THIEN DUONG @ Vietnamese Food Paradise In Dusit Thani Bangkok

Who would have thought by having Vietnamese food when you are in Thailand where Thai food dominates almost the entire dining scenes without any question on its authenticity in its own gastronomy. But, never say never. Thien Duong Vietnamese restaurant in Dusit Thani, Bangkok is an open eye for mylifestylnews to have a second thought by savoring some true Vietnamese food without any hesitation……

Thien Duong means ‘paradise’ in Vietnamese, which is fitting given the restaurant’s elegant surroundings and fantastic menu featuring the authentic flavors of Vietnam. This signature restaurant was created at a time when no one was doing Vietnamese cuisine in Bangkok, so the powers that be at Dusit Thani had a desire to introduce this fine food to Bangkok and after our lunch, we can see why.

Since its opening in the 1970, it had become an icon of the hotel delivering the bona fide Vietnamese cuisine underpinned by Thai artistry and graciousness.The menu has all the classic dishes you wish to experience, it was rather challenging deciding what dishes to focus on for a lunch and we suggest you come with a fee more company to enjoy a much more variety offered from the menu.

We came up with a menu that we thought it would cover a fairly broad cross-section of Vietnamese ingredients, starting with the Thien Duong Khai VI, a combination platter of fresh spring rolls, beef in Good King Henry leaves, fried sugarcane skewers with minced shrimp and charcoal grilled pork balls. This classic combination platter is a great way to set the taste buds flowing and nothing dampened our expectations with a beautiful plated presentation is the best way to sample Vietnamese starters in such introduction.  Fresh spring rolls is the all time favorite to everyone when comes to Vietnamese food without fail, the beef in leaves was juicy and flavorsome where the deep fried prawn with sugar cane is the best company with beers to wash down the heat and light grease. Simply delicious!

Something will be missing if pho is not ordered as it is a staple on every Vietnamese menu, so we opted to try Pho Bo and Pho Ga, the classic rice noodle soup with beef and chicken. Both were incredibly satisfying in taste and generous in portion and we gleefully slurped our way through this delicious noodle soup as the clear broth is the soul on pho and each variety was as good as the other, the meat was of a high quality and flavor and only needed to be light cooked by the hot broth while served.

Goi Tom served next, a spicy shrimp salad with lemongrass and delivered on all fronts with very fresh prawns and a spicy/tangy lemongrass sauce that was utterly delicious and refreshing.

Meat sausages is another most popular on demand dish when comes to enjoying Vietnamese food, Goi Lua Hap Nuong, steamed or fried Vietnamese pork sausage wrapped in flat rice flour noodle. Such a dish conveyed very delicate flavors with a little zing of spice in the chili which we loved.

The Tom Lan Me Chien, deep-fried river prawns with sesame seed served with garlic plum sauce gave us another chance to enjoy a different style of cooking prawns and river prawns is utterly rare to find in Hong Kong. Hence, this is a supreme opportunity to be able to savor such delectable dish. It was a beautiful presentation and the outer casing was superbly deep-fried and came with the crispy basket made with prawn cracker equally delicious and easily break off a piece and best enjoy by itself or with the  dipping sauce.

Such a variety of spice and rich palate of flavors meant that we had to have something sweet to balance out the lunch; we were offered the Nuoc Vai Trong Qua Dua Tuoi, lychee sherbet in a young coconut shell and a Kem Chuoi Vanilla, a banana fritters served with vanilla ice cream. Yum, Yum, Yum!

Each dessert was rooted in classic tropical fruits that never fail to please when simply prepared like this to let the key ingredient shine. We dutifully scraped out the sweet coconut flesh inside to eat with the lychee sherbet and the French influenced fritter batter on the banana was so light and delicate in composition. Both were a great palate cleanser after a huge variety of food to leave you that ‘sweet’ feeling on departure.

There was so much other food we didn’t try from the massive menu but we had so much to enjoy with what we sampled and quite clearly the chefs have a handle on making Vietnamese flavors to please the connoisseurs. We could tell that all the ingredients were freshly prepared and of a quality that you expect when dining in such salubrious interior that has a certain Vietnamese vibe. Despite the low ceilings, it is a more restrained elegance compared to their Thai restaurant’s grandeur but very easy on the pocket when you see the menu prices with such consistently tasty food that dance on the tongue with simplicity and beautifully presented. Dining in Thien Duong is a refreshing change when you savor too much Thai food that is enjoyably livened up the palate again with new flavors. This restaurant is definitely worth a visit in its own right with a truly Vietnamese authenticity taste that comes with passion in his culinary and elegant elegant surrounding.

