ASIATIQUE ANCIENT TEAHOUSE - Century Old Maison Premium Yum Cha Experience

Dining in Bangkok is always constantly surprising and an absolute joy to experience the creative and innovative options. The vibrant waterside destination of the Asiatique Ancient Tea House is another one to add to your Bangkok culinary wish list. mylifestylenews writes.

Situated along the picturesque banks of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River and easy access by road and river, including shuttle boat services from the Saphan Taksin pier adjacent to the BTS skytrain, this painstakingly restored 111-year-old heritage wooden traditional tea house was first built in 1912 as part of the East Asiatic Company’s warehouse which was Thailand’s first trading pier while maintaining the colonial characteristics and aesthetic of the original historic building that have been well preserved and accentuated.

 

The refurbished design concept that showcases a “Celestial Hint from Heaven” with contemporary classic Chinese style elements, enhances the overall mood and notion to invite you to step into a world of colonial grandeur and classical grace.

The historic aesthetic interior features plenty of black-framing and floral patterned wallpaper in the centre lounge and dining area, adorned with some vivid colour cushions neatly placed on those sleek elegant rattan lounge chairs.

The interior also has a design concept that showcases a modern classic Chinoiserie style scheme, which is embodied in various distinct spaces: a glasshouse surrounded by greenery; 1890’s Blend Gallery, a chic and stylish cocktail lounge, an exhibit of fine tea selections; and The Blooming on the second floor, symbolizing the flourishing era of tea culture. All of these spaces are embellished with wall prints, art installations, the Horseshoe Arch and an extended balcony.

The menu is distinctively curated by Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park award-winning Chinese Culinary team since December 2023 with the concept based on the story of Emperor Shen Nong, who first discovered tea 4,000 years ago along with silk and spice, tea became one of the most popular products traded between Siam and China. And now, this living dining “museum” wants you to explore this relatively new dining option for the Cantonese inspired cuisine especially their delicate and flavoursome Dim Sum in a glamorously elegant and inviting ambience.

From 12 noon to midnight, get ready to step into a world unique blend of East-Meets-West Cantonese gastronomic galore featuring all-day premium Chinese Dim Sum menus. The vast range of the global and premium tea collection on offer is one of their key aspects, including Dark Silk Tea and Thida Green Tea from organic farms in Chiang Dao, Thailand, Bai Mu Dan White Tea from China, Sencha Green Tea from Japan, Darjeeling First Flush Tea from India and Rooibos Tisane from South Africa, to name but a few standouts.

Their innovative cultural cocktails are inspired by the world of tea especially for tea enthusiasts through the art and history of tea, overlooking scenic River of the Kings over lunch, dinner and even a sophisticated after dinner social lounge to chill. We opted for a 15 year old Pu Er tea from China which we thought would pair perfectly with the rich Dim Sum menu and we were in for some tasty bites.

<Alaskan King Crab and Shrimp with Spinach Dumplings>

Large chunks of Alaskan king crab meat are combined with the sweet, rich flavour of shrimp and spinach,topped with salmon roe wrapped with a thin layer of pink rice dough paste that was quite enticing. A good mouth-full size to enjoy the taste from the sea of its seafood combination that offers a great consistency of flavour.

<Stir-Fried Crispy Tiger Prawns and Salted Egg Yolk Sauce>

Specially selected tiger prawns are cut into bite-sized pieces and deep-fried until crispy on the outside, while retaining the juiciness of the shrimp inside. They are then tossed in a rich salted egg sauce, which adds a intense and perfect balance of sweet, creamy and salty flavours. This is a real standout dish, with that delightful combination of crispiness, rich aroma and the seasoned ingredients with the salted egg sauce that is a must order!

<Prawn Har Gao and Asparagus>

Moulded and shaped in golden fish-patterned dumplings to delight your eyes that was certainly too delicate to destroy and enjoy in your mouth. The dumplings were filled with large shrimp, chunky and meaty and diced asparagus. Despite the paste was a little thick on palate, otherwise quite tasty.

<Shrimp Wonton in Spicy Szechuan Oil, Peanuts and Spring Onions>

Yummy as it looks and three large dumplings are filled with whole shrimp, topped with Sichuan oil for that peppery kick that offers a spicy, fragrant flavour, along with a salty taste from fermented soybeans served on a brown stoneware. Simply delicious!

<Traditional Sichuan Hot and Sour Seafood Soup>

This is a spicy and tangy flavoured soup that contained a wide selection of seafood that included squid, scallop and shrimp simmered with vegetables and chili spices to create a rich, well-balanced boullion for its rich unctuous flavour and consistency that we very much enjoyed. A pleasant surprise order!

