Samranraj Cuisine: Pranakorn-inspired Delectation
By Lifestyle+Travel
As a Bangkok-born who has always lived here, there is something about this city that never ceases to amaze me. One of my most favourite spot to re-visit from time to time is Pranakorn Area. Samranraj is one of the districts in the area, famous for old houses and street foods, as well as one-off lifestyles. The cushy fusion between Thai, Chinese, Indian, and Western influences of the district is dulcet in the way no other place is.
Chef Bank, a native of the area, who is the chef at Samranraj Cuisine, narrates the charming way of living around here through his finesse in culinary arts and impressive knowledge of Thai ingredients. His cuisine fuses cultures with flavours, as if he is taking you on a journey in Thailand from the northernmost part to the south, while making a stop at Samranraj district to peek at the beautiful cultural blend.
At Samranraj Cuisine Restaurant, I get to try the dinner set in a casual yet exquisite setting. The semi-open kitchen makes the dinnertime even more enjoyable.
In the southern part of Thailand, there are a large number of Muslim people, and they add their unique flavours to various dishes, one of them being “Salad Khaek”. On the Samranraj Rice Crackers, the sweet-and-sour zest of the salad is added to chunks of fresh crabmeat and culantro from the North, creating a succulent sensation over the crispy rice from the Central region.
For Wild Hokkaido Scallop Som Tum Ceviche, when common dish like Som Tum is made extravagant, it feels like home, with cutting-edge redecoration. Topped on papaya salad are jumbo-sized fresh scallops. Instead of simply adding chilli to the salad, the chef transforms it into jelly, so the whole experience is marvelously textured.
Vegan-friendly Banana Flower Salad is utterly nutritious, while being rich in flavours. Pomelo adds juiciness to the dish so gorgeously.
And then it is time for the mains. Poached and Seared Foei Gras & Duck is a seamless, stunning blend of Western and Chinese flavours. Instead of cooking common Dong Po Rou, duck and foei gras are poached in Po Rou water, so that the unique herbal aroma seeps thoroughly in the meat. The sided mulberry chutney complements the dish so well. When savouring everything together in one bite, it gives unexpectedly heavenly senses.
Thai Wagyu Beef brings the best charcoal-grilled beef from Sakon Nakhon to the plate, peppered with ground roasted rice, making each piece crispy on the outside, and juicy on the inside. To reveal the famous Isaan-style flavours, spicy “jaew” dipping is served alongside.
I am usually not a fan of lamb, but when I try Charcoal Lamb Cutlet Massaman Curry, I must say this can easily be my favourite. This is a great combination of Chinese, Indian, and Western tastes, crystallising the charming cultural diversity of the district. The tender lamb and rich-in-flavour Massaman curry goes brilliantly with one another.
After having had a long delectable time, dessert is the way to say sweet goodbye. Jasmine Panna Cotta Ginger Jelly is topped with golden egg yolk threads, which makes the sweet-smelling panna cotta tastes even more paradisiacal. Frisky Mango Lotus Tea Jelly & Crumble is served with coconut ice cream poached in Chinese tea, alongside with refreshing mango purée as the crumble of the plate.
SAMRANRAJ CUISINE
Villa De Pranakorn
543 Mahachai Road, Samran Rat Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon District, 10200 Bangkok
T. +66 (0) 2 221 1122
E. info.bkk@villadepranakorn.com
W. www.villadepranakorn.com/restaurant.php
Text by Pakvipa Rimdusit
Photos by Nissorn Somrattanakul
By Lifestyle+Travel
Come Sleep
Supreme Stay in Seoul At the heart of Korea’s Silicon Valley sites DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo, ready to serve all travellers both business and staycation. It targets “unpretentious comfort-seekers who appreciate being taken care of and value human connections”. Setting the Scene The first full-service upscale hotel in Seongnam, DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo sits a short 10-minute drive to Pangyo Techno Valley with its IT and medical industries, and a distance of 58 km from Incheon International Airport and 16 km from Gangnam Station in southern Seoul. Still, it is surrounded by nature with most rooms showcasing a mountain view, and the colour palette is neutral and muted, inspired by the lush foliage surrounding the property. I was welcomed warmly in high-ceilinged lobby where an efficient staff completed my check-in in no time at all. I was told that the hotel consists of a total of 432 hotel rooms and 162 residences, and offers and indoor swimming pool, sauna, outdoor tennis court, a screen golf range as well as the largest state-of-art banquet facility in the area – basically, everything one would really need for a happy stay, be it for business or leisure. Getting Comfortable I was happy seeing ceiling-to-floor windows in my Premium Corner Room (43 sqm), with a view of foliage on the grounds. The abundant natural light that came into the room was welcoming and set me at ease. The separate cloak room was located opposite the washroom which was behind a solid wooden sliding door. The in-room facilities were of premium quality. I enjoyed the scented Crabtree & Evelyn amenities, and soaking in the tub while overlooking the verdant view. DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo is truly a good “home away from home” in Pangyo, I assure you. Dining Options Demeter keeps all guests very satisfied with its buffets, though it offers an à la carte menu as well. You’ll find local and international options to keep your stomach happy all day long. Do watch out for complimentary bites of local “Comfort Food” as well, which aim to nourish the soul. Mine was a bowl of Doenjang Jjigae, a stew which was hearty and filling. On a higher note is Nyx, the sleek rooftop bar and bistro offering tasty fusion bites and a panorama of the city. Why I’d Return The Ambassadors of Feel Good Moments (assigned staff) did a marvellous job making me feel comfortable and welcome from check-in till check-out. In addition to the signature warm cookie welcome, I received a welcome message in my guestroom written in my own language. Additionally, the staff knew about my upcoming birthday. Such personal touches and warm hospitality elevated my stay and impression of the hotel. One or Two Quibbles… The automatic light in the cloakroom kept turning off while I was still unpacking; I must have been taking too long. I had to exit and then re-enter the cloakroom to turn it back on. DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo 26 Baekhyeon-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea 13553 T: +82 34 678 5500 F: +82 31 678 5600 W: DoubleTreebyHiltonSeoulPangyo.com IG:
