CK Lam | EZ MALAYSIA.NEWS

by CK Lam

Bangkok has a global reputation for world-class restaurants, hotels, luxurious spas and modern shopping malls besides the many points of interest. We explored some at leisure during our trip to the capital of Thailand.

曼谷除了众多享誉全球的闻名景点，还有着世界顶级豪华餐厅、酒店，豪华水疗中心和现代化的购物商场。我们在泰国首都的旅行期间，探索了一些休闲生活方式。

LUXURIOUS STAY
Bangkok is home to many luxurious hotels and a stay at the 5-star Dusit Thani Bangkok on Silom Road was a perfect experience. This luxurious city-center property has travellers living up in style at its Dusit Room and Thai Heritage Suites which combined modern luxury and comfort with classical Thai accents.

Residents of the hotel are treated to relaxing greenery at the historic Lumpini Park, an oasis of serenity and greenery located opposite the hotel. On top of that, the biggest advantage is that the hotel is located within steps from the BTS Skytrain Station and MRT Subway Station – which conveniently connect you to your destination, shopping hubs and entertaining centers.

For those interested in designer items, head to the many retail shrines like EmQuartier, Siam Paragon and Central World Plaza. The EmQuartier is the latest opening to indulge in retail therapy. Leaning towards the more luxury side of Bangkok’s booming mall scene, the mall offers a list of designer brands like Chanel, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, and Prada.

豪华体验住宿
曼谷是许多顶级豪华酒店的家园，其中位于是隆路 (Silom Road) 的老字号五星级曼谷都喜天阙酒店 (Dusit Thani Bangkok) 显得相当完美。这家市中心豪华酒店的都喜贵宾房和泰式传统套房，分别拥有现代豪华舒适与古典泰式风情。

住宿酒店的客人可以到历史悠久的Lumpini公园放松身心，这是位于酒店对面的宁静绿地。此外，酒店拥有最大地理优势：距离BTS轻轨站和MRT地铁站仅有几步之遥，方便快速到达景点、购物和娱乐中心。

而世界级奢华品牌的集中朝圣地如最豪华商场EmQuartier，暹罗百丽宫(Siam Paragon) 和中央世界广场 (Central World Plaza)。EmQuartier是开启品牌欲望的起点，商场倾向于曼谷蓬勃发展的奢华购物商场面貌，一系列设计师品牌如：香奈儿、芬迪，Jimmy Choo，华伦天奴，杜嘉班纳，古驰，迪奥和普拉达。

Chef Philippe whips up delicious Thai dishes at Benjarong Dusit Thani

CULINARY DELIGHTS
Bangkok has charmed the palates of many foodies with its many distinct food and beverages outlets. If you prefer Thai flavours, the Benjarong housed on the lower lobby of Dusit Thani Hotel offers interesting modern contemporary Thai cuisines that are distinctly Thai at heart. The all-stars of Thai cuisine such as Kaeng Kiew Wan See Krong Neau Toon (sous-vide beef ribs in green curry), Pad Thai and Tom Yum are served here. The chef deconstructed the sour and spicy Tom Yum dish and had the ingredients and garnishing composed in a bowl with a table side pour of the soup. Among the highlights of the dessert include basil ice-cream with fresh pineapple and salty meringue, red rubies and jackfruit with coconut ice-cream, and the mango sticky rice. The revamped nitrogen mango sticky rice is refreshing combined with the accompanying mango sorbet.

Definitely worth checking out is Red Sky, Bangkok’s most iconic sunset look-out spot. Located at the 55th floor of the 5-star Centara Grand hotel, the fast lifts will zip you up to the rooftop restaurant and bar which offers 360-degree amazing city views. Wrap up the day with sunset cocktails and specialties from the menu which features fresh locally-sourced seafood and prime imported steaks. The Prime A3 Japanese Wagyu, and chef’s signature dish Red Sky Surf & Turf Tower are not to be missed. After the meal, sit back and relax with a glass of Royal Coffee. This signature speciality coffee on Red Sky’s menu has its flavour enhanced with cognac, brown sugar and whipped cream.

If you are in the mood for a fine meal of wagyu beef and foie gras without all the pomp and circumstance of a fine-dining outlet, head over to the sumptuous buffet dinner at Espresso. The bistro in Intercontinental Hotel serves fairly international fare. You can expect free flow of the luxurious ingredients from the cooking station alongside array of seafood and assortment of sashimi
and sushi.

When night falls, dressed fashionably and venture out to the world’s first VOGUE Lounge. Located on the six floor rooftop of Mahanakhon Cube, the chill-out space with indoor area and vast al fresco terrace welcomed its first visitors in 2014. Its interior boasts a classic tricolour scheme of black, white and gold, with walls adorned with the brand’s expressive fashion & lifestyle magazine covers. On the other hand, the al fresco terrace is a perfect spot to chill amidst the nearby towering Mahanakhon Tower. For food and drinks, savor classic cocktails, fine wines and fashion bites created by Michelin award winning chef Vincent Thierry. I am drawn to the mini salmon cones with soft delicate salmon tartar accented by fresh salmon roe, almonds and zesty horseradish sauce.

