Diners can delight in a selection of Asian and Italian favourites along with premium seafood on ice and on the grill, including half a Maine lobster per person prepared to the diner’s liking and traditional Christmas comfort classics such as roast turkey with turkey stuffing, roast honey glazed ham, roast Wagyu beef, Christmas stollen, a gingerbread house and much more.

Diners can feast on Christmas Eve brunch at Amaya from noon to 3pm. The price is Bt1,800 per person (food only).

For Christmas Eve dinner at Amaya, diners can enjoy a buffet of international delights featuring a variety of cuisine, from Japanese, Italian, Chinese, Indian and Thai to Western. Highlights include roast turkey, honey glazed ham and lamb chops as well as seafood on ice and much more for Bt2,500.

Diners who did not get a chance to feast with family on Christmas Eve can enjoy a Christmas lunch buffet. The Christmas Day lunch features a range of premium seafood, including Alaskan crab, rock lobsters, tiger prawns, oysters and mussels along with a variety of cuisines ranging from Thai, Indian and Italian to traditional Christmas highlights such as roast turkey from Europe, honey glazed bone ham, lamb chops and much more.

Christmas lunch is priced at Bt1,500 per person (food only) and is available from noon to 2.30pm.

For more information and reservations, call (02) 653 9000.

Armed with this essential micro-guide, guests will be able to head out and explore Na Jomtien – an exciting and emerging coastal community that is attracting an increasing number of young Thai and international travellers seeking new experiences.

These include scenic cycling routes through the local countryside, kite-surfing, sailing, snorkelling and scuba diving.

“A short drive away from the busy streets of Pattaya, Na Jomtien is a delightful destination where the warm, turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand lap gently against pristine beaches,” the hotel’s general manager Somchai Suwannagate said.

“But X2 Vibe Pattaya Seaphere offers far more than just sun, sea and sand. Curious visitors can discover many interesting and healthy activities here too. Our new X2 ‘Vibe-rations Na Jomtien Micro Guide’ will allow guests to explore the local area and discover a selection of superb restaurants, including many specialising in fresh seafood, plus an array of sports and lifestyle attractions,” Somchai added.

The guide lists such cool bars and eateries as the hotel’s own 4K Cafe – an all-day dining fusion cuisine overlooking the infinity pool on the eighth floor — Rimpa Lapin Scenic Bar & Restaurant, a Thai fusion restaurant with spectacular views across the Gulf; the elegant Glass House Beachfront Restaurant & Bar; and the ultra-chilled-out View Mare Beachfront Bar & Restaurant. The guide also highlights a series of traditional seafood outlets where the catch of the day is freshly grilled.

Away from the beach, Silverlake is a stunning Tuscan-style vineyard, winery and restaurant where guests can sample locally produced wine and exquisite cuisine.

The guide also focuses on the many healthy activities offered in the area. Exhilarating kite-surfing is available at Club Loong Chat, View Mare and Blue Lagoon Pattaya, while yachting and sailing can be enjoyed at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Bang Saray Beach. Guests wanting to discover life beneath the waves can take a snorkeling or scuba diving trip to idyllic local beaches or to islands Koh Sak, Koh Larn, Koh Phai and Koh Samae San.

Meanwhile, local cycling routes allow curious guests to pedal out into the beautiful, undulating countryside, past such attractions as Wat Yanasangvararam, Khao Chi Chan Buddha, Silverlake Vineyard, and the Royal Siri Charoenwat Forest Plantation Project. Discover the new hotel exclusive rates starting from Bt2,579-plus.

For more information, visit http://x2vibe.com/residences/pattaya-seaphere/

MODELLED LOOSELY after Milan’s oldest and cherished shopping arcade Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, new Italian restaurant Galleria Milano impresses from the moment you open the door. Those favourable first impressions become even stronger on the first mouthful of food, as the palate savours the natural flavour of organic vegetables and other healthy ingredients finely cooked by one-Michelin star chef Roland Schuller.

With plenty of references to Milan in the decor, Galleria Milano is a pleasant place to kick back.

Located at Mille Malle Building in Soi Sukhumvit 20 in the space formerly occupied by Let Them Eat Cake, the refined ambience evokes a more gracious time. The restaurant’s founder, Antonio Marelli of La Villa Thonglor fame, wanted to propose fine Italian cuisine in an atmosphere reminiscent of a Milanese living room, and this he has achieved in spades thanks to arched window frames, a beautiful ceiling, and a wall taken up by a monitor disguised as a window projecting a view of Giuseppe Mengoni’s historical landmark.

