ate a truckload of buffets so I can review them when I have free time.

Today will be a review for Sunday Brunch Buffet at the Chatuchak Cafe, Sofitel Centara Grand. I remember walking around Central Ladprao since I was a child, and every time I went back, it always brought back memories (Since the place was never renovated and looked the same after 10 years). However, Sofitel Centara Grand, which is connected to the shopping center, recently went through renovation. I have eaten here before, and was very disappointed at the spread and general quality of the food, however much of that has changed.

I parked my car and walked through the hotel, noticing that renovation was still undergoing. The entire layout and structure of the buffet has changed, including seating. There are 3 main islands that hold the starters and cold food, hot foods and finally the desserts. The staff was extremely friendly and you could see most of the food being made by the chefs behind the counters.

Entrance to the Buffet

There was plenty of seafood available, including oysters, prawns and bits and pieces of lobster. The appetizer variety was quite small and the sushi bar was limited, no smoked salmon available and very few cold cuts. However the taste of the food was decent for the price we were paying.

Cold Seafood

Sushi and Sashimi

I enjoyed the lamb, beef and rock lobster since it was repeatedly made fresh by the chefs. The food was replenished quickly when it ran out. There was dimsum as well as thai dishes such as curry and sticky rice with beef, springrolls and a noodle station.

Our Friendly Chef

Sample of Rock Lobster, Duck, Fish and Grilled Prawns

Roasted Lamb, Prawn Kebab, Grilled Salmon

After filling myself up (Which took quite some time) I moved on to the desserts. There was a few flavors of ice creams available, fruits, Thai desserts and of course cakes and tarts. As always though, I wasn't impressed by what was available. I have yet to find a buffet with fantastic desserts, so may be it's just me? If you happen to know where I can enjoy a nice chocolate cake similar to the ones available in Boulangeries in Europe, let me know!

The Chocolate Fountain

Variaty of Cakes

Overall I would say the buffet at Chatukchuk Cafe was average at best Although it certainly improved, it still has a long way to go to making it in the top 10 buffets in Bangkok. Would I come here again? Probably not, I still have plenty of calories to consume elsewhere. But if you live around the area and want a buffet for a decent price, might as well drop in and try it yourself. The total bill per person for Sunday Brunch was hovering around 1200 before 50% Discount for Accor Card Members.

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Chatukchak Cafe, Sofitel Centara Grand (3/5) BBB

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http://www.sofitel.c...estaurant.shtml)

- Bangkok Gastronomy

Edited November 12, 2010 by cwldanny

[siam2007]

I wonder when all those food-bloggers will finally start to review AFFORDABLE eating options and buffets (yeah such thing exists) that are not only geared towards the HI-SO

[cwldanny]

I wonder when all those food-bloggers will finally start to review AFFORDABLE eating options and buffets (yeah such thing exists) that are not only geared towards the HI-SO

You can always check out Bangkok Post for monthly promotions on buffets if you have trouble affording them. For example, last month Plaza Anthanee had 50% off for American Express Credit Card Holders bringing the lunch buffet down to 400 Baht. Or the Landmark which often has GO 4 Pay 2 promotions.

[beano2274]

Great picture of Uams head on the pic with the Chatuchak Cafe sign on it.

A good idea is to go to the Thailand holiday fairs in Queen Sirikhits or even at Impact in Muang Thon Thani, hotels from Bangkok go there and have really good prices for Buffets.

The Landmark has special deals in the Huntsman Restaurant, but not sure about the prices as not on the website, best to call direct.

[beano2274]

I had a good buffet at "King Power" very nice and felt full afterwards 400 per person.

Another was at the Radisson, even saw the Thai National Football team there with Peter Reid.

A great one was at the "Tawana" that was fantastic but expensive, normally costs around 1000per person.

Gonna try the VIE hotel soon for buffet as it has special offers as well

Edited November 12, 2010 by beano2274

[smokie36]

Thanks danny for another great review. Fairly easy to chalk up 1200 Baht on a good three course farang meal in Bangkok. Sure its not cheap but more of a fill your boots job I reckon!

[cwldanny]

Thanks danny for another great review. Fairly easy to chalk up 1200 Baht on a good three course farang meal in Bangkok. Sure its not cheap but more of a fill your boots job I reckon!

You're welcome! I definitely know that there are a lot of buffets in Bangkok that aren't worth the hefty prices, and as a foreigner I sometimes have trouble deciding where to go if I suddenly have an urge to eat a buffet. I'm hoping that with this little blog I can at least give people some idea on which Buffets to head to and which to avoid.

[beano2274]

Read the blogs on your site, great Information, but how about checking out the Thailand holiday fairs for cheap buffets, then going to those hotels and checking the food out. I usually buy my tickets at the fairs, as they are cheaper than normal.

I want to check out the Vie Hotel buffet soon, as they have a Lazy Sunday Brunch, and I have a coupon (from BTS - Trip Ticket) for buy one get one free.

[cwldanny]

Read the blogs on your site, great Information, but how about checking out the Thailand holiday fairs for cheap buffets, then going to those hotels and checking the food out. I usually buy my tickets at the fairs, as they are cheaper than normal.

I want to check out the Vie Hotel buffet soon, as they have a Lazy Sunday Brunch, and I have a coupon (from BTS - Trip Ticket) for buy one get one free.

I've gone to almost all of the Thai / Hotel Travel fairs at Queen Sirikit / impact and Paragon to buy the vouchers for buffets. Sometimes you can find really great deals, but usually nothing spectacular. Last year at Queen Sirikit almost all the hotels went to open up a booth and JW Marriot, Sheraton and Erawan only had vouchers for 20% off.

I would recommended that you check out these conventions though because you can also find some great deals. Earlier this year Landmark had a coupon for 3000-4000 Baht (If I remember correctly) which included Breakfast and Dinner Buffet for 2 and a Night's stay.