Tried & Tested:

Location: 4.5/5

Design & Decor: 4/5

Food & Beverage: 4/5

Service: 4/5

Value For Money: 4.5/5

Experience: 4.5/5

Highlights:

Pho

Nuoc Vai Trong Qua Dua Tuoi

THIEN DOUNG Dusit Thani Bangkok

946, Rama IV Road,

Bangkok Thailand

Tel: +66 2200 9000

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated. 

The House of Ruinart Presents ‘Wall Art’ by Erwin Olaf @ Art Basel In Hong Kong

Ruinart has been joining forces with the most exceptional talents for a long time. In 1896, the House commissioned a renowned Czech artist named Alphonse Mucha to create the first famous advertising poster for Ruinart. In celebration of its 120th anniversary, Ruinart presents a series of 26 ‘Wall Art’ images shot by multi-award winning Dutch photographer, Erwin Olaf. The House’s commitment to the arts since the 19^th Century has become inspirational, continuously expressed through the years by its participation in leading international art fairs and, in particular, through engaging world-renowned artists to create artworks inspired by the fascinating heritage and craftsmanship surrounding the prestigious champagne house.

As the official champagne of Art Basel, Ruinart gives artists carte blanche to decorate its VIP lounge, where the dynamism of the modern art gallery meets the luxury of Ruinart’s finest as another confirmation of the House’s centuries-old affair with arts. In 2016, Ruinart is unveiling the works of Erwin Olaf, who photographed a series of twenty-six ‘Wall Art’ images to illuminate the contemporary art found in cellars of the house. With his eye for perfection and reverence, the choice of Erwin Olaf became evident. The Dutch multidisciplinary artist emphasises precision in all visual elements painterly lighting, flawless hair and make-up, settings that create an allure of serenity but these highly stylised, polished depictions always have a subtext, addressing social issues, societal taboos and gender politics.

On his first visit to Reims, Erwin was fascinated and impressed by the depth and immensity of the Crayères (chalk pit cellars) and decided to concentrate on the details of their prehistoric natural formation and the traces left by man. With a signature style centred on the rigorous and architectural use of light, Erwin Olaf is famous for the rich colour palettes and textural visuals that infuse his intriguing portraits. However, his work for the house of Ruinart is intended to be a unique, almost revolutionary departure from his usual, baroque and hypnotic style. The characteristic tension often found in his subjects is replaced with a new sensation – a sense of serenity that has been captured in a singular moment in time.

In this artistic collaboration with Ruinart, Erwin Olaf used the Hasselblad camera that has been his constant companion for the last thirty-five years. Although he shot in black and white, he gave the photos a more luminous effect than if they had been created in colour. Apart from the twenty-six ‘Wall Art’ images, Erwin Olaf also employed his cinematic approach to photography to design an animated image paying tribute to the first collaboration in 1896 between the House of Ruinart and Alphonse Mucha. Using the poster designed by Mucha 120 years ago as a guide, the celebrated photographer reinterprets it for Ruinart by creating an artwork designed for the cellar-box (available in limited quantities in Hong Kong). The curves engraved subtly in the chalk-coloured wood recall the many arabesques of Mucha’s style.

Christian Wijnants SS2016 Collection

Christian Wijnants SS2016 Collection drawing from the linear heritage of modernist architecture and the plastic arts imagines an effortless and featherweight for the collection built on flyaway lines and frayed, translucent textures with a vertical purity.

A bleached palette of whitewashed cream, ivory, and ecru tones is shot through with hothouse flower shades of marigold, cerulean, mango, and flamingo pink.

In a nod to the erotic sculptures of Constantin Brancusi’s ‘Birds in Space’ series, the collection’s linear silhouette is declined in arching swatches of raw-edged silk organza and georgette that tumble down spaghetti strap sundresses and layered skirts.

Shift dresses in elegant, deconstructed shapes are tacked with peeling layers of collaged textiles: jacquards flecked with jacquard polka dots and fine pinstriped silk, or spiralling bands of printed fil coupé.

