Now before I begin I’ve got a small confession to make. I’m a buffetholic and proud of it. I’m talking about strolling back to my table under the weight of a plate stacked with cheeses and cold cuts I’ve never even heard of heading back to top up on sterling representatives of the four food groups.
And nothing fulfills the craving better than the Weekend Seafood Buffet at NEXT2 Café atthe Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok.
Upon being warmly greeted on entering the light and cheery NEXT2 Café one is already taking in what can only be described as one of the most impressive buffet bounties. It seemed as if every corner contains some form of culinary delight.
On one of those balmy Bangkok evenings as we enter the “winter” season it’s nice to dine al fresco at a perfectly-placed riverside table with a delightful view.
Heading off in different directions on a foodies’ reconnaissance mission one is drawn to the fresh seafood on ice selection which takes over an entire section. Or begin nice and easy with an exquisite selection of imported fine cheeses, premium cold cuts including magnificent San Daniele ham sliced straight off the bone and home-baked French baguette so delightfully crisp and crumbly. Or select a plate of delicately-prepared sushi and sashimi.
Then take full stock of NEXT2 Café’s amazing assortment of worldwide fare. Golden-fried fish and chips with tangy homemade tartar sauce on the side can be followed by a slice of prime beef tenderloin accompanied by a crisp and puffy skyscraper of Yorkshire pudding, soused in rich gravy. Tender slabs of enticing grade-A meat and fish fillets fresh from the grill and BBQ’d to perfection tempt equally. A lamb curry dish with flavours of varies spices is recommended by a smiling Indian chef, Lokendra Singh, who also profers his glorious à la minute nan breads. A plate of melt-in-the mouth lamb kofta in a pleasantly spicy sauce with one or two sizzling tandoori prawns go down just as well.
But the real star is still the divine seafood. Where to start? How about with plump, premium Australian, French and US oysters. The subtle salinity, moist flesh and wonderfully natural juice confirm suspicions that NEXT2 only sources its seafood from the most reputable of suppliers. Equally alluring are the whole Alaskan king crabs, crab legs and jumbo shrimps whose white, meaty flesh is beyond superb.
NEXT2 Café’s signature foie gras station offers a sublime texture, taste and presentation atop freshly baked brioche bun.
Health-Conscious diners may enjoy such “Rooted in Nature” dishes as sweet & sour pomelo, glass noodle salad; fusilli, olives, tomato, cucumber & red onion salad; and buckwheat soba salad.
Last but not least, if Willy Wonka ever decided to start a sideline making delectable desserts, he’d have stiff competition from the Shangri-La’s pastry maestros. Their creations, such as delicate fondant fancies, piquant macarons, French chocolate pralines and creamily-smooth cheesecake, along with chocolate fountain with white and milk chocolate bars alongside fresh fruit skewers, plus a revolving carousel of indulgent homemade ice creams, set the bar for Bangkok’s decadent dessert offerings.
And yet one has still only skimmed the surface of what NEXT2 Café provides in terms of the sheer quality and selections.
THE SHANGRI-LA’S NEXT2 CAFÉ
Weekend Seafood Dinner Buffet is available on Friday and Saturday evenings priced at Baht2,200 net per person. Tel. 02 236 7777 Ext. 6205-6. Email: restaurants.slbk@shangri-la.com.
