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of the Month
Jirachai Sethisakko, 32, is the Wine Guru at Anantara
Phuket Resort & Spa
Where were you born?
In Chantaburi on the East Coast of Thailand.
Where did you train?
I have never undertaken any formal training. I am
completely self-taught. I started studying wine four
years ago when I was working at Anantara Koh
Samui Resort & Spa.
What do you like about your job?
By day, I am the Food & Beverage Manager, by night
I put on my Wine Guru hat. I really enjoy helping
guests choose a wine they may not have tried before –
particularly something that complements what they
plan to eat.
Which country produces your favourite wine?
France and Italy. They have a unique history of wine
production and strict quality control. But above all I
love the variety of tastes.
Do you have a favourite winery?
My favourite is Castellare di Castellina in Tuscany.
They produce one of the great so-called ‘Super
Tuscan’ wines called I Sodi di San Niccolo 1999. I
went there just over two years ago and loved the
wine and the place.
When it comes to bubbles,
does it have to be champagne?
A glass of real Champagne before a meal is the best
aperitif, but Bellavista Franciacorta from Northern
Italy can stand up to the finest Champagnes.
Is there a wine that goes with a classic Thai meal?
For Thai food, I’d recommend a Thai wine - Monsoon
Valley Colombard 2008.
What do you drink on your day off?
Right now I’m drinking a refreshing glass of
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.
www.anantara.com
Sukhumvit 33 Tel: 02 662 2323
www.basilicopizzeria.com Sukhumvit 20 Tel: 02 663 6633
Business
Lunch
Fuzio
MINI Cooper Bldg 6th Floor.
99/99 Sukhumvit 63 (Ekkamai) Tel: (66-2) 711 6999
Strange sights are common in Bangkok – elephants cluttering the
streets and Katoeys tottering along the sois on high heels. What you
might not expect is a Mini Cooper in full Union Jack livery directing you
to a stylish Italian eatery – Fuzio.
Yes, the Italian Job has come to Bangkok, because this restaurant is on
the 6th floor above the Mini garage. But don’t worry it isn’t all oily rags
and monkey wrenches – this is about as up market as Thailand’s capital
has to offer. It’s much more Noel Coward than Michael Caine.
A lift takes diners to a large restaurant set out in minimalist style, all
gleaming silver and crisp white table linens. If you are on unlimited
expenses or a rich friend is paying by all means work your way through
the impressive a la carte menu. At Business Lunch we like a little more
bang for our Baht, which is where Fuzio’s Quick Fix Lunch comes in.
The all-you-can-eat Antipasto Buffet, which includes a selection of
hams, salamis, crisp fresh salads, cheeses and roasted asparagus, is yours
for the extremely modest price of THB 250++. The small dishes that make
up the buffet are regularly replaced as the emphasis here is on keeping it
fresh. Salads are not left to wilt or cheeses to molder.
The other option is to go for the Pasta/Pizza Set (THB 350++) or the
Meat Set (THB 420++). Whichever set you go for, antipasto, dessert and
tea/coffee are included. Portions are not enormous, don’t expect
American super-size, but are perfectly acceptable.
On cooler days diners can sit outside on the wine terrace and
enjoy uninterrupted views over Bangkok. This is a fine, not to say
expensive, restaurant that suddenly becomes very affordable in the
middle of the day. Ladies who lunch and business tycoons alike should
climb into their Mini Coopers and head to Fuzio – it’s a steal.
Jim Preen
Basilico Pizzeria
Sukhumvit 33 (0 2662 2323)
This extremely popular Italian
restaurant has become a well-
known landmark in Soi 33, it’s
bright and airy conservatory is
dominated by a huge pizza
oven, where chefs can be seen
giving displays of pizza twirling,
to the delight of an audience
largely consisting of children.
Particular menu favourites
include Insalata Di Rucola,
Salsiccia & Pomodori (Rocket
Salad with Italian Sausage and
Tomato), Penne al Gorgonzola e
Mascarpone con Tartufo e Porcini
(Pe n n e w i t h G o rg o n zo l a &
Mascarpone with Truffle and
Porcini Mushroom.) and
outstanding meat and fish dishes.
Sukhumvit 20 (0 2663 6633)
The second branch of Bangkok’s
Best Restaurant (2005) has won
awards in its own right as BK
Magazine’s 2007 Reader’s Choice
favourite pizzeria. No wonder as
Basilico Pizza with its topping of
Parma Ham, Mascarpone Cheese
& Rocket can lay very good claim
to being Bangkok’s best pizza.
Limoncello
19/1 Sukhumvit Soi 11
(0 2651 0707)
At a time when Italian restaurants
were getting progressively
fancier, Limoncello instantly
won acclaim for it’s excellent
no - nonsense approach. It
dishes up some of the best
pizzas and pastas in town in
a fresh cafeteria style. The
open pizza oven, checkerboard
tiles on the floor, and the adobe
finish give a rustic air to this
charming old villa.
PLATFORM
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