<Siu Mai>

Suppose a classic pork and shrimp Siu Mai dumpling with shitake mushroom and while it came steaming hot, it was rather disappointing on the palate for its bland taste and the meat combination and was rubbery and starchy. Passed!

<Char Siu Sou>

This honey-glazed barbeque pork baked pastry puffs is one of our all-time favourite dim-sum dishes, but we did find the glazing to be too sticky and it was in luke warm temperature when it was brought to the table, resulting in a soggy bottom and only a little flaky on the top. The pastry was a tad too thick and the filling too savoury, lacking that hint of sweetness combined.

 

<Pan-Fried Beancurd with Shrimp>

Another classic that is composed of pan-fried beancurd sheets filled with shrimp and once again the beancurd sheet was a little soggy and not flaky or crispy enough for our liking as well as the starchy filling also destroyed the entire palate.

<Deep-Fried Purple Sweet Potato Shrimp and Pork Puffs>

These fluffy delicacies came with  a mix of shrimp and pork that offered a well-balanced and harmonious flavour to pair perfectly with the potato and were deep-fried to a perfect crispy, puffy texture. It is a very ‘sweet’ presentation with the imagery of swans and creates the perfect dish for photos! A very happy dish!

<Steamed Crispy Prawns Rice Roll>

The rice noodle sheets are infused with beetroot juice, giving them a vibrant pink colour. Inside you have the crispy-on-the-outside and tender-on-the-inside fried dough wrapped with shrimp, offering a full, delicious flavour. The homemade accompaniment soy sauce complements the dish and enhancing its overall harmony. This was one of our favourite dishes for its yin-yang balance of soft and crunchy. Yummy!

<Steamed Hong Kong Kale with Oyster Sauce>

The naturally crisp and sweet Hong Kong kale is steamed to a perfect tenderness, then topped with a fragrant and rich oyster sauce. This was perfectly executed with the vegetable al dente, giving you that crunch in the bite. A simple dish that excels!

 

 <Braised E-Fu Noodles with Alaskan King Crab meat in X.O. Sauce>

This classic braised noodles has a chewy yet tender texture in a rich and aromatic  homemade X.O. sauce as well as a perfect blend of seasonings. This is then elevated with the addition of the sweet, Alsakan crab meat, adding that extra layer of sweet and savoury depth. So delectable!

 

<Sweetened Pumpkin Cream and Ginko Nuts>

This creamy dessert has a sweet and delicate flavour derived from the creamy pumpkin filling expertly cooked to a smooth, velvety texture. The addition of soft, subtle ginko nuts provided a delightful crunch in juxtaposition to the creamy texture, making the ‘soup’ both satisfying and unique, served delightfully warm and utterly delicious.

 

<Grilled Sweet Sago Soup with Melon and Coconut Sorbet>

This is a cold dessert that is not overly sweet and so refreshing that cleanses the palate somewhat with it’s icy sweet base that provides a fitting finale to our food experience overall!

 

We had already sampled such a large amount of dishes, so as much as we wanted more, we erred on the side of caution and went for less and the overall food experience was quiet enjoyable with some standout dishes that they executed to perfection.

The service, however, was not up to expectations, with the food coming much too quickly, resulting in some hot dishes not being enjoyed at the optimal temperatures despite a message was clearly delivered to remind them on the food delivery as requested and in accordance upon ordering. Staff communication somehow gets lost in translation, so not everything was as smooth as it could have been. Nevertheless, we would rather focus and immerse ourselves in this classy ‘Indochine” décor, sipping the thick, rich, even consistency of the Pu Er tea and those standout dishes. A happy and contented late afternoon well spent!

Tried & Tested:
Location: 5/5
Design & Decor: 5/5
Food & Beverage: 4/5
Service: 3.5/5
Value For Money: 4/5
Experience: 4.5/5

Asiatique Ancient Teahouse
Charoenkrung Soi 72-76,
Charoenkrung Road,
Wat Phrayakrai, Bangkor Laem,
Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 059 5999

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.

COMO Metropolitan Bangkok - Quiet Luxury Urban Chic Staycation

While simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance, to find that same essence by lounging yourself for a quiet luxury chic urban staycation, the COMO Metropolitan Bangkok has its niche to offer you the understated accommodation with sophistication. mylifestylenews writes.

