Guru by Bangkok Post's pick of the most exciting products, activities, food and travel to indulge in.
EAT
Maison Leda Wine Dinner / Fireplace Grill and Bar / Feb 29
A five-course culinary expedition, showcasing the wines of Maison Leda, an independent family-owned wine distribution company, at Fireplace Grill and Bar at the InterContinental Bangkok on Feb 29 begins with an amuse-bouche paired with a sparkling Veuve de Vernay Chardonnay Brut. Fresh Hokkaido scallop carpaccio, the tang of pink grapefruit and creamy avocado is paired with the 2022 Clarendelle Blanc from Bordeaux. Continue with Tuna tataki garnished with sesame and orange ponzu, complemented by the 2021 Domaine Laroche Chablis les Chanoines. The smooth notes of Carnaroli rice risotto with porcini and sea urchin sauce are enhanced with the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet France blending from Chateau le Bonnat, Graves. Savour the main course, featuring the rich flavours of Margaret River Wagyu beef rib eye and shiitake mushroom jam, paired with the 2018 Vieilles Vignes Madiran from Chateau Peyros. End the evening with a trio of dark chocolate, piment d’espelette and blackberries, a sublime conclusion to an unforgettable gastronomic affair. Visit the hotel’s website.
Four hands dinner / Embassy Room x Masia Restaurant / March 1-2
A Catalonian chef collaboration by chefs Ferran Tadeo of Embassy Room and Mateu Villaret of Masia Tokyo will take place on March 1-2 at Embassy Room, Park Hyatt Bangkok. The two-night dining event from Catalonian chefs will highlight a menu of traditional Catalan dishes with a modern twist. Amplifying the concept of "Mar y Muntanya", diners can expect Kagoshima wagyu beef, caviar and carabineros. The dinners are limited to 15-seats and at a chef’s table before the open kitchen. The Catalonian dishes are Grill lettuce of pilpil iberico, papada iberica anchoas, karasumi by chef Villaret and Entrecot de Vedella of Spanish striploin, matsutake and piquillo pepper by chef Tadeo. On March 1, there will be an eight-course dinner and on March 2, a 12-course chef table dinner. Visit the hotel's website.
New restaurant / Cento / March 1
Cento, which opens its doors on March 1, will bring a a fresh take on Italian cuisine. St 120 Sala Daeng 1/1, Cento is a hospitality house inspired by the art of all things simple and serving bold, straight-to-the-point Italian fare. The passion project of Manuel Palacio, Cento's head chef is Mutaro Balde. Diners can expect bread, crudos, pasta and the kitchen’s heart: the grill. The space is designed by Max Trullas Moreno of MTM Design Studios. Visit the website.
Lunch buffet / Ventisi
Ventisi’s new lunch buffet, showcases international, Thai and Italian specialities at the Centara Grand at CentralWorld, Bangkok. Indulge your palate with an array of appetisers, refreshing salads and artisanal homemade breads. Warm your soul with comforting soups and explore a diverse range of international, Italian and Thai main dishes with enticing sides and garnishes. Relish the richness of roasted classics, meticulously prepared to perfection. To end your dining experience on a sweet note, indulge in homemade desserts, pastries and delectable sweets. Visit the hotel’s website.
Seasonal menu / Salathip Thai Restaurant / Until March 31
Shangri-La Bangkok’s Salathip’s chef de cuisine Yanavit Theerasomboonkun crafts a delectable seasonal menu showcasing the Phuket Lobster. Choose from a variety of options, including the Phuket lobster with Southern curry and young banana; Steamed Phuket lobster with fresh milk and young coconut from Ampawa; or Phad Thai crowned with succulent Phuket lobster. Available for dinner at Salathip Thai Restaurant until March 31. Visit the hotel’s website.