Chef Roland Schuller

Schuller, who earned a Michelin star for Rome’s Ristorante All’Oro, was formerly based in Hong Kong but moved to Thailand to set up an organic farm in Hua Hin.

“It is the responsibility of chef and restaurant to offer high quality meals with healthy ingredients. I am a firm believer in the health properties of  vegetables and I avoid ‘toxic’ ingredients like sugar and processed products. I prefer to use only organic ingredients,” he says.

The dishes are cooked in accordance with what’s in season using Mediterranean techniques and recipes to ensure the healthiest nourishment.

Grilled Caesar Salad

Schuller’s tasting menu starts with Grilled Caesar Salad (Bt420), for which he lightly grills the organic vegetables before dressing them with anchovies, crispy bacon and Parmesan cheese. Spaghetti with Mediterranean Red Prawns Capers Oregano (Bt850) follows, with the pasta mixed with fresh tomato sauce to which the juices of a lemon and orange are added. It’s served with baked red prawn imported from Spain.

Spring Chicken Cacciatore

Falkland Seabass with potato Guanciale (Bt900) showcases the fine flavours of this cold-water fish, which is cooked with tomato and miso sauce, while Spring Chicken Cacciatore (Bt880) is made with French spring chicken roasted with rosemary, and served with olives and baby potato.

Steam seabass with red quinoa

Other worthy menu choices include Steamed Seabass with Red Quinoa (Bt900) served in Chinese style dim sum and, for the meat lovers, Beef Tartar with Garlic (Bt900) and Wagyu Rib-Eye Grilled with Grilled Vegetables (priced according to weight). Also popular is the Tortellini Veal Shank with Kale Emulsion.

Schuller has appreciated home-made cooking for as long as he can remember. “When I had the opportunity to take culinary course at the age of 15, I discovered the broad diversity of ingredients and cooking techniques that varied from location to location. This inspired me to travel and learn about different gastronomic cultures. For me, the key factor is to present and highlight the taste of the main ingredient through the cooking process in such a way that it will not affect the natural nutrients in the food.”

Tiramisu Meringue

For dessert he presents Tiramisu Meringue (Bt220), a delicate delight that blends the tastes of meringue with the rich flavour of tiramisu.

“My food has a different taste because I use organic vegetables, simple cooking methods and very little sauce. The food is very light. People don’t like heavy food anymore. Simple ingredients can also make the food very special. Take the black winter truffle. It is now in season in Europe and I have brought it here for the festive season. It can be sliced and served on top of every dish.” he says.

MEDITERRANEAN BY DESIGN

Galleria Milano is in Mille Malle on Soi Sukhumvit 20. Its open daily from 11.30 to 2 and again from 6 to 11.

Book a table at (02) 663 4988 or visit http://www.GalleriaMilanoRestaurant.com.

JAPAN AND China have more of the world’s best restaurants than anywhere else, according to the La Liste ranking, which will be published next week.

Although the French-based list will declare Guy Savoy’s flagship Paris riverside restaurant the best in the world for the second year running – and French cooking dominates the top 100 – the big trend is the climb of Chinese haute cuisine.

“The rise and rise of China is the big story,” says Jorg Zipprick, who crunched the numbers for the “guide of guides”, which was set up as a “more scientific and reliable” rival three years ago to the British-based 50 Best Restaurants.

Japan still tops the country table with 138 restaurants in the top 1,000 of the French classification – which aggregates reviews from guides, newspapers and websites including TripAdvisor – but China is closing the gap fast with 123.

French chef Guy Savoy poses in the dining room of his Michelin threestarred restaurant in the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint) in the French capital. /AFP

“Up to now China has been one of the most difficult countries to get data from,” Zipprick says, but a boom in local gastronomic guides has changed all that.

“Asia has a lot more restaurants than Europe and it is only logical that La Liste will reflect that,” he adds.

Tokyo institution Kyubey, whose sushi is renowned for being both “extraordinary and reasonably priced”, took third spot after Le Bernardin, a New York fish restaurant run by Emmy award-winning US television chef Eric Ripert.

Two other restaurants in the Japanese capital made the top 20, the minuscule Kyo Aji and French chef Joel Robuchon’s plush dining room in a reconstructed French chateau.

They were followed by the highest-placed Chinese restaurant, the Huai Yang Fu at Andingmen in Beijing – whose speciality is a roast pork dish adored by Chairman Mao.

