Gai and Joel Global Flavors @ Lang Suan Road, Bangkok

Cuisine: International

Maps: Gai and Joel Global Flavors @ Lang Suan Road, Bangkok - ไก่ แอนด์ โจแอ็ล โกลบอล เฟลเวอร์ส @ ถนนหลังสวน กรุงเทพ
Price: THB980 per person without alcohol (what I paid for)
Visited: 22 April 2011
Food: 6/10
Atmosphere: 6/10
Value for money: 4/10
Services: 5/10


Gai and Joel Global Flavors, an international restaurant at the far end of Lang Suan Road, is decorated in a rather modern style. Many dishes here are in fusion style: East meets West. Coming here may be a little hassle as it is rather far from public transportation, having Chidlom BTS station as the closest one. Driving here is ok but you either park along Lang Suan Road else park in LangSuan Balcony parking area, which is rather limited. On the service side, I found that every single staffs are very polite and friendly but lack of knowledge from my perspective. Not one of the best in town but ok to try out though. Good thing is the restaurant is rather big and it may be good for group gathering.

Upon arrival, we were greeted with Pineapple and Kiwi Juice, Seared Tuna, and a Basket of Breads. All of which are just ok.

Pineapple and Kiwi Juice

Basket of Breads

Seared Tuna

For starter, we again chose soups for the choice. Forest Mushroom, Truffle Nutmeg Foam and Cep Salt was perhaps the best during this meal. Strong and intense flavour of mushroom. Bits of mushroom that was not filtered were rather pleasant (7/10).
The other one was Purple Potato Leek, Cream of Sweet Potato and Sauteed Leek. Not one of the best I have had in town though. Creamy with sweetness from potato was delightful but lack of flavour (6/10).

Forest Mushroom, Truffle Nutmeg Foam and Cep Salt

Purple Potato Leek, Cream of Sweet Potato and Sauteed Leek

Entremets were also served in-between with Pomegranate Sherbet. This was interesting at first look but disappointment from the taste. Too sweet and too icy in big lump (3/10).

Pomegranate Sherbet

For the main course, we had Striped Sea Bass "Patata Salata", Greek Estima Potato Salad, Horta Cultivated Greens Capperi, and Green Olive Harpuka Tapenade as the first choice. This dish had rather mild flavour that was led by salty scent. However, it was overcooked to my like and side dish was too normal (5/10).
The other choice was Salmon Trout Miso Confit: Slow Roast 60 Degree, Sweet Bean, Coriander, Spring Onion and Chinese Celery. Surely closest to fusion food for this dish. But nothing outstanding, miso with celery tasted like light curry here. Again fish was overdone, giving rather hard touch (4/10).

Striped Sea Bass "Patata Salata"

Salmon Trout Miso Confit

Though did not have positive experience from this visit, most of dishes were fusion in the way that did not match. I probably need to try non fusion dishes for the next visit and give it a comparison.


Gai and Joel Global Flavors @ Lang Suan Road, Bangkok
99/11-12 Luangsuan Balcony Building
Lang Suan Road
Lumpini, Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330
Thailand


ไก่ แอนด์ โจแอ็ล โกลบอล เฟลเวอร์ส @ ถนนหลังสวน กรุงเทพ
99/11-12 อาคารหลังสวนบัลโคนี่
ถนนหลังสวน
แขวงลุมพินี เขตปทุมวัน
กรุงเทพ 10330


Open Hours: Monday - Saturday 11:00am - 10:00pm
Tel: +66 (0) 2684 5944
Web: http://www.gaiandjoel.com/

Onyx Restaurant @ Budapest, Hungary

Cuisine: Hungarian

Map: Onyx Restaurant @ Budapest, Hungary

Price: HUF6,550 per person without alcohol (what I paid for)

Visited: 6 April 2011

Food: 8/10

Atmosphere: 9/10

Value for money: 9/10

Services: 8/10

The rising star of Gerbeaud group, Onyx Restaurant, is situated in the heart of Budapest on Vorosmarty Square (pretty close to Kempinski Hotel Corvinus). Onyx is surely one of the best restaurant in Hungary at present. The restaurant is decorated beautifully in rather grand style with mixing of contemporary: 2 fireplaces with large mirror above on left and right, sofa along window seats with small chandeliers while 2 large chandeliers placed in the middle of the room. Lighting with halogen giving soft mood with soft jazzy music as background. The restaurant may look small in the first place but it should hold up to 50 customers comfortably, giving it has large table for more than 10 people within the restaurant. Parking can be tedious but the nearest underground is less than a minute away on foot (Vorosmarty ter). 

Onyx Menu

Onyx Exterior

Onyx Interior

Assorted Breads

We had a chance to visit Onyx during lunch, we hence went for lunch course. We began our course with Saibling Filet with Fresh Spicy Baby Salad, Horseradish - Sour Cream and Smoked Quail Egg. This may look just like raw char that is beautifully decorated. But it tasted really light and refreshing. The smoked quail egg was not like egg at all: feature like texture and creamy scent (8/10).

While Saibling Filet was splendid, Tomato Variations with Caramelized Goat Cheese was also as good. This was a near perfection for simplicity. Cracked sweet caramel on top of smooth goat cheese with sour scent from from tomato: the flavour was just beyond its appearance (8/10).

