Guru by Bangkok Post's pick of the most exciting products, activities, food and travel to indulge in.
STUFF
Bernie and Friends Series: Batter Bernie Edition / Carnival
Carnival has taken a step beyond its streetwear and sneaker offerings by introducing a limited-edition designer toy. The multi-label brand spotlights its beloved Bernie by bringing its mascot to life as a collectable vinyl figure. Named "Batter Bernie", the bear mascot is dressed in a baseball-inspired outfit, with a green sweater and brown shorts. Step up his street style with a set of interchangeable accessories, including sneakers, sandals, a beanie, a baseball cap and a baseball bat. The "Batter Bernie" is limited to 300 sets. Go to carnivalbkk.com.
Pokémon-themed Galaxy Buds2 / Samsung
Looking for a partner to join on a music-listening journey? After releasing its Pokéball case for Galaxy Buds Pro last year, Samsung is expanding its nostalgic offering to include a series of Pokémon-themed Galaxy Buds2. The two brands have truly taken their imagination to a new level by offering the earbud cases in the head-shape of Pokémon characters: Snorlax, Ditto and Jigglypuff, each of which includes matching stickers. Stay tuned at samsung.com.
Newport 20 Birthday Collection / Keen
American shoemaker Keen rolls out two footwear capsules under the anniversary collection for its iconic Newport sandals. “Can a sandal protect your toes?” Keen's answer was a resounding "Yes" when the flagship Newport model was launched 20 years ago. The hybrid water sandal/trail shoe originated from the idea of its founder, Martin Keen, an avid traveller who often encountered issues with footwear and toe protection during outdoor adventures. To commemorate this milestone, the brand puts a pastel spin on its Newport 20 Colour Dip series, arriving in muted pink, sand, grey, blue and green. Meanwhile, the brand has teamed with the United States Forest Service and the fishing equipment brand Foxfire for the Newport 20 Foxfire, which incorporates the jungle ranger's Smokey Bear mascot as a nod to the mission of wildfire prevention. Visit keenthailand.com.
African partnership / Air Afrique x Bottega Veneta
Bottega Veneta has initiated a new partnership with Air Afrique, a new platform for Afro-diasporic art and conversation. The magazine, conceived by a young collective in Paris and inspired by the pan-African magazines of the 20th century, is named after the pan-African airline Air Afrique, co-owned by Senegal, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger, Congo and Chad, and was operational from 1961 to 2002. The brand will release a limited-edition series of blankets by Franco-Sudanese designer, Abdel El Tayeb, a designer in the Bottega Veneta studio. Specially commissioned by Matthieu Blazy to mark the launch of Air Afrique, each blanket is a unique composition of the finest wool, silver leather, and shearling from the Bottega Veneta archive. Under his own label El Tayeb Nation, El Tayeb combines Sudanese craftsmanship with Western tailoring in an aesthetic that mixes couture and ease. The label aspires to create a space for Afro-descendents to express their multicultural identity. The Air Afrique Afro-futuristic blanket designs are inspired by the vibrant patterns of the traditional toub dress worn by El Tayeb’s mother.
Capsule collection / Cos
Cos has announced its latest collaboration with Manchester-based, multi-disciplinary artist Stephen Doherty. Limited-edition pieces adorned with exclusive floral artwork, crafted using Doherty’s unique ink and water technique, evoke the epitome of summer dressing. Focusing on the flower in bloom, the collaboration celebrates the beauty of nature in its most exquisite form. Embracing the synergy between art and fashion, the 17-piece collection embodies effortless elegance, with Doherty’s florals reimagined on canvas’ of silk and linen, transforming classic COS silhouettes. The floral print is also embraced on accessories, reworked onto a leather mule and silk scarves. The capsule is available at the Cos Store at Siam Paragon.