A Swarovski crystal stripe injects a frisson of movement into camisole tops and tailored shorts, just as Wijnants’ signature culottes return tied with a ribbon waist. Intarsia knit separates intonal jacquards feature a graphic stone print, whilst a transparent nylon thread produces a sheer, celluloid effect. The season’s wrapped elastic sandal sits on a wooden block heel, exemplifying the textural harmony that accentuates the collection’s sense of unfinished beauty and irreverent romance.

Audemars Piguet Celebrates Unveiling The New Lounge @ Art Basel 2016 Hong Kong

Audemars Piguet kicked off 2016 by celebrating the unveiling of their new lounge for Art Basel’s 2016 shows at Art Basel in Hong Kong, with a VIP Party on Wednesday 23rd March 2016. The water-based installation on an interactive floor, drawing from the water and ice theme of the new stand. Video projections created the impression of a ripple of water forming with each step, producing the feeling of walking on water. Cocktails were also served in an ice bar, in line with Errazuriz’s new ice cycle design.

Audemars Piguet released The Art Projects of Audemars Piguet 2013-2015, a 115-page book summarizing the company’s growing engagement with contemporary art. With an introductory essay surveying the intertwining history of fine watchmaking and art, the richly illustrated volume includes texts, interviews, and documentation about Audemars Piguet’s manifold partnerships in the visual art world and about the exceptional artistic projects undertaken with the patronage and active involvement of the brand in recent years. As global Associate Partner, Audemars Piguet continues to support Art Basel across all three of its shows in Hong Kong, Basel, and Miami Beach. This multi-year partnership is a testament to both organisations' shared commitment to creativity and Audemars Piguet’s strong will to continue promoting artistry and innovation.

Olivier Audemars, Audemars Piguet’s Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, welcomed guests to the event saying: “As a proud global Associate Partner of Art Basel, we are very excited to be here and introducing these new designs. Since 2013, Audemars Piguet has presented innovative lounge concepts in the Collectors Lounge at all three Art Basel shows, inviting designers and artists to creatively interpret Audemars Piguet’s home, the Vallée de Joux. This year, we are thrilled to present a new concept by Sebastian Errazuriz which takes inspiration from ice formations and the beautiful snowy winters there.”

Sofitel SO Bangkok @ So Chic So Inspiring

Overlooking the entire lush of green of Bangkok famous Lumpini Park, Sofitel SO Bangkok is the result of a one-of-a-kind collaboration between awarding-winning Thailand’s leading architects as well as the hotel stylist Monsieur Christian Lacroix for his opulent designs that have come to embody French haute couture at its most splendid and extravagant. The tres chic, tres superb staycation inspires mylifestylenews……

The Sofitel brand has eleven elegant hotels dotting the Asian region, with lavish properties in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines, that include flagship hotels of the fashion-forward SO Sofitel brand that develops uniquely designed hotels infused with lots of local energy as each new Sofitel SO hotel inviting world-renowned designers to leave their mark on the brand.

Sofitel SO Bangkok is a truly urban design hotel that creates its own niche with the Accor brand of hotels. Location also plays a prime part in the success of this hotel with overlooking Bangkok renown Lumpini Park with beautiful, tranquil treed canopy views from many different vantage points within the hotel environs. In a city of contrasts and one that never sleeps, Sofite SO Bangkok tells the story of the Five Elements – Water, Earth, Wood, Metal and Fire which strives to create harmony of place and individual balance through the synergy of the these elements, each of which has its own unique energy and characteristics.



The Stylistic ballroom foyer

You have a choice to choose the room element provided they are not running a high occupancy. We chose our guest room element on arrival and opted for the Earth element with the deep blue shades. We were allocated a corner room which provided an even greater experience. The room was like an aerie with fabulous views far and wide with two aspects to enjoy.

Artistic design are found everywhere in the hotel

 There are high ceilings with space galore, floor to ceiling windows which can be curtained off at the touch of a button, so the last thing you see before going to bed and the first thing you do when you wake up is to stare at the far reaching drop-dead-gorgeous views of Bangkok’s skyline and Lumpini Park aka the miniature version of Central New York right in front.

