Culinary Worlds Combine at The Okura Prestige Bangkok
What: Two top chefs at The Okura Prestige Bangkok are merging their culinary styles and skills to present an exclusive menu that combines the contrasting flavors produced by kitchens in Japan and in the West. The “Living Kitchen” menu starts with amuse-bouche created by chef Hagiwara and chef Henry. Chefs take turns to serve their own specialty dishes, such as Japanese seafood impressions and grilled alfonsino, duck foie gras, and progression of wagyu MB 9. All this and more, followed by a sweet ending from their pastry chef.
When: September 5–6 from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Where: Elements restaurant, The Okura Prestige Bangkok
How much: THB 3,800 net per person (includes amuse-bouche, six-course menu, and petite fours)
More info: 02 687 9000; fb@okurabangkok.com
What: Don’t miss Burlesque at Betty’s, with Bangkok’s Broadway Babe, Kristen Evelyn Rossi, every Wednesday. Popup cabaret style performances throughout dinner, and if you are still around until the last set, you may just get a little extra with your dessert!
When: Every Wednesday
Where: Bangkok Betty, Sukhumvit 22
How much: Free; table booking suggested
More info: 02 633 4223
What: Eat all you can with these promotions: mussels and barbeque ribs at THB 990 net per person; crab at THB 1,490+ net per person; beverage package at THB 500 net (free-flow beer and house wines); free-flow mussels and French fries on Wednesdays; free-flow barbeque ribs, pumpkin gratin, and grilled vegetables on Thursdays; free-flow crab, rice, and som tam on Fridays.
When: Ongoing
Where: Viu, The St. Regis Bangkok
How much: See above
More info: 02 207 7777; www.stregisbangkok.com
What: Fans of former Nuvo heart-throbs Joe and Kong will have a chance to get up close and personal with the duo, when they perform at the Hard Rock Café Bangkok. Jirayuth “Joe” Wattanasin and Saharat “Kong” Sangkapreecha share a love of music and have been performing together since their secondary school days, reaching the height of their fame locally in the 1990s with the band Nuvo. Now regarded as members of Thailand’s pantheon of pop/rock idols, they have managed to remain in the public eye despite the break-up of Nuvo. Kong is currently one of the judges on local TV talent show The Voice, while Joe is on the panel of judges for the Thailand’s Got Talent series.
When: September 12 at 9:30 p.m.
Where: Siam Square
How much: THB 3,000 for a table for two; THB 5,200–6,000 for a table for four
More info: 02 658 4090
What: Each course of this rugged food adventure—prepared by internationally acclaimed Australian chef, Ben McRae—will spotlight the natural bounty of New Zealand, such as wild venison loin from the Raukumara gorge, King Ora cured salmon from the cleanest waters in the world, and never-before imported bush plants like piko piko, horopito, kawakawa, and kumara. Each course will be paired with rare beer selections handpicked by Beervana from its global portfolio of craft beers. Seating is limited to 18 people.
When: September 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Issaya Cooking Studio
How much: TBD
More info: 02 160 5636; booking@issayastudio.com
What: Internationally-acclaimed Japanese eatery IPPUDO brought the ultimate ramen experience to Thailand with the opening of its first outlet at luxury shopping center, Central Embassy. With over 80 stores in Japan, and about 40 international stores in places such as New York, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Seoul, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing, and Chengdu, IPPUDO (pronounced ih-PU-doh) has gained a worldwide following with customers patiently queuing for a taste of what many have dubbed “cosmos in a bowl”: a signature rich and flavorful tonkotsu (pork-based) broth combined with delicate hand-pulled noodles made from a secret recipe.
When: Ongoing (open since August 22)
Where: IPPUDO, 3rd floor Central Embassy
How much: Ramen starts at THB 200
More info: www.ippudo.co.th
What: The Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge was inaugurated by Dilmah in 2007, and it has been staged in over 12 countries including Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Chile, and The Netherlands. This year the first-ever Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge will take place in Thailand. The panel of judges will be headed by Dilhan Fernando, the younger son of Dilmah founder, Merrill Fernando.
