< Previous60 COME DINE WITH ME THE FEAST61 In the morning, we strolled from our generously-sized villa towards the beach for breakfast at Jampoon restaurant. Tucked away from the sun under the shade of trees besides a serene lagoon, we were offered the choice of sitting outdoor with the sound of the ocean or else indoor with the quiet, darker wood interior. The breakfast buffet was well-curated with interesting dishes to give everyone a great start to their day. As we sat down with our first plate (which included not-to-be-missed crispy PHULAY BAY, A RITZ-CARLTON RESERVE 111 Moo 3, Nongthalay, Muang, Krabi 81180, Thailand T. +66 (0) 75 628 111 W. ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/ phulay-bay/dining Text by Urasa Chittamvanich | Photos by Suphachat Vetchamaleenont The satisfaction of dining well, with all of one’s senses delighted, is an integral aspect of an extraordinary holiday and this is certainly on offer at Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. The dining options here are superb and seamless, with enough variety to stop guests from wanting to look beyond the front gate of this extraordinary property. DOWN A SUPERB CULINARY LANE IN KRABI bacon that was not salty!), a pleasant staff approached us with the menu of to-order additional breakfast dishes, some signature, plus beverages. I then realised how Phulay Bay has turned their breakfast into a holiday highlight! Jampoon reopens later for lunch and dinner, serving Western and Asian food with a Mediterranean touch. After a splendid morning excursion to the nearby islands, we wanted a casual lunch and headed over to Plai Fah, the outdoor pool bar and restaurant. We thought that we would grab-and-go, but the vibe there was so inviting that we found ourselves sitting down and leisurely contemplating what to have from the (surprisingly) long menu. Western and Asian options were available to please every palate, and our wood oven-baked pizza and fried calamari were superb. Plai Fah hit the spot for our energy, stomachs as well as our spirits! Kudos to the exquisite afternoon tea here! We indulged in it at Lae Lay and it was delightful, set against a backdrop of the ocean panorama. The tea set was presented in an elegant Thai manner and offered many scrumptious bites that were also filling, and we eventually had to leave some of it behind with much regret. At dusk, Lae Lay offers fine grilled seafood dishes in its intimate setting. If Thai flavours are what you specifically crave for, look no further than Sri Trang. Here, the country’s distinctive flavours are prepared with a modern approach and served in a minimalist setting that helps to put the focus on the food. Guests may choose to imbue the restaurant ambience or else opt for the in-villa dining service for full privacy. And last but not least, Chomtawan was always ready to welcome us and serve up tempting tropical cocktails, which we enjoyed on plush loungers while soaking up the golden hour as the sun dropped to kiss the sea, and turn the sky orange.62 COME DINE WITH ME THE FEAST63 Smokaccia is Chef Luca’s own version of homemade sourdough and not to be confused with focaccia or any other Italian bread. It is crafted from a four-year-old yeast and involves slow fermentation and proofing of fifty hours that will give it a crunchy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. The dough is also subjected to a cold smoker, which he personally designed with an American engineer, to infuse a smoky aroma and flavour like nothing you've ever experienced before. The restaurant sells an impressive 3,000 loaves a month! At the restaurant, Chef Luca will present diners with a mini multigrain Smokaccia accompanied by three homemade extra-virgin cold-pressed olive oil dips of garlic, rosemary and chilli before they start their meal. I'm a huge fan of the rosemary dip. Chef Luca's deep passion for cooking can be felt the moment you enter his lab-style kitchen, where the aroma of lightly-smoked I was excited to be able to sample Chef Luca Mascolo's Signature Experience (THB 3,200++), which promised a culinary exploration with a selection of two Smokaccia dishes from a choice of six variations, pre- dessert, dessert, and “The Perfect Ending” to finish with. To add sparkle to the evening, we were recommended a premium Italian beer (THB 790++) to pair with our meal. One of the highlights of our meal came even before our Signature Experience started. We are presented with an amuse-bouche composed entirely of the food remnants from our selected Smokaccia dishes! I was astonished by the skill of the kitchen team in transforming seemingly inedible remnants into such tantalising and delicious bites, and impressed by the creativity behind the ethos to reduce food waste. My first selection, Smokaccia Rocking Lobster & Caviar, arrived. The generous portion of Phuket lobster was prepared sous vide and the meat was succulent and sweet. It was my favourite dish of the evening. My second Smokaccia selection was Smokaccia Soft Pork Belly, the Chef's favourite, made with Chiang Mai pork from an organic farm and slow-cooked for 48 hours. Chef Luca mentioned that only this farm “made the cut” and that he was proud of the dish. The proof was in the eating with the meat melting in my mouth almost like foie gras (the skin had been removed). The pre-dessert was heavenly – a cold cloud of 11-year-aged Parmigiano-Reggiano and 15-year-aged Aceto Balsamico Modena. One bite and I felt as though I was savouring a national treasure! Then came dessert, a guilt- free and healthy “The Impossible Vegan Pistachio Ice Cream” topped with edible flowers from a local farm and a crunchy tuille made from just pistachio and water. It was surprisingly creamy despite not containing cream or milk and when I asked Chef Lucas how he achieved such a creamy texture, he replied with a knowing smile: "Eighteen years of experience, hundreds of trials, and the best equipment money can buy." I thoroughly enjoyed each course and their flair with ingredients, flavours and some surprising textures, and am certain that the incredible menu will surpass every diner’s expectation. I departed feeling wholly satisfied with every aspect and eager to come back for more! dishes