JOIN
The Wondrous Japan Heritage / Siam Paragon / Until July 9
It's not every day that you get to see sumo wrestlers compete against each other in matches ringside. But this weekend at Siam Paragon, "The Wondrous Japan Heritage” commemorates 136 years between Thailand and Japan. Expect other cultural experiences, such as a traditional fan dance, an energetic Yosakoi-style dance and a pulse-pounding Taiko drum, all of which are held at 2pm and 5pm, daily. With a minimum purchase of B500, you can redeem a ticket to a workshop for free, choosing a Daruma doll-painting class or an origami workshop. Skip breakfast for an array of Japanese food stalls. Do not leave without cranking a gashapon machine for an exclusive Japanese-inspired art toy designed by local artists, SalaArte. Visit siamparagon.co.th.
Cupcake Decoration Workshop / Powwowwow BKK / July 9
Ekamai's Powwowwow BKK will hold a cupcake decorating workshop using the cream piping technique. For B1,299 per person, begin turning six vanilla cupcakes into adorable, furry faces of cats and dogs. The price also includes a birthday set of a card, a ribbon-wrapped box and a candle set. Save a seat via fb.com/pwwbkk.
Thay Flea Market: Rainy Edition / Made By Tryster / Until July 9
Head over to Lido Connect to browse the "Thay Flea Market: Rainy Edition", which returns for a second season, offering an array of second-hand goods and handicrafts for vintage fans. Also on-site are vendors selling film cameras and vinyls. Go to ig.com/trys_ter.
STAY
Mid-Year Flash Sale / Renaissance Pattaya Resort & Spa / Until July 9
Renaissance Pattaya Resort & Spa is running a mid-year flash sale to snag a savings tropical escape in coastal Pattaya City, starting at B3,800 per night. Guests are required to book a minimum of two night's stay by this weekend for a staying period until July 31. Visit tinyurl.com/5n8twyda.
The 66th Thai Tiew Thai Promotion / Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok / Until July 9
Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok has partnered with the 66th Thai Tiew Thai travel fair to introduce an enticing array of stay and dine promotions. With a limited selling period, guests have the opportunity to book a discounted staycation in an Essential room, including daily breakfast, with a staying period until Sept 30. The rate from Sunday to Thursday is B9,599 per night while checking in on Friday and Saturday is priced at B9,999. Among the irresistible dining deals offered are a delectable seafood and street food buffet at Stock.Room for B1,499 per person and an all-you-can-eat pasta deal at Ms.Jigger for only B699. Visit tinyurl.com/5n8hwkny.
Bangkok Unlocked Package / Le Méridien Bangkok / Until Sept 30
Unlock a world of luxury with a half-board staycation from Le Méridien Bangkok. The hotel offers a night's stay in a deluxe room for a night starting at B5,800, including breakfast and a three-course lunch or dinner at La Cantine for two guests. Book and stay by Sept 30. Go to tinyurl.com/5y466mbd.
Anniversary package / Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok / Until July 31
Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok is celebrating its 4th anniversary with a package that promises to pamper guests from sunrise to sundown. Starting from B3,720++ per room per night, the package includes a one-night stay with breakfast for two persons, a rejuvenating treatment in Avani Spa and the chance to raise a toast high above the city skyline with two glasses of selected drinks at the Greenhouse Restaurant or the Terrace Bar. The package is available for booking from until July 31 with stays until Sept 30. Call 02-079-7555, ext 4444, or visit mhg.to/qwapk.
EAT
East Asian Showcase / Shang Palace X Path Singapore / July 13-15
Shang Palace at the Shangri-La Bangkok and Path Singapore, considered amongst the best restaurants in their respective locales for innovative cuisine anchored on East Asian influences, will have a four-hands collaboration from July 13-15. The gastronomic takes place at Shang Palace, Shangri-La Bangkok’s Cantonese restaurant, with executive chinese chef Tan Kwang Aik hosting Marvas Ng, executive chef of Path Singapore. As a rare treat, diners who reserve dinner on July 13 will be invited to attend a masterclass conducted by both chefs earlier that afternoon. Chef Aik’s dishes capture the refined flavours of Cantonese cuisine, while chef Ng presents modern Asian flavours with French finesse. The dinner will be an eight-course menu at B3,999++ per person (B4,999++ with beverage pairing) or a six-course menu at B2,999++ per person (B3,800++ with beverage pairing). Call 02-236-7777 or email restaurants.slbk@shangri-la.com.