When: September 30 and October 1
Where: Sofitel Sukhumvit Bangkok
How much: TBA
More info: 02 348 2449
What: Shui Xin, the Chinese restaurant at Novotel Bangkok Bangna, is featuring an “All You Can Eat Dim Sum” lunch, with more than 30 items available including traditional steamed and fried dumplings, together with a choice of soups, fried rice, noodles, and dessert. Their Dim Sum chef particularly recommends the barbecue pork buns, the steamed crab with curry sauce, bamboo pith with minced shrimp, black mushroom with clams, century eggs with minced shrimps, and their popular mango pudding for a sweet ending.
When: Ongoing
Where: Shui Xin, Novotel Bangkok Bangna
How much: THB 580 per person including Chinese tea
More info: 02 366 0505 ext. 1450 and 1451
What: Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok announced the opening of the hotel’s new Wedding Galleria, a one-stop wedding shop offering all that’s needed for that big day, from invitation ideas to gowns, photography, flowers, and much more. A personalized space reserved for just one couple at a time, the Wedding Galleria is the place to consult a team of experienced Four Seasons wedding and banquet experts who will be able to share suggestions for décor, menus, gifts, etc. Taking pride of place in the show windows are beautiful wedding cake designs from chef Stéphane Calvet and the pastry team.
When: Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Guests can make an appointment for a personal consultation with an expert wedding specialist.
Where: Four Seasons Bangkok
How much: Varies
More info: 02 250 1000
What: Let your little ones unleash their culinary creativity and find out if there is a future king or queen of the kitchen! Dusit Thani Hua Hin has cooked up a tasty two-night Junior Super Chef package, where great food and family fun are the main ingredients. Your child will enjoy a hands-on 60-minute cooking class, learning basic baking techniques under the watchful guidance of one of the hotel’s own master chefs. After tasting their Super Chef’s creations, everyone gets to enjoy the delectable Dusit buffet dinner.
When: From now until December 15
Where: Dusit Thani Hua Hin
How much: THB 17,000++ per package
More info: 032 520 009
What: Get ahead with year-end shopping at the ThaiCraft Fair! Add value to your gifts by directly supporting those who carry on Thailand’s heritage of quality craft, traditional and modern. Choose fair trade products and you’ll be supporting tens of artisans nationwide while having fun buying accessories, textiles, home decor, baskets, cosmetics, toys, and much more.
When: September 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Jasmine City Building, basement floor, Sukhumvit Rd, at the entrance of Soi 23, BTS Asok station exit 3, MRT Sukhumvit station exit 2
How much: Free entrance
More info: www.thaicraft.org
What: Asiatique The Riverfront would like to invite everyone to “eat well and be happy,” while celebrating the Jia Chai Vegetarian Festival. Listen to dharma teachings given by venerable monk Talputto; delve into the past to learn the story of the origins of the vegetarian festival with professor Visit Taechakasem; pay homage to the nine sacred deities; fill up and gain good fortune with auspicious noodles from a giant wok and over 50 high quality and popular vegetarian restaurants carefully selected from all over Bangkok; and receive special souvenirs that grant good luck every day.
When: September 23 to October 2
Where: Warehouses 4 and 5, Asiatique
How much: Varies
More info: www.facebook.com/Asiatique.Thailand
What: Market lovers will enjoy this street market, that takes place the third weekend of every month. Shop for clothing, handbags, shoes, accessories, products for children, gifts, gadgets, food, and more.
When: Friday 19 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday 20 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: K Village, Sukhumvit Soi 26
How much: Varies
More info: www.kvillagebangkok.com
by Maia Kara
For those who have been in Thailand for a while and follow the music events’ scene, Hua Hin Jazz Festival is a well-known annual event. However, this year it held more than a few surprises for returning fans, and for those attending for the first time. The stage set up was extended up to the shoreline, with state-of-the-art sound systems to create a fantastic acoustic feel for everyone who attended. Areas for seating were plenty, from VIP seats that allowed a closer view of the stage, to free seating on the grass around the area. Food stalls, sponsored by Hua Hin’s most renowned hotels and restaurants, offered a large variety of delicious treats for visitors to fuel up, from Thai classics and German sausage with sauerkraut, to healthy vegetarian salads. The evening’s line up was impressive, and included young performers and legendary jazz heavyweights. Among many performers, the audience had the delight of listening to Steve Canon, the famous American trumpeter; “Infinity,” Thailand’s very own jazz-fusion band; The Travelers, indie-jazz style band from Japan (the crowd’s favorite performer of the night), and “Soul After Six,” whose alternative legacy conforms to pop, rock, and jazz. The show lasted till well after midnight, and left you longing for more.