The French Laundry, a former saloon in California’s Napa Valley, is among the newcomers. Photo/Wikipedia

While there is no dramatic change at the summit of the list, there were three newcomers to the top 10, including The French Laundry, a former saloon in California’s Napa Valley which “Kitchen Confidential” author Anthony Bourdain has called “the best restaurant in the world, period”.

It shared an almost perfect mark of 99 out of 100 with La Vague d’Or in the French Riviera resort of Saint Tropez and Martin Berasategui’s restaurant in the village of Lasarte in Spain’s Basque country.

Aponiente, a restaurant in El Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain that brings seafood to a new level, is a big climber in the list. /Photo/Aponiente

Another of the big climbers was Aponiente at the other end of Spain, where diners cleanse their palates with a plankton sorbet.

The Andalusian fish specialist in El Puerto de Santa Maria jumped 200 places on the back of getting a third Michelin star.

For the first time a Canadian restaurant, Alo in Toronto, has entered the top 100, while the Turkish female chef Aylin Yazicioglu makes the grade for her highly-rated Istanbul restaurant, Nicole.

New York’s Eleven Madison Park, which was first in the 50 Best Restaurants ranking in 2017, made the top five.

But the two lists differ widely beyond that – although they roughly agree that El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain; Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, as well Alain Ducasse and Le Bernardin represent more or less the summit of the culinary arts.

La Liste’s aggregator of the 1,000 top-rated restaurants in the world is modelled on the world tennis rankings and the Shanghai Ranking for universities.

While Japan, China, France and the United States top the league for having the highest number of best restaurants, Switzerland with 38 for a population of eight million, has the highest per capital rating.

Zipprick said its database – which is available as a smartphone app – now includes 16,000 eateries across the world which it classifies from haute cuisine to lower-priced “Food Gems”.

Superstar chef Gordon Ramsay’s flagship London restaurant remained the highest-rated British table, pipping L’Enclume, which operates in a former blacksmith’s forge in Cumbria, northwest England.

This year’s winners will be formally announced at a banquet in Paris tomorrow, with 40 of the world’s leading chefs also invited to meet French President Emmanuel Macron at his Elysee Palace residence.

Sicily-born Candiano, who hails from the 2-Michelin-Star Locanda Don Serafino Restaurant in the historic city of Ragusa, almost exclusively selects local produce and Mediterranean fish for his artistic and flavourful creations, which reference the traditions and culture of his Sicilian and ancient Hyblean heritage. He will be offering two exclusive degustation menus for lunch and dinner, each with an optional and perfectly matched wine pairing.

The 5-course lunch menu is priced at Bt3,500 (plus Bt2,500 for wine pairing)  and the 9-Course dinner at Bt5,800 (plus Bt3,000 for wine pairing). The dishes include creamed cod salad with strawberries, tomatoes, spicy bread crumble and celery juice; gentile pasta with Sicilian Caciocavallo cheese, lemongrass, roasted langoustine and crunchy pistachio waffle; and braised pork pancetta, with paprika, apple and capsicum compote and crescioni with rustic mustard.

As limited seating is available, gastronomes are advised to make advance reservations. Call (02) 207 7777, e-mail fb.bangkok@stregis.com or visit http://www.stregisbangkok.com.

Another essential component of dining out ‘Spanish style’ is the use of fresh, premium ingredients that are used to create bold, authentic flavors. Every day, diners can expect a special dish that’s perfect for sharing.

On Monday, guests can tuck into Live Maine Lobster (Bt990-plus), cooked al ajillo and sizzling in olive oil, garlic and cayenne. On Tuesday, Cochinillo (Bt1,350-plus), takes the spotlight with a half roasted suckling pig Segovia style served with a selection of sauces. If you prefer beef, head to the restaurant on Wednesday for Txogitxu Beef (Bt5,199-plus), perfectly charred one kilogram of Txogitxu Beef from the Basque country with a bottle of Tempranillo Campo Viejo, Rioja 2014.

Thursday features Boudeuse Oysters (Bt130-plus/a piece) from David Herve’s oyster farm in Charente-Maritime (France). The oysters are exported to some of the best restaurants in the world. Seasonal Mediterranean Mussels (Bt555-plus) freshly arrived from Spain are on the table on Friday cooked Catalan style.

On Saturday, it’s ‘La Boqueria’ – Josper oven-grilled catch of the day fish and seafood. The culinary journey wraps on Sunday with Paella (Bt1,950-plus) with Iberico pork cheeks, seasonal wild mushrooms, truffle and Manchego cheese.

