14 October 2013
-
Four Seasons Chiang Mai
While in Chiang Mai a few weeks ago with visiting guests, I made a stop at the Four Seasons resort for afternoon tea. The resort is located about a thirty-minute drive north of town, which only enhances its feeling of being in the middle of nowhere. The resort is gorgeous and the afternoon tea is a worthwhile splurge for an hour or two of pampering yourself.
The resort is arranged around a pond designed to look like a Northern Thai village complete with rice paddies. The only buildings you see are those belonging to the resort and with the mountains in the distance, you could easily be forgiven for thinking you had been transported to some magical Thai Brigadoon. At 5:00, the “farmers” (resort employees dressed in traditional Northern Thai farmer’s clothes) paraded across the paddies to the rhythm of a gong, “returning” to the village, a touch that was a bit kitschy but also fun.
Trish, Allen, and I pose for a picture at the Sala Mae Rim restaurant. We didn’t make reservations but fortunately were able to get a prime table, perhaps because it was the midst of rainy season and the slowest time for tourists. We ordered one tea set (designed for two) plus an extra pot of tea, which was more than enough food for the three of us. The total price was approximately US$50, more than I would usually spend but certainly a worthwhile treat while on holiday.
The top plate in the tea set featured mango sticky rice with a palm sugar floss; crisp water chestnuts in sweet coconut milk; Parisian macaroons, and chocolate truffle cake.
The middle plate in the set featured finger sandwiches (ham and cheese, cucumber, and smoked salmon); fried shrimps wrapped in egg noodles, miang kham (a Thai snack of betel leaves wrapped around savory fillings); and krathong tong (literally “golden baskets” – crispy shells filled with minced chicken and shrimp).
The final plate in the set featured kaffir-lime and raisin scones, served with clotted cream and strawberry jam. All the food was fantastic and the portions were more than adequate for the three of us.
After almost two hours of indulgence, we finally left paradise to return to the city. Without a doubt, the Four Seasons is on my list for future visits. While it may be too far away from the city to actually stay at (unless you specifically want to escape from the world), it is worth a visit for tea.
Comments (16)
Am curious why the pictures look so low-res. When I upload and publish them to my regular WP account, they look great. Here on Xanga, they look lousy.
Excellent food and appeasing landscape in “Four-seasons ” . This is an enchantment .
At first I thought that the title anoounced the four seasons by Vivaldi ( famous Italian composer )
In friendship
mICHEL
Unfortunately, not referencing Vivaldi… although that would be nice, too.
The pictures are beautiful, and the food looks so, so yummy!!
Glad you enjoyed.
I’m now so hungry that I’m going to go to lunch 15 min early!!
Rebel!
the food is pretty over there-we need to do that with our food right here.
Agreed – if US food was more attractive, maybe we would eat less of it and enjoy it more.
So neat and clean.
The low res is a bit of a downer, makes it look cheap! Hah!
Yeah, what’s up Xanga!?
I have been to Bangkok several times, Chiang Mai ison my bucket list.
Better hurry! Invasion of the Mainland tourists.
I’m not sure why the pictures look so crappy either. I haven’t posted any pictures here yet. I remember Gary (I think…) posted about this place before.
The resort does look very beautiful.
I think he has posted about it. Either that or some place in Bali that is similar.
oh my… such a great location. how come you never take ME to an afternoon tea? i’m jealous.