Our corner room has sensuous curves and some quirky design touches, you don’t feel like you are living in a box. With black and white tiles defining the bathroom space and wooden floorboards for the rest of the room, the room can be a totally open plan or you can close the sliding doors with porthole windows at the bottom to close off the entrance foyer corridor and bathroom to the bedroom area. This playful touch goes so well with the mythical forest graphics on the walls.

The open plan design results in a space that is very large and the bathroom takes up more than a third of the guest room floor plan with rooms starting at 38sqm where our corner room is in the vicinity of 48sqm.

As featured in the hotel, the first four elements inspire the design of guestrooms spread respectively over different floors, while Fire is represented in the all day dining restaurant by the signature Red Oven. While you won’t get to stay in all four elements represented in the guestroom designs, the mood shifts from immaculate white (Metal), to ravishing blue (Earth), a calming wood and light interactive design (Wood) and dark and mysterious tones (Water). All rooms have floor to ceiling windows for you to absorb the striking views of Bangkok.

Sofitel SO Bangkok is also Asia’s first hotel to offer a fully connected lifestyle, with all of the 238 rooms and suites equipped with fully integrated Apple Mac mini Solution provided by DirectStreams that offers an unprecedented range of media entertainment and guest services at the touch of a button. There are some hot spots for dining and socializing within the hotel as well with stunning views to match, they truly aim to give you a great all-round experience inside the walls of this stunning hotel.

The spectacular and uninterrupted Lumpini park view from the well designed infinity swimming pool.

One of the best things to do while staying in Sofitel SO Bangkok is to make sure you spend enough time in this irresistible infinity pool. 

Lumpini Park plays a very important part where the five elements are readily in evidence – the earth of the ground and soil, the wood of the trees, the water of the ponds, the metal of the surrounding environment, and the fire of the sun overhead. Subsequently, these elements give you reasons to pause, reflect, relax, indulge and take time out to enjoy the world passing by outside the hotel’s doors.

“SO” many details had been well thought through and amenities given pause for thought to ensure that they nailed it – the infinity pool on the 10^th floor is superb in size as well as the SO Spa on the 11^th floor to wrap your mind, body and soul both comes with a stunning skyline view through Lumpini Park.

Monsieur Christian Lacroix’s influence and design elements can be found in many other aspects by bringing his personal touch of theatrical flair, fantasy and folklore to the fore with the creation of Sofitel SO Bangkok’s signature emblem. The Tree of Life  is the center piece that encapsulates all of The Five Elements into one creating a harmonious balance.

With his magic adding to the stunning five elements inspired designs, you will discover Sofitel SO Bangkok differently even from the staff eclectic and spiffing uniform design that bringing bold colors and floral touches into designs that merge traditional Thai dress with  the sharp lines of French tailoring. An Asian-inspired nouveau take on the age-old motif, the powerful “Neo Arbre de Vie” is the realized vision of a true artist and an emblem unique to Sofitel SO Bangkok.

Daily breakfast is served at the Fire element floor in Red Oven that boasts a myriad of flavors where the kitchen’s work and Qi offers a well blend of Local Thai mixed and western selection. As you have always no worries on Thai’s breakfast selection when you are in the land of smile as they always outshine themselves and not afraid to bring out the best with consistency. The western options are equally good although the croissants were rather disappointing for a luxury French branded hotel produced in less fluffy yet soggy in texture. The ambience has such a great vibe especially when the weather is sunny and bright with those soaring ceilings.

The oneiric spirit is a metaphoric expression of time through the ages, the imagination runs loose with a visionary take on a traditional in the street lobby. We enjoyed our stay and enjoyed looking at different design elements within the hotel as the mood changed throughout the day with the changing light. while there are some niggles about some aspects of the service, the staff has their hearts in the right place to offer some outstanding examples of hospitality that would create some great memories. This urban design hotel is where creativity and innovation have no boundaries, with a cutting edge city living concept that encapsulates why you need to immerse yourself in this modern and distinct Sofitel SO Bangkok.

Tried & Tested:

Location: 4/5

Design & Decor: 4.5/5

Food & Beverages: 3.5/5

Housekeeping: 4/5

Room Amenities: 4/5

Service: 3.5/5

Value For Money: 4/5

Experience: 4/5

Highlights:

Inspiring Design & Decor

Sofitel SO Bangkok

2, North Sathorn Road

Bangrak, Bangkok

Thailand
Tel: +66 2624 0000

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.