The Reflexions @ Hotel Plaza Athenee, Bangkok

Cuisine: Modern French

Map: The Reflexions @ Hotel Plaza Athenee, Bangkok

Price: THB2,500 per person without alcohol (what I paid for)

Visited: 11 January 2011

Food: 8/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Value for money: 7/10

Service: 7/10

Overall: 7/10

Link to Reflexions @ www.happ-it.com with more photos

The Reflexions at Hotel Plaza Athenee Bangkok has always been one of my favourite restaurants during the last few years. The kitchen of this restaurant is run by Chef Thibault Chiumenti, a young and genious chef from France. The decor of Reflexions is modern but simple with bar at the front, unlike the elegant style of Le Normandie at Mandarin Oriental. Apart from good food, The Reflexions also have choices of good wine to go with your dishes. Upon arrival at Reflexions, customers are served with varieties of warm breads.

Chef Thibault Chiumenti

Assorted Breads

As a complementary from Chef, a small portion of Marinated Salmon was first served. Fresh salmon was well mixed with olive oil and spices, however, it tasted rather light (6/10).

Lime Juice with Honey

Marinated Salmon

Next was Cream of Sea Urchin Soup and Truffle Emulsion, which was then followed by Wild Porcini Velvety from the Forest, Pheasant Ravioli and Truffle Emulsion.

Cream of Sea Urchin Soup and Truffle Emulsion was really creamy and thick with strong scent and sweetness of sea urchin. This was well prepared as there was no salty feeling of sea urchin. Additionally, the soup was accompanied with a piece of half-boiled lobster, which was tender and sweet. I must say this soup was a well created recipe (8/10).

Wild Porcini Velvety from the Forest, Pheasant Ravioli and Truffle Emulsion was again creamy but light. It gave a more chilling feeling. Another well blended from Chef Thibault (8/10).

Cream of Sea Urchin Soup and Truffle Emulsion

Wild Porcini Velvety from the Forest, Pheasant Ravioli and Truffle Emulsion

Entremets was then followed, it was Ginger Caviar. Unlike usual entremets, which would be something like ice-cream sorbet, Chef Thibault chose to serve a jelly-like dessert in the form of sphere with size of caviar. It was not just sweet but delicate and merriment (9/10).

Ginger Caviar

The main course was Roasted Dover Sole with Wild Mushrooms Duxelles, Roasted Baby Artichokes and Truffle Emulsion. This was indeed another great invention of Chef Thibault. Presentation was beautiful, the texture of fillet was firm but tender which went wonderfully with mushrooms duxelles. Baby artichokes were well picked as they all were fresh and crisp (8/10). In addition, Grilled Scallop with Baby Artichokes and Black Pepper Cream Sauce was served as a complementary. A pleasant dish, I must say. This dish could also be put in the menu from my point of view (8/10).

Roasted Dover Sole with Wild Mushrooms Duxelles, Roasted Baby Artichokes and Truffle Emulsion 

Grilled Scallop with Baby Artichokes and Black Pepper Cream Sauce

To end up the meal, Chocolate Fondant with Black Pepper & Madagascar Vanilla Ice-cream was chosen. The fondant was supremely baked from Valrhona chocolate, which was rich in flavour, with melted chocolate in the centre. The vanilla ice-cream was also fantastic. This is the best chocolate fondant in town I must say, far better than the famous Chocolate Lava from After You. Nonetheless, the fondant this time was a little over baked as I could feel from outside layer of the fondant, hence 6/10 otherwise 7/10.

Chocolate Fondant with Black Pepper & Madagascar Vanilla Ice-cream

For those you enjoy tasting French food, The Reflexions at Hotel Plaza Athenee Bangkok is surely another place to try out. I would not be surprise if I find myself visiting this restaurant frequently. Not only the very best foods are served but atmosphere is also great and friendly: always relax when dining here. Staffs are also lovely and helpful.

The Reflexions @ Hotel Plaza Athenee, Bangkok

3rd Floor Hotel Plaza Athenee

61 Wireless Road

Lumpini, Pathumwan

Bangkok, 10330

The Reflexions @ โรงแรมพลาซ่า แอทธินี

ชั้น 3 โรงแรมพลาซ่า แอทธินี

61 ถนนวิทยุ

แขวงลุมพินี เขตปทุมวัน

กรุงเทพ 10330

Tel: +66 (0) 2650 8800 ext 4338

Web: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien/property/dining/index.html?propertyID=1846

Shodai Keisuke Ramen Champions @ Arena 10, Bangkok

Cuisine: Japanese (Ramen)

Map: Shodai Keisuke, Ramen Champions @ Arena 10, Bangkok

Price: THB240 per person without alcohol (what I paid for)

Visited: 15 January 2011

Food: 5/10

Atmosphere: 3/10

Value for money: 4/10

Service: 3/10

Overall: 4/10

Shodai Keisuke is 1 of 6 recently open Ramen Champions @ Arena 10, Bangkok (The same venue as Funky Villa Pub). Shodai Keisuke is famous for its special ramen soup, which is a blend of 7 kinds of miso and bamboo charcoal. The soup is black in colour and thick. The restaurant itself is decorated in a typical Japanese ramen shop with a self-payment machine at the front. There is also an open kitchen area for those who enjoy observing chef's cooking. This restaurant can accommodate no more than 20 customers at the same time. The advantage of this restaurant community is large parking space.

