Guru By Bangkok Post's pick of the most exciting products, activities, food and travel to indulge in.
JOIN
International Jazz Day 2024 / Unesco x Hitman Jazz x Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit / April 30
Experience an evening of pure jazz magic at the International Jazz Day 2024 celebration, orchestrated by Vichart Jirathiyut of Hitman Jazz in collaboration with Unesco Bangkok, at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit on April 30. The event pays homage to the rich heritage and universal allure of jazz beginning with a fireside chat with none other than Vichart; Soohyun Kim, regional director of Unesco Bangkok; Robert F. Godec, US ambassador to Thailand; and Dr. Narong Prangcharoen, dean of the College of Music at Mahidol University. Prepare to be captivated by live performances featuring Sunny Trio and Natt Butita, and Jazz Synergy. There will be pre-show canapés at Rossini’s, while the main event will take place at The Living Room. Limited seats are available. Visit the hotel’s website.
Dazzling evening / Lost & Found / April 26
Head to Lost & Found at the Avani Riverside Bangkok for the "Diva Night Brunch" on April 26, where the cocktails are strong, but the ladies are stronger! Strap-on and buckle up for a gender bender, with despicable drag queens and perverted performers, while the chef knocks up daring dishes, like his fish tartare and spider crab risotto, and you stay lubricated with some of the capital’s most creative cocktails, as the DJ gets your pulse pumping. Visit the hotel's website.
Art market / La Lanta Fine Art / April 26-28
The second La Lanta Art Market takes place this weekend. La Lanta Fine Art will have an array of gallery-grade open edition art prints from Europe and North America. There will be more than 500 posters with prices starting at two red notes. From Warhol, Van Gogh and Monet to old masters’ Renaissance art. The gallery offers a special price and framing service on-site.
Petals and people / Whoop! / May 4 to July 21
"Blooms With The Wind Blows" is Marisa Srijanpleang's debut show, showcasing her story through photographs of clumps of grass flowers from the Thai-Cambodian border. Marisa sought out these humble flowers while also delved into the stories of people affected by the Cambodian Genocide, including her family's narrative. She uses photographs of flowers to narrate the stories of ordinary people blown away by the gales of history to different places. Marisa seeks her family's memories that have been separated and lost during time of war. Whoop! is on the third floor of Seacon Square Srinakarin.
Fifty shades of roses / Hop Photo Gallery / May 4 to July 21
"Yummy Rose" is Naraphat Sakarthornsap's photographic ode to the flower and its significance that goes deeper than its beauty. It explores the production system, consumption and trading of flowers in Pak Khlong Talat, particularly focusing on market manipulation and price control of flowers. Of course, flowers also serve as tools for conveying emotions, love, concern, sympathy or even sadness. The artist presents images of a hundred red roses that journeyed from farms in Chiang Mai to Bangkok. While being transported, these flowers lose their shape.
Pop-up store / River City Bangkok / From May 1
Fans of give.me.museums, known for floral paintings, can show their support to the artist at the upcoming pop-up store to be launched at The Gallery Shop on the first floor of River City Bangkok from May 1. The special pop-up store will transform The Gallery Shop into a flower garden, as you would expect from give.me.museums. Be ready to be enveloped by colourful flowers and nature as you enter the store's interior. Inside, adorable products perfect for souvenirs and gifts await. Commemorate your visit at the photo booth, which features two different frames for your cute photos.
EAT
Special dinner / Rossini’s / April 26
Rossini’s at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit will host an exclusive premium beverage dinner on April 26. Crafted by executive sous chef Giacomo Vinci, the evening will commence with a welcome canapé and a glass of prosecco, followed by an appetiser crafted using elegant angel hair pasta, with sublime sea urchin and Hokkaido scallops for the regular menu and fresh cauliflower for vegetarian clientele. A delectable dish of Grilled octopus with tomato confit and octopus ink, or an Asparagus and ficoide salad with Parmesan, will then be followed by a fish course of Halibut on seared monkfish liver with a citrus sauce or Pumpkin rigatoni, toasted hazelnuts and Pecorino. The main course is Grilled pigeon on onion gratin with pigeon and vanilla jus. Dessert is an Apple tart with almond confetti and vanilla gelato, followed by handcrafted petit fours, Segafredo coffee, tea and sweet treats. Each course is paired with six Italian premium beverages, including Tuscany’s celebrated red Chiantis and vibrant white premium beverages from Castello di Meleto and Tenuta del Buonamico, the DOC vineyards which have been producing premium vintages for generations. Visit the hotel's website.
