The Siam – Chon Thai Restaurant

The Siam is a rare, serene gem in Bangkok, which by contrast, is a bustling energy filled raucous city. A visit confirms a tranquil oasis, at our favorite boutique property known as The Siam. Step into your private urban sanctuary; a stunning, luxury hotel, replete with exquisite art and antiques and set amidst three acres of lush gardens on the Chao Phraya River, adjoining Bangkok’s must-see historical and cultural attractions.

To know a country is to know its cooking…

The Siam Chon Thai Restaurant

If you follow me on social media, you will know that a dear school friend shipped me multiple crates of fresh citrus during COVID 19, including a pomelo type grapefruit. It instantly reminded me of a few of my favorite dining experiences in Bangkok. One of my most enjoyable riverside lunches was at the Siam hotel restaurant, Chon Thai, a shrimp salad with delicately balanced flavors and textures, at once strong and subtle. Thai cuisine is the delicious paradox of contrast and harmony, requiring the deft, experienced touch of a master chef or an excellent recipe! Chef Damri Muksombat has honed his skills through some of the best Thai and international kitchens in the region. He previously cooked at the Four Seasons Tented Camp in Chiang Rai and was Ian Kittichai’s Executive Chef when Issaya Siamese Club broke into the top 50 restaurants in Asia in 2014.

The Siam Chon Thai Restaurant, Chef Damri Muksombat

The expert culinary team serve only the freshest, finest local produce, expertly prepared, and anchored by their respect for timeless Thai flavor’s. And with local culture and history steeped into the Thai teak wood houses that make up the restaurant, dining at Chon is always an unforgettable experience.

Chon Thai Restaurant, Bangkok

Chef also offers private cooking classes in a charming riverside café kitchen. One of my memorable lunches, was a simple salad of fresh shrimp on a salad bed of pomelo dusted with roasted cashews and peanuts. Chef was gracious enough to share the recipe with me..

The Siam Chon Thai Restaurant, Chef Damri Muksombat

Up Close & Personal private class with only two cooking stations per class, enjoy a truly immersive Thai cooking experience that will leave you with amazing memories to take home.

Join Chef for an optional excursion by Tuk-Tuk to the local fresh market for a first-hand look at the remarkable produce available in Bangkok’s Old Town.

Upon returning to The Siam, you will cook and then enjoy three delicious dishes of your choice.  Whether you are a first timer or a seasoned chef, you will never forget cooking under a traditional Thai teakwood house, overlooking the Chao Phraya River. Truly a memorable experience.

Chef's Table at Chon Thai Restaurant | The Siam Hotel, Bangkok
The Siam Chon Thai Restaurant, Cooking School

Bangkok sightseeing can begin on the banks of the river by stepping off the pier onto The Siam private boat – avoid the crowded streets and begin your sightseeing from the comfort of the private boat.

More about my visit to The Siam https://www.gwenbooks.com/2019/02/the-siam-bangkok/

A look at Bangkok https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/bangkok/-QEzc1Yl5uOJsA

The Siam Chon Thai Restaurant
The Siam Chon Thai Restaurant, Bangkok
Chon Thai Restaurant - Bangkok River
The Siam Chon Thai Restaurant, Bangkok

The Beaumont Hotel – Sharing Spiced Avocado

At its best, travel is a transformative experience, not just in the meeting of local peeps, but in the cuisine and beverages we savor. If you follow my Instagram posts, I now realize there are many, maybe too many photographs of my favorite evening cocktail, a Rye Manhattan. A drink, actually introduced to me by a client many years ago at a delectable dinner at Tadich Grill in San Francisco.

One of my most beloved clients is pretty precise about touring schedules: ‘Gwen, the most important time of the day is gathering for cocktails with our family and friends and sharing our memories of the museums or the extraordinary experiences you have organized for us. We end the day at 5 pm for freshening up and gathering for a proper cocktail!’

A toast to that dear client, I adore her!

At the Colony Grill Room in The Beaumont in London, I always order the same scrumptious meal: Rye Manhattan, Avocado Salad and Dover Sole. In an effort to share more travel inspiration, their spiced avocado recipe. The avocados are from Spain I felt they almost surpassed my favorite creamy California Haas avocados.

The Colony Grill Room, The Beaumont Hotel London
The Colony Grill Room Avocado Salad The Beaumont Hotel London

Sharing more travel inspiration, don’t worry Jannes, we will be back! The Beaumont Hotel in Mayfair, classic style in the grand tradition, The Beaumont recaptures the spirit of old world luxury.

2020 Conde Naste Traveller Gold List the editors favorite hotels in the world. https://www.thebeaumont.com/

“It serves food you want to eat, in a room in which you want to linger… A gleaming gem.”
Tom Parker Bowles, The Mail on Sunday

The Colony Grill Room at The Beaumont Hotel, London
The Colony Grill The Beaumont Hotel
The Cub Room for guests. The Beaumont Hotel

https://www.gwenbooks.com/2016/11/the-beaumont-london/https://www.gwenbooks.com/2016/11/the-beaumont-london/https://www.gwenbooks.com/2017/02/the-beaumont-london-2/