Bangkok is a city that never stops, from its bustling street traffic, exotic Thai food, to one of the worlds most luxurious accommodations, the city skyline just continues to explode. The metropolis of this City of Angels has it all and yet you do not need to have a deep pocket to enjoy the excitements that this city has to offer. We are all spoilt by choice when it comes to choosing the hotel accommodation as the sky is the limit especially in Bangkok to enjoy the urban luxury and gracious and obliging hospitality, as well as refined dining experiences.

COMO Metropolitan Bangkok, located in one of the busiest precincts and Sathorn being one of the most prestige locations for business, luxury real estate as well as foreign embassies and consulates surrounds the entire area inevitably being one of the most sought after locales for all kind of reasons. COMO Metropolitan Bangkok manages to exude quiet luxury and ensconce you in an oasis of calm with all the right luxury touch-points.

Easy access by major Bangkok BTS and metro lines is another added bonus to claim one of the best locations in the city that will get you to the far flung corners of the city tourist hot-spots much quicker than a taxi can as the congested traffic shows no signs of abating. With the new opening of the One Siam recently - the latest luxury and arty shopping mall combined with gigantic convention centre and a few more international luxury hotels flocked into the entire MICE and entertainment complex, this has certainly become the most prominent and chicest hangouts for all Bangkokians, domestic and international travellers to access the extraordinary.

Upon stepping into the main foyer, Khun Mali, the doorman greeted us by our name with a pleasant surprise despite our last visit to this understated luxury urban boutique hotel a couple of years back.

Our check-in experience was not as smooth as the last trip despite most of the detailed information enlisted in the system yet the lack of warmth from the human touch was rather not so COMO’s way of hospitality being rendered. But all other service touch-points from that moment forward were exemplary. We were offered an escort to our room, but as we knew the hotel and had no suitcases to speak of by travelling light, we were happy to make our own way.

Funnily enough, the room allocation was exactly the same room as last time, which did not disappoint (sometimes we do prefer a different accommodation experience).

Some delightful welcome amenities awaited our arrival and we got settled in immediately and felt very comfortable in this 54sqm spacious and spotless Metropolitan room flanked by a simple black teak wood bench covered in Thai silk cushions.

The blinds were drawn for us to enjoy the direct views towards the lush urban garden-style immense swimming pool and the vigorous Sathorn Road with different vantage points of the Bangkok vista. Not many changes to the view could be ascertained from our memory, which was a blessing.

The 169 sleek city rooms and penthouse suites are designed by Kathryn Kng with Thai makha wood, oxidized brass panelling and unique artwork by local painter, Natee Utarit. The authentic expression of the destinations’ aesthetic and a statement of design with details and elements draw inspiration from both East and West, culminating in sophisticated spaces with curated antiques, silk curtains, mosaic and limestone bathrooms.

The hotel lobby is presented with design and decor in subtle sophistication and only exposed to the desired minimalistic aesthetic.

A few elaborately chosen art pieces and sculptures are well allocated to enhance the already charming and peaceful foyer in a detailed and carefully arranged manner, adorned with some classic mid century retro style furniture.

The secluded garden swimming pool is another haven to extend your R&R by pampering yourself in one of the many sun lounge beds by flipping the glossy magazines or dive into the fresh cooling water and do a few laps while escaping the humid climate.

For further indulgence, The COMO Shambhala Urban Escape sleek wellness is where you can seek some respite from the glare of the tropical climate and pamper yourself with one of the signature spa treatments that you won’t regret. We booked ourselves in for a 1 hour COMO Shambhala Signature massage that managed to soothe some tired muscles. You may also make time for the spa amenities for its roomy separated his and hers jacuzzi and sauna which are just the tonic for relaxing after a hard days tourist trekking and shopping.

Not forgetting the morning studio yoga sessions by two of their most dedicated and experienced rotating coaches to rediscover your own body flexibility and mobility while finding the precise balance and focus that is truly not to be missed. If you are a gym bunny, heads to the modern techno gym overlooking the secluded swimming pool while slashing off a few calories before heading to glow by energizing yourself for its sumptuous unlimited and specially crafted a-la-minute a-la-carte menu over a semi buffet breakfast to start your glorious day.

If dining out is not your idea of fun, their in-house Michelin star rated restaurant nahm serves elevated and unconventional Thai cuisine has become a destination in itself. Prior reservation is recommended to avoid disappointment for another distinct pilgrimage.

