Celebrity Life

“We wanted to establish a local hangout rather than a destination for tourists,” says Olivier, co-owner of Northwood's Pétanque.

The post Pétanque Is Northwood’s Coolest Cocktail Bar appeared first on Palm Beach Illustrated.

There's no denying that Thailand is a food paradise. However, recognition for fine-dining has only happened in more recent times. As the 29th country in the world to hold a self-titled Michelin Guide, Thailand announced its third edition of the book last week and we were delighted to find our top Thai restaurants have made it on the list.

This year marks the first time The Michelin Guide has gone beyond Bangkok, Phuket, and Phang-Nga -- expanding further to the Capital of Northern Thailand with the addition of Chiang Mai. At the same time, Michelin had also announced the recipients for the Bib Gourmand distinction, resulting in the total number of recognised restaurants jumping to 282.

Twenty nine of those restaurants were awarded Michelin stars and included some of our fine-dining favourites in Bangkok. So, before you book your flights, here's the full list of Michelin-starred restaurants in the Thai capital, along with our top Bangkok tables to make reservations at.

One Michelin Star

1. 80/20*

2. Bo.Lan

24 Soi Sukhumvit 53, Vadhana, Bangkok, 10110, Thailand

Chef duo and married couple Duangporn Songvisava (Bo) and Dylan Jones (lan) get it royally right with Bo.Lan. Here, not only are royal Thai recipes brought to life with exceptional flavours and textures, but they also focus on sustainability with the use of organic ingredients from artisan and local producers.

3. Canvas
4. Chef’s Table*
5. Chim by Siam Wisdom
6. Elements
7. Gaa
8. Ginza Sushi Ichi
9. J’aime by Jean-Michel Lorain
10. Jay Fai
11. Khao*
12. Le Du
13. Methavalai Sorndaeng

14. Nahm

27 Sathon Tai Road, Sathon, Bangkok, Thailand

Having made a name for herself in San Francisco, Chef Pim Techamuanvivit took over the helm at Nahm in 2018 and has once again, reaffirmed her award-winning credentials at the restaurant. Bringing her inventive flair to the menu, Nahm's menu showcases quality cuisine with intense and fresh flavours running throughout.

15. Paste

999 Phloen Chit Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, Thailand

Chef Bee does it again and Paste remains one of the best restaurants in Bangkok. Her innovative take on the century-old recipes are definitely worth sampling when you're in the Thai capital.

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16. Pru
17. Ruean Punya
18. Saawaan
19. Saneh Chaan
20 Savelberg
21. Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin
22. Suan Thip
23 Table 38*
24. Upstairs

Two Michelin Stars

25. Le Normandie
26. Mezzaluna
27. R-Haan*

28. Sorn*

56 Soi Sukhumvit 26, Khlong Toei, Bangkok, Thailand

New on the list is the Southern Thai-inspired restaurant Sorn, by chef-owners Khun Ice and Yodkwan U-Pumpruk. In what can be described as a refined, but no less fiery cuisine, their menu focuses on long lost recipes and in turn, has successfully won the hearts of many Thais and worldwide foodies alike.

29. Sühring

10 Soi Yen Akat 3, Yan Nawa, Bangkok, Thailand

Other than Thai cuisine, Bangkok is also home to some fantastic European restaurants -- one of which is Sühring. Created by twins Thomas and Mathias Sühring, the menu offers a light and modern take on German cuisine with techniques such as pickling and curing, with a focus on the beautifully presented dishes.

*denotes a new restaurant on the list

The Michelin Guide Thailand 2020 will be released at the end of 2019. For the full list, including Bib Gourmand restaurants, visit the website here.

The post Follow the Stars and Find Out Where to Eat in Bangkok Now appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Beijing might be the capital of China, but no one can deny the magnificence of Shanghai. Its long and enduring stature as one of the world’s busiest financial hubs has made Shanghai one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Asia.

With that comes a slew of leisurely activities, especially fine dining. A wave of global influences and a strong Chinese identity has culminated in an exciting variety of restaurants that have access to fresh ingredients and an affluent crowd ready to lap it up.

[caption id="attachment_174510" align="alignnone" width="1200"] (Photo: Edward He/Unsplash)[/caption]

Here, local cuisine is given the same limelight as international fare, and there’s plenty to choose from for businessmen and tourists alike. Renowned chefs all over the world have parked their new restaurants here. If that’s not recognition enough, both the Michelin Guide and The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list have repeatedly given their nods of approval at the impressive standards it has managed to set. Here are the top-notch dining establishments worth visiting in Shanghai.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon

[caption id="attachment_174550" align="alignnone" width="1080"] (Photo: Joël Robuchon Shanghai)[/caption]

The late Joël Robuchon’s culinary spirit lives on in his restaurant at the ultra-elegant Bund 18 estate. L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon is stylised as a ‘workshop’ for chefs, inspired by Spain’s casual tapas bars. The two-Michelin-starred restaurant has an open kitchen concept where diners can see executive chef Francky Semblat and his culinary team whip up exquisite French dishes from the degustation menus. If you’re up for a more laidback experience, consider having afternoon tea at the Salon de Thé de Joël Robuchon on the first floor. It doubles up as a pastry shop, where diners can take home delicate cakes and Robuchon’s famous bread baskets.

