Food with a view at vivacious V9 !
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 3/22/05
Food with a view at vivacious V9!
By Dr. Michael Lim The Travelling Gourmet who is a renowned Travel, Food & Wine Writer
MANY savvy travellers like to stay in Sofitel Silom. Why? Well, for one thing it has a great location right in the heart of Bangkok's central business district and entertainment district. The decor is French art de vivre leaning towards the avant garde with cool plum and chrome contrasting with warm and dark teak wood parquet floors. As a bonus, if you stay here, there is vivacious V9. One of my favourites in Bangkok, this ultra cool restaurant, wine bar, pub and disco all rolled into one is definitely one of the "in" places in this vibrant city. I was there just a few days ago and was pleased to meet up with my old friend, Kelvin Tay, who is the Director of V9. I love the tasting tree concept where you can taste a selection of 6 different appetizers. It appears on a tree like stand with the six dishes on plates sticking out like branches. I tried the Chef Tasting Tree with SAS salad of tangy scallop and squid, a simple mini pizza topped with very interesting lamb, roquette and melted Mozzarella cheese, Crab Mousse with caviar sauce, a salad of smokes salmon and crabmeat, beautiful creamy goat cheese ravioli and a rather exotic kangaroo and foie gras creation. The kangaroo was done just right at medium so it wasn't chewy and tough. The other outstanding New World cuisine starter you simply must drool over is Warm Terrine of Goat Cheese and Smoked Salmon. The exciting aroma of the melt n the mouth cheese is a perfect foil to the salty salmon. main Courses are called "Serious Things" here and for those with a carnivorous palate like me, the great big Grilled Australian T-Bone steak that weighs in at 550g is a must have! Served medium so it is nice and juicy pink in the middle, one bite is just not enough. I also like the Argentinian beef with a powerful silky smooth Roquefort cheese sauce. Incidentally, if you happen to love cheese, the Cheese menu features 8 cheeses including St. Maure goat cheese from the lovely Val de la Loire in France and Tilsiter cheese from Switzerland. Desserts are aptly listed in the menu as "Things you will remember...", so take your time...and if you can't decide; no problem - just have the Dessert Tree to savour Pistachio Creme Brulee, Almond Frozen Parfait, Chocolate, Star Anise, Lemon Grass and Green Tea little cute custards, Banana and Chocolate Spring Rolls with Caramel Sauce, classic Italian Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Spiced Berries and Port Syrup with an unusual "kick' of Szechaun peppercorn. You are spoilt for wines here, and before you even get to the dining room you have to run the gauntlet through an alley of wines. The wines are at retail prices which is excellent. Try crisp Domaine Eugene Klipfel Gewurztraminer "Clos Zisser' Grand Cru vintage 2001 for your starters with seafood or with Pan Fried Sea Bass & Prawns Ravioli. A nice meaty red for your meat is Bodegas Y Vinedos Trivento "Golden Reserve" Malbec 2000 vintage from the Mendoza region of Argentina. If you are not sure, simply ask Kelvin who will be pleased to recommend some wines to you. As you enjoy the food and wines, you also have fabulous views of the night skyline of the "City of Angels" from 37 floors up. V9 is open daily from 5pm to 1am so Bon appetit!