Most importantly, the hotel has maintained its’ (quiet) luxury presence for quite a few years due to some of their renown key factors: personalized service from long term and dedicated employees who remember the regular guests and understand their needs; spacious guest rooms designed to soothe the senses from the outside hustle and bustle; signature COMO bathroom amenities that we (most people) love; a luxurious semi-buffet breakfast of generous proportions; the Michelin rated Thai restaurant nahm serving classic and elevated Thai cuisine; and the ubiquitous COMO Shambhala Urban Escape that will cocoon you in a sanctuary of wellness. As the saying goes, so much to do with so little time.

glow

A delicious breakfast spread

COMO Metropolitan Bangkok is a true oasis of quiet luxury and with some stiff competition especially with the city’s overindulgent luxury choices, but sometimes the tried and true is better than the brand spanking new!

With dedicated and well trained employees and facilitated with some great amenities plus a little more consistency and tweaking here and there, it could edge out some of the current fierce competition in Bangkok hotel scene. The “bones” of the hotel are good and its design and decor aesthetic sets it apart form much of the rest of Bangkok and rumour has it, a new facelift is to take place in 2025 and will then be another brand new staycation experience in anticipation.

Tried & Tested:

Design & Decor: 4.5/5

Room Amenities: 4.5/5

Housekeeping: 5/5

Service: 4.5/5

Value For Money: 4.5/5

Experience: 4.5/5

Location: 4.5/5

COMO Metropolitan Bangkok

27, South Sathorn Road,

Tungmahamek, Sathorn

Bangkok Thailand

Tel: +66 2 625 3333

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.
 

CELADON - The Authentic Tapestry of Thai Flavour

CELDAON Review: The Authentic Tapestry of Thai Flavor While Bangkok is one of the melting pots for regional cuisine, its culinary experience always exceeds everyone's expectation, be it the bold and modern contemporary gastronomy or the traditional authentic royal Thai cuisines as well as the friendly and inviting drooling street food available on every corner. Fresh produce from different provinces of its unique geographical locations attains the phenomenal Thai flavors to the next level of accomplishment. There is always something for everyone. mylifestylenews writes.

Thai food is one of the world's great cuisines but is highly under-rated or dumbed down in so many countries that it is difficult to know what is authentic until you set foot in the land of smiles. Being one of Bangkok's renowned Thai restaurants, over the years, Celadon at the Sukhotkai Bangkok had delivered exquisite and outstanding Thai flavors for diners that truly appreciate real-good-feel-good authentic Thai food from century old recipes masterfully elevated.

Celadon refers to the traditional Thai stoneware – a story that goes back more than two thousand years in time. Celadon is known as the aristocratic oriental ancestor of the pottery family and takes its name from the elegant glaze developed by the master potters of the time. The stoneware that arrived in the Near East was credited with miraculous powers. And only recently, this ancient art was revived in Thailand, with a duplication of the old methods using the same raw materials. No synthetic, commercial dyes or clays are used in the production of modern Thai Celadon. All of the elements needed for this stoneware are from the earth and the jungles, and each piece is finished by hand. Needless to say, the tableware is unique and varied to reflect this tradition.

With the restaurant nestled on terraces encircled by serene lotus ponds, so the setting is also a feature to be admired. Celadon offers an authentic tapestry of flavors and spices, presented in an exquisite manner that will always be etched in your memory for all the right reasons.

Dining in Celadon is utterly blissful as they ensure that the experience overall is memorable, thanks to their dedicated and well trained service team that keep their eyes focused every minute to accertain that the service delivery is on point while you can relax and immerse yourself in this congenial ambience.The salivating crafted menu in Celadon has an extensive choice featuring a curated selection of timeless specialties from various provinces across Thailand that are faithfully prepared as they have been throughout time, by exploring the differences in flavors and cultures in each region of Thailand.

We particularly love the spice level, so we made sure to ask for local level of spice - รสชาติไทย - a typical uncompromising Thai Flavor (we eat what you eat from the spice level) as we couldn't enjoy some of the traditional Thai dishes without their primeval levels of spice. To which they seem a little surprised, as many of their local and international guests cannot handle the really hot spice (evidently), so we were excited to see what they could do in the culinary stakes.

As Thai food is more than just a menu, its cultural representation reflects the way of life and wisdom of people in each region. The extensive à la carte menu features a curated selection of timeless specialties from various provinces across Thailand that results in differences in taste (as well as the level of spice), ingredients used in cooking and faithfully prepared as they have been throughout the ages through its tropical climates, unique culture and tradition as well as external influences that has led to the fusion of food and impacted local food flavours.

 

<Papaya Salad> 

Green papaya, dried shrimp, peanut, chilli, grilled free-range chicken, steamed organic sticky rice, crunchy raw vegetable. Fresh and tasty, and spicy level just as it should be the local way and we were loving it. The grilled free- range chicken was another added bonus, tender and simply delicious. Cannot be faulted!