fills the air and your senses are thrilled by the theatrical experience created by him and his team. With the open kitchen, guests are invited to sit at the countertop and witness Chef Luca create culinary magic right before your eyes as he sets fire to lobster and sears succulent Wagyu beef while describing each dish with enthusiasm, leaving you feeling exhilarated and eager to taste the delicious dishes that await. THE SMOKACCIA LABORATORY 116/4 Moo 3 Surin, Choeng Thale, Chang Wat, Phuket 83110 T. +66 (0) 93 179 4489 W. thesmokaccia.com Text by Chondarin Subarna Na Ayudhya If you think that you’ve arrived at a smoked sausage store or everyday sandwich joint in Phuket, you wouldn't be more wrong! The Smokaccia Laboratory is an exceptional Italian restaurant located near Surin Beach with a homely ambience yet offering fine dining. Run by talented Chef Luca Mascolo and his wife Brigitta Houkamp, who is passionate about restaurant design, this restaurant became known especially for its signature homemade sourdough that has earned Chef Luca a culinary scientist award. Additionally, apart from offering delicious fare the restaurant also prides itself on its ethos of sustainability, zero wastage and promoting local businesses – which truly sets it apart from the crowd. ONE & ONLY - THE REVOLUTIONARY OF BREAD INDUSTRY64 COME DINE WITH ME THE FEAST65 The Garden Grille restaurant, located on the ground floor of the hotel, features an open- air terrace with seating for up to 40 people. The inviting space is decorated with a sea-blue colour palette and soothing wavy lines, and the rattan furniture adds to the atmosphere of beachside tranquillity. Serving both lunch and dinner, The Garden Grille offers local and international favourites as well as fusion dishes, sure to please. Lunch is served from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., making it the ideal venue for food cravings any time of the day. The restaurant's bar offers an aperitif hour for guests who enjoy a pre-dinner drink or two before dinner. The drinks menu includes cooked to perfection – tender and juicy – and it came with local vegetables and Japanese pickles. What truly surprised me was the curry. I regularly order green curry with beef, but it was served a whole beef short rib! The meat was unbelievably tender and melted off the bone with the lightest of touches, and the juicy meat smothered in green curry was the version I have ever tasted in my life! I then couldn't resist having the signature dessert. The Floating Island with Caramel Popcorn (THB 250) sent me to heaven with the fluffy meringue topped with crunchy caramel popcorn and rich vanilla sauce, a combination of some of my favourite things. And, since I still had room for another dessert, I decided to go for the Ice Cream Sundae (THB 250) as well! The Mango Sorbet from the renowned French-style lavanille brand, was served with a dollop of whipped cream and a chocolate wafer and in no time at all, I had finished my delicious dessert with a satisfied smile on my face. In conclusion, The Garden Grille is a cosy restaurant that brings together an inviting atmosphere with flavoursome dishes, an impressive selection of drinks and affordability. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner for two or a feast with family and friends, The Garden Grille is the perfect place to savour an unforgettable meal. everything from beer to cocktails, wine, champagne and a wide variety of spirits. For those who don't drink alcohol, the bartenders are happy to serve fresh fruit juices, milkshakes, mocktails and sodas. I started my meal with Pumpkin Cream Soup (THB 220), which was topped with thin slices of tender chicken breast and crispy Parma ham. The balance of flavours and textures of those together with the rich velvety soup were an unbeatable combination. For my main course I settled on two dishes: Seared Teriyaki Salmon served with Japanese Soba Noodles (THB 490) and Green Curry with Beef Short Ribs served with Jasmine rice (THB 420). The large piece of salmon was Text by Chondarin Subarna Na Ayudhya Discover a hidden culinary oasis at the Garden Grille, which is set within the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel Bang Tao, Phuket. An exciting fusion of Thai and international flavours awaits you there. A SAVOURY HIDEAWAY OF PHUKET HILTON GARDEN INN PHUKET BANG TAO 111 Soi Choeng Thale 16, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand. T. +66(0) 76 609 790 E. phuketbangtao.reservations @hilton.com W. phuketbangtao.hgi.com66 THE JOURNEY68 THE JOURNEY UNVEIL THE MYSTICAL ALLURE OF HALONG BAY, VIETNAM'S BREATH- TAKING GEM OF NATURE. WITH ITS EMERALD WATERS AND TOWERING LIMESTONE KARSTS, THIS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE IS A MASTERPIECE OF MOTHER NATURE THAT WILL LEAVE YOU SPELLBOUND. Text and Photos by Chondarin Subarna Na Ayudhya HALONG BAY UNESCO WORLD NATURAL HERITAGE SITE Escape the scorching summer heat of Thailand with a short 55-minute flight to Halong Bay, where the weather is delightfully cool at 22-26 degrees Celsius. Spanning over 1,500 square kilometres, this popular destination in Quang Ninh province of north-eastern Vietnam boasts an amazing landscape of limestone karsts and around 2,000 enchanting islets. Recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, its geological wonders have captured global acclaim; in fact, it has even been named one of the seven Natural Wonders of The World. Experience the mesmerising elegance of Halong Bay with a cruise tour, either as a day trip or an overnight adventure. HALONG BAY69 BAY GASTRONOMIC CRUISE WITH SEA OCTOPUS Sail in style by embarking on an ultimate gastronomic voyage around Halong Bay with Sea Octopus, a luxurious five-star cruise boat that transports you to around the majestic bay where every moment is postcard-worthy. As a gastronomic cruise, guests will indulge in local delicacies and luxuriate in world-class facilities with impeccable service. Toast the unforgettable experience with a welcome drink, become enchanted by the wonders of Halong Bay with its mysterious caves and rugged cliffs, and stay connected with family and friends back home with free onboard WiFi. BAY Photo Courtesy: Sea OctopusNext >