From new gourmet offerings to Louis Vuitton’s flagship store!
By Aiden Jewelle Gonzales
EAT & DRINK
hom (pictured above)
The luxe and sprawling InterContinental Phuket Resort, perched on the golden sands of the popular party destination Kamala Beach, is opening their newest restaurant, hom. It will be helmed by their Chef de Cuisine, Chef Ricardo Nunes, who brings to bear his vast expertise from Michelin-starred establishments spanning Potong, Belcanto and Gaggan, as well as his commitment to innovation and perpetual improvement. hom’s focus is on showcasing the best of Thai flavours by allowing every single local ingredient to sing, as well as utilising ancient fermentation techniques, culminating in a 10-course menu that is not-to-be-missed. Chef Ricardo is joined by their resident Zymologist, Mateo Polanco, whose expertise lies in fermentation techniques. hom is located in the hotel’s iconic Sawan Pavillion, and channels white and silver tones to whisk guests away to a ‘heavenly’ venue. Facebook: @homrestaurantphuket
Café Wolseley
The Wolseley Hospitality Group from London is bringing their unique dining experience to Bangkok with a three-month pop-up at Madison Restaurant at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel. The owner and operator of some of London’s most beloved and iconic restaurants, including The Wolseley on Piccadilly and The Delaunay in Aldwych, the group hopes to tempt gastronomes with European fare at Café Wolseley, their first international venture and an ode to their flagship restaurant in London. Combining “British heritage with European grandeur,” expect European specialities such as their Dressed dorset crab with brown crab mayonnaise and lemon; as well as sweet delights such as their Crème brûlée, a Muscovado caramelised set vanilla custard. Facebook: @cafewolseleybangkok
Khum Hom
The health-focused haven in the middle of downtown Bangkok, Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort, has opened a new F&B option, Khum Hom, which focuses on contemporary Thai cuisine. The capacious restaurant, helmed by the award-winning television personality and chef Ian Kittichai, will have room for over 60 guests and will feature an outdoor balcony terrace overlooking the lush gardens below. Known for his innovative approach to his dishes, Chef Ian has chosen to collaborate with a hotel in Thailand for the first time, bringing a modern twist to ancient recipes from the North, Northeast, Central, and South of Thailand. Look out for their signature Goong yang, succulent charcoal-grilled tiger prawns with a spicy minced grouper salad; or their famous and aromatic ‘milk brown’ rice from Surin province. A set tasting menu will also be available. Facebook: @khumhombkk
Siam Tea Room, Asiatique the Riverfront Branch
Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, the sprawling 5-star hotel in the heart of Phrom Phong, is bringing their signature Thai restaurant, Siam Tea Room, to Asiatique the Riverfront. Continuing their tradition of offering authentic Thai cuisine based on recipes passed down through generations, and specifically from Chef Aunkool ‘Aony’ Poolpipat’s grandmother, the restaurant will be in a charming, converted two-storey white house perched by the riverside, and will focus on high-quality local ingredients and authentic Thai preparation methods. Chef Aunkool has been a staple in the Thai culinary scene for a decade, so the dishes here are sure to be scrumptious. Facebook: @siamtearoom
Bombay Sapphire’s Bombay Bramble Gin
Gin lovers, rejoice as Bombay Sapphire has brought a bold new gin to the country. Bombay Bramble, which, true to its name, will be made with freshly-harvested blackberries and raspberries, will consist of 100 percent natural flavouring, and as expected, is best enjoyed with a tonic and lemon. According to the brand itself, it is “easy to mix and perfect for experimentation with its rich, bold, berried flavour,” and is the quintessential Summer tipple for those who prefer their G&T’s a little fruity. The gin also has no additional sugar and artificial flavours, making for a sophisticated drink that you won’t have to feel too guilty about. www.bombaysapphire.com/products/bombay-bramble/
The Macallan Harmony Collection 2
Archetypal whisky brand, The Macallan, has unveiled the second edition of their The Harmony Collection, which will be a limited annual release. This ‘new expression’ is a love story to coffee and whisky lovers, with intense flavours created by selecting a combination of American and European oak casks that will pair best with coffee’s bold tastes. Made by The Macallan Whisky Maker Steven Bremner, the new collection is a reflection of the brand’s innovation and creativity, and its launch was inaugurated by a special coffee and whisky-drinking experience led by award-winning mixologist, Priet Nathibayapthis. As a nod to its coffee-inspired flavours, the whisky is presented in a box that incorporates repurposed coffee bean husks.