舌尖极致美食
曼谷是许多美食家垂涎之地，集中许多独特美食和饮料餐店。如果热爱泰国风味，住在都喜天阙酒店的食客可前往酒店底层大厅Benjarong餐厅品尝各种走心的泰国美食。泰国美味佳肴最大亮点如Kaeng Kiew Wan See Krong Neau Toon（真空低温青咖喱牛排骨），泰式炒米粉和泰式冬荫功。厨师解构酸辣冬荫功餐点，把配料和饰菜组合到碗里再倒汤。至于重心甜点就是九层塔冰激凌搭配新鲜菠萝和咸香蛋白酥皮筒，石榴和波罗蜜搭配椰子冰淇淋，还有就是芒果糯米饭。而经过改良的液态氮芒果糯米清爽结合芒果汁冰糕。

红色天空（Red Sky）不容错过，这是曼谷最具标志性的日落观景点，位于五星级圣塔拉大酒店（Centara Grand）的55楼，快速的升降电梯到屋顶餐厅和酒吧，360度美妙的城市景观视觉享受。日落鸡尾酒和特色菜肴，包括最生鲜本土海鲜和上佳进口牛排的菜单。 Prime A3级日本和牛，还有厨师的招牌菜：红色天空海陆大餐（Red Sky Surf & Turf Tower）令人赞叹。而饭后来一杯皇家咖啡松弛心情，Red Sky的这款特色咖啡增添干邑，焦糖和生奶油的风味。

假如你迷恋香嫩的和牛肉和鹅肝，却苦于没找到精致餐厅，Espresso丰盛的自助晚餐将会是最佳选择。这家位于洲际酒店（Intercontinental Hotel）的专属酒吧餐厅供应国际美食。除了一系列海鲜与各式各样的生鱼片和寿司，还有更多令人惊艳的豪华食材川流不息从烹饪中心献上。

而在夜幕降临时，配合典雅时尚装扮，我们到世界上第一家VOGUE时尚酒廊（VOGUE Lounge）。在立方大楼（Mahanakhon Cube）6楼的楼顶，这个带有室内区域和宽敞的户外露台休闲酒廊在2014年迎来了第一批旅客。经典黑，白和金色的内部装潢，墙上装饰着VOGUE品牌风格时尚与生活方式杂志封面。另外，户外露台比邻高耸的Mahanakhon塔，创造完美视野环境。至于餐饮菜单，品尝经典鸡尾酒、精致葡萄酒，还有精美点心由米其林获奖厨师Vincent Thierry奉上。我被一道迷你三文鱼卷搭配细腻三文鱼酱，带有新鲜三文鱼籽，杏仁和香浓辣根酱的小食虏获。

SPA & WELLNESS
No trip to Bangkok is complete without spoiling yourself with spa treatments. In the kingdom of beauty, health and pampering, one can visit the many spas and health centers that care for your body, mind and soul. Let Diwana Nurture Spa, and RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort be part of your pampering journey. At both outlets are spa a la carte menus where one can pamper with custom-designed treatments. After the treatment, you will find yourself sipping tea and enjoying fresh fruits.

Health service and medical care centres are aplenty in Bangkok. The Vitallife Wellness Center, which is part of the Bumrungrad International Hospital, is one such place that can accommodate your health needs. Packages for health screening are offered to suit your needs. Here is also where you can get tailored vitamins and supplements to assist in revitalizing aging and also PRP platelet rich plasma treatment.

水疗法与健康
曼谷旅行少了spa水疗是一种极大的缺憾。在这个优美，健康和呵护的国度，透过许多水疗中心和保健中心的疗程，关爱你的身体，思绪和灵魂。尤其让 Diwana Nurture Spa 和RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort 成为您舒适旅程的一部分。所有门店拥有水疗单点菜单，在那里尽情享受定制疗程。而在疗程后，还可以松懈自己心情喝杯茶和享受新鲜水果。

曼谷也具备规模性的保健服务和医疗中心。Vitallife Wellness Center 是 Bumrungrad International Hospital 属下保健机构，而其中健康检查套餐也将针对状况满足您的健康需求。除了可以获取定制的维生素补充，并协助恢复活力和PRP富含血小板血浆治疗。

CULINARY CLASSES
There are so many top culinary classes in Bangkok whereby visitors can pick up some cooking skills. Enrol yourself in one of the cooking classes and learn how to dish out some Thai delicacies. With a visit to Naj Cooking School on Thanon Convent, just off of Silom Road, one can prepare the tom yum goong, pomelo salad and phad thai with surprising ease under the guidance of Chef Ohmmy Ayasanond. At the end of the class, it is a feast of cooked dishes spread on the table in its lavishly decorated restaurant.

We enjoyed the phad thai; a dish of lightly charred flat rice noodles, with shrimps, chopped sweet turnip, garlic, tofu, and egg, accompanied by Chinese chives, bean sprout, crushed peanuts and lime wedges. Its sweet-tart flavors are accomplished using tamarind juice, fish sauce and palm sugar.

