Suthep Thongantang
Google
Almost Perfect – But in a Key Moment, You Lost Me!
Service & Friendliness:
The service and warmth here are truly outstanding. From the hotel’s front desk staff, who personally walked me to the elevator and explained exactly how to reach the restaurant, to the warm greeting from the service team and even the kitchen crew when I arrived on the 4th floor – and the heartfelt farewell when I left – I was deeply impressed. Everyone, except for one person (we’ll get to that in a moment), was incredibly friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming.
Reservation & Seating:
The view of the Colosseum? Stunning. Absolutely worth seeing. But my request for a window seat was ignored at first and only granted for the final course. If you can’t honor such a request, just tell the guest upfront before seating them. I came 10,000 km from Bangkok to experience your city, your culture, your cuisine, and your team – and I mentioned this in my reservation. As a host, you need to be attentive from start to finish. This was a missed opportunity.
Food & Quality:
Out of six courses, I personally enjoyed only two – and that’s perfectly fine in a Michelin-star setting. I don’t need to love everything, as long as the quality, craftsmanship, details, and service are there – and they were.
What blew me away was how quickly the team reacted when I asked if I could meet and film the chef – he immediately agreed, with zero hesitation. Another high point: when I stepped outside to smoke, my drink was brought to me on a tray to the smoking area – pure high-end service, the kind you see at the Mandarin Oriental.
The Big But – Main Course Presentation:
When my main course was served, the server simply placed it in front of me – no eye contact, no moment of connection. She focused entirely on my white dining companion, describing the dish to him as if I wasn’t even there. No one at the table knew exactly which dish was being described. In fine dining, presentation and guest connection are part of the art. From my experience at Michelin restaurants like Facil in Berlin, Nicola in Istanbul, and Sühring in Bangkok, a dish should be presented with full attention and dedication to the guest – here, this vital connection was missing. Even at a good street food stall in Thailand, you’ll see more passion in presenting a plate. This lack of engagement instantly broke the emotional link to the dish.
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Michelin Criteria Assessment (Based on My Experience):
✅🏅 Welcome & Hospitality – Excellent, warm, and memorable.
❌ Knowledge & Style of Presentation – Missed the mark during the main course.
❌ Attentiveness & Timing – Inconsistent, especially with fulfilling the seating request and main course presentation.
❌ Response to Special Requests – Seating preference was only honored at the final course.
✅🏅 Atmosphere & Setting – Stunning view of the Colosseum, elegant environment.
✅ Chef’s Personality in the Menu – Clearly expressed.
✅ Consistency (across courses and over time) – Strong.
✅ Balance of Flavor & Texture – Well-executed.
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Conclusion:
Is this a tourist trap charging €200–250 per lunch menu just for the Colosseum view? No. Absolutely not. The team here performs at a level that justifies the price – but it’s the people, not just the food, that make it worth it. The view is spectacular, the team has heart and soul. But if I spend €500 for lunch for two, I expect full attention from start to finish – not just “almost.”
I’ll be back, and I hope that next time, every single moment reflects the perfection that is clearly within reach.