Eat: A delectable feast at La Coupole

The Boy and I are both terrible at anniversaries. Invariably we are super busy around our anniversary and we agree that, rather than 'squeezing something in' will do it in a week or so.  But before you know it a week turns into a month, a month turns into three, and you know what... we might as well just start planning our next anniversary instead.

Which is why I was determined that we would at least go out for dinner this year.

After much tooing and froing over where to go, we decided to give the buffet at La Coupole (at the Sofitel) a go.  To be honest, I was a bit worried.  I don't have the best relationship with the Sofitel Phnom Penh.  I've found the service generally very ordinary and the staff not particularly helpful to guests and often downright rude to their colleagues.  But, we had heard that their buffet was perhaps the best in Phnom Penh and so worth a try.

To cut a long story short, we were thoroughly impressed.  The selection is huge and a lot of it is prepared on the spot, including noodles made to order and home-made (delicious) pasta and salads.  There are plenty of hot dishes and the buffet staple, roast meats and vegetables.  There was also plenty of fresh seafood and sushi.  As well as meat and seafood barbecued to order.

There was also an amazing selection of fresh breads and imported cheeses.  Honestly if you love cheese, like I do, come here.

But even better than the main meals, were the desserts.  I felt like Charlie in the Chocolate factory.  There were the usual mini cakes and tarts.  As well as an ice cream bar with a good selection of flavours and lots of goodies to pile on top, including licorice (the first time I have seen licorice anywhere in Cambodia!!).  There was also a huge chocolate fountain. But the best part of all were these:

Beautiful birdcages filled with different flavours of melt-in-your mouth macaroons... each more delicious than the last.  Those Belgian chocolates scattered about underneath were pretty good too.  They also had these amazing little tarts that had a macaroon pastry.  Is that not the best idea you've heard today?  You're right.  It is.

My photos show only a taste of all the goodness here.  To be honest I was too busy eating and chatting to my date to worry about taking photos.

And, despite my reservations, the service in the restaurant was excellent.

At $30++ per person (including tea and coffee) it is one of the most expensive meals we've had in Phnom Penh, but for a treat I think it's worth it.