Podere Forte Wine Dinner @ Enoteca Italiana Bangkok

Cuisine: Italian

Map: Podere Forte Wine Dinner @ Enoteca Italiana Bangkok

Charged Price: THB3,500 per person

Visited: 21 April 2015

Food: 6/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Value for money: 5/10

Services: 6/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

It's another night of wine dinner and again at Enoteca Italiana Bangkok. It had been Valdicava wine dinner back in November 2014 and this time was Podere Forte wine dinner. The night started with Champagne from Larmandier-Bernier as aperitif, followed by Petruccino, Petrucci, and finished with vertical of Guardiavigna 2008 - 2010. They were all fantastic and delightful. Here are brief notes:

Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Latitude NV (91/100): Excellent champagne with good qpr. At the price around EUR30 a bottle, it's awesome. This is Blanc de Blancs aka chardonnay. Larmandier-Bernier Latitude is an example of pure and elegant style. It is creamy and it is full. But yet complexity and smoothness lie within. Aroma of pear, anise, and orchard. Full on the palate with minerality, lemon, and stone. Mild honey and almond. Lovely aperitif to enjoy within a few years of release. (~ EUR30)

Podere Forte Petruccino 2012 (90/100): This is a lovely sangiovese-merlot blend (70:30). It is drinking beautifully now. Exhibit cherry and raspberry flavour. Mild spices and mint on the secondary note. Attractive aroma of red fruits and floral. Fine finish. Medium-full structure. Modern. (~ EUR30)

Podere Forte Petrucci 2010 (95/100): It's WOTN for me. Still a little young but accessible. Sexy bouquet of cherry and raspberry jumped out aggressively followed by flowers and spices. Savoury sangiovese fruits on the palate. Medium bodied and fine tannins. Outstanding texture and acidity integrated well. Gentleman of the night, it was. 100% Sangiovese. (~ EUR100)

Podere Forte Guardiavigna 2008 (93/100), 2009 (92/100), 2010 (94/100): Guardiavigna is bordeaux blend with cabernet franc and merlot as the key grapes and petit verdot as the final touch. Three of them were nice but presented totally different characters. In common, they showed bouquet of cassis, black currants, eucalyptus, spices, and hint of tobacco and earth. All of them have full structure with oakiness especially 2009 vintage which was broodingly chewy too. To me, 2010 vintage is more of finesse and elegant, whilst 2009 vintage is about power and muscle. As for 2008 vintage, it might not be as as beauty as vintage 2010 but the opulent style of 2008 clicked with my sense more. These are fine wines but they come with some price tag as well. (~ EUR80)

Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Latitude NV

Podere Forte Petruccino 2012

Podere Forte Petrucci 2010

Podere Forte Guardiavigna 2008

Podere Forte Guardiavigna 2009

Podere Forte Guardiavigna 2010

Podere Forte Wine Dinner @ Enoteca Italiana Bangkok
39 Soi Sukhumvit 27
Sukhumvit Road
Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok 10110

Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 06:00pm - midnight

Tel: +66 (0) 2258 4386
Web: http://www.enotecabangkok.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/EnotecaBangkok

Benjamin Leroux Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Baudines 2012

Date of Tasting: 5 March 2015

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13%

Origin: Burgundy, France

Appellation: Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru AOC

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR80

Web: http://www.benjamin-leroux.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Professional Rating: WA - 93/100, BH - 92/100

Appearance: Bright yellow

Aroma: Pure and fresh pear with floral floor and limestone

Palate: Rich structure with primary minerality. Vibrant acidity and tanginess. Citrus and peach notes. Dry and clean.

It is a fine and elegant Chassagne-Montrachet for me. However, at the moment its bouquet is still understated and tightly knitted. It would need a few years of good sleep before the real show of complexity will reveal. Keep it safe for the mean while.

Nippon Kai Market @ 9:53 Community Mall, Bangkok - นิปปอน ไกด์ มาร์เก็ต @ 9:53 Community Mall กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Japanese (sushi)

Map: Nippon Kai Market @ 9:53 Community Mall, Bangkok - นิปปอน ไกด์ มาร์เก็ต @ 9:53 Community Mall กรุงเทพฯ

Charged Price: THB700 per person

Visited: 19 April 2015

Food: 5/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 4/10

Services: 4/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Nippon Kai has been around for years with mostly in the form of small food stall in front of supermarkets. Here is another form of Nippon Kai chain, "Nippon Kai Market". It is located in 9:53 Community Mall which is in Soi Sukhumvit 53 and is right at the corner where Soi Sukhumvit 53 intersect Soi Thonglor 9. Basically, it is good to drive here with valet parking service available. However, BTS Thonglor station is not so far away: motorbike taxi from the station will do the job but walking is a little too far especially during very hot season. The place is just comfortably large with around 15 tables on the upper floor. On the lower floor, it is like a mini seafood stall where you can see and choose your favourite ingredients, and there is a sushi counter which can accommodate around 8 guests. In brief, you can do like a mini seafood shopping before stating how you'd like your dishes to be prepared.

Nippon Kai Market @ 9:53 Community Mall, Bangkok

sushi counter bar

seafood market style restaurant

I believe this sushi kind of Japanese restaurant is no different from other places in term of pricing. They are not priced steeply nor cheaply. But using marketing scheme of discounting occasionally probably does its job nicely in attracting customers.

What I had during the visit started with Salmon Sashimi (5/10) which was at standard quality. It was followed by Spicy Tuna Roll (6/10). They are quite generous with ingredients here. We kind of like the crunchy batters that came along with. In general, I am not a fan of modern sushi rolls but this spicy roll was enjoyable with balance between spicy touch and creamy mayonnaise. Tai Nigiri (5/10) or sea bream was another standard quality but rather fresh on the day. Lastly, it was Ama Ebi Nigiri (3/10) or sweet shrimp. I was disappointed with this one. Not really fresh in brief.

The point I would like to make about this place is that if possible, do ask for sushi counter seats especially on a busy day. There are only a few sushi chefs and your order can take a long while when the place is crowded. Anyway, service might not be so great here but be patient (^.^).

Salmon Sashimi (THB159 per 100 grams)

Spicy Tuna Roll (THB280)

Tai Nigiri (THB135)

Ama Ebi Nigiri (THB90)

Nippon Kai Market @ 9:53 Community Mall, Bangkok - นิปปอน ไกด์ มาร์เก็ต @ 9:53 Community Mall กรุงเทพฯ

124 Soi Sukhumvit 53
Sukhumvit Road
Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok 10110

Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 11:00am - 11:00pm

Tel: +66 (0) 2662 5683
FB: https://www.facebook.com/nipponkaimarket/