“Summer Time Afternoon Tea” at Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok
By Lifestyle+Travel
At the beautiful lobby lounge of Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, the hotel’s talented Pastry Chef Franck Istel presents a tempting interpretation of this popular tradition, with an afternoon tea that features a classic combination of homemade savouries and sweets, paired with a choice of Lavazza coffee or Ronnefeldt tea.
The tea ceremony begins with mouth-watering bites, including egg and caviar tartlet; Norwegian salmon mini bun, and lemon and dill fragrant cream cheese; smoked eggplant shell, chives and ruby pomegranate; and the most delicate finger sandwich filled with indulgent stuffings.
The delicious selections of sweets features a trio of choux: caramelised apple choux, Chantilly jasmine cream chocolate choux and passion fruit strawberry choux, as well as Earl Grey diamond with lemon jam; hazelnut tea cake; milk chocolate ganache; mini orange tart; and traditional home-baked plain and raisin scones served with clotted cream, passion fruit cured and raspberry jam.
The Traditional Afternoon Tea is presented every weekend from 14:00 to 17:00 and is priced at THB 750++ per person.
For more information or to make a reservation, contact lobby lounge at +66 (0) 2 162 9000, email: hanumanbar.siambangkok@kempinski.com or click here.
By LIFESTYLE+TRAVEL
5 Delicious Foods and Their Origins
Food is more than just something we eat to stay alive it’s one of life’s greatest joys. Every bite can carry history, culture, and memories. Some dishes were created just a few decades ago, while others have been enjoyed for thousands of years. From Thai street food to Italian kitchens, food brings people together. Let’s take a quick journey through five famous dishes around the world: Pad Thai, Pizza, Sushi, Kimchi, and Dim Sum and see how they are created. Pad Thai Pad Thai looks like an old recipe, but it’s actually pretty new. It was created in Thailand in the 1930s as a way to build national pride during a rice shortage. Stir-fried noodles mixed with shrimp, tofu, bean sprouts, and peanuts made the perfect dish. Cheap, tasty, and filling, it quickly became street food loved by everyone. Now, Pad Thai is one of the first dishes travelers try when they visit Thailand. Pizza It’s hard to imagine a world without pizza. It began in Naples, Italy, as flatbread topped with simple ingredients for workers. Later, tomatoes and cheese made it more delicious, and the Margherita pizza was created to honor Queen Margherita. From there, pizza took over the world thin and crispy in New York, thick and cheesy in Chicago. No matter the style, pizza remains comfort food everywhere. Sushi Sushi started in Japan in the early 1800s, though older versions of preserved fish and rice existed before. In Tokyo, chefs made sushi faster and fresher by serving raw fish on small rice balls that’s nigiri. It was quick street food, but today it’s considered an art form. Whether in Japan or abroad, sushi is loved for its freshness and delicate flavour. Kimchi Kimchi is more than food in Korea. People have been fermenting vegetables for over 2,000 years. The arrival of chili peppers in the 1500s turned kimchi spicy, and that taste became a national identity. Every family has its own recipe, often passed down for generations. It’s healthy, delicious, and always on the table in Korean homes. Dim Sum Dim Sum means “touch the heart” and that’s exactly what it does. It started in Chinese tea houses along trade routes more than 2,000 years ago. Travelers would stop for tea and snacks, which grew into a huge variety of dumplings, buns, and rolls. Today, having dim sum with tea yum cha is a social tradition that brings families together. These dishes aren’t just meals. They’re pieces of culture. Pad Thai shows Thailand’s creativity, pizza represents Italy’s influence worldwide, sushi highlights Japanese precision, kimchi reflects Korean heritage, and dim sum celebrates Chinese hospitality. Each plate carries a story, and when we enjoy them, we share more than flavors we share history. That’s the magic of food.
