Local Expert
Mick Shippen
Mick Shippen is a freelance writer who has been based in Thailand for over a decade. He currently lives in Bangkok but also spent six years in the northern city of Chiang Mai. Mick regularly travels…
Mick Shippen is a freelance writer who has been based in Thailand for over a decade. He currently lives in Bangkok but also spent six years in the northern city of Chiang Mai. Mick regularly travels throughout Thailand and the region, especially to Laos. He has a strong interest in arts and crafts, particularly local ceramics, hill tribe basketware and textiles. He is the author of The Ceramics of Southeast Asia, published by the University of Hawaii Press and A&C Black. Mick is also into motorcycling and has toured extensively on and off-road in northern Thailand and Laos. His partner exports Thai and Laos silk and textiles through the website www.orientations-online.com
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BarSu is one of Bangkok best night venues. This New Year's Eve the club will keep party ravers on the dance floor until the early hours. It will be serving special cocktails and a fantastic Wapas buffet, as well as playing an eclectic mix of great music. The party of the year starts at 9 p.m. until 6.00 a.m. Guests can choose from two party packages:
Free Flow Drinks, Wapas & Breakfast Package
Enjoy free flow drinks all night long and wapas cuisine passed around from 9 p.m. until midnight, and a buffet breakfast served from 4.30 a.m. for 7,000 baht .
Free Flow Drinks & Breakfast Package
Enjoy free flow drinks all night long and a buffet breakfast served from 4.30 a.m. for 3,500 baht.
Every year it's the same dilemma; where to spend New Year's Eve? viva Vino Italian Restaurant & Bar at the Grand Mercure Asoke has an offer that is hard to refuse. The chic venue on Sukhumvit 22 is serving a delicious four course set menu complete with a glass of sparkling wine for just 888 baht, making it the perfect place to see out the old and welcome the new.
Since the day its doors opened, viva Vino quickly established a reputation as one of the finest places to enjoy a memorable meal of Italian cuisine. The key ingredient in its recipe for success is Executive Chef Gianfranco Pirrone, a gifted young Italian with a passion for food that respects Italy's rich culinary heritage but also embraces contemporary flair and creativity.
While Gianfranco's food reflects his traditional roots the restaurant itself is thoroughly modern. Sleek and chic, the well lit glass walled building is a welcoming beacon drawing in enthusiastic epicures from downtown Bangkok and beyond. The elegant interior is light and spacious, providing the ideal venue for an intimate dinner for two or a memorable get-together with family and friends. The jet black slate floor is balanced by soft billowing white drapes on the ceiling while the authentic woodfired pizza oven at the heart of the restaurant emits a comforting glow and heavenly aromas.
With his trademark style, Chef Gianfranco has created a special New Year's Eve menu that features the authentic flavours and wholesome rustic character of Italian cuisine. Using premium quality ingredients and contemporary presentation, he offers a high quality meal at a down-to-earth price.
The evening begins with a choice of carpaccio di salmon, smoked salmon carpaccio with rocket salad dressed with Italian vinaigrette, or cocktail di gamberi, prawns in a rich cocktail sauce served with green salad. The gentle smokiness of the fresh salmon enlivened by the peppery back note of the rocket is the ideal overture especially when accompanied by an engaging Chilean Chardonnay from the sensibly priced wine list. Those preferring the prawn cocktail may wish to opt for a sharp citrusy Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the velvety dressing.
Next, a choice of soups; the creamy and comforting zuppa di funghi al Parmigiano, mushroom soup with Parmesan cheese or the lively zuppa al pomodoro e pesto con mozzarella fresca, tomato and pesto soup with fresh mozzarella cheese. Following the soup course, the nicely paced meal pauses for a moment with a palate-cleansing lemon sorbet.
Service at viva Vino is attentive but never intrusive, allowing diners to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, fine food and good company without distraction. In the background, the soft sounds of the resident pianist tinkling the ivories add to the ambience of this delightful restaurant.
Pasta lovers will enjoy the main course dish of ravioli babbo natale, homemade red ravioli filled with seafood and served in a creamy truffle. Other options include tacchino di capodanne, roast turkey breast in rich gravy with roast potatoes and sautéed vegetables. Highly recommended is the salmon santo stefano, a substantial fillet of salmon with an exquisite onion, balsamic vinegar and Parmesan sauce. The succulent blush-pink salmon is accompanied by saffron risotto and sautéed garlic mushrooms and asparagus.