New restaurant / Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
Thai Chef Thitid "Ton" Tassanakajohn will open his newest culinary venture, "Sood By Chef Ton". The restaurant will be housed in the historic Farquhar Mansion, in the heart of Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. The chef has partnered with Regal Blossom and the restaurant is set to mark a milestone in bolstering Penang's dynamic tourism and creative economy sectors. Sood By Chef Ton will be designed with appreciation for Penang's history and culture, evoking the vibrant era of Georgetown. The "fun, casual Thai menu," according to chef Ton, will cater to the Penang market. "Penang’s rich tapestry of cultures and flavours presents the ideal landscape for Sood," says chef Ton. "Our aim is to blend Penang’s cherished culinary heritage with cutting-edge global gastronomic innovations." Sood will also serve as a collaborative space for local and international chefs, fostering a melting pot of culinary creativity.
Collab dinner / Igniv Bangkok x Lae Lay / May 2
Igniv Bangkok's David Hartwig will join forces with executive chef Christian Herrgesell of Lae Lay, the fine-dining seafood restaurant at Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Presented on one night only, May 2, the dinner will blend modern Swiss flair with Asian-inspired seafood delights of Lae Lay, and includes a welcome drink and a special three-glass or a six-glass wine pairing. There's also a six-glass glasses non-alcoholic pairing available. Visit the restaurant's website.
Wine and Wagyu / The Crystal Grill House / May 2
The Crystal Grill House at Chao Phraya River will host a special five-course dinner, showcasing one of Australia’s most sought-after meats: Margaret River Wagyu beef. For one night only, on May 2, prime cuts of Margaret River Wagyu beef will be highlighted in a dinner paired with curated wines from Margaret River. Expect a trio of amuse bouches, followed by a Beef tartare complemented with bone marrow, caviar, pickled papaya and sourdough. A seafood course will present Toothfish served with chargrilled fennel, crispy kale and a creamy mussel sauce. The main course will be Margaret River Wagyu striploin with white asparagus, potato purée and oxtail sauce. The meal ends with an Amaretto panna cotta, served with chargrilled pineapple, cape gooseberries and pop rock candy. Visit the restaurant's website.
Seasonal menu / Salathip Thai Restaurant / Until June 30
The Shangri-La Bangkok’s Thai restaurant Salathip’s chef de cuisine Yanavit Theerasomboonkun crafts irresistible dishes that captures the essence of the season until June 30. The star of the show is the Ayutthaya river prawn. Specials dishes include Grilled river prawns, River prawns in spicy Southern style yellow curry with cumin leaves or Steamed river prawns with glass noodles and ginger. Visit the hotel’s website.
Afternoon tea / The St. Regis Bangkok / Until May 31
The St. Regis Bangkok has launched a follow-up to its "Van Gogh-Inspired Afternoon Tea” with an updated menu, being served until May 31. Enhancing the afternoon tea experience, Ivan Zabolotnyi, beverage manager at The St. Regis Bangkok, has crafted special drinks, including cocktails and mocktails. Indulge in exclusive Van Gogh-inspired merchandise items such as The St. Regis Bangkok’s “Little JJ” teddy bear couples, tote bags and tumblers. After stepping into the House of Astor, immersive decorations throughout the hotel highlight the display of framed replicas of the masterpieces and other sunflower-themed adornments, offering a multi-sensory experience to capture picture-perfect moments. The latest version of the tea showcases edible sweet masterpieces created by the new executive pastry chef Nuntida Panyabaramee and savoury items created by chef de cuisine Pongsakorn Boonruang. The chefs draw inspiration from paintings like Long Grass With Butterflies, Wheat Field With Cypresses and Sunflowers. Visit the hotel’s website.
Spring tea / Waldorf Astoria Bangkok / Until May 31
With spring comes vibrancy and colours, signifying new beginnings and a fresh cycle of life. The hotel celebrates the season with a “Spring Afternoon Tea” served in Peacock Alley until May 31. Delight in savoury pastries like Hamachi with ponzu jelly and shiso leaf; Baeri caviar & rice puff pocket with onion cream; and Foie gras cranberry macaron with port wine purée. Indulge in sweet bites such as Red Fuji apple mousse with ginger; Matcha paired with green tea chantilly and cranberry; and Pink sakura flower with yuzu ganache, raspberry and rose water, among other delightful treats. The tea comes with freshly-baked scones and a choice of Mariage Frères tea or freshly-brewed coffee. Visit the hotel’s website.