By LIFESTYLE+TRAVEL
The Excited Blend! A Sarnies Pop-Up Arrives at The St. Regis Bangkok
The coffee ritual at The St. Regis Bangkok takes an exciting new turn as the hotel partners with Sarnies, the acclaimed Singapore-born roastery celebrated for its bold flavours and quality beans. From November 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026, guests can experience this exclusive Sarnies Pop-Up at The Lounge, blending artisanal craftsmanship with the timeless sophistication of The House of Astor. Within the elegant setting of The Lounge, guests are invited to indulge in Sarnies’ signature creations — from the indulgent Crème Brûlée Honey Latte to the tropical Thai Coconut Latte. These handcrafted beverages are perfectly complemented by a curated menu of coffee-inspired cocktails, sandwiches, and pastries, including exclusive treats like the Espresso Banoffee Pain Suisse and Coffee Honey Medovik Cake. Whether for an informal business meeting, a relaxed afternoon, or a stylish evening gathering, The Lounge now offers a sensory escape defined by aroma, flavour, and sophistication. A highlight of the pop-up is the drip coffee station and bean display, inviting guests to explore Sarnies’ origins and craftsmanship. The lineup includes single-origin beans from Thailand, Brazil, Colombia, and Honduras, alongside the house favourite Tiramisu Blend, a smooth medium-dark roast uniting beans from Thailand, Myanmar, and Guatemala. Guests can also take a piece of the experience home with a curated selection of Sarnies merchandise and packaged coffee, available exclusively during the pop-up period. The Sarnies Pop-Up Store at The Lounge is open daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, from November 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026 — an unmissable celebration of coffee artistry at one of Bangkok’s most refined addresses.
By LIFESTYLE+TRAVEL
Setting the Beach Club Scene: RAVA Beach Club by Banyan Tree Phuket
Taking the holiday season in style, RAVA Beach Club by Banyan Tree Phuket makes waves as the island’s newest beachfront sensation — a lifestyle destination where design, energy, and oceanfront living come together in perfect harmony. Stretching 180 metres along Bang Tao Beach, RAVA redefines the beach club experience. It’s not just a place to sip cocktails by the sea — it’s a destination for every mood and lifestyle. From sunrise yoga and water sports to family dining, kids’ activities, and tranquil escapes, RAVA fosters connection: with nature, with loved ones, and with the art of slowing down. Three stunning infinity pools anchor the experience, each transforming with the rhythm of the day. Mornings begin with serenity and sparkling sea views. Afternoons invite sun-soaked lounging and conversation over signature cocktails. Evenings ignite with golden-hour hues reflected on the water — and as night falls, energy rises to the beat of the waves. Three Zones, Three Experiences RAVA is designed around three distinctive zones, each offering a unique way to enjoy the beach club lifestyle. Young & Fun The vibrant heart of RAVA, this social hub offers 180 outdoor seats, three infinity pools, and luxurious cabanas for all-day lounging. From laid-back afternoons to high-energy evenings, guests enjoy live DJ performances, immersive entertainment, and dazzling fire shows that illuminate the night sky. Master Grill Dining becomes an art form at Master Grill, where chefs command live-fire grills for a multisensory culinary performance. Guests savour dry-aged meats and seasonal seafood — tiger prawns in the rainy season, sea crab in summer, and fresh grouper by year-end. The monthly Pura Vida Sunday Brunch with Free-Flow Veuve Clicquot Champagne (THB 6,900 per person) delivers a taste of indulgence, complemented by an innovative wine dispenser that lets guests explore premium global wines by the glass. Prestige Reserved exclusively for Banyan Group Residence owners, Prestige offers refined tranquility. Private infinity pools, air-conditioned dining rooms, and curated soundscapes create an atmosphere of pure relaxation — ideal for intimate gatherings or quiet ocean-view escapes. Private Gatherings Made Perfect Beyond its daily allure, RAVA shines as a destination for private celebrations. The club features five VIP rooms, each with space for 10 guests and unobstructed sea views. These can be combined for larger events — from birthdays and anniversaries to corporate gatherings. With expert event planning and bespoke menus, every celebration becomes a signature RAVA moment — unforgettable, elegant, and framed by the sea. How to Get There Fly comfortably to Phuket via Bangkok Airways. For reservations and inquiries: Tel: 076-372-456 Website: www.ravabeachclub.com