Sweet sensations from the dessert menu are the perfect endnote to a beautifully composed New Year's Eve dining experience. Diners can choose from panettone al cioccolato, traditional Italian Christmas cake or budino di natale, Christmas pudding with fresh fruit - both followed by coffee and tea with a chocolate praline. The New Year's Eve menu also includes a glass of sparkling wine at midnight and a chance to win prizes in an exciting prize draw. In addition to the set menu a good selection of wines, beers digestifs and grappa from the drinks list allow diners to finish the evening with true Italian style.
The emphasis at viva Vino is on authenticity, quality and simplicity. Guests can also choose from an extensive selection of a la carte dishes that includes enticing antipasti, sensational salads and seafood, risottos, pastas, and some of the best pizza available in Bangkok pulled straight from the woodfired oven. The pizzas are also available for home delivery.
Take-away Christmas Turkey and Festive Treats from viva Vino
Executive Chef Gianfranco Pirrone and his talented team are offering an irresistible selection of fabulous festive treats to take the stress out of Christmas cooking and entertaining. A roasted US turkey complete with bread and chicken stuffing, giblet and liver gravy, cranberry sauce, potatoes, vegetables and soft rolls is available from now until January 1st 2009 for just 3,288 baht nett. The restaurant's pastry chef is also offering beautiful and creative seasonal cakes that will delight family and friends. Available to order from now until December 31st, choose from Christmas log cake, traditional Christmas fruit cake, stollen, gingerbread house, marzipan Santa Claus, Christmas cookies and more.
The New Year's Eve set menu is 888 baht nett. For reservations or enquiries, please contact 02 262 0000 or 02 261 3235
viva Vino Italian Restaurant & Bar is located on the lobby level of the Grand Mercure Park Avenue on Sukhumvit Soi 22, a short distance from BTS Phrom Phong and Asoke sky train stations. The restaurant is open daily from 12.00 p.m. - 1 a.m.
viva Vino,
Grand Mercure Park Avenue,
30 Sukhumvit Road Soi 22
Klongtoey 10110
Bangkok
Tel: 02 262 0000
Visit the website at www.hotelparkavenue.com
The Sunday Buffet Brunch at Romsai in the Banyan Tree Bangkok is a celebration of gourmet food and sophisticated music. Recently refurbished, Romsai's elegant décor and lush tropical garden have made the venue a firm favourite with locals, expats and hotel guests. With a trio of hot jazz talent playing cool music in the garden, the atmosphere is one of conviviality; perfectly tuned to make Sunday a day of pleasure and relaxation with family and friends.
Completely restyled, the dining area at Romsai emphasizes bold design statements, high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass panels that ensure a full and uninterrupted view of the garden. Loyal customers familiar with Romsai's reputation for value for money cuisine, as well as those who have recently discovered what they have been missing, can now dine in chic surroundings enjoying fine food and attentive yet discreet service.
Diners can graze at leisure from a creative display of top quality local and international cuisine. The mouthwatering temptations include an inviting selection of antipasti, crisp salad leaves with dressings, and freshly baked breads. Grilled aubergines, mozzarella with tomatoes, chickpea salad and a wide variety of pasta dishes available from live cooking stations are also on offer. Yet the culinary canvas of the Sunday Buffet Brunch is not restricted to the sun-blessed cuisine of Italy. Diners are lead across a truly international landscape of edible delights guaranteed to satisfy enthusiastic diners. A selection of fresh meats and seafood on ice can be picked and handed to the chefs who will cook it according to your preference. Highlights include superb fillets of mackerel simply grilled with a twist of salt and pepper, nicely marbled beef, satay, sausages, skewered prawns and scallops, rock lobster and king prawns. Romsai's sushi chef deftly rolls, slices and constructs Japan's tasty bite-sized morsels. A light and healthy option, the Japanese cuisine combines subtle tastes followed by an eye-opening hit of wasabi. From traditional sushi, nori rolls, contemporary California rolls to the freshest raw salmon, there's no shortage of choice. The ever-popular Chinese section of the Sunday Buffet Brunch features classic red and crispy pork, roasted duck, dim sum and other favourites.
