2019 has been a great year for the Club, and it ended in the same way it began – with a visit to Belga Rooftop Bar and Brasserie on the 32nd floor of Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, where we were warmly greeted by friends GM Oliver Schnatz, Chef Nicolas Bassett, and Manager (Master of Beer & Ceremony) Peter Laird.
 
Images conjured up by Belga include excellent beers, moules marinière, pommes frites, and waffles, but Chef Nico ignored these staples and instead laid on an innovative five-course menu that still paid homage to the Belgian theme.
Some who arrived early took the opportunity to sample the fine draft beers on offer, but our lunch officially began with tasty seared tuna and cheese croquet canapés accompanied by NV Alma Cuvee Franciacorta Bellavista (Lombardy, Italy), a refreshing and crisp Italian sparkler that all enjoyed.
 
Moving to the dining table, we were served Poached Canadian Lobster with Cauliflower Textures, Caviar, and Vanilla Dressing. The lobster was perfectly cooked, making it a colourful starter that was also surprisingly light tasting, as noted by Food Spokesman Mark Guthrie, who complimented Chef Nico on his use of a cauliflower puree blended with whipping cream (one of the “textures”) as the base.
 
This was matched with 2014 Tongue in Groove Waipara Riesling (South Island, NZ), which the wine maker said ‘offers a palate both rich and long yet perfectly balanced by the acid’. Wine Spokesman Jim Morrison (egged on by neighbours) was unimpressed, but all agreed it was better with food.

Beautiful Italian restaurant at Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok

When you think Italian, the classics come to mind; spaghetti bolognese, carbonara, and thin-crust pizzas. At iO Italian Osteria, they’ve brought the all Italy regions onto the plate so expect to find your classic or special Italian dishes flavored out of the ordinary!
 
In the chaos of Bangkok, an osteria-style Italian restaurant begs to be the difference when it comes to a unique Italian dining experience. iO’s interiors boasts rustic wooded, copper brass and ceramic-tiled décor sets a homely ambiance. Conceptualized on the powerful history of an Italian ‘osteria’, iO Italian Osteria replicated its designs around it, proudly continuing the Italian tradition with a modern twist.

The aromas of freshly-baked bread and spices linger invitingly when we enter. Chef Anna Borrasi, Partner and Group Executive Chef, welcomed us with such hospitality and journeyed us through her own culinary journey with iO. She had sought out special ingredients from Italy to Thailand to create a variety of dishes beyond what we’ve ever tried. Every menu in iO Italian Osteria was inspired by Chef Anna who proudly presents signature dishes from all parts of Italy.

Our aperitif started with the Crispy Golden Seafood (260 THB) consists of prawns, fishes and squids, served with garlic sauce and spicy sauce. The seafood combination was so fresh that it reminds us of scents of the sea.

​Unlike any other pizza experience, we tasted Chef Anna’s signature large size of pizza (720 THB). The pizza was a mixed 5 different toppings full of robust flavors served on a huge plate.

By CK Lee
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Fine dining in Bangkok is like haute couture. The food is a work of art and the chefs; exceptional. Their cooking is an odyssey in itself. Once plated, it resonates like a fashion statement. Each plate portrays a story, every menu crafted from chapters of culinary anecdotes.
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Such is the feeling invoked when dining at The Allium in The Athenee. Those of us who are blessed enough to call Bangkok our home will need no introduction to this hotel. Head up to their newly rebranded third floor for a gourmet experience that is distinctive and unforgettable.
 
The Allium serves European haute cuisine with a contemporary flair. We were promptly seated upon arrival and the experienced team put us at ease and presented the menu. Memoirs from Home is the culinary journey recommended. Crafted by the superbly talented Chef Roxanne Lange, and priced at 3280 Baht per person for 11 courses, this is great value!

edge restaurant, Hilton Pattaya has launched a unique ‘7 Days 7 Themes’ lunch buffet, a brilliant new dining concept featuring some of the world’s most popular and famous dishes, served with stunning panoramic views of Pattaya Bay.

The line-up changes daily so there’s always a variety of delicious dishes to suit every palate.
 
Monday ‘Smokehouse Grill’
Your choice of homemade BBQ and Churrasco, including pork sausage, pork neck, bacon wrapped chicken, chicken wing, smoked chicken, smoked pork shoulder. Tex-Mex menus are also available; taco, quesadilla, Tex-Mex salad together with churros. Only 580 baht net.
 
Tuesday ‘Mediterranean Classics’
Enjoy fresh and familiar Mediterranean cuisine featuring healthy ingredients such as olives, tomatoes, fish and vegetables. Highlights include selection of bread, cheese and cold cut, Antipasto, Tapas, Mediterranean salad, salmon in puff pastry with spinach, homemade pizza, pasta, Lasagna, Paella and Crêpes Suzette. Only 580 baht net.
 
Wednesday ‘Burgers, Sandwiches & Salads’
Choose your favorite from our freshly cooked burgers straight from the grill – beef, chicken and fish. Enjoy club sandwich, tuna cheddar melt, croque monsieur, chicken doner kebab, lamb kofta in pita bread, bananas foster and ‘create-your-own’ salads. Only 580 baht net.

Thursday ‘Hawker Highlights’
Enjoy a variety of favorite dishes from Southeast Asia such as Khao Soi (Northern Thai noodle), papaya salad, Hoy Thod (crispy fried mussel pancake), Phad Thai (stir-fried rice noodle in Thai style), Chicken Tikka Masala (Indian chicken curry), Dal Makhani (urad dal and kidney bean butter curry), Hainanese chicken rice and braised pork leg and Khanom Khrok (coconut-rice pancakes). Only 580 baht net.
 
Friday ‘Beachfront Seafood Grill’
Discover a Pattaya institution with white shrimp, crab, mussel, squid, river prawn together with internationalcuisine; sushi, maki, whole roasted chicken, homemade pizza, Asian and Western dishes, desserts and live station of waffle and pancake. Only 650 baht net.
 
Saturday ‘Wok and Roll’
Introducing a new and edgy style of Chinese, Japanese and Korean cuisine. Highlights include red pork and crispy pork with rice, dim sum, fried rice with Kimchi, beef with Gochujang, Tteok-bokki, salmon sashimi, sushi, maki, cold soba noodle, Yakisoba, Japanese curry, Teppanyaki, Bua Loy Nam Khing (rice dumplings in ginger soup) and Japanese crepe. Only 650 baht net.
 
Sunday ‘Edge Sunday Brunch’
Experience a truly spectacular Sunday Brunch offering a variety of premium dishes from around the world; seafood on the grill – tiger prawns, rock lobsters, steamed blue crabs, seabass in banana leaves, baked mussels, Japanese squids together with river prawns, seafood on ice – imported oysters, prawns, rock lobsters, whelks, New Zealand mussels, caviar, salad, sashimi – Maguro, Hamachi, Salmon, Tako, Sukaru Shrimp, Kani, Hokki Gai, Hokkaido scallop, sushi, live cooking station. Plus Australian lamb T-bone, Australian beef, pork chop, foie gras, Asian favorites, Western dishes and an array of mouth-watering desserts with chocolate fountain. Only 1,500 baht net.