All in all, my Bangkok experience basking in luxury gives me much lasting pleasure. Even before I reached my home destination, the facilities inside the Suvarnabhumi Airport departure lounge are enough to keep me comfortable and satisfied.

华丽烹饪课程
曼谷开设许多顶级烹饪课程，旅客也可参与学习一些烹饪技能，尤其是泰国美食。在是隆路(Silom Road)参观Thanon Convent附属的Naj烹饪学校，在主厨 Ohmmy Ayasanond的指导下，开始动手烹煮冬荫功，准备柚子沙拉和泰式炒米粉。在课程结束后，装饰华丽的餐厅桌子摆上了菜肴，完全是一个盛宴。我们喜欢泰式炒米粉，配料有扁平米粉、虾仁、萝卜丝、大蒜，豆腐和鸡蛋，还有韭菜，豆芽，碎花生和青柠。它的酱汁风味是使用罗望子果汁，鱼露和椰糖调味完成。

结论是，在曼谷体验奢华体验让人愉快无比。甚至在飞抵我家之前，素万那普(Suvarnabhumi)国际机场出发休息厅足以让我感到舒适和满意。

In a land where spicy street food and Hokkien cuisine rule supreme, there is one heavyweight champion that is slowly turning the tide by introducing impeccable Cantonese Szechuan cuisine in a classy setting that is fit for a king. Set in Maple Gold Club, a grand heritage mansion tucked in the millionaire’s row of Penang’s swanky Northam Road (or Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah), is Maple Palace Restaurant. The restaurant has made a name for being one of the top places frequented by the well-heeled millionaires and socialites of Malaysia’s high society.

The proprietor and head-chef of Maple Palace, Tan Loy Sin, or Loy as he goes by, recently hosted celebrated food critic and writer, C.K. Lam, and EZ to sample the restaurant’s new menu. Lam, who runs one of the most visited food websites in Malaysia is widely regarded as an authority on the Penang food scene and has written for numerous publications in Malaysia and beyond.

Joined by Loy and his partner Vivien Teoh, we were treated to a sumptuous spread that included Double Boiled Watercress Soup with Pork Ribs, Braised Abalone with Sea Cucumber & Black Mushroom, Fresh Water Prawn Curry with Mantou, Steamed Marble Goby with Superior Soya Sauce, Steamed Chicken, and finished with a sweet note with the Sweetened Ginger Tea with Glutinous Rice Ball.

As the tantalising aroma of the food wafted, the conversation around the table naturally turned around to food. Lam, who originally hails from Kuala Lumpur, was soon sharing her insights on the restaurant industry with Loy. ‘Most important is the food, and so is the word of mouth,’ she said, explaining that when customers like the food and service in a particular restaurant, they spread the word to their friends and family, which everyone at the table agreed that it works even better than any advertisement.

Echoing Lam’s sentiments, Loy in turn shared with the table his attitude on running a successful restaurant. He said that customers’ feedback was very important to him as he strives to maintain the type of service and quality that has come to be accepted of Maple Palace. ‘We need to be in tune with our customers’ preferences, and so, much thought is put into deciding what goes in our menu,’ said Loy, who personally creates the course set menu.

Lam chimed in, saying ‘There is much competition these days and Maple Gold is one of the Chinese restaurants that is on top of the game. Loy works closely with his kitchen staff in maintaining the standard for the food and keeping the menu fresh and exciting. Dishes are prepared with bold and exciting flavours using quality and fresh ingredients.’

‘Many know the restaurant for its comfort fish steamboat. Among the large selection of delectable dishes, the fish steamboat is one dish that I will order time and again. The aromatic soup boiled for hours has lots of flavour and depth,’ she said, ‘Maple Palace is also a must go destination for waxed meat claypot rice (Lap Mei Fun). This fragrant dish which is available during the festive Chinese New Year period is prepared with preserved Chinese sausage, waxed duck thigh, goose liver sausage and Chinese wine.’

On what was being served that afternoon, Lam said, ‘The curry udang galah (fresh water prawn), which is part of the new exciting menu, is a huge winner. The fresh prawns stand up beautifully to the divine combination of Indian spices and the ladies’ fingers made a perfect accompaniment to this spicy dish. You can have it with deep-fried mantou or white rice.’

The other dish that stood out for her was the beautifully steamed marble goby dish. ‘The steamed fish in soy sauce is a simple dish and it is put together with a dazzling sauce – the chef uses the high quality Kikkoman soy sauce.’ As for the dessert, the self-professed sweet tooth had this to say about the desserts at Maple Palace; ‘A must-try dessert is the black sesame glutinous rice balls done two ways – served in warm ginger tea or rolled in grinded peanuts. I particularly like the ones in ginger tea.’ As each one of us polished off the hot aromatic bowl of Sweetened Ginger Tea with Black Sesame Glutinous Rice Ball, we had to agree with Lam.

For more information or to make reservations, please call +604 227 9690 / +604 227 4542 or visit http://www.maplepalace.com.

EZ MALAYSIA.NEWS

Tag Archives: CK Lam

Uncovering The Taste of Luxury in Bangkok 曼谷奢华品味

A Flair for flavour