Saibling Filet with Fresh Spicy Baby Salad

Tomato Variations with Caramelized Goat Cheese

Breast of Veal with Wild Garlic Pesto, Parmesan-Celery Foam and Soft Egg Yolk was one of the main course. This one was surely enjoyable, especially, the invention of super smooth parmesan-celery foam mixing with runny and creamy egg yolk (8/10).

Next was Breast of Guinea Fowl Supreme with Roasted Asparagus and Herb Salad. This was a good dish but rather typical comparing to other dishes. However, asparagus in caramelised sauce was soft as well as breast of guinea fowl (7/10).

Breast of Veal with Wild Garlic Pesto

Breast of Guinea Fowl Supreme

For desserts, we managed to have Somlo Sponge Cake of the 21st Century and Marinated Rhubarb with Lukewarm Milk Rice and Rhubarb Sorbet.
Somlo Sponge Cake of the 21st Century had already stunned me by the name itself. It was a sponge based cake on top with rich ganache like chocolate and whipped cream. This was well presented. However, this may be just very rich chocolate cake to somebody (7/10).
Marinated Rhubarb with Lukewarm Milk Rice and Rhubarb Sorbet had really shocked me. I usually do not like rhubarb but I fell in love with this dessert. The complexity between sweetness and sour from rhubarb and sorbet to combine with creamy rice pudding was amazing. The texture of rhubarb was crisp (9/10). 

Somlo Sponge Cake of the 21st Century

Marinated Rhubarb with Lukewarm Milk Rice and Rhubarb Sorbet

Giving its rather low price for this class of restaurant, I would recommend it to anyone who would visit Budapest. The food is sublime with variety of wine list and beverage, service is great and the decor is stunning. Having earned its first Michelin star in the fourth year of operation, personally, Onyx can do pretty much more than this in the near future. Thus, do give it a visit before the price is up. A return journey for me to this fantastic place is surely a must in the future.

Onyx Restaurant @ Budapest, Hungary

Vörösmarty tér 7-8Budapest 1051Hungary

Open Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 12:00am - 02:00pm for lunch and 06:30pm - 11:00pm for dinner

Tel: +36 (0) 30 508 0622

Web: http://www.onyxrestaurant.hu

La Tavola @ Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, Bangkok

Cuisine: Italian

Map: La Tavola @ Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, Bangkok - ลา ทาโวล่า @ โรงแรมเรเนซองส์ แบงค์คอก ราชประสงค์ กรุงเทพ

Price: THB1,400 per person (what I paid for)

Visited: 28 April 2011

Food: 6/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Value for money: 7/10

Services: 8/10

La Tavola is an Italian restaurant in Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel. It is decorated in modern style with large space. Furnitures were also large. There is also a great wine bar with good price. The restaurant has rather cool ambient with soft tone music as background. The open kitchen is also nice and enjoyable. Additionally, La Tavola also has variety of wine list that is offered by glass. Being situated in the centre of Bangkok, t is easily accessed: BTS Chidlom station is the closest. There are also lots of parking space available. Though the restaurant is pretty large, there are ~ 40 - 50 seats available due to large spacing and tables.

Focaccia with Balsamic and Olive Oil

For appetisers, we had Cream Potato and Leek Soup with Truffle Oil and Crouton as one of the two. It was too light for me both taste and texture. Also it lacked scent and touch of potato which should be the core ingredient (4/10).

The other appetiser was Seared Rare Scallops, Grilled Green Zucchini with Red Wine Reduction. I enjoyed this one much more. Texture was well cooked. Tender with  little rare and soft zucchini. However, it was still too light: lack of the final touch (6/10).

Cream Potato and Leek Soup with Truffle Oil and Crouton

Seared Rare Scallops, Grilled Green Zucchini with Red Wine Reduction

Coming to main course, we appreciated the taste greater. Black Cod Fish Baked with Milk, Bay Leaf Served with Potato Tart was tender with light texture. Creamy and soft. Potato tart was well structured (7/10).

The other dish was Sous-vide 60 degree C Duck Breast, Celeriac Mash Potato, Dried Fig Sauce. This was surely enjoyable. Superbly tender duck meat to combine with sweetness from fig sauce was delightful. Mash potato was also incredibly smooth (7/10).

Black Cod Fish Baked with Milk, Bay Leaf Served with Potato Tart

Sous-vide 60 degree C Duck Breast, Celeriac Mash Potato, Dried Fig Sauce

I found that La Tavola is a good restaurant to visit from time to time. Pricing is sensible both food and alcohol. Service was friendly and helpful. This is surely a great place for both dinner and just to hang out with friends, colleagues or even customers.

La Tavola @ Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, Bangkok

3rd Floor, Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel

518/8 Ploenchit Road

Lumpini, Pathumwan

Bangkok 10330

Thailand

ลา ทาโวล่า @ โรงแรมเรเนซองส์ แบงค์คอก ราชประสงค์ กรุงเทพ

ชั้น 3, โรงแรมเรเนซองส์ แบงค์คอก ราชประสงค์

518/8 ถนนเพลินจิต

แขวงลุมพินี เขตปทุมวัน

กรุงเทพ 10330

Open Hours: Lunch 11:30am - 02:30pm and Dinner 06:00pm - 10:00pm daily

Tel: +66 (0) 2125 5000

Web: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/restaurant/bkkbr-renaissance-bangkok-ratchaprasong-hotel/