In partnership with luxury tent designer Escape Nomade, Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort introduces a unique afternoon tea experience amidst a classic British colonial setting. Incorporating Japanese, Chinese and Indian teahouse rituals, it brings the best of the East and West together in an assemblage of taste, aroma and culture. Expect lovely decanted blends recommended by its sommelier or enjoy speciality tea mocktails, cocktails and infusions from the bar in the heart of the resort’s lush gardens. There are also three Ayurvedic teas crafted according to ancient healing principles that are said to neutralise one’s doshas—three energies believed to circulate in the body—and to control the balance of the kapha (earth), vata (air) and pitta (fire). Call 0-2476-0022 ext 1416.
High Table
Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel’s La Tavola and Wine Bar introduces its new executive sous chef, Salvatore Catania. Bringing to the fore classic Italian flavours, his new menu ensures the freshest produce and a touch of his personal artistic flair. Start the meal with salmon tartare, a refreshing combination of raw salmon, pomelo and orange sauce. Straight from the stone oven, enjoy the popular choices of pizza arrotolata or margarita pizza with burrata. For mains, try the scrumptious tagliatelle al tartufo, chef Catania’s signature pasta prepared in the parmesan wheel. Also recommended is buttery pumpkin gnocchi with melt-in-the-mouth slow-braised pork cheek. End the meal with a rich affogato, hazelnut beignets or a slice of pear tart. Call 0-2125-5020.
Hot Plates
The Okura Prestige Bangkok’s Yamazato signature Japanese restaurant, recently accorded Michelin Plate status, celebrates the flavours of winter with seasonal gozen lunch platters and a special kaiseki dinner menu. From the winter gozen lunch sets, priced at 1,300++ baht, highlights include smoked duck and simmered yellowtail fish. The kaiseki dinner, priced at 4,500++ baht, presents an elegant dining experience and includes a light soup of monkfish liver dumplings with mushroom enlivened by a hint of yuzu. Sashimi features the freshest selections of tuna, yellowtail, surf clam and sweet shrimp. Grilled Spanish mackerel is accompanied by scallops, candied yuzu and sansho peppers. Simmered salmon with vegetables is followed by a crisp assortment of tempura. A noodle course of vermicelli is topped with oysters, shimeji mushrooms and honeworts. For more information, call 0-2687-9000 or email [email protected].
Palatial Style
The reopening of the Athenee Hotel in Bangkok sees an extensive renovation and transformation in interiors. Formerly known as Plaza Athenee Bangkok, it stands on the grounds of the Kandhavas Palace, once the royal residence of Princess Valaya Alongkorn. Overseen by design firms Vekhin Interior and Bangkok Dec-Con, the lavish redesign incorporates many aspects of the Thai colonial style of the princess’s lifetime, from the influence of royal ceremonies in the Royal Club guestrooms and Athenee suites to the carefully selected colour palettes and artworks. In addition to the refurbishment of common spaces and all 374 guest rooms, the transformation also includes a city lagoon-styled swimming pool area and the timeless neo-colonial Smooth Curry restaurant and The Glaz bar. To make reservations, call 0-2650-8800.
Connected Thinking
The Peninsula Bangkok’s Peninsula Spa presents The Essential Mind, a new wellness programme designed to combat the stresses and anxieties of urban living. Created exclusively for the hotel by Dr Buathon Thienarrom, founder of Sukkasart Institute of Healing Arts in Hua Hin, it integrates the meditative benefits of therapeutic touches with bespoke blends of essential oils and vibrational sounds. With essential extracts from indigenous Thai herbs and blooms, a gentle healing massage soothes muscle tensions and encourages lymphatic drainage, stimulating the body’s natural energy flows. Mental rejuvenation and renewal is achieved with the vibrational sound therapy, wherein seven chakra singing bowls help unite the body and mind, each creating a pure note that heals a specific chakra. The holistic session ends with a soothing cup of specially blended oolong tea grown in the north of Thailand. For more information, call 0-2020-2888.
Recovery Mode
Still recuperating from Christmas excesses and New Year’s indulgences? Make time for some rest and revitalisation with a luxurious post-vacation spa break. From today until February 28, enjoy special 90-minute winter pampering treatments at CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok. Priced at 4,000 baht, choose between a hot stone massage or a warm oil massage, both of which will help treat the skin with a high dosage of hydration needed to recover from the harsh, dry winter air during your holiday travels. Furthermore, Golden Circle members are offered a complimentary 30-minute detoxifying steam treatment. Call 0-2236-7777 ext 6072 or email [email protected].
Grande Appointments
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit has unveiled its newly refurbished Governor and Presidential suites. Each spacious 117-square-metre unit combines stylish contemporary interpretations of traditional Thai designs and panoramic views of the city and Lake Ratchada. Beautifully upholstered furniture and wall panels feature relaxing subdued shades of gold and beige, while engaging local artworks are displayed throughout the space. The master bedroom comes with a large marble ensuite bathroom, furnished with his and hers washbasins, a jacuzzi bathtub, a television, a fully automated Japanese style toilet and a rain shower with amenities from THANN. Located in the heart of downtown Bangkok on vibrant Sukhumvit Road, the hotel is connected to the Asoke BTS skytrain and Sukhumvit MRT subway stations, allowing for convenient exploration of the city. For bookings, call 0-2649-8666 or email [email protected].