Self-payment Machine

First of the two dishes today was Tontoro Chashu Kuro Kiwami (Roasted Pork Ramen in Black Miso Soup). This is the famous dish at Shodai Keisuke. It was a combination of egg noodle in black miso soup topping with boiled egg, seaweed, roasted pork, ginger, and onion and spring onion. The flavour was thick, rich, and salty from miso. Chashu was definitely tender even low in fat. This dish really can be enjoyable but could also be indeed oily if having too much (7/10).

Tontoro Chashu Kuro Kiwami

Tontoro Chashu Kuro Kiwami (Showing Noodle)

Yuzu Shio Ramen (Ramen in Soup with Salt Base and Yuzu) was somewhat lighter than Tontoro Chashu Kuro Kiwami. It had pale and clear soup with hint of yuzu and medium-size wheat noodle. It was served with bamboo shoot, pork belly, seaweed, and spring onion. Although, the soup could be refreshing, it was too salty to my taste. Bamboo shoot was a little chewy and the pork had too much fat layer. This would suite those who do not like thick and rich flavour of miso base ramen (5/10).

Yuzu Shio Ramen

From my point of view, Shodai Keisuke, one of Ramen Champions at Arena 10 Thonglor, provides up to Japanese standard of Ramen. The taste, the atmosphere are just like those in Japan as well as authentic. However, I could feel that fillings are too little when comparing to the amount of noodle given: too small portion for meat and vegetable. Another downside is I could feel dry in my throat and mouth after the meal here:just suspicious for over-use in food flavouring additive or MSG (monosodium glutamate). Otherwise, this is a good ramen shop to try out or for a quick meal but not an exceptional one that would worth a return journey for tasting purpose indeed.

Shodai Keisuke, Ramen Champions @ Arena 10, Bangkok

Thonglor Soi 10 (Soi Sukhumvit 55)

Sukhumvit Road

N. Klongton, Wattana

Bangkok, 10110

ร้านโชได เคสุเะ ราเมนแชมป์เปี้ยน โครงการ Arena 10
ชอยทองหล่อ 10 ถนนสุขุมวิท
แขวงคลองตันเหนือ, เขตวัฒนา
กรุงเทพ, 10110

Web: http://www.facebook.com/ramenchampion

Elite Grill Bar @ Ozono, Bangkok

Cuisine: Yakiniku

Map: Elite Grill Bar @ Ozono, Bangkok

Price: THB400 per person without alcohol (what I paid for)

Visited: 9 January 2011

Food: 5/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 5/10

Service: 4/10

Overall: 5/10

Elite Grill Bar is situated in a beautiful setting of Ozono Park in Soi Sukhumvit 39, Bangkok. The restaurant comprises of indoor seats and a few outdoor tables, which could be pleasing during night time. Apart from varieties of Yakiniku which ranges from beef to seafood, Elite Grill Bar also offers Shabu Shabu for those who love to have their meal with soup.

The vegetable choices for today meal were House Salad Mayonnaise Dressing, and Okra and Pumpkin Sliced for grilling. For salad, the portion seemed a bit small but the dressing went rather OK with crab stick and tobiko (4/10). Pumpkin Sliced was just ordinary (4/10). I, personally, fell for Okra, which was crunchy and sweet (6/10). Another dish was Green Lettuce with Japanese Soy Paste. It was too salty and not savoury, cannot be matched with those from Tamaruya Honten @ Isetan at all (2/10).

House Salad Mayonnaise Dressing

Green Lettuce with Japanese Soy Paste

Okra

Pumpkin Sliced

My choice of beef began with Beef Brisket (4/10), Premium Beef Toploin (5/10), and Premium Beef Tenderloin (5/10). None of these were outstanding but above standard. Premium Beef Tenderloin was more tender than the other two due to its fatty marble.

Beef Brisket

Premium Beef Toploin

Premium Beef Tenderloin

Next was Beef Rib which was really tender, juicy and well marinated (6/10). You won't be disappointed with this choice. Beef Tongue with Salt, the highlight of the meal, was large in size with tender texture. It went well with salt and pepper in sesame oil (7/10).

Beef on Grill Rack (Smokeless + Vacuum)

Beef Rib

Beef Tongue with Salt

When it came to pork, Pork with Japanese Curry Sauce (4/10) and Pork with Salt and Pepper (5/10) were picked. The quality of pork meat, I must say, was not up to standard caused by the smell. The texture was tender but not juicy. For Pork with Japanese Curry Sauce, the curry sauce didn't match well though.

Pork with Salt and Pepper

Pork with Japanese Curry Sauce

Overall, I would not say Elite Grill Bar is a must return restaurant but can be great for chilling out with friends and family. Pricing is also in the acceptable range. Nevertheless, there is also a branch of Elite Grill Bar at K-Village in which on my next journey I shall try out to see the difference between each branch.

Elite Grill Bar @ Ozono, Bangkok

307 Soi Sukhumvit 39, Sukhumvit Road

N. Klongton, Vadhana

Bangkok 10110

อีลิท กริลล์บาร์ @ โอโซโน
307 ซอยสุขุมวิท 39 ถนนสุขุมวิท
แขวงคลองเตยเหนือ เขตวัฒนา
กรุงเทพ 10110

Tel: +66 (0) 2259 7588