fancy restaurant

[Guest]

Hey all

Have someone been to this place?  

http://www.thedomebkk.com/sirocco/sirocco_home.htm

ScanMan

[stevey]

This place looks great, but be aware there's a dress code, i was politely turned away for wearing a sleeveless top and sandals

[stevey]

try again

[stevey]

[Ladyboy_Loser!]

As well you should be. Dressing like a common backpacker and trying to get into a good restaurant is just plain stupid. Try showing some respect for the Thai people and dress for the occasssion. At least, according to you, they were polite in their refusal to admit you.

[stevey]

[Guest]

Yes, I have been there - a great night some months ago - tell you the story

Some months ago - when I was still deliberating where I should settle in order to pursue a relationship with a LB - I spent several weeks in the Philippines

A fun time, to be sure - but one of my biggest gripes was the during my time there was intolerance of the middle-upper class Filipinos I encountered when I would take a LB date to a 'nice' restaurant, club, or bar in Makati or elsewhere

On every occasion, both I and my companion were appropriately dressed - if not slightly over-dressed for the venue - with reservations booked when appropriate

Still, the range of reactions from staff and other customers went something like this

-welcomed and served politely (20%)

-welcomed and served reluctantly with obvious scrutiny (30%)

-not welcomed by staff but reluctantly seated / served with harsh looks, finger-pointing, gossip, etc from adjacent customers (20%)

-not welcomed by staff and reluctantly seated far away from other customers so as not to offend (15%)

-refused to be seated / refused to honor prior booking (15%)

I attributed this behavior to the conservative Catholic mentality of the populace that - among other things - encourages quick judgment and condemnation (hypocritical as that may be for those who call themselves Christians)

Anyway - sorry, I digress

On my next visit to Bangkok I was keen to try this experiment again to determine if the degree of tolerance for my gender preference would be better in a Buddhist culture

Thus my request to BangkokMike for an introduction to one of his former playmates who would be suitable for a date at the finest place in town

To his credit, Mike laughingly replied "I know just the place - and just the girl - for you..."

The Golden Dome atop the State Tower, located at the corner of Silom Road and Charoenkrung Road in Bangrak

Actually, it is a complex of two restaurants (Scirocco and Mezzaluna, both indoors) along with an indoor oyster bar (Distil) and an outdoor bar from which a panoramic view of the river and city may be enjoyed

An inquiry to my hotel concierge confirmed that all venues were pricey, beautiful, very "hi-so", reservations absolutely required - put simply, just the place for my experiment

After some discussion with my date (the estimable Cleo - thank you again Mike) about my intentions for the evening, our meeting was set and off we went

Happily, the girl went "all out" in looks and attire for the occasion...

...new hair style framing a perfectly made-up face atop a figure-hugging black cocktail dress (showing off her new cleavage nicely) with slender legs showcased by "knock me down and f--- me" black high heels...

...all of which made me feel positively dowdy in my blue blazer, open white shirt, linen trousers, and Cole-Haan loafers

Upon arrival, the staff (being Thai, of course) took immediate notice that my companion was a LB

In place of the harsh looks I previously encountered in Manila, however, we both received only the most discreet examination of our looks and attire - followed immediately by wide smiles all around and a cheerful "please come this way, sir" and "may I take your wrap, ma'am?"

This kind and impeccably courteous treatment was replicated throughout the evening

From cocktail servers in the bar before dinner (great view, hard to leave it once our table was ready) to the maitre d' / waiter / sommelier / second waiter / busboy / other customers at adjacent tables in the restaurant

My conclusions from all was that

- everyone we encountered appreciated a good-looking farang / Thai couple in their establishment, with only the slightest surprise at my companions's gender;

- their discreet glances and consequential reactions conveyed a clear appreciation of Cleo's stunning good looks (either without regard to her gender, or often even more appreciative for her being a LB and looking so good); and

- the few who took specific notice of me seemed to convey a certain benign curiosity (as if they were thinking "I wonder does he know...?")

Interestingly, it was this experience - contrasted by the previous week in Manila - that convinced me to eventually settle in Thailand

All in all - good food, great view, outstanding service, a perfect companion - truly a night to remember

My .02 USD worth - if you have sufficiently deep pockets and are comfortable with an extravagant indulgence for an evening, I recommend it highly

Be sure to arrive well ahead of your reservation time

The panoramic view from the outdoor bar is divine...

...the wind (several hundred feet up) blowing through your date's hair will be sensuous and romantic, and...

...as you lean close to her to give a tender and discreet 'hom kaem' you will both shiver with delight and anticipation at the great evening to come

Enjoy

[Mai-Kee]

Fabulous place and the best view in whole BKK - better than the Vertigo on top of the Banyan Tree. Actually I would recommend just having a few drinks at the bar more than having food on the 65th floor is always a bit windy and not that comfortable! But you can always sit inside as well - but staying outside is actually the real thing!

Enjoy,
MK

[Guest]

Thanx thick81 for the report

[zeppo]

Thanks for the field report thick81. I was thinking of doing a similar night out when I'm in town ... a last night spurge in BKK so to speak and go all out ... maybe even book into one of the finest hotels in Bkk for the evening too .

As I'll be touing for a while - I won't have a blazer or linen trousers. Based on your evening out, and the remainder of the clientele, what would be appropriate attire there and could you provide an estimate of the money spent (including drinks).

This would be great. Thanks in advance.

[Mai-Kee]

It's just a nice bar, but nobody needs a tie in BKK nightlife, as long as you don't wear shorts and sandals everything's fine. Prices are like in the west.

MK

[zeppo]

Thanks MK.

How often would a lb experience this type of night out with one of us "visitors". If they had a bf or their regulars in bkk, a night out like this may be a regular occurence, but how often would it happen really with one of them?

Would they consider this to be a "real treat" for them, a chance to show their femenitity outside of the bar scene, or what??

[Guest]

Hey Zeppo

No need to dress from Perry's - but you can if you want

Freshly pressed long trousers with a crease (Dockers are fine), street shoes (no sandals or tennies) and a collared shirt should be fine

My companion (non-bar LB) regarded it as the date of a lifetime, and was wholly appreciative

Me thinks the working girls would feel the same

As MK says, expect international prices

I think this sort of thing is very rare - to my knowledge, I don't think even Ziggy, MikeInBangkok, or some of the other locals get out the "big baht" like this very often

Just a thought - if you are taking a bar girl, I impress on her the need to be 'presentable' (no short shorts or halter tops) as she would be turned away just as if you showed up in shorts, tank top, or sandals

Have fun

[lbcrazy]

Great place but with upscale western prices. I've been there several times wearing smart jeans, casual collared shirt and smart looking trainers and had no problems whatsoever.

[jellybean]

Looks like a candidate for an ATS Christmas night out - a dozen guys and a dozen LBs should make for a fun atmosphere