These selected menus – as well as regular a la carte and tapas dishes – are available daily from 4pm to 1am.

For more information or reservations, call (02) 100 6255 or email to diningcgcw@chr.co.th.

Check out of menu at www.UnoMasBangkok.com.

The Xmas edition under the direction of Steven Kim stages a culinary array of all time Christmas favourites while the mixologists amplify the special cocktails and make them bigger than ever before. The resident DJ also sets the festive mood at The Kitchen Table.

Enjoy a spread of culinary delights prepared with prime ingredients such as roasted turkey, stuffed turkey, prime rib, rib eye steak, marinated chicken breast, lobster, king crab, clams, oysters and more. Other food stations offer pasta, grilled seafood, salads, cheese, charcuterie and pizza. The sweet treats Xmas edition includes a gingerbread icing station, eggnog, chocolate bomb, strawberry snow tree, English fruit cake and more.

W Does Xmas Brunch is priced at Bt3,600-plus for food, soft drinks and juices, and Bt4,400-plus with cocktails, wines, beers and bubbles.

The Kitchen Table also offers a full Christmas dinner on December 24 and 25, from 6 to 10.30pm with all the Christmas delights ranging from roasted pumpkin and shallot salad with grilled shrimps, imported charcuterie, onion and bacon tart, roasted parsnip soup with seared scallops and lots of different main courses, both contemporary and traditional.

It’s priced at Bt2,200-plus for food, soft drinks and juices and at Bt2,900-plus with alcohol.

For more information and reservation, call (02) 344 4000 or email bf.wbangkok@whotels.com.

Make it a memorable family gathering with a wide range of seasonal favourites such as roasted Christmas turkey with all the trimmings, roast beef (wagyu) with thyme jus and Yorkshire pudding.

There’ll also be lobster, crab and oysters on ice, sushi, sashimi and other Japanese specialities and luscious desserts, plus live music onstage and a visit by Santa Claus bringing presents for the children.

Christmas Eve Brunch and Dinner on December 24 will cost Bt2,900 or Bt4,900-plus inclusive of drinks (Bt1,000-plus for children ages four to 12). Christmas Day Brunch from noon to 3pm is at Bt2,900 (Bt4,900 with drinks) and Christmas Day Dinner from 6 to 10.30 is Bt2,200 (Bt4,200 with drinks).

Prepay for four people for any brunch or dinner before December 15 and you get a complimentary bottle of wine. Call (02) 687 9000 or visit http://www.OkuraBangkok.com.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) at the US Embassy in Bangkok will launch the Great American Burger Battle at the American Food Fun Fest. This year, the five winning chefs from last year’s Great American Burger Competition in Bangkok will compete with the five winning chefs from this year’s Great American Burger Competition in Pattaya. Each chef will be required to design and cook the most delicious burger possible using American ingredients. The winner will be decided by a panel of five renowned chefs and food gurus.

The American Food Fun Fest runs from Friday through Sunday at 1pm to 10pm. For more information, visit https://th.usembassy.gov

Salathip treats diners who love Thai food with its aromatic herbs a wonderful Green Papaya Salad with Grilled Pork Jowl.

The dish of complex flavours is swiftly prepared at the table using fresh local ingredients and costs Bt450-plus. Enjoy it with Grand Monte Khao Yai wine by the glass at Bt340-plus or by the bottle at Bt1,600-plus.

Chow Wai Man, the executive chef at Chinese restaurant Shang Palace, does a magnificent Steamed Giant River Prawn with Garlic Sauce and Vermicelli.

The prawn is cooked according to his secret recipe, which we at least know entails fresh tobiko. It cost Bt1,200-plus and can be paired with Lost Turtle Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand for Bt460 or Bt2,200.

Fans of Italian cuisine will head to Volti for the 16-Hour Slow-roasted Suckling Porchetta filled with Italian Herbs, Glazed Purple Cabbage and Pommery Mustard Jus.

The chef incorporates fresh seasonal ingredients and flavours to match each guest’s tastes. The pig is de-boned and filled with pork stuffing flavoured with herbs and fennel seed. Slow roasting leaves the meat very tender and succulent with a brittle, crispy skin.

It costs Bt1,100-plus. Order it with L’Arco Chianti from Tuscany for Bt390 or Bt1,900.

For more information or reservations, call (02) 236 7777 or email restaurants.slbk@shangri-la.com.