Overcoming the handicap of working with grapes such as Colombard & Chenin Blanc, Kathrin Puff, resident winemaker at Siam Winery, coaxed the very best out of them to deliver: Monsoon Valley Sparkling Brut Blanc de Blancs 2009, a sparkling cuvée she created that had hints of creaminess along with the added rapture of achieving an effervescence of small, tightly knit bubbles and Monsoon Valley Premium Colombard 2010, made from pure Colombard, ascended far above any version I had previously sampled. Another wine I really fancied, was the easy to drink Monsoon Valley Cuvée de Siam Rouge 2008.
The dinner was given at the Siam Kempinski Hotel, Bangkok at their restaurant Sra Bua featuring Kiin Kiin’s authentic Thai food with a modern flair. Chef Morten Bøjstrup created an interesting 6-course experience meant to enliven the senses.
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Thursday, 10th February 2011
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Aperitif
(7pm)
Seaweed Tapioca with Oyster Sauce Foam
Lotus with Lime and Sugar
Monsoon Valley Sparkling Brut Blanc de Blancs 2009
Dinner
Prawn Cevice with Lemongrass
Young Coconut and Tom Yum Dip
Monsoon Valley Premium Colombard 2010
*****
Pan-fried Scallops with Carrot
Ginger and Tamarind
Monsoon Valley Cuvée de Siam Blanc 2009
*****
Quail with Tom Kha, Consommé Gel and Mushrooms
Monsoon Valley Premium Shiraz 2009
*****
Poached Egg with Magic Sauce
Black Pepper and Basil
Monsoon Valley Cuvée de Siam Rouge 2008
*****
Five Spice Banana Cake
with Earl Gray Ice Cream and Jasmine Foam
Monsoon Valley Chenin Blanc Late Harvest 2010
The beautiful lobby at the Siam Kempinski Hotel, Bangkok
Above: A Vanilla Mint Julep was delivered to the table by a charming young lady called Jill, a mix of Japanese & Thai Chinese, who at the time was the front-of-house representative for 1897 Bar, just off the lobby, although she was also capable of jumping behind the bar and mixing an amazing cocktail herself. As is commonplace these days in Bangkok, employees are like butterflies flitting from place to place, and it comes as no great surprise that she is no longer working there. The bar has an adjacent open-air terrace where smoking is permitted.
Young Coconut and Tom Yum Dip
Prawn Cevice with Lemongrass
Quail with Tom Kha, Consommé Gel and Mushrooms
Five Spice Banana Cake with Earl Gray Ice Cream and Jasmine Foam
Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese – English White Cheddar, Mascarpone, Parmesan & Fontina Cheese, Sage Butter and breadcrumbs,
Larchmont Grill’s Fall Salad – Baby Greens, Asiago Cheese, Pear, Dried Local Cherries, Toasted Almonds, Lemon Poppy
Braised Short Ribs – Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Glazed Carrots, Red Wine Reduction
Duck Cassoulet – Duck Leg, Lamb Sausage, Country Bacon, Onion, Carrot, White Bean Ragout
Turkey Pot Pie (as presented at the table), in its own pot………
Overturned on service plate, so the crust is on the bottom! Slow Roasted Turkey, Potatoes, Onions. Carrots, Celery, Peas,
Black Angus Burger with Gorgonzola, Grilled Onions on Brioche Seed Bun with Fries (includes Sweet Potatoes)
Chocolate-covered Bananas – Bananas rolled in Peanut Butter, then in a mix of Belgian Chocolates and then in Peanuts
Pumpkin Roll – Rolled Spiced Pumpkin Cake, Chantilly Cream, Cider Shot
★Culinary Tidbits . . . a Bizarre Dish from among many presented from the new line-up at El Bulli, as captured by The Ultimate Epicure: 
Martha Stewart flings a cheese mixture at David Letterman, after he goaded her on to do it, after feeling a bit sheepish after slinging remark after remark about her serving time in jail, this occurred during his national television show the other night while she was showing him how to make Super Bowl canapes. She then replied, “That was over nine years ago”, and let him have it.