www.themacallan.com/en/whisky/single-malts/limited-releases/the-harmony-collection
Gir
The T-One building in bustling Thonglor, which houses well-known F&B destinations such as Bar 335, Bar Scofflaws, and the eminently Instagram-worthy Tichuca Rooftop Bar, has opened Gir, a cosy new cocktail bar on their 40th floor. Launched by the same team behind the other venues, Gir promises to serve up innovative cocktails that “symbolise the conservation efforts at Gir National Park, an endangered lion conservation site in Gujarat, India.” With a menu and interior design inspired by the park, everything in the bar is intentional, and is rife with flora and fauna references that focus on the coexistence of mankind and nature. www.paperplaneproject.net/gir
Café Kitsuné Bangkok – EmQuartier
The French-Japanese lifestyle brand founded by Gildas Loaëc, Masaya Kuroki, and Åbäke, which has charmed Bangkok’s shoppers with its luxe interior and cute but cheeky fox mascot, has opened Café Kitsuné Bangkok, also at EmQuartier. The brand is simultaneous a fashion label, a record label, an art gallery, and now, also a café, and will be serving up delicious pastries, coffee, as well as café-specific merch. With both indoor and al fresco seating options, the space channels the Parisienne café tradition, allowing you to people watch as you bask in their thoughtful hospitality and luxe surroundings. Facebook:@cafekitsunebangkok
Cantina Italian Kitchen – Soi 11
Soho Hospitality is launching yet another F&B venture, but this time, it will be a much-anticipated reopening. Cantina Italian Kitchen, which used to attract droves of late-night snackers and foodies looking for hearty Italian cuisine in the buzzy Sukhumvit Soi 11, is reopening once again in the famous soi. A self-described “friendly neighbourhood joint,” the restaurant will serve up homemade pasta “like Mamma used to make it,” together with their signature Aperol Spritzes, and selection of fine wines. Make sure to look out for their monthly menu specials, as well as their special entertainment line-ups throughout the week, spanning live music, opera nights, and DJs on rotation. Facebook: @cantinabkk
Lost in Thaislation
Suchada ‘Fahbeer’ Sopajaree, one of the city’s most renowned and well-established bartenders, of Find the Locker Room and Cinema Club fame, has now opened her own bar next to BTS Thonglor. Born out of Fahbeer’s desire to no longer work for someone else’s bar, the concept of the watering hole, from the name, to the foreign bartenders coming in for guest ships, to its distinctive menu, is all the brainchild of Fahbeer herself. Tucked into a side street behind some shophouses, the casual haunt is serving up a menu based on Thonglor’s famous dishes, from Khao mun gai to Boon tong kiat. Each drink takes a component of the famed dish to create a distinctive taste and aroma, with striking presentations and unusual flavours. Fahbeer’s laudable desire is to highlight what’s good to eat in Bangkok, as well as support local F&B businesses. Facebook: @lostinthaislationth
The Finch Bangkok
Greenfield Advisory from Singapore, founded by Deepak Mishra, has ventured into the F&B industry with The Finch Bangkok, a sociable yet intimate restaurant and bar tucked into Sukhumvit Soi 11. The space marries a youth-centric and modern vibe with classic nostalgic elements, in order to bridge the gap between different generations of partygoers. True to its name, which means “to rewind and unwind,” The Finch’s aim is to curate an experience that will titillate the senses, with great food and drinks, craft beers, and foot-tapping music. Their menu will feature a mix of Indian, Continental, Asian, and Italian cuisine, with a focus on innovative mixology and an extensive wine list. Facebook: @finchbangkok
STAY
Public House
Located in Sukhumvit Soi 31, Public House is a new hotel in the city centre that celebrates the area that it is in. With easy access to all of Sukhumvit’s key locations, including the preeminent Em District, the hotel features modern industrial touches together with mid-century designs, in order to create a relaxing space that celebrates nature. Their F&B options are varied and revolve around Thailand in all forms, using stimulating and fiery flavours, and concepts spanning all-day dining, to street food flame-cooked with Binchōtan charcoal. https://publichouse-hotels.com
Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai
Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai will open its doors in May, in a mixed-use complex that will include a hotel, retail stores, and office spaces. With direct access to BTS Phayathai skytrain station, the hotel will also be conveniently near the Airport Rail Link, and will have a considerable number of keys, spanning 494 rooms and suites, ranging from 34sqm to 370sqm. The luxe destination will also feature a penthouse suite, as well as a spa, executive lounge, two outdoor swimming pools of magnificent propertions, and a fitness centre. They will also offer two F&B options: The Market@5 which will be inspired street-food style food trucks, and will feature an eclectic and delicious range of international cuisine comprising of dishes from Thailand, Japan, India, Mexico, Italy, the Middle East, and Scandinavia; and Trattoria@22, their Mediterranean restaurant with a modern twist. Facebook: @eastingrandphayathai
Hotel MYS Khao Yai, Thailand
Reserved for guests aged 13 and up, in order to truly create the haven of peace and serenity that they are touting, Hotel MYS Khao Yai, Thailand is a Scandinavian-inspired resort that features only 16 rooms, six pool villas, and their signature three-bedroom MYS Villa, replete with modern comforts and a private barbecue area. Surrounded by the verdant natural beauty of Khao Yai National Park, the hotel focuses on elevated comfort and luxury, as well as amenities designed for the ultimate respite. Their restaurants use only the finest locally-sourced and imported ingredients from around the world, with comfort food, creative cocktails, and innovative dining events. www.hotelmys.com
VISIT
Louis Vuitton Bangkok Iconsiam
Riverside mega-mall and ultimate tourist attraction, ICONSIAM, has seen the launch of Louis Vuitton’s Exclusive Store, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. The store will be on the mall’s first floor, and will, as expected, feature beautiful interiors, a series of luxuriously-appointed rooms, a personalised shopping experience, and will require a prior reservation. Each room is distinct in its design and inspiration, showcasing the haute couture fashion house’s collaboration with Ploenchan ‘Mook’ Vinyaratn, a Thai textile artist who co-designed the woven textile piece CDGDMKBKKORY, which celebrates both Thailand and France’s airports. https://en.louisvuitton.com