[caption id="attachment_174547" align="alignnone" width="1480"] (Photo: Joël Robuchon Shanghai)[/caption]

Lunch

Saturday and Sunday: 11.30am to 2pm

Dinner

Sunday to Wednesday: 5.30pm to 10.30pm
Thursday to Saturday: 5:30pm to 11pm

Address: 3F, 18 Zhongshan Dong YiRoad, Bund18, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China

Website: Click here 

Hakkasan

[caption id="attachment_174551" align="alignnone" width="1680"] (Photo: Hakkasan)[/caption]

Award-winning modern Cantonese restaurant Hakkasan offers a classy spot to savour some of   China’s notable cuisines. The Peking duck from the a la carte menu is a must-have. The crispy skin is served first, wrapped in pancakes, cucumber and an indulgent dollop of caviar. The rest of the flavourful duck is then stir-fried and served with potato crisps. Dim sum and live seafood dishes here are highly recommended too. If you’re there over the weekend, look out for the weekend brunch menu, which features the restaurant highlights and creative cocktails.

[caption id="attachment_174552" align="alignnone" width="2048"] (Photo: Hakkasan)[/caption]

Dim Sum Brunch

Friday to Sunday: 11am to 2.30pm

Afternoon Tea

Friday to Sunday: 2.30pm to 5pm

Dinner

Friday to Saturday: 5.30pm to 1am
Sunday: 5.30pm to 11.30pm

Address: 5F, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, Bund18, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China

Website: Click here 

Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet

[caption id="attachment_174554" align="alignnone" width="1440"] (Photo: Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet)[/caption]

Ultraviolet is truly an unusual restaurant. Instead of grand furnishings and high-rise views, the three-Michelin-starred pop-up establishment opts for high-resolution projectors, speakers and wind turbines -- all to create an immersive, multi-sensory dining experience. Each night, Ultraviolet attends to only 10 diners with a lengthy degustation featuring 20 courses  that unfold in theatrical and witty dishes. This is only after you’ve managed to score a seat after spending months on the waiting list and finding out where the restaurant is relocating to next. These unique yet delicious experiences here have cemented the restaurant’s top position on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list year after year. 



[caption id="attachment_174549" align="alignnone" width="1000"] (Photo: Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet)[/caption]

The address to Ultraviolet is kept secret. Diners who manage to reserve their seats will be given directions to the assembly point before being chauffeured to the location.

Website: Click here 

8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana

[caption id="attachment_174555" align="alignnone" width="2048"] (Photo: 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana)[/caption]

This legendary Hong Kong restaurant has brought over its Michelin star-winning formula of excellent Northern Italian fare to the shores of Shanghai. While the restaurants share the same name, this beautiful spot is different in that it offers diners insight to chef Umberto Bombana’s passion for great ingredients. The restaurant opens with a magnificent display of dry-aged meats and artisanal cheeses, and offers a menu that highlights the best of Italy’s seasonal ingredients.

[caption id="attachment_174556" align="alignnone" width="1280"] (Photo: 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana)[/caption]

Dinner

Open daily: 6pm to 11pm

Address: 6F, Associate Mission Building, 169 Yuanmingyuan Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China 

Website:  Click here 
Wujie – The Bund

[caption id="attachment_174557" align="alignnone" width="1080"] (Photo: Wujie)[/caption]

This one-Michelin-starred restaurant should serve as sufficient proof that vegetarian dining has a respectable place in the world of gastronomy. Wujie preaches its message of wellness and balance from its interior design to food. Behind the zen-like atmosphere, Wujie’s kitchens are furiously whipping up innovative dishes which see inspirations from all over the world, all while upholding traditional Chinese philosophies. Expect stunning dishes such as the house-made tofu with porcini mushrooms or braised ‘patty’ of black truffle and lion’s mane.

[caption id="attachment_174558" align="alignnone" width="804"] (Photo: Wujie)[/caption]

Lunch

Open daily: 11am to 2pm
Afternoon tea

Open daily: 2pm to 5pm
Dinner

Open daily: 5pm to 10pm

Address: 4F, 22 Zhongshan Dong ErRoad, Bund 22, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China
Facebook: Click here 

Wei Jing Ge

[caption id="attachment_174559" align="alignnone" width="550"] (Photo: Wei Jing Ge)[/caption]

Shanghai’s streets are filled with hawkers serving up authentic eats (think handmade xiao long baos and stir-fried crayfish).  For an artful take on this cuisine, head over to Wei Jing Ge at the Waldorf Astoria. The contemporary Chinese restaurant’s menu casts a spotlight on regional dishes — think Cantonese, Shanghainese, Sichuan and Huai Yang. Some of the must-tries on the menu include the steamed garoupa and wok-fried scallops while the dim sum brunch is an equally worthy option. With a well-curated selection of Chinese liquor and spirits, its wine list is also one worth perusing during your meal there.

[caption id="attachment_174561" align="alignnone" width="1200"] (Photo: Wei Jing Ge)[/caption]

Lunch:

Open daily: 11.30pm to 2.30pm
Dinner:

Open daily: 5.30pm to 10.30pm

Address: Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, 2 Zhong Shan Dong Yi Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China

Website: Click here

Singapore Airlines flies four times a week to Shanghai.

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Singapore

The post Why Shanghai is the fine dining capital of China appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Upon walking into Lucco Cucina + Bar, your eyes are immediately drawn above to its well-lit cathedral ceilings. The space is rivaled only by its expansive menu, combined with the luxury of a full-service bar which sits proudly in the restaurant’s center. Many new restaurants succeed on this front, but leave something to be desired […]

The post A Taste of Home at Lucco Cucina + Bar appeared first on VUE magazine.