L2
events
Vol. 05 No. 14 | Jul 16-31, 2017
Lethbridge Wine Dinner at The Okura Prestige Bangkok's Elements restaurant by John K. Lindgren photos: GFour Fine Wines and Spirits
The Okura Prestige Bangkok. This ultra-modern Japanese luxury hotel sits on a super prime location in the heart of CBD Bangkok, Ploen Chit BTS. The name says it all The Okura Prestige and the Elements restaurant is taking its identity cue from the four elements of earth, water, fire and air. The concept is contemporary lifestyle dining with modern gourmet gastronomy. Recently a dozen of Bangkok’s wine aficionados gathered at the Elements restaurant on the 25th floor with balcony access and panorama vista. Our host was Australian physician PhD turned vigneron Dr Ray Nadeson. Gastronomy by The Okura Prestige Bangkok’s Australian executive chef Antony Scholtmeyer. Welcome toast. We raise our flutes of sparkling Bellavista Alma Cuvee Brut Franciacorta. Dry or “brut” – the perfect kick-off. Then the culinary fireworks start by chef de cuisine Antony Scholtmeyer and his team. Scallop tartare scented with hajikami ginger served with creamy egg yolk, soya bean wafer, watercress and fresh wasabi. Heavenly paired with a world-class Pinot Gris by Lethbridge 2016. Alsatian style, exhibiting an attractive blend of delicate pear, blossom and citrus aromas. Perfect with the ginger-watercress-wasabi combo. Next the pink salmon poached in olive oil with sancho served with mushroom consommé jelly, pickled mushrooms and nori wafer. Pairing with Lethbridge Chardonnay 2016 a beautifully clean, pure nose of ripe melon, lemon zest, white peach, lychee and honeycomb, with traces of baked apple. The fruit was handpicked from vines yielding 1.52.0 tonne/acre. Lethbridge is a boutique winery, par excellence. Our host the medical doctor, researcher who became a passionate winemaker tells us about his grapes, his 25-year-old Lethbridge Victoria vineyard and winery. The aim is to produce natural, savory wines that focus on balance and texture with a real sense of place or terroir. The first main course from the Elements kitchen arrives: duck paired with Pinot Noir. Duck roasted in honey and spices with Japanese flavors: soba grains, red cabbage, charred Japanese turnips and
eve n ts c a le n d a r “AVATAR: DISCOVER PANDORA” EXHIBITION Date: 1 July – 3 September 2017, 11 am – 9:30 pm Venue: MCC Hall, 4th floor, The Mall Bangkapi Activities: Tourists and film-lovers now have the chance to explore the world of AVATAR in a state-of-the-art interactive exhibition based on the 2009 blockbuster film by James Cameron. The “AVATAR: Discover Pandora” exhibition is making its first Southeast Asian stop in Thailand. Visitors will experience “the breathtaking environment and amazing creatures of Pandora” in 10 zones recreated in the 2,200 sqm of the exhibition space. The creative team behind AVATAR: Discover Pandora has worked to create the phenomenal beauty of the alien world that people enjoyed in the film. This includes settings such as the “Tree of Souls” and recreations of creatures including the “banshee” and “viperwolf ”. Visitors will be able to interact with the displays, thanks to sensory technology and also learn about space travel and science, as well as discover what Pandora can tell us about ecosystems on Planet Earth. Tickets cost 490 baht for adults and 390 baht for children with family packages available. Purchase tickets via www.allticketthailand.com, http://store.ais.co.th, and all 7-Eleven branches. For more information: www.avatardiscoverpandorath.com
Siam Paragon Watch Expo 2017 Date: 24 July – 15 August 2017 Venue: Siam Paragon (Hall of Flame, Hall of Mirrors, Crystal Court, Watch Boutique and Watch Galleria, Paragon Department Store, M floor; Fashion Hall, around Void pathway and Star Dome, 1st Floor)
raspberry vinegar jus. Washed down with a most impressive Lethbridge Pinot Noir 2013. Abound with power, both in fruit density and tannin yet juxtaposed with lifted aromatics and long acid backbone. A culinary triumvirate: duck in honey, Japanese turnips and Aussie Pinot Noir. The grand finale for all meat lovers Iberico lamb rack with truly international flavors: petit farcis, panisses, ginkgo nuts and premium sarawak black pepper. The pepper and the lamb – deserves a Shiraz (French call it Syrah) full-bodied, dark in the glass with all the flavors present. Swirl it in the glass (let it breathe) and it gets better. The Lethbridge Shiraz an excellent “coolclimate” Aussie Shiraz displaying a deep purple colour with a powerful
bouquet of pepper, spice and blackberry. “This is as good as it gets,” says one of invited, a young Thai gentleman, the CEO of Thai steel company. The dessert arrives: a feast for the eyes and the palate. Fresh peach yoghurt and yuzu sorbet with almond crunch and kinako (Japanese ingredient made of roasted soy bean flour) with the fresh peach and yuzu sorbet (a Japanese lemon with bright floral flavors) is irresistibly delicious. Paired appropriately with a glass of Massolino Mosacto d’Asti 2015. At the end a big hand for our Lethbridge vigneron Dr Nadeson, The Okura Prestige Bangkok’s Chef Antony Scholtmeyer. Last but not least: GFour, importer of fine wines and spirits.
Activities: The greatest horological phenomenon showcases over 180 world-class brands with exclusive privileges of the year. Siam Paragon Watch Expo is held for 11 consecutive years. It is the most popular and biggest watch exhibition in Thailand and Asia for watch lovers, collectors, amateur and professional investor, as well as retailers. The expo gathers together many highlighted timepieces from world's leading brands in masterpiece, luxury and trend group directly from Baselworld and SIHH in Switzerland, the most influential country in timepiece industry. This timepiece phenomenon will provide watch fans an opportunity to experience and exchange their adorability and knowledge of science and art of horological world and to understand brand journey and heritage. For more information: Siam Paragon Tel: 02 610 8000
SPARTAN RACE THAILAND Date: 9 September 2017, Saturday Venue: Siam Country Club Pattaya Activities: The world’s largest obstacle race– Spartan Race–arrives in Thailand for the first time. Organized by Exceed Sports and Entertainment, the event is an ultimate test of strength and endurance and provides the people of all fitness levels with the opportunity to challenge them and go beyond their limits. Two race formats in Thailand for the first edition are the Spartan Sprint and the Spartan Kids race. Finishers will receive medals and T-shirts. Tickets for Spartan Sprint start from 1,650 baht while tickets for Spartan Kids start from 500 baht. Register now at www.spartanrace.co.th/en/race/detail/1136/overview. For more information: www.spartanrace.co.th www.facebook.com/spartanracethailand