Guru by Bangkok Post's pick of the most exciting products, activities, food and travel to indulge in.
EAT
Children’s Day / Goji Kitchen + Bar / Jan 13
Goji Kitchen + Bar, the vibrant international culinary marketplace at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, will host a special dining experience to celebrate Thai Children’s Day on Jan 13. An array of delicacies will be available at the international buffet, including succulent seafood on ice (rock lobster, Alaskan king crab, New Zealand mussels, blue crab and scallops), five varieties of oysters, grilled prime rib of beef, wagyu steak, lamb rack, crispy pork belly and seared scallops. Diners will also be treated to a series of dynamic live stations, including grilled Italian seafood, wagyu beef noodles, shabu shabu and a sushi and sashimi bar featuring fresh salmon, tuna, hamachi and wagyu beef. And of course, all ages can end their meal with a delectable selection of international desserts. Available for lunch and dinner on Jan 13, the “Children’s Day Treat” has kids below the age of five dine for free and those below the age of 11 will be charged half price.
Four-course menus / Viu restaurant / Until March 31
Viu restaurant on the 12th floor of The St. Regis Bangkok, has launched “A Narrative Of Culinary Set Menus”, showcasing two new four-course quarterly set menus of both Western and Thai flavours. The set menu concept aims to offer the exquisite freshness and enticing culinary experience throughout the year, and the first one will be available until March 31. The Western set menu begins with a first course of Scallop crudo enlivened with espelette pepper emulsion, followed by a tender Smoked duck complemented with orange, brie crumble, chestnut, and truffle velouté. For the main course, choose between Half Canadian lobster capellini with bisque, limoncello espuma, and ikura, and the richly flavoured Savoy cabbage wrapped Australian wagyu tenderloin, served with foie gras mousse, carrot chips, and red wine porcini sauce. The dessert is Montepulciano poached pear, raspberry white cremeax, oatmeal crumble, and Tahitian vanilla ice cream. The Thai set menu offers Nam prik ong (Kurobuta pork and strabena tomato chili dip), followed by Tom kha scallops (pan seared scallops with Thai aromatic coconut milk soup). For the main course, opt for either the Stir-fried crab fried rice and Ayutthaya river prawn with green seafood dipping sauce, or the Grilled wagyu beef striploin, accompanied by jasmine riceberry with massaman sauce. The Thai set finishes with a Taro egg custard served with fried shallot and coconut ice cream. The set menu are available for lunch, except Sundays, and dinner, except Fridays and Saturdays.
Spanish feast / Seen Restaurant & Bar Bangkok / Jan 17-18
Seen Restaurant and Bar Bangkok, the rooftop hotspot at Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel, is hosting a gastronomic fiesta celebrating Spanish flavours with chef Jacobo Astray Tudela, founder of Gula Bangkok. On Jan 17-18, chef Astray will cook a special dinner featuring his signature dishes that draw on his Galician roots and culinary adventures. On the menu delicacies as foie gras and anchovy tapas, shrimp tacos, seafood mains, beef cannelloni and Spanish-style French toast. Guests can choose any four dishes for a fixed price, while grooving to the beats of a DJ and percussionist and sipping on Seen’s cocktails. A la carte dishes are also available. The Seen x Gula Bangkok event will from 6pm.
White truffles / Red Sky / Until Jan 31
Red Sky Restaurant, the rooftop restaurant at Centara Grand at CentralWorld, celebrates the new year with its exclusive “White Winter Truffle” seasonal menu. Chef de Cuisine Luca Russo has created a culinary experience using the finest seasonal ingredients to showcase the earthy flavours of the white truffle. The menu includes highlights such as creamy Potato velouté with seared scallops, enriched with Parmesan air and crowned with fresh white truffle, and Milk-fed veal tenderloin, accompanied by porcini, sunchoke velouté and finished with a rich Madeira sauce and white truffle. Pasta lovers will enjoy the Tagliolini tossed in Alpine butter and Parmesan, and generously topped with white truffle or the Ravioli filled with parmesan cheese fondue, seasoned with pepper and brown butter, and elevated with white truffle. The Butter-poached Canadian lobster is served with avocado and mache lettuce, and dressed in Piedmont hazelnut and white truffle. The menu is available until Jan 31.
New venue / Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach
Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort, which is nestled just steps from the sea on Phuket’s sunset coast, has unveiled Corona Sunset Deck, a new venue where guests can kick off their shoes, unwind in style and soak up the serene ambiance of Phuket’s sunset coast. Overlooking the endless Andaman Sea, the deck is positioned to capture the beauty of golden hour in Phuket. A selection of ice-cold drinks will be available, including freshly-opened bottles of Corona, always topped with a slice of lime. Open daily from 11am to 8pm.
JOIN
Italian elegance / Vertigo Too, Banyan Tree / Jan 17
A starlit soiree where the finest Italian wines will serenade your senses alongside the Vertigo Too’s chef's artfully crafted canapés. Each sip and bite is a journey through Italy's storied vineyards and culinary wonders. The evening will be accompanied by live music as a celebration of Italy's cherished winemaking traditions fuse with the vibrant spirit of Bangkok, from 6-9pm.
Mom & Kids Yard Sale / Habito Mall / Jan 13
Sansiri is hosting activities to celebrate Thai Children's Day at Habito Mall tomorrow from 9am-5pm. The Mom & Kids Yard Sale features pre-loved but quality goods from mums and children ranging from toys, maternitywear and products for babies. There will also be workshops to inspire children to be more environmentally conscious.
