Celebrate Tet with Old Quarter-Style Market at This Hotel in Hanoi
By Lifestyle+Travel
The spirit of old Hanoi will sweep through the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi this month, as the hotel celebrates Tet with a traditional Old Quarter-style market from Jan. 17-19. The festivities continue with special culinary offerings beginning Jan. 24.
At the Tet market, food vendors on the hotel’s patio will sell authentic Vietnamese favourites, while children will be given traditional toys known as to he, edible figurines made from glutinous rice powder shaped to look like flowers and animals. Market-goers can also learn the art of classic Vietnamese calligraphy.
Wine, craft beer and other refreshments will also be on offer, as will souvenirs that visitors can take home as memories of the Vietnamese lunar new year. Traditional-style Vietnamese houses will also be erected in the hotel’s walkway outside La Boutique du Metropole, adding to the “Old Quarter” ambiance.
The Tet market at Metropole Hanoi is open to the public daily, and kicks off Friday, Jan. 17 at 4pm with an opening ceremony featuring a traditional dragon dance. The market continues on Jan. 18 and 19 from 11am to 8pm. More than 15 vendors will take part in this year’s bazaar. Special Metropole Tet hampers with luxury and gourmet items will be available for sale at the market and at L’Epicerie du Metropole from Jan. 6 onwards.
The hotel will host a cooking competition at the market at 5pm each day. On Jan. 17, contestants will vie to see who can create the most delicious “Chung cake” (a traditional Vietnamese rice cake) while Jan. 18 will witness a battle of banh cuon, and Jan. 19 will determine who is able to produce the tastiest spring rolls. Winners will receive a voucher for a complimentary homemade cake from L’Epicerie du Metropole.
A Vietnamese floral specialist from local boutique Liti Florist will host a flower workshop from 2pm to 4pm on Jan. 18.
An exclusive six-course Tet 2020 Gala Dinner at Spices Garden will be served on Jan. 24 featuring grilled oysters with shallots and roasted peanuts; blue prawn in a mild coconut soup; fresh yellow bamboo and beef salad; braised chinh fish with green banana; grilled pigeon and foie gras; and banana fritter, traditional Tet candied fruits and vanilla ice cream. The gala dinner is priced at 2.5 million VND.
By Lifestyle+Travel
Joyous Time
The holiday season is even more joyful when celebrated through meaningful collaboration. For the first time, The St. Regis Bangkok has teamed up with local textile artist Rungploy Lorpaitoon to bring festive touches to the St. Regis Bangkok Festive Hampers and ornaments around the hotel this season. The magical atmosphere of the festive season is enhanced by bespoke decorations, such as the “bubble memory” ornaments designed by Rungploy, and the uniquely artistic Christmas tree centerpiece. Beyond decorations, Rungploy has also designed the interiors of the festive hampers, adorned with twelve handmade bubble memories symbolizing each month of the year, along with purple fabric to enhance their elegance. Guests are encouraged to reflect on the past year and cherish these moments of love through the bubble memories. Each hamper is crafted to embody the art of giving. The St. Regis Bangkok Classic Hamper is filled with a curated selection of Italian-inspired holiday delicacies, including Italian biscotti, homemade traditional panettone (yeast-free, made over three days), mixed fruit jelly, chocolate Santa, The St. Regis macarons, chocolate truffles, mixed nut tart, locally sourced Chonburi 70.5% chocolate bar, amaretti cookies, mini “Torroncini” nougat, imported premium apple compote, imported “Morra Tartufi” white truffle oil (a highlight of Winter in Italy), and The St. Regis Blend Tea. The St. Regis Bangkok Luxury Hamper includes all of this plus a bottle of Prosecco Follador, IGT, Italy. The St. Regis Bangkok hampers are available daily at The Lounge from December 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025. Early bird pricing is available from December 1-15, 2024. Advance reservations of at least 3-7 days are required. The St. Regis Bangkok Classic Hamper – THB 7,200 net, with an early bird price of THB 6,500 net. The St. Regis Bangkok Luxury Hamper (includes Prosecco Follador, IGT, Italy) – THB 8,500 net, with an early bird price of THB 7,500 net. The St. Regis Bangkok www.stregisbangkok.com
By Lifestyle+Travel
Michelin-Star Dining Residency at Biscotti, Anantara Siam!
From 6 November to 30 December 2024, Biscotti at Anantara Siam proudly hosts Michelin-starred Chef Cristina Bowerman from Rome’s renowned Glass Hostaria. With both à la carte options and 3- and 5-course tasting menus, diners can indulge in signature dishes like "Liquid Parmigiano Reggiano Stuffed Ravioli with Butter and Seasonal Truffle" – a Glass Hostaria classic for over 13 years. Other highlights include "Almost A Pizza", a creamy celery root “pizza” with pomegranate molasses, and "Amberjack Sashimi" infused with red beet juice and miso. Conclude this culinary journey with Chef Bowerman’s twist on tiramisu, served in a stunning chocolate sphere, alcohol-free for all to enjoy. With one Michelin star and Three Forks from Gambero Rosso, Glass Hostaria is a must-try for lovers of contemporary Italian cuisine. Don’t miss this exclusive dining experience! ⏰️ Lunch: Mon-Sat (12:00pm - 2:30pm) ⏰️ Dinner: Mon-Sun (6:00pm - 10:30pm) 📞 Call 02 431 9497 📌 Biscotti, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel
By Lifestyle+Travel
Sun-Kissed Cuisine
One of the greatest things about Thai food is its diversity of flavours, especially the cuisine from the South of Thailand, where spices combine perfectly with a variety of fresh ingredients from the sea. The Siam Tea Room at Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park is taking us on a gastronomic journey to the sun-soaked shores of Southern Thailand this October and November, with a new promotion that celebrates the time-honoured culinary traditions of this tropical region. With its long coastlines, exotic ingredients, and rich cultural influences, Thailand’s southern provinces have developed a highly distinctive style of cuisine that is different from other parts of the kingdom. Now, Siam Tea Room’s talented Thai chefs will showcase these unique flavours with a special menu of eight highly authentic Southern Thai dishes. Diners can treat their taste buds to a choice of enticing appetizers, including chili shrimp paste with fried mackerel, vegetables, and soft-boiled egg (THB 310++), and Southern-style herbal rice salad with fresh tender leaves, fluffy fish, and fermented fish dressing (THB 350++). Two sublime stir-fried dishes are also on offer: stir-fried prawns with sato, chili, garlic, and shrimp paste (THB 410++), and stir-fried malindjo leaves with egg and banana shrimp (THB 410++). Two mouth-watering main courses include Southern-style yellow curry with red snapper and cumin leaves (THB 480++), and Southern-style wagyu oxtail soup with Thai spices, onion, tomato, celery, and crispy shallots (THB 510++). Diners can end their Southern Thai epicurean adventure on a sweet note with a choice of two delectable desserts: khanom la – crispy rice pancake with honey-glazed finger banana and coconut ice cream (THB 190++), and Southern-style iced milk tea with whipped cream and sweet egg floss (THB 165++). The “Southern Thai Sensations” promotion will be available at The Siam Tea Room every day from October 1st to November 30th, 2024. Marriott Bonvoy and Club Marriott discounts apply. The Siam Tea Room Tel: 02 059 5999 Email: restaurant-reservations.bkkqp@marriott hotels.com or book via https://bit.ly/RSVNSTRSukhumvit