By Lifestyle+Travel
Chasing Light
Festive times gather lights from around the world to paint the world with magical hues, and Macao is one of the destinations that shines out the light of joy beyond time. This year, the famous “Light up Macao 2023” organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) in collaboration with six integrated resort enterprises, will showcase its wondrous amusement from now until 25th February 2024 under the theme “Dazzling Wonderland.” The lighting plans include a variety of romantic and colorful light installations, interactive installations, and mapping shows on Macao Peninsula, Taipa, and Coloane. The enchanting light arts will illuminate the city, creating a unique wonderland at night that will not only be the talk of the town but also a world wonder. Expect the scene of Macao lighting up not just for the festive season, but the Dazzling lighting event will span major festivities such as the Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao SAR, Winter Solstice, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day, Renri, and the Chinese Lantern Festival in 34 locations across seven districts: Central District, Praia do Manduco District, Nam Van District, Zona Nova de Aterros do Porto Exterior (NAPE), Northern District, Taipa, and Coloane. There will be 36 light installations, 20 interactive installations, and 3 mapping show venues. The illuminations and interactive installations will light up different corners of communities at different stages. The highlights of the event include the Projection mapping shows at the front square of the Macao Science Center, Largo dos Bombeiros in Taipa (the façade of Cozinha Pinocchio Taipa), and the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier in Coloane. The projection teams are from Macao and the two UNESCO Creative Cities of Design – Seoul, Korea, and Wuhan, China. Their participation manifests the glamour of creative cities’ collaboration across fields in Macao and contributes to the concerted development of “tourism + culture and creativity.” In addition to making memories last longer and expand wider, visitors are invited to take photos on-site to share with the hashtags #lightupmacao2023 or #illuminateinmacau2023 on social media or obtain postcards and collect stamps at the information stations in various districts. Each stamp is themed after the major installation of each corresponding district. Upon collecting all the stamps in seven districts, a mobile phone holder as a gift can be obtained, and you can enter the grand lucky draw. Gifts will be available while stocks last. For more information, please visit the website for Light up Macao 2023 👉 https://lum.macaotourism.gov.mo
By Lifestyle+Travel
Mercedes-Benz Thailand’s Locally Produced Masterpiece, Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e, Unveiled with a Two-Tone Paint
Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) introduces a top-end luxury masterpiece to cater to the high-end clientele, presenting the Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e in a locally produced version for the first time. Thailand stands as the first country to produce the two-tone variant, embodying the essence of the longstanding Maybach brand’s philosophy, “the very best of the very best” This luxurious vehicle comes equipped with a Plug-in Hybrid powertrain capable of achieving over 100 kilometers according to the WLTP standard, excelling in all aspects of performance, exterior and interior design, along with the cutting-edge technology and convenience features. It offers an unparalleled experience to the driver and the passengers, complemented by the Mercedes-Maybach Lifestyle Concierge Service, provided by “Quintessentially” a global lifestyle assistant, to Mercedes-Maybach owners for three years from the handover day. “The introduction of the Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e in the Thai market is a testament to our commitment to delivering the pinnacle of luxury under the Maybach brand, aligning with the philosophy inspired by Wilhelm Maybach, the founder of Maybach. We have strived to craft the highest level of automotive engineering artistry under Mercedes-Benz, earning celebration from numerous global celebrities who own the Mercedes-Maybach brand. One of the standout features of the Mercedes-Maybach is the rear passenger compartment, designed meticulously to provide a first-class experience, ensuring the utmost comfort in every detail. In addition to the luxury that all customers will experience as Mercedes-Maybach owners, another exceptional aspect is the elevated experience of the Mercedes-Maybach Lifestyle Concierge Service, in collaboration with Quintessentially, a full-service lifestyle concierge. This service aims to solve urgent and complex personal challenges, including travel planning, reservations at world-class restaurants, and organizing special events, allowing members to enjoy their valuable time with a peace of mind, reflecting the meticulous attention to detail that Mercedes-Maybach represents.” Mr. Martin Schwenk, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) Limited ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━👇🏻━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ The locally produced Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e in the two-tone paint (Obsidian Black / High-tech Silver) is available at 11,200,000 baht. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━👆🏻━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ For further details and exclusive privileges of the Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e, please contact Authorized Mercedes-Maybach Dealers or visit the website https://www.mercedes-benz.co.th, along with all Mercedes-Benz’s social media platforms.