Set menus / Bistrot De La Mer / Until March 31
Bistrot De La Mer at the Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok has launched “Special Set Menus” by chef de cuisine Slawomir Kowalik, for lunch and dinner until March 31. For lunch, enjoy Salmon gravlax, “Little Goat Farm”, Udon Thani white asparagus soup, Pork tenderloin, Chicken Cordon Bleu or Normandy salmon fillet. For dessert, indulge in Nougat parfait or Lemon tart or Iced strawberry yoghurt. Indulge into a three-course set dinner that has choices like oysters, Salad Niçoise or Beef Tartare or Escargot Provencal or Classic French Onion Soup, among others. Visit the hotel’s website.
Spain on a plate / Uno Mas
Chef Roberto Gonzalez Alonso brings you Spain on a plate with his “Weekend All-You-Can-Eat Lunch” at Uno Mas at Centara Grand at CentralWorld. From tapas bursting with vibrant flavours to paella simmered to perfection and hearty mains, this culinary journey unfolds the rich tapestry of Spanish cuisine. Starters include the Octopus salad with orange and pomegranate, Salmon belly with miso and vegetables, and Crab tartare with avocado and caviar. For mains, indulge in hearty choices such as Tuna loin with tomato chutney, Crispy pork belly “torrezno’’ with paprika mashed potatoes, Beef cheeks in red wine stew with black trumpet mushroom puree, or Crispy chicken roll flamenquin with ham and tetilla cheese. End your fabulous lunch on a sweet note with the creamy Basque cheesecake, traditional brazo gitano, crema Catalana, churros with chocolate sauce and pantxineta. Visit the hotel’s website.
Oyster extravanganza / New York Steakhouse / Until March 31
New York Steakhouse at the JW Marriott Bangkok is holding the“Oyster Extravaganza” until the end of March. Revel in the freshness of carefully-sourced oysters, including Fin de Claire, Gillardeau, Muirgen, Tsarskaya, La Lune and Black Pearl varieties. For those seeking a unique twist, baked oysters with American-style sauce is on the menu as is Fin de Claire Rockefeller, featuring oysters with creamy spinach and Hollandaise. The Tsarskaya Casino is a blend of green bell peppers, onions, garlic, bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce and bacon crumble. La Lune truffle and cauliflower sabayon presents a pairing of oysters with cauliflower puree and truffle Hollandaise. Visit the hotel’s website.
Perigord black truffle / Volti Tuscan Grill & Bar / Until March 31
Surrender to nature’s most seductive treasure with executive Italian chef Bruno Ferrari’s “Black Truffle Menu”. Curated to tantalise the taste buds, the culinary journey features delectable creations like Black Angus beef tartare, creamy Burrata cheese, Egg yolk raviolo, Grilled dry aged Wagyu beef and more. Available until March 31 at Volti Tuscan Grill & Bar, Shangri-La Bangkok. Visit the hotel’s website.
Sunday brunch / Igniv Bangkok / From Feb 25
Igniv Bangkok's casual but refined interpretation of Sunday Brunch is now being offered every Sunday from Feb 25. Chef David Hartwig and his team will showcase a mix of modern and classic Swiss dishes, presented in a playful way, in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The menu includes breads, appetisers, and classic egg dishes, which guests may choose from a large selection of savoury and sweet items. A variety of beverages, including an extended wine by the glass selection and a special cocktail menu is available a la carte, as well as a beverage package with free-flowing cocktails. Visit the hotel's website.
Pancake Month / Craft / Until March 13
Craft is serving up stacks upon stacks of pancakes in celebration of Pancake Day, until March 13. Craft's pancake come in indulgent options: The Original, covered in homemade butter and doused in 100% maple syrup; Triple Chocolate Delight are topped with caramelised banana, chocolate chips, hazelnut cream, white and dark chocolate shavings, and chocolate caramel sauce; Zesty Stacks come with a mix of lime, lemon, kumquat, grapefruit, orange, and yuzu, topped with an orange juice reduction; Merry Berry come with a tumble of blueberry, strawberry, raspberry and berry coulis; Savoury Stacks are stacked with edamame, tomato, feta cheese and sesame miso sauce; Plant Power Stacks is a green pancake that includes spinach, kale, soy milk, shitake, pomegranate, thyme and caramelised onion with a touch of basil oil; and Bacon and Cheese Bliss includes smoked bacon, mozzarella, Parmesan and chives served with rich and gooey cheese sauce. Visit the hotel's website.