One of the outstanding features of Romsai's buffet is that the Thai cuisine does not compromise on taste. Dishes such as spicy beef salad, banana flower salad, red curry, and the seafood dipping sauce deliver authentic flavours to satisfy local diners and Westerners eager to spice up their Sunday. For those with tastes firmly rooted in the Western culinary tradition, however, serving staff are on hand to carve slices of succulent beef from the roasted joint. Dressed up with a red wine sauce and a dash of mustard, it's hard to resist.
An undeniable attraction of spending Sunday at Romsai is the Banyan Tree's commitment to caring for the whole family. Each Sunday children can enjoy a special play area under the watchful eye of caring staff, allowing mum and dad to experience some quality time together.
With the top class live jazz, elegant surroundings, impeccable service and a free flow option for wines, beers, spirits and cocktails, there really is no finer place to spend your Sunday.
Romsai is also open during weekdays for lunch and dinner. The relaxed ambience and excellent choice of international fare make the restaurant an engaging venue for an informal business meeting or casual get-together. Dishes include fresh sushi and sashimi, salads, seafood, made to order pasta dishes such as squid ink tagliatelle with scallops, a rich and creamy carbonara, and bolognaise. Divine desserts include homemade ice cream, blueberry cheesecake, éclairs, and chocolate cake, as well as fresh seasonal fruits, and a selection of cheese and biscuits, and dried fruit and nuts.
A highlight of any meal at Romsai is the carefully thought out wine list. Guests can choose from an interesting selection of new and old world labels. Of particular note are the Chardonnay and Pinotage Merlot from Matua Valley Vineyard in Marlborough, New Zealand. These youthful and well priced wines available by the bottle are a good choice for buffet dining. A knowledgeable sommelier is on hand to offer advice if you wish to explore unfamiliar wines. If you have chosen Romsai for a celebration or romantic meal there are also several Champagnes and sparkling wines, ranging from Don Perignon and Krug to Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin and Presecco. There is also a great cocktail menu offering classic mixes such as the Mojito, Martini and Daiquiri to exotic signature drinks shaken and stirred by talented bar staff.
Romsai is located on the lower lobby level of the Banyan Tree Bangkok. The all day dining restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 6.00 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Banyan Tree Bangkok,
21/100 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120
Tel: 02679 1200 Fax: 02679 1199 Email: Bangkok@banyantree.com
Visit the website at www.banyantree.com
Boutique resorts in Hua Hin continue to rise in popularity but few offer the style and service of the family-run Baan Laksasubha. This charming beachfront property has relaxed ambience and with just 16 villas, an intimate and homely feeling. Since the resort opened last year it has gained a well-deserved reputation as an idyllic holiday location for the whole family. Now owner and manager M.L. Laksasubha Kridakon has added another dimension to the property.
A welcome addition to the Hua Hin dining scene, Costanera Restaurant & Tapas Bar is an absolute beachfront restaurant that draws inspiration from Mom Lak's extensive travel and years living abroad. She spent considerable time searching for a top chef, eventually choosing Rungroj Kaewnet, a gifted and passionate Thai chef with years of experience working in the kitchens of renowned five star resorts but looking for an opportunity to break from the conformity of the branded environment and showcase is personal creativity. The result is impressive. Dining at Costanera takes guests on a culinary journey. A selection of tapas and light bites are ideal for the beachfront setting - tasty treats for sharing over wine with a lover while being seduced by the warm sea breeze. The crab cake salad is highly recommended; the delicately flavoured patties lifted by a piquant balsamic reduction dressing the fresh salad leaves. Roast duck breast served with an orange sauce is another excellent dish to be shared and savoured while the barbecued satay prawns with its deconstructed presentation showcases the chef's flair for contemporary design as well as his talent for balancing flavours.
Dining at Costanera ends of a sweet note with a vanilla panacotta. This luxurious dessert is simply divine and seldom found so beautifully made. Other options include crepe suzette with vanilla ice cream, and deep fried banana with a honey sauce.
The addition of Costanera to the Hua Hin dining scene is a treat for adventurous epicures. The beautiful setting, perfectly executed cuisine and attentive yet discreet service makes it the perfect place for a romantic meal for two or a laidback get-together with friends. The restaurant is open for breakfast, casual dining throughout the day, tapas at sunset, and evening dining. Guests can enter via the Baan Laksasubha's main entrance on Naresdamri Road and wander through the resort's lush tropical garden, passed the stylish villas and down to the restaurant or simply wander in from the beach (next to the Sofitel).
