food and beverage

On my current vacation in Khon Kaen
Thailand
I had the opportunity to visit one of my favorite restaurants.

I wanted to take my girlfriend's mother out to dinner and was told lunch would be a better idea. Not one to argue
I agreed.

My lady asked me where I wanted to take her mom for lunch and the choice was simple. Having been to Khon Kaen a few months ago
I told my girl that I wanted to go to Bontonmairimnam Restaurant.

This is a small restaurant just outside the city limits and right on the bank of a river. It is cool and peaceful and has small
individual eating areas in gazebo-like wooden structures.

There is usually a cool breeze running through this outdoor restaurant and today was no exception. After ordering a couple of cokes
some water
and a cold beer
it was time to study the menu.

Fortunately for me
the menu is in Thai and English. This is unusual for the area and especially for a restaurant so far away from the few English-speaking tourists that visit Khon Kaen.

After poring over the menu
decisions by all were made. We placed out order to the very attentive young lady servers and chit-chatted while we waited for our lunch.

Within 5 minutes or so
the parade of food started to arrive. Boiled eggs
spicy papaya salad
oyster salad
squid
vegetables
and steamed rice arrived. I had to wait a couple of more minutes for my fried dishes.

Soon
my fried shrimp and onion rings and spring rolls arrived. I had already started with the food that the ladies ordered
as all is shared.

Picking from eight different plates and complimenting them with the rice on my plate
the food just kept on coming.

Conversation and drinks continued to flow and we ate and ate and ate. The pace was slow
the breeze lightly setting off the wind chime
and the river flowed behind me.

Continuing to eat
it was time to order another beer from one of the girls hovering near our table. She got it in an instant
and poured me another cold one.

After dinner goodies were available
but none of us could eat another morsel. From veggies to seafood
to salads and friend shrimp
it was all delicious.

A final bottle of water was ordered to wash it all down and some more relaxing conversation continued.

It was time to head back to the hotel so I called for the bill and since I had been here before
was not surprised. The grand total was 860 Baht
or roughly
27
US dollars for 8 dishes
2
large beers
2
cokes
and a bottle of water. Adding a small
40
baht tip and we had a feast for under 30 dollars.

One of the many reasons I love Thailand.