<Pomelo Salad> 

Pomelo, shredded coconut, ground peanut, grilled prawn. The pomelo was perfectly ripe and juicy, neatly presented on a striking gray stoneware with a harmony of savoury and sweet flavors coming through that makes the best compliment to the big smokey halved grilled Tiger Prawn tail - almost a lobster serving.The spectrum of textures creates a “chewy” delicious dish that you don't want to end. A classic Thai appetizer not to be missed!

<Tom Yam Goong> 

Large head to tail river Tiger Prawn was used to infuse the profound spicy and sour clear broth. Do not judge the book by its cover when comes to experiencing Thai food until you actually taste it as the vivid hue of colors from the ingredients used for each dish can be deceiving. Celadon's version of Tom Yam Goong exuded that spicy touch and had a rich flavor that was to be enjoyed to the full. It was quite deceptive, being light in broth and rich in flavor with a great intensity! The masterfully culinary skill can proudly claim full credit for such a beautiful classic dish executed.

<Pandanus Leaf Wrapped Chicken>

 Wrapped in fresh strips of pandanus leaves, the marinated chicken was then deep-fried extracting the redolent of the pandanus leaves and served with three flavored dipping sauce. As expected, a beautiful presentation that was to admire while savoring the juicy and tender chicken by dipping into any of the the sweet, Sour and spicy sauces – palm sugar, chilli and spice – followed with a slice of the pineapple made for such a delicious yin and yang palate that was so moreish. Simply delicious!

<Lamb Massaman Curry> 

Another amazing rendition of our favorite curry, with superb premium cuts of meat cooked to a medium spice in a great rich, unctuous and spicy sauce that makes the taste buds sing with delight. The lamb is so tender and flavoursome, served with potato Sala fruit and lotus seed in just the right portion for two. Superb!

<Grilled River Prawns> 

What you see is what you get from the Menu. Three giant size river prawns (200g), halved and char-grilled to perfection and well laid out on another beautiful stoneware accompanied by wild water plum and two sauces on the side. The prawns are huge and as fresh as you can get, with so much meat and so juicy and tender. The Nam Jim seafood sauce is well suited to savor these fresh prawns. Simply to die for if prawn is your preferred choice. What a fabulous dish!

<Phad Thai with Prawn> 

Wok-fried noodle, grilled giant river prawn, blue crabmeat, tamarind sauce, bean sprout and chive. This is truly an authentic Phad Thai al dente and almost caramelized; so unctuous; so rich in flavor; the right combination of quality ingredients (this is not always the case) and just delicious in every way imaginable. We would describe this as a Phad Thai perfection and the prawn was equally good as before in the previous dish.

<Charcoal Coconut Detox> 

Black bean, charcoal coconut detox sorbet. This has a dense texture that is not overly sweet and hits the spot. A wonderful sorbet concoction that will leave you wanting more, while also a great palate cleanser after all the rich and spicy food. A true elevation of the usual mango sticky rice must-have!

<Bean Puff Pandan>
Bean puff pandan, longan berry, coconut blossom sugar. This blissful and harmonious classic Thai dessert is simple and so delicious to enjoy. It has a lightness to it that won’t fill you up and leaves room for another dessert!

We ordered more than we should, but as it was our last night in Bangkok, it seemed fitting that we finished our sojourn with dishes and flavors that will not easily be forgotten. Portions are on the large size and let us just say once again the looks are deceiving! Quality of ingredients is first rate and so is the execution of every dish. The homage was reflected in the provenance of every ingredient and we could not fault anything and reveled in the deliciously authentic flavors, superb presentations and variety of plateware that created a seamless experience.

Khun Punch, our server of the evening ensured that we were not hurried and well apprised of every dish ingredients, as well as ensuring our requests were well noted, her graceful hospitality rendered was delightful. Celadon has been 33 years in operation and today was the first day for the new chef on board during our visit. What was clear is that every detail has been thought through from the visual to the taste and we were suitably impressed and humbled and kudos to the new chef who has taken on board such history. A triumphant dedication from the culinary art and elevated taste of the majestic Thai flavors that makes each visit to the Celadon an exciting, inspiring and enjoyable dining experience.

Tried & Tested:

Location: 5/5

Design & Decor: 4.5/5

Food & Beverage: 5/5

Service: 5/5

Value For Money: 5/5

Experience: 5/5

CELADON

13/3 South Sathorn Road,

Bangkok, Thailand

Tel: +66 2 344 8888 Ext 8654

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.