Those who read Naphalai’s Diary regularly (thanks indeed to those who do) will know that I am often invited for lunches and dinners—so often, in fact that I am losing the battle of the bulge. What is worse is that sometimes I eat something that doesn’t agree with me, as was the case last week, and I spent almost the entire night with tummy runs and throwing up. With the amount that came out both from above and below, I thought I would have gotten rid of all the toxins, but I still felt weak with an unsettled stomach for the next few days. I suppose it is an occupational hazard but that should teach me to be more careful about what I eat.
Blue By Alain Ducasse
Among the lunch and dinner events last week was the opening of Blue by Alain Ducasse at IconSiam. The media were invited to a lunch attended by the legendary chef himself and Siam Piwat CEO Chadatip Chutrakul. With my sensitive tummy I couldn’t really do justice to all the dishes, but enjoyed enough to appreciate this new addition to Bangkok’s dining scene. According to Ducasse, the concept and menus for Blue have been created specifically for IconSiam and are not available anywhere else.
At opening of Blue by Alain Ducasse with the celebrity chef and Chadatip Chutrakul
Karmakemet Conveyance
Another restaurant opening was that of Karmakamet Conveyance. Chef Som Jutamas Theantae, founder of the original Karmakamet Dining on Sukhumvit 24, unveils a culinary philosophy with a complex technique and style hidden behind each dish. The restaurant is located at the top of Sukhumvit 49.
With chef Jutamas Theantae at the opening of Karmakamet Conveyance
A Filipino Feast
I also attended a dinner featuring three chefs: Jordy Navarra of Toyo Eatery in Manila and Aisha Ibrahim and Samantha Beaird of the soon-to-open Axis, at the House of Sub Zero & Wolf on Thonglor. The cuisine was influenced by the Filipino roots of Navarra and Ibrahim and featured some unique ingredients found only in their country. Joining in the dinner were Sub Zero & Wolf distributor Yam Churn Meng and his wife Karen Gonzago, who are now based in Singapore but continue to manage the business in Thailand as well.
With chefs Jordy, Samantha Beaird and Aisha Ibrahim at a Filipino-inspired dinner
Invited by H Moser & Cie…
Watchmaker H Moser & Cie hosted a dinner at Quince at Siri House to present its new collection. Brothers Edouard and Bertrand Meylan’s family owns the 190-year-old brand that produces just 1,500 pieces a year. They were joined by distributor Pendulum’s Yuki Srikarnchana and Yumi Kiangsiri as hosts for the evening.
With Bertrand Meylan at H Moser & Cie
Former Nahm Chef Opens Two New Eateries
Foodies will be glad to know that chef David Thompson, formerly of Nahm restaurant, is back in Thailand, where he has two restaurants opening. One is at the Orient Express hotel at MahaNakhon and the other is Long dtai opening in mid-December. A press conference was held at Cape House to announce the launch of the eatery, which Thompson developed together with Tirawan Taechaubol, group project development manager of Cape and Kantary Hotels Group. Long dtai features seafood and local ingredients prepared in a southern Thai style.
Tirawan Taechaubol and David Thompson
Bulgari Pop (Up) Corn
Away from food, there was also the launch of Bulgari’s Pop (Up) Corn, a cinema-themed pop-up store inspired by the Italian cinemas of the 1960s. Located at Siam Paragon, a chic crowd turned up including celebrities and actresses who were welcomed by Sze Lin Teo, marketing and communications manager for South APAC, and CJ Quema and Chalimchorn Tangboonchoo from Bulgari’s Bangkok office. The pop-up store is open until January 4.
With Chalimchorn Tangboonchoo, CJ Quema and Sze Lin Teo at Bulgari’s pop-up
Sririta X Vie Hotel
With the completion of its renovations, Vie Hotel introduced its new spa operated by Sririta Jensen’s Organika brand. General manager Nicolas Peth and Sririta were on hand to take guests around the six-room spa to show off the new facilities.
With Preyamon Thanavisuth, Nicolas Peth and Sririta Jensen at Vie Spa
ASV Caravan
ASV Caravan, meanwhile, was Polpat Asavaprapha’s way of celebrating the festive travel season. Held at The EmQuartier, he turned the outdoor space into a lifestyle market inspired by India with art, food and fashion activities and workshops. ASV’s fans were able to try on the home-grown brand’s autumn/winter collection which was presented in a special booth at the fair.
At ASV Caravan
Winter Wonderland
Another festive season occasion was the launch of The Emporium/EmQuartier’s Winter Wonderland 2020, which this year focuses on a magical pine forest concept. Colourful creatures roam around the 20-metre-tall Christmas tree, bringing good wishes for the season of happiness. The event is supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Citi Credit Cards and Oppo.
With the Emporium’s Suthavadee Sirithanachai at the Winter Wonderland
A Rolex Party
Rolex held an early year-end thank-you party for the media at Park Hyatt, hosted by general manager for communications Connie Goh and the team from Singapore and Thailand. No watch presentations, just food, wine and good company.
Mettique Sewing Workshop
I also stopped by for a workshop by exotic leather brand Mettique at Gaysorn Village. Managing director Met Hengtrakul conducted the workshop assisted by Paolo Testi, president of Tuscan tannery Conceria La Bretagna, who spoke about the production of natural leathers. Those who attended were able to try hand-stitching their own cardholder.
Met Hengtrakul explains the art of hand-stitching leather at the Mettique workshop
My very busy week also included meetings with clients, attending a cover photoshoot and spending the weekend running a booth selling pre-loved goods for charity at Peninsula Plaza. Of course, this doesn’t include work in the office as well. I really do need more than 24 hours a day!
At the charity fair at Peninsula Plaza
Previously: Naphalai’s Diary: November 18-24