Mega Kids World 2024: Giant Adventures / Megabangna / Jan 13-14
Megabangna invites families to celebrate Thai Children's Day this weekend. There will be games and other fun-filled activities to earn special prizes. Those who wish to participate can register at Megabangna's offical Line account or at the event. They will receive a simulated navigator watch and collect a stamp from four zones to earn a prize. Additionally, children can join a workshop every weekend from 11am to 4pm at the activity booth in the Mega Smart Kids Zone, Level 2.
TRAVEL
Family getaway / InterContinental Koh Samui Resort / Until Dec 31
Experience the ultimate flexibility with the “Family Getaway Package”, which includes perks such as daily resort credit, a one-time complimentary “Junior Master Chef Class”, a free additional bed for a child and a 20% discount on food and beverage benefits when enrolling in the IHG One Rewards Dining Privileges. The package includes resort credit value at B600 nett every paid night, a “Junior Master Chef Class” for each stay, 20% off the additional rooms that are part of the same family, one person will pay full price and the second person get 30% off spa treatments, up to 20% off at the restaurants and bar for IHG One Rewards member and a complimentary extra bed for children below the age of 12. The package is valid till Dec 31.
January offers / Outrigger Resorts & Hotels / Until Jan 31
Ring ringing in the New Year with two enticing promotions to indulge in a tropical escape in Thailand until the close of 2024. These exclusive offers are valid for reservations at Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort, Outrigger Surin Beach Resort in Phuket and Outrigger Khao Lak Beach Resort. Immerse in the allure of these beachfront destinations and make the most of this limited-time opportunity. Indulge in an extended tropical retreat with the Long Stay offer, available to guests staying a minimum of five nights. Enjoy savings of up to 20% along with food and beverage offerings, including daily breakfast for two and either a delightful two-course dinner for two with cocktails or, in the case of Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort, a complimentary bottle of wine. This offer is bookable until Jan 31, for stays until the end of 2024. Embark on the "Outrigger Way" and save up to 25% on your escape. This promotion includes daily breakfast for two, a welcome cocktail and the added convenience of late check-in and check-out (subject to availability). To take advantage of this offer, enter the promotion code “OUTRIGGERWAY” when booking. These exclusive offers are only available for bookings made in January, with travel valid until the end of 2024.
Great Escape / Soneva Jani Maldives / Apr 11 to May 5 and Oct 6 to Dec 20
Guests get a free night when they book a minimum stay of four days at Soneva Jani Maldives. The Great Escape package allows you to stay for four nights for the price of three, seven nights for the price of five and 11 nights for the price of eight on selected dates. Two hours of daily babysitting services after 6pm are available as part of the package, which also includes complimentary breakfast at Down To Earth or So Chill. Advanced reservation is required and can be made at Soneva website and is subject to availability. Soneva Jani is located in the Medhufaru lagoon in the Maldives’ Noonu Atoll. This small private archipelago includes the 150-acre Medhufaru Island and five islets, four of which remain untouched.
Exclusive Experience / InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping
Add meaning and adventure to your luxury stay at InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping with its exclusive three experiences that showcase the local heritage and natural beauty of the region. They are a hot-air balloon ride over the stunning landscape, a tea blending and tasting session, and an exploration of the rich and diverse culture and architecture of Lanna. Romantic and exhilarating, the signature Sky Romance Hot-Air Balloon Adventure offers a unique perspective of Chiang Mai from the sky. Guests will be picked up by a private limousine before dawn and taken to a tranquil field to watch the balloon being filled up with hot air, before gently ascending through the cool morning air, feeling the tranquillity of a world slowly waking up and catching the golden sunrise. After landing, adventurers will receive a flying certificate and a celebratory Champagne toast with the pilot, before being whisked off to a secret spot by the lake to enjoy a picnic breakfast with stunning mountain views. The Tea Artistry Blending and Tasting Workshop will introduce guests to the art and science of tea blending and tasting. Conducted at the riverside Monsoon Tea Boutique, the workshop will be led by a local tea artisan who will teach guests how to create their own blends using different types of tea. Participants will also get to enjoy an afternoon tea set inspired by Monsoon Tea at the hotel’s Kam Lobby Lounge, served with a variety of delicious treats, such as scones, sandwiches, cakes and savouries, paired with their choice of tea. Last but by no mean least is the Lanna Legacy Cultural and Architectural Tour. Accompanied by a local historian, guests will explore the city’s iconic sites, learning the stories and secrets behind them that make up the fabric of Chiang Mai. Guests will also have the opportunity to choose from a variety of hands-on workshops ranging from metal beating and engraving to lacquering and weaving. For self-guided exploration, a bespoke cultural map designed in collaboration with Chiang Mai University will help guests through their journey.
STUFF
Future Dreams / Swatch
Filk Flak, Swatch's line of watches for kids, unveils the Future Dreams collection in time for Thai Children's Day. The affordable collection of 10 watches are inspired by dream jobs we have as children, like astronauts, veterinarians or firefighters. They're compatible with the updated “The Adventure Of Time” app so children can learn about time through many games and puzzles. Available at Filk Flak counters of Swatch stores and its official website.
Ceramic Pop / Dyson
Dyson launches the limited-edition Ceramic Pop colorway to the hair care range in Thailand. The colorway, previously only available in Japan, is a commemoration of Dyson’s 25th year anniversary in The Land Of The Rising Sun. Specially developed to mark the milestone, the hues of blush pink, ceramic topaz and ceramic patina will be applied to the Dyson SupersonicTM hair dryer and Dyson AirwrapTM multi-styler. Available from tomorrow at Dyson stores and its website.