It's becoming a battle royal over Thai food here in Hangzhou, and the latest contender is pulling no punches, as the Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale West Lake Hangzhou brings a prize-fighter to the fore with Sawasdee. We'd like to start by pointing out how you won't feel like you've been mugged when the check comes, which is nice considering this place could probably get away with charging considerably more than they do. The always-hungry MORE crew settled into their seats, as the food started making its way to our table. Looking around, we could see that the spacious and comfortable dining room is perfect for pretty much any occasion, with soft lighting, and lots of black and gold to keep the ambience feeling both mysterious and elegant. The food arrived with much anticipation as we eyed the lidded porcelain bowl of Tom Yam Goong that was set down, as well as a very colorful and well-presented Larb Gai chicken salad which appeared next. Sawasdee's soup had all the right flavors and heat known to emanate from those infamous Thai peppers, and we were especially pleased to NOT find inedible...
Who sums up brunch better than, Jacques, the smooth-talking, French, bowling instructor from, The Simpsons, who described the meal thusly, “It’s not quite breakfast, it’s not quite lunch, but it comes with a slice of cantaloupe at the end. You don’t get completely what you would at breakfast, but you get a good meal!” Although our most recent trip to Provence for their new Weekend Brunch did not include a slice of melon, it did include a free flow of 4 different styles of smooth, easy-drinking, house wine: white, rosé, red, and sparkling, and, suffice it to say, unlimited wine trumps sliced melon any day of the week.
The carefully prepared menu for their new Weekend Brunch service makes ordering a joy. And fret not those of you who don’t (like us) parlez français. The staff at Provence is always ready to happily assist you with any questions you may have. The new menu is laid out as an easy-to-follow checklist. While gourmands will be understandably tempted to check off every box on the menu, calorie counters may be reluctant to check off the full number of options they have coming to them, but again, there is no need to worry, as all portions are “brunch-sized,” ensuring your late morning sojourn into Gourmandistan will be a fulfilling one...
See more>>
Hot Spot
National Wetland Museum of China
Lest you think that we at MORE are strictly about eating, drinking, and partying, it's only fair to point out that we have a highly-developed and sophisticated side to boot. So without taking up too much of your “valuable” time, we're going to take you on a quick virtual tour of the National Wetland Museum of China at our very own Xixi Wetlands. Be warned: it's a little hard to find this place, thanks to construction efforts that are underway in the area. However, once you ask three or four listless “security guards” which way to go, you’ll get the general idea and eventually find your way.
Once at the front door, the scene changes quite a bit, and you are welcomed by a large, and very open, foyer, full of trees, sunlight, and the promise of many an educational discovery. At first glance, and within the first 500 meters of the building, there are still-life displays giving visitors a taste of real exotica, as American Indian Totem Poles scowl menacingly from within glass cases, life-sized simulacrum demonstrate...
See more>>
Also in More Hangzhou
The Hangzhouvian
ARUN SINGH CHOUDHARY by Rueben Marley
The Taxi Read
MORE Magazine’s Chinese New Year Preparation Checklist! by Keg Merrymug
When I was given the chance to share a few minutes with Arun Singh Choudhary, the Yoga Instructor and Director of the SOSA Yoga Center in Hangzhou, it became an enlightening journey...
For those of you who will be experiencing their first Chinese New Year in Hangzhou, we’ve provided the following checklist of things you’ll want to prepare before the big day...
Get MOREHangzhou's Weekly Email every Wednesday evening
Search
Type in the name of any place you have heard of and hit search. Use the handy dandy print function so that you can take it along with you.
Hot Spot
Got the afternoon free? Spend the day checking out a few of Hangzhou's local sites.
Events
There are lots of things going on in Hangzhou. For a full list, go to the Events page to see them listed by the day, by the month or in the Calender View.
Forum
This up-and-coming Forum is the best source of the latest info on Hangzhou. Prizes for the best posts.
Classifieds
Want to get rid of something? Need a job? Got some language skills to teach? Looking for a new squeeze? Try the MOREHangzhouClassifieds.
Write a review
Had a good time somewhere? Don't agree with the MORE take on it? Write up a review. All reviews are posted the next day. Click on the Add Comment link at the bottom of each venue page and give us your side.
It's becoming a battle royal over Thai food here in Hangzhou, and the latest contender is pulling no punches, as the Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale West Lake Hangzhou brings a prize-fighter to the fore with Sawasdee. We'd like to start by pointing out how you won't feel like you've been mugged when the check comes, which is nice considering this place could probably get away with charging considerably more than they do. The always-hungry MORE crew settled into their seats, as the food started making its way to our table. Looking around, we could see that the spacious and comfortable dining room is perfect for pretty much any occasion, with soft lighting, and lots of black and gold to keep the ambience feeling both mysterious and elegant. The food arrived with much anticipation as we eyed the lidded porcelain bowl of Tom Yam Goong
that was set down, as well as a very colorful and well-presented Larb Gai chicken salad which appeared next. Sawasdee's soup had all the right flavors and heat known to emanate from those infamous Thai peppers, and we were especially pleased to NOT find inedible...
Who sums up brunch better than, Jacques, the smooth-talking, French, bowling instructor from, The Simpsons, who described the meal thusly, “It’s not quite breakfast, it’s not quite lunch, but it comes with a slice of cantaloupe at the end. You don’t get completely what you would at breakfast, but you get a good meal!” Although our most recent trip to Provence for their new Weekend Brunch did not include a slice of melon, it did include a free flow of 4 different styles of smooth, easy-drinking, house wine: white, rosé, red, and sparkling, and, suffice it to say, unlimited wine trumps sliced melon any day of the week.
Lest you think that we at MORE are strictly about eating, drinking, and partying, it's only fair to point out that we have a highly-developed and sophisticated side to boot. So without taking up too much of your “valuable” time, we're going to take you on a quick virtual tour of the National Wetland Museum of China at our very own Xixi Wetlands. Be warned: it's a little hard to find this place, thanks to construction efforts that are underway in the area. However, once you ask three or four listless “security guards” which way to go, you’ll get the general idea and eventually find your way. 
When I was given the chance to share a few minutes with Arun Singh Choudhary, the Yoga Instructor and Director of the SOSA Yoga Center in Hangzhou, it became an enlightening journey....jpg)
For those of you who will be experiencing their first Chinese New Year in Hangzhou, we’ve provided the following checklist of things you’ll want to prepare before the big day...
H: o