Flower and herbs / Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park / Until May 31
The Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park is serving the creative “Flower And Herbs Afternoon Tea”, featuring a selection of bite-sized delights that showcase natural and seasonal ingredients such as edible flowers and aromatic herbs, all paired with premium tea and freshly-brewed coffee. Indulge in sweet treats like a Pandan peanut bar, Carrot and lavender cake, Tonka bean tart, Rose cake, Orange blossom curd and Basil cheesecake, plus classic scones with clotted cream and elderberry flower jam. These will be served alongside sublime savoury delicacies, of an Edible flower basket with feta and watermelon, Spice and herb marinated salmon, Red king crab salad with citrus flowers and Smoked chicken and tarragon mini buns. Visit the hotel’s website.
Traditional dishes / Uno Mas
Uno Mas on the 54th floor of Centara Grand at CentralWorld has expanded its culinary repertoire to offer diners a rich and diverse selection of Spain's most iconic dish — paella. Crafted with precision by chef Roberto Gonzalez Alonso, each paella is a blend of Spanish round rice, a variety of herbs and spices including, saffron, salt, pepper and paprika, topped with a generous squeeze of lemon, all masterfully prepared in a traditional oval pan. Five different varieties are available: Uno Mas paella, a fusion of free-range yellow spring chicken and succulent seafood; Lobster paella features wild Canadian lobster; Pyrenees paella is with wild mushrooms and Ibérico Secreto pork; Half and half paella is half a portion of lobster and Pyrenees paella; and Seafood "Mariscos" paella is a seafood lover's paradise, with mussels, prawns, squid, clams, scallops, capsicums, tomatoes. Visit the hotel's website.
Anniversary celebrations / Meliá Chiang Mai / Until June 30
Meliá Chiang Mai turned two this month and to celebrate has launched a few new experiences. In Ruen Kaew Lounge, the “Gourmet Leaf Tea Set” with organic teas will be served. Expect a sticky Chiang Mai longan pudding served with homemade fresh coconut ice cream, Mediterranean mandarin, Rose with French vanilla and Blueberry and pomegranate. The longan is sourced from the Rong Khum farm in San Pa Tong and the tea set is being served until June 30. Meanwhile, YHI Spa is offering an indulgent 60-minute Mangosteen scrub, which gently buffs away dead skin cells to leave the skin softened and glowing, until June 30. Visit the hotel's website.
STUFF
Designs reborn / Alexander Lamont
Spring iconic designs from Alexander Lamont’s core collections are reborn for contemporary lifestyles in fresh new colours, materials and tone-on-tone finishes. The Maluku floor lamp and table lamp are alluring connected cones of natural parchment finished and detailed with dark patinated brass. New iterations in Leaf Green, Pepper Grey and Azur parchment bring a medley of soft tones to interior spaces. Natural parchment is hand-dyed in our workshops to keep the character and grain while creating warm lively notes of colour for contemporary interiors. Visit the website.
New device / Lenovo Tab M11
Lenovo recently launched its latest device made for entertainment but designed for learning in Thailand. The new Lenovo Tab M11 tablet is the go-to “me time” device for students, movie connoisseurs and doodling artists. This tablet makes it an affordable option by offering high-end features at budget-friendly prices. The tablet is equipped with the Lenovo Tab Pen, a handy stylus that delivers writing, drawing and scribbling experience. Lenovo Tab M11 comes preloaded with a variety of premium software that enhances usability: Nebo to convert handwriting into text, MyScript Calculator 2 to solve equations and functions in real-time and WPS Office to easily view and edit documents. Lenovo Tab M11 is available in Luna Grey and Seafoam Green, weighing around 465g and is 7.15mm thick, with an 11in. IPS with anti-fingerprint LCD display. The Lenovo Tab M11 can split into two screens for notet-aking or drawing while watching videos and features an immersive reading mode. Visit the website.
Joy on your wrists / Swatch x Verdy
The latest collab between Swatch and Japanese graphic artist Verdy results in a collection of cute and afforable watches that exudes joy. Born in Osaka and living in Tokyo, Verdy has worked with some of the world’s leading names in films, sports, streetwear, and luxury fashion. The five new watches feature Verdy's iconic characters. Available at selected stores.
STAY
Sip and stays / Madi Paidi Bangkok / Until June 30
A new package offers two hours of free-flow beverages, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast and more at Madi Paidi Bangkok, Autograph Collection. “The Individualist — Sip & Stays” is ideal for solo travellers or couples, who can enjoy a chilled early check-in from 12pm. Unwind and soak up the vibe of the boutique hotel and take a dip in the rooftop Vitamin Dee Pool or workout in the state-of-the-art fitness centre. As the sun sets, drop in at Ekkaluck Bar for two hours of free-flow drinks. Breakfast awaits with a lazy late check-out at 4pm, the next day. The package is available until June 30. Visit the hotel's website.
