Review For International Buffet At Taste, Westin Grande Sukhumvit

[cwldanny]

So after a long absence, I'm back with a new website at

http://www.BkkGastro.com

Hopefully it's easier to read, and better organized. I have some great plans for the place as a resource for those looking to dine in Bangkok, so please "Like" our Facebook page so we can continue to grow!

http://www.facebook.com/BangkokGastronomy

(I have changed the format of the photos so to view them please visit the full review at Bangkok Gastronomy) Please tell me directly here or on the comment section about what you like or dont like about the layout, font, formatting, etc and I will work to improve on it =)

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I have been around long enough to realize that Bangkok has more than its fair share of choices when it comes to international buffets. What it lacks though, is a buffet with character; something that makes a particular restaurant experience stand out. Every buffet caters to a different audience, offers a different menu, and is located in a different location. But more often than not they end up being the exact same experience.

Rushing into the buffet line, sampling the seafood, then the main courses and finally finishing with the desserts and regretting that you ate that last piece of sirloin or the extra serving of cake. Then comes the few hours of regret. Rinse and repeat. Doesn't that sound a little familiar?

I arrived at the Asoke BTS station and walked pass the Orchid Cafe at the Sheraton Grande (Which is usually my choice for a great seafood dinner) and toward the Westin. After about 15 minutes of wandering through the shopping center which to this day I believe connects somehow to the hotel, I arrived at Taste, the coffee shop and venue for the international buffet that night.

My first impression was definitely the superior service. It may have also been the fact that throughout the night they had only around 10 customers, but I still remember being treated very well by the waiters and chefs.

The buffet setup was relatively small, but the taste (intentionally done) of most dishes were above average.

The sushi bar had to be refilled after being picked on by the two customers ahead of me and I waited about 15 minutes for it to be refilled, so that definitely needs improvement. Salmon, tuna, an assortment of cold cuts, a pasta station, roasted suckling pig, snow fish, grilled prawns, lamb rack, ice cream teppanyaki and other desserts were also available.

The suckling pig was crispy and made fresh to order, and the grilled prawns were fantastic with the Thai sea food sauce. The dessert section was proportionally larger, and will satisfy any sweet tooth but the quality could use improvement as well.

Overall the buffet at Taste is a nice change to the usual fast-paced buffets at five star hotels where you have to often stand in line for food and wait your turn at the grill. But ultimately my experience at Taste falls into the category of being just another addition to the many buffets in Bangkok. At 1,295 Baht Net. Its a place that you'll have to try at least once, for the friendly staff and delicious Thai seafood sauce.

Overall Score 3.5/5

Restaurant's Website

(http://www.westingrandesukhumvit.com/taste)

http://bkkgastro.com/2011/06/dinner-buffet-at-taste-westin-grande-sukhumvit/

[lazygourmet]

Thanks for your review...

I have to admit that since the "Grand Pacific" -they used to have a nice Mediterranean cuisine buffet- has been revamped into "Westin":

I haven't visited the premises!

[aussimike]

Thanks for your review...

I have to admit that since the "Grand Pacific" -they used to have a nice Mediterranean cuisine buffet- has been revamped into "Westin":

I haven't visited the premises!

with regard to lazy

in reply to BKKGASTRO - not a very fitting name for a so called bkk food critic - we do have enough gastro around to satify all needs

i was just wondering as a serious diner as to the qualifications of bkkgastro = is these reviews professional based critique or are u just commenting as a lay person on your own perception of what good food should be persented like, taste like and be priced relative to the particular dish and the venue -

[lazygourmet]

Thanks for your review...

I have to admit that since the "Grand Pacific" -they used to have a nice Mediterranean cuisine buffet- has been revamped into "Westin":

I haven't visited the premises!

with regard to lazy

in reply to BKKGASTRO - not a very fitting name for a so called bkk food critic - we do have enough gastro around to satify all needs

i was just wondering as a serious diner as to the qualifications of bkkgastro = is these reviews professional based critique or are u just commenting as a lay person on your own perception of what good food should be persented like, taste like and be priced relative to the particular dish and the venue -

Even if English is not one of my first languages, I could not be more than agree with you regarding the lack of substance when the OP had chosen BKKGASTRO...

I directly thought about a kind of enteristis... I despite the use of "gastro" -food & beverage talking-, same as I despite the use of "boutique" -hotel talking-

Sorry to say that cwldanny...

Otherwise, it is not an easy task to be a food blogger these times, according to the Wall Street Journal, that there are now over 21000 food blogs.

Anyway, I am just a restaurant consultant who -for some obvious reason- is not engaged in any kind of professional activities in Thailand...

[cwldanny]

I am in no way regarding myself as a professional food critic. My food blog writing has always been and always will be my opinions. Most of the time its just photos from my phone along with rambling thoughts =)

I truely do not believe in "serious dining" or "professional food critics" because they can relate so little to the everyday casual diner. And as for qualifications, every person has a different perspective as to what a good dining experience is. If you mean "have I worked in 5 star dining venues and have experienced being the customer as well as the host" as well as a degree in the Food and Beverage field, then yes I can say I am entitled to write. That doesnt mean you have to agree with what I write, I gain nothing from this website and originally started it because there were no english food blogs giving me a detailed

look into the buffet options in Bangkok.

BkkGastro or Bangkok Gastronomy has been my screen name for about a year when I was on blogspot which was free but had its limitations.

As for the over abundence of food blogs in Thailand, I can probably count the number in two hands, and almost none deal with buffets.

Please do let me know what you think of the layout and if there are problems with it. I will be posting any discount and food deals through the Facebook page so you'll know about them as soon as I do =)