Anniversary Dinner / Rossini's / March 1
Embark on a culinary voyage through time as Rossini's celebrates its 28th anniversary on March 1. The legacy unfolds through the artistic mastery of Rossini’s Italian chefs: Paride Noviello, Luca Cesarini, Gaetano Palumbo, Marco Cammarata and Stefano Marlo. The evening unfolds with a cocktail reception, where canapés and premium beverages will be circulated, creating a prelude to an indulgent five-course set dinner. Under the masterful hands of chefs Marco Cammarata, Manachai Konkangplu, Giacomo Vinci, Sayan Jindasri and Parit Panithaporn. Throughout the evening, the enchanting notes of a live guitar by an Italian guitarist will serenade diners, elevating the ambiance. The menu for the celebration dinner is a sensory journey, featuring sublime creations like Fegato grasso d’ oca in padella, zucca, amaretti (Seared Goose liver pumpkin espum, amaretti crumble) prepared by chef Sayan, Zuppa di carrciofi con parmiggiano 24 mesi (Tuscan artichoke soup with 24-month aged Parmesan) prepared by chef Parit, Risotto con astice, prosecco e fave (Risotto with lobster, prosecco and fava bean) prepared by chef Manachai, Filetto di vitello alla “Rossini” (Sous vide milk fed veal tenderloin, foie gras, baby potato, spinach, black truffle jus) prepared by chef Cammarata and a decadent Crème di cioccolato, salsa di lamponi e croccante alla nocciola (Manjari chocolate, raspberry coulis, hazelnut crisp) prepared by chef Vinci. Visit the hotel's website.
JOIN
New studio / Breathe Pilates
Breathe Pilates has opened in Bangkok on the fourth floor of Erawan Bangkok. The studio focuses on maintaining small class sizes, with a maximum of eight people per session, ensuring personalised attention to detail. Breathe Pilates is the Training Centre for STOTT Pilates in Singapore and Bangkok, further solidifying its commitment to excellence in Pilates instruction. The Instructors Training Center at Breathe Pilates is the first and only facility offering Thai language Pilates instructor training courses in Bangkok. It offers a variety of classes, including reformer and tower sessions, stretch Pilates, prenatal Pilates and clinical Pilates classes led by a certified rehabilitative Pilates instructor.
Lunar influence / a.e.y. space Songkhla / Feb 24 to March 24
"Lunatique" showcases the inaugural art collection of the year by a.e.y space in Songkhla province. Collaborating with two up-and-coming female artists, Pariyanat “Naisu” Jiratthitikan, an outstanding visual artist whose distinguished illustrations are recognised locally and internationally, and Sophirat Muangkham, a nude photographer. The collection intertwines their time-honoured shared fascination with people, nature, subcultures and societal norms, all expressed through the moon. The collection reflects the imaginative beauty of the lunar — Earth’s singular satellite — during lunar nights. It also explores the alternate universe of “Lunatic", rooted in Latin, signifying the dominating influence of the moon that might lead to mental illness, insanity, abnormality, and all peculiar phenomena. Through their works — be it visual art, art installation or erotic photography — the artists raise questions about the existence and lack thereof. They establish connections between women and the moon, which act as a delicate throughline that navigates the struggles, the ebb and flow between men and women, the protection of rights, the relationship with oneself and significant others, and societal norms. They interlace the juxtaposition of light and darkness into a hypothetical alternate universe of "Lunatic", symbolising lunacy and subjugation cast upon by moonlight. The exhibition raises questions about whether what you find witchy and elusive might hold enough value and might be a candle illuminating a never-ending, enlightening dialogue, shedding light way out and beyond the shadow of the all-encompassing subjugation prevalent in this universe. The opening reception is on Feb 24 from 4pm.