Set lunch / Uno Mas, Centara Grand at CentralWorld
Uno Mas has launched a weekday set lunch menu with Spanish dishes form chef Roberto Gonzalez Alonso. Diners can indulge in a diverse selection of starters, main courses, and desserts, which boasts croquettes with chorizo and mushroom, a tomato, strawberries and beetroot salad, a chilled ajo blanco, a smoked salmon mille-feuille and much more. Desserts include Grandma’s caramel custard or Roasted orange crumble. The meal is complemented by a choice of Catunambu Spanish coffee or tea. The lunch is priced at B690++ per person, including drinking water and a soft drink. In addition, guests can choose to add an alcoholic beverage of their choice, such as beer “cana", sangria or a glass of Spanish wine for an B100++. Call 02-100-6255 or email diningcgcw@chr.co.th.
Truffle night / Mia / July 13
Mark your calendars for a one-night-only truffle extravaganza on July 13 at Mia restaurant. In collaboration with chef Ferran Tadeo from Embassy Room, Park Hyatt Bangkok, Mia chefs Porncharn “Top” Russell and Michelle Goh will create an extraordinary all-truffle menu. Each dish will include the finest truffle products sourced exclusively from Truffle Hill by Verduno. The menu is priced at B5,850++ or B8,950++ with a wine pairing. Call 098-862-9659, email reservation@miarestaurantbkk.com or visit miarestaurantbkk.com.
New menu / L’Arôme By The Sea, Phuket / Until Sept 19
Executive chef Yannick Hollenstein has launched his new summer menu at Kalim Bay’s L’Arôme By The Sea in Phuket. Diners can feast on French oysters, local clams, caviar and get a taste of chef Hollenstein’s Swiss heritage in a butter pretzel alongside a cauliflower, asparagus royale, topped with Phuket lobster. The seven-course Prestige Menu is priced at B4,500++ per person, with a four-glass wine-pairing for B3,000++ or a six-glass wine-pairing for B4,000++. On the menu is also yellow-fin tuna, wild Carabinero prawns, octopus from Racha Yai Island, Phuket pineapple and much more. Call 05-239-2111 or book via social media @laromebythesea.
Seasonal menu / Shintaro, Anantara Siam Bangkok / Until July 31
Continuing his quarterly promotions inspired by the seasons, Shintaro chef de cuisine Tomoaki Taki unveils a new a la carte menu that pays tribute to recipes and ingredients synonymous with summertime in Japan. The starter of “Three Sacred Treasures” presents translucent slivers of marinated tuna, salmon and hamachi drizzled with pomelo and ponzu sauce and served with tempura summer flowers. For the main course, diners can choose from glazed robata yaki tiger prawns cooked on hibachi barbecue or rainbow rolls. The closing set is a refreshing yuzu and vodka granita, optionally paired with premium sake. The menu is available daily until July 31, with prices starting from B200++ per dish. Call 02-126-8866 or email at dining.asia@anantara.com.
Black winter truffle / Red Sky, Centara Grand at CentralWorld / Until July 31
Experience the special “Black Winter Truffle” menu at Red Sky, Centara Grand at CentralWorld. This culinary delicacy elevates diverse dishes on the menu with its earthy and robust taste. The dishes are Wagyu beef carpaccio, red onion confit and wild rocket black truffle (B1,350++); Organic baby marrow with stracciatella and white anchovies “alici" (B990++); Tagliolini with pink garlic porcini mushrooms (B1,290++); Pan seared Hokkaido scallops with stewed baby leeks (B1,450++) and Mazara red prawns with lemon mayonnaise (B1,650++). Available until July 31, enjoy the dishes with a view. Call 02-100-6255 or email diningcgcw@chr.co.th.