Costanera Restaurant & Tapas Bar,
Baan Laksasubha Resort Hua Hin,
3/7 Naresdamri Road, Hua Hin, Prachuab Khirikhan 77110
Phone: 032 514525-31
Visit the website at http://www.baanlaksasubha.com/
Hua Hin's royal past and the present kings' fondness for the resort are well known. Less publicised is the fact that a younger generation of royalty also holds an equal affection for the town and continues to shape its future.
M.L. Laksasubha Kridakon, affectionately known as Mom Lak, possesses a natural charm and beauty that are immediately disarming. She enters into conversation with unexpected ease and frankness. "I hate to be labeled hi-so'," she asserts. "My father was a humble man and always brought me up to understand that the true value of a person has little to do with their background or social standing. I was raised to believe in myself and achieve things through my own merits. I'm not seduced by all the hoo-ha and Hi-so' show; it's all very superficial," she says.
Her approachable character and open mind are the result, not just of her father's influence but of a lifetime spent living and traveling abroad. "My parents were diplomats," she says, "So I have been living overseas for most of my life. They were posted to Paris, Argentina, Australia and Budapest. I also went on to marry an ambassador and we were posted to Prague," says the mother of two.
Moving home every three years, Mom Lak has experienced a truly international education and lifestyle. Although she certainly considers herself Thai, she is also aware of the benefits of her upbringing and seems more comfortable moving in international circles. The hierarchy and deference of Thai society do not sit well with the unassuming Mom Lak. "I know how to live within a multicultural society," she says. "And although I can also see some of the advantages of Thai society, I feel I have had so many experiences that have enriched my life."
Having lived and worked around the world, including seven years at the UN, Mom Lak decided to use her knowledge to try and enrich the lives of others. Believing that the best way to improve our future is through education and teaching the values close to her heart, she established First Steps Pre-School. Located on Sukhumvit Soi 43, this bright and colourful school caters to children of all nationalities between the ages of 18 months and six years.
"I think the fact that I am the product of an international upbringing, I am able to bring something unique to the school. I have a genuine understanding of the issues involved and am able to make a valuable contribution to the lives of our youngsters," she says.
Having established one of Bangkok's most highly regarded schools for primary education, with characteristic vision and by drawing on aspects of her fascinating life, Mom Lak has recently embarked on a new venture.
As the granddaughter of Prince Kridakon, her ties to Hua Hin are strong. She has been visiting the family beach resort as long as she can remember and recalls the King and Queen of Thailand regularly visiting her grandmother's beachfront home for tea. Having inherited the strip of prime land and the family home, Mom Lak has developed an idyllic resort which like her school puts the focus squarely on the importance of family. "I could see a need for a resort that genuinely welcomed children. The current market is saturated with spa resorts that cater to couples and honeymooners, but not families."
Rejecting interest from major hotel chains to create and manage a sleek and chic formulaic product, Mom Lak has been brave enough to follow her heart. The result is a collection of 16 charming villas equipped for families in a safe and welcoming environment.
"I have drawn on elements of my life to create a deeply personal place that can be enjoyed by others," says Mom Lak. "As a regular visitor to Hua Hin, I will often be there, receiving guests at my home"
The all white villas infused with a slightly nautical feel appropriate for the beachfront property. Guests can choose from ground floor Garden View Villas or the upper Verandah Suite Villas. They comprises of one, two or three bedrooms, each bathed in natural light and with a good sized bathroom. A large deck is ideal for sunbathing or massage. The villas, which are set within a lush tropical garden, have the feeling of a private residence. Located next to the expansive grounds of the Sofitel on one side and a vacant piece of land on the other, the resort is a peaceful retreat.
Rooms tastefully decorated with a king sized bed and comfortable sofa. They are also equipped with an LCD TV, mini hi-fi, complimentary WiFi, coffee and tea making facilities. Common facilities include a large free-form swimming pool.
The resort features a beachfront bar and restaurant offering breakfast, casual dining throughout the day and evening meals. The beach all has private sun loungers and umbrellas for guests.
Baan Laksasubha has a relaxed ambience and with just 16 villas, an intimate feeling that is lost at large resorts. Service at Baan Laksasubha is a personalized experience with a very special charm.