March Rejuvenation / Quan Spa, Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park / Until March 32
You can escape Bangkok's hustle and bustle and enjoy a blissful and quick getaway at Quan Spa. For March, the urban sanctuary at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park offer three special treatments for guests and non-guests alike. They are Foot, head & shoulder massage, Office syndrome massage and Jasmine rice scrub with aroma fusion massage. Available daily from 11am-9pm.
Discover The Flavours of Australia / Tops / Feb 28 to March 12
Central Retail's Tops, in cooperation with Austrade and the Australian Embassy, will host “Discover The Flavours of Australia” at Tops outlets to offer premium food and products from Down Under. Around 980 Aussie items will be available, ranging from seedless grapes, lamb legs, Tajima wagyu beef and more. Chef Martin Blunos of Iron Chef Thailand fame will create food-and-drink pairings at Tops Eatery and Tops Wine Cellar. The campaign will take place at Tops, Tops Food Hall and Tops Fine Food.
TRAVEL
Dusit Thani deals / Thai Teaw Thai Fair / Feb 29 to March 3
At the 69th edition of Thai Teaw Thai Fair, which runs from Feb 29 to March 3 at QSNCC, Dusit Thani representatives will be at booths B05-B06 and B53-B54 in Halls 5 and 6 to offer tempting vacays. Dusit Gold members have the first dips on these deals from Feb 27-28 via Dusit's website. If you don't want to brave the crowd, you can still secure these deals on the website as well. Besides affordable vacays within Thailand, you can go lavish with a full-board three-night stay at Dusit Thani Maldives. These offers are valid for stays from March 4 to Oct 31.
STUFF
New bag / Loro Piana
Loro Piana presents the New Ghiera bag that will be maison's most classic and timeless piece from the Spring/Summer 2024 collection. The Ghiera Bag is inspired by the homonymous ring-shaped pendant that has adorned the maison's women's garments and textile accessories. Taking inspiration from Loro Piana's textile heritage, the shape is inspired by rings that are part of the spinning machine, used as a key element in the processing of fibres. Handcrafted in Italy, the bag is available in several sizes, materials and colour variations. Available at Loro Piana boutiques.
Charity T-shirts / Uniqlo / From Feb 26
Get a new T-shirt for yourself and contribute to a good cause. Uniqlo will reveal a T-shirt for charity collection on Monday, featuring drawings by young refugees through a collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR. These T-shirts will be available at Uniqlo shops in Japan and 12 more countries including Thailand at CentralWorld. Out of 4,000 drawings by refugees, five have been selected to be featured in this special collection. Uniqlo will donate three dollars to UNHCR for every T-shirt purchased from this collection.
Sale gallery opening / Vertier
Vertier, Thailand’s leading furniture design brand, recently hosted a grand opening to launch its flagship gallery, located on the first floor of Regent House, Rajdamri Road. With the concept of "The Museum for Eternal Living & Admiration", the gallery with 800m² of space aims to provide an exceptional experience for home décor enthusiasts, showcasing distinctive designs by Vertier through various zones. It's the brand’s second branch and caters to the furniture needs of both the luxury residential sector, as well as real estate projects.
2024 Autumn/Winter Yellow Collection / Onitsuka Tiger
Onitsuka Tiger debuted its 2024 Autumn/Winter Yellow Collection on Wednesday at Milan Fashion Week. With the "Urban Winter" theme, the collection expresses the essence of urban winter landscapes with a wet coating finish reminiscent of sudden thunderstorms in Tokyo. The colour palette consists of iconic yellow with metropolitan grey, black, beige and hazelnut. The unique techniques are used to shape the silhouette with a new twist throughout the entire collection. The coats, jackets, and peacoats emphasise the contrast between wide shoulders and a narrow waist with tailoring details such as tube padding and ribbing. As the first show to mark the 75th anniversary of the brand, a total number of 49 looks were presented in the show a nod to 1949, which is Onitsuka Tiger’s founding year.