Chocolatier Buffet / Cocoa XO, Centara Grand at CentralWorld
Cocoa XO, the rooftop bar and lounge on the 57th floor of Centara Grand at CentralWorld, has launched a “Chocolatier Buffet”. With a decadent line-up of all things chocolate, the culinary adventure, priced at B812 nett. The buffet is housed in a “chocolate cave” overflowing with pralines, ganache, cakes, soft-serve ice cream and fresh fruits with chocolate fondues. A collaboration between Martell Cognac and French artisanal chocolatier Cacao Barry, the experience is amplified by the al fresco bar and lounge’s breathtaking 360-degree city views, a curated selection of signature Martell Cognac cocktails, and a sublime cognac and cigar collection. New delights are include the Dipped chocolate waffle cone topped with soft serve cognac ice cream. The Zephyr Milky is silky white chocolate 34% paired with VSOP cognac. Other additions include rum and cognac truffles, Baileys point-milk chocolate 41, Almond marzipan and pistachio chocolate pralines, Cointreau logs, dark 64% Guayaquil chocolates and Valrhona passionfruit dots, Nama chocolate, lemon-honey chocolate pralines, chocolate mendiants, ruby chocolate dots, moist chocolate brownies and more. Cocoa XO offers a diverse range of other chocolate packages in addition to the buffet. The B790 nett chocolate tree is served at the table, while the chocolate shoes at B490++ present a playful, edible spin on footwear and the nine-piece Cocoa XO Box at B480++ makes an ideal gift. The 16-piece Chocolate Box at B999 ++ is essential. Call 02-100-6255 or email diningcgcw@chr.co.th.
Chocolate month / Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok / July 8-31
Maa-Lai Library and Craft at Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok is joining hands with Singapore’s pastry chef Janice Wong to celebrate World Chocolate Day (July 7) throughout July. Chef Wong’s signature chocolate bonbons will be available at Maa-Lai Library and Craft from July 8–31. The collaboration sees an encapsulation of four signature, Asian-forward flavours from chef Wong’s eclectic chocolate collection and the hotel’s chocolate created for the occasion. Versions include Kaffir lime caramel, Praline pop rocks, Sweet salted pecan and Southeast Asian flavours in the Gula melaka pandan. Rounding off the journey is the Jasmine calamansi butterfly pea that combines Thai and Singaporean ingredients while paying tribute to the maa-lai (jasmine garland). A set of five bonbons is available at B499++ when dining in and B799++ for takeaway in chef Wong’s signature paint-splattered box. Five bonbons paired with a bottle of prosecco is priced at B1,500++ at Craft or Maa-Lai Library. Chef Wong will also create edible art on July 8. Call 02-056-9999, email taste.kimptonmaalai@ihg.com or visit kimptonmaalaibangkok.com.
Chocolate eclipse / Mocha & Muffins, Anantara Siam Bangkok / Until July 31
Mocha & Muffins in the leafy courtyard of Anantara Siam Bangkok will celebrate World Chocolate Day today with a limited-edition “Eclipse” menu that will be available until the end of the month. To unlock the power of darkness, guests can start their dark chocolate experience with a rich banana and chocolate dirt smoothie or frappuccino made with 70% single origin cocoa from Thailand, before sinking their teeth into a gooey Valrhona tart, or indulging in decadent chocolate muffins flavoured with peanut butter and lychee. The full “Eclipse” selection can be sampled at Mocha & Muffins or ordered for delivery anantarasiamshop.com/collections/special-offers. Prices start from B95++. Call 02-126-8866 or email dining.asia@anantara.com.