The First Steps International Pre-School - http://www.thefirststeps.ac.th/
Baan Laksusubha Hua Hin - http://www.baanlaksasubha.com/
53/5 Naresdamri Road, Hua Hin
Tel: 032 514525 - 31
The recent Vintage Car Parade in Hua Hin provided the ideal excuse to flee Bangkok for a relaxing weekend.
Hua Hin has been Thailand's favourite beach resort escape for Thai royalty and Bangkok residents for almost a century. In recent years, the once sleepy retreat has enjoyed a surge of interest, this time with holidaymakers from abroad. The charming town is developing fast as a popular world-class destination.
Hua Hin is in the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, just 25 kilometres from another beach resort, Cha Am, and less than three hours drive from Bangkok.
The beach in Hua Hin stretches some seven kilometres and although it can't compare with the beauty and tranquility to be found on the islands in the deep-south, it is an ideal location for a family holiday and the town has much to offer. The wide expanse of sand is used for a range of activities including as horse riding, kite boarding and dining on fresh seafood. Beachfront accommodation is plentiful and the town now offers something for all budgets, from simple guesthouses to five-star luxury resorts and spas.
The town's rise in popularity has seen it attract some of the finest hotels, including the Chiva Som Resort which has been voted the best spa in the world. Other top hotels with a presence in the town are the Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort, the Hilton Resort and Spa, the Evason Six Sense Resort and Spa, the Marriot and the Oriental. A fabulous seven kilometre stretch of beach and shallow water make Hua Hin the perfect playground for whole family. The wide expanse of sand is used for a range of activities including horse riding, kite boarding and alfresco dining on fresh seafood. Beachfront accommodation is plentiful and the town offers something for all budgets, from simple guesthouses to five-star luxury resorts and spas.
Not so long ago there were very few dining opportunities in Hua Hin. Options were limited to the Thai seafood restaurants located on the wooden piers that stretch out into the sea. Things have changed. Increasingly cosmopolitan, Hua Hin is now home to many international restaurants including Italian, French and Japanese cuisine. Take Hagi, for example. It would be hard to find a better Japanese restaurant outside Bangkok. Dining at Hagi is an adventure; a journey through a culinary landscape that skillfully combines subtle tastes with many surprises. Guests can watch as their meal is cooked in front of them in an exciting display of dexterity and creativity in the Teppanyaki kitchen. The extensive and eclectic menu features a classic selection of sushi and noodles as well as contemporary delights.
There is no shortage of excellent seafood restaurants in Hua Hin. The favourites on the pier are as popular as ever but dining on succulent seafood in Hua Hin has also gone seriously upmarket. For quality and a sophisticated ambience try Supatra-by-the-sea. This great alfresco beachfront restaurant has a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest seafood restaurant in town. Tastefully decorated and with beautiful ocean views and a cooling sea breeze, diners can enjoy a meal in a garden setting, just a stones throw from the water's edge.
Hua Hin has a well-established and vibrant night scene that offers something for everyone. An extensive night market provides a wealth of shopping opportunities as well as cheap and delicious food stalls. There are many bars in the centre of Hua Hin. Choose from traditional-style Irish pubs, cool wine bars or lively pools bars. There are also several popular nightclubs in the town for the young and the young at heart.
Golfers will also find Hua Hin to their liking as it is home to several top quality golf resorts. Thailand's first golf course opened in Hua Hin in 1924. The Royal Hua Hin Golf Course still welcomes golfers today and is located less than one kilometre from the centre of town. Now with eight superb courses, including the championship Nicklaus course at Springfield, all with 20 minutes of the town, golfers are spoilt for choice. A wide range of golf tour companies offer special summer and winter ‘stay and play' packages.
Suan Son Pradiphat Beach is a three-kilometre stretch of sand just south of the town's main beach and separated from it by Takiap Hill. This quieter, curved bay has shallow waters suitable for swimming. Further south is Khao Tao Beach, a good spot for a swim or a picnic. There are some food stalls along the beach and deckchairs decks for rent.
Klai Kangwon Palace was built for King Rama VIII in 1926. The summer palace is north of Hua Hin and consists of three Spanish-style mansions facing the sea. It is open daily to the public. Hua Hin has a fabulous old railway station. Construction took place during the reign of King Rama VI (1910-1925). This and the summer palace transformed the quiet fishing village into the beach resort.
Exciting annual events in Hua Hin include the Hua Hin Jazz Festival, the Vinatage Car Parade and the Hua Hin and Cha-am Golf Festival.