|
Guests relive the Storming of the Bastille
Chaîne des Rôtisseurs celebrates French National Day
Elfi Seitz
One of the finest dining festivities of the season was held by
the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs on July 14 at the Grappa Restaurant, belonging
to the Woodlands Suites. It was also the day that people commemorated
the Storming of the Bastille, which took place 219 years ago.
To acknowledge this, beautiful ladies in long dresses greeted all guests
with a glass of Kir Royal.
 Hugh
Millar addressing the guests.
Every town and even the smallest village in France celebrate this event
- all in their own individual way, Baillie Ranjith Chandrasiri said. “At
some places, people even show up in traditional garbs of that time. The
French love to dress in style, to sip champagne, to sing and dance. All
joy is being expressed on that day, with a brilliant display of
fireworks marking the peak and the end of the evening.
“Let me congratulate all our members from France, the homeland of the
Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Our chef Yannis Amarantinis, who is also French,
has prepared a remarkable six-course menu.”
After Charge de Mission Hugh Millar welcomed the guests with some witty
comments on what delicacies were yet to come, the Storming of the
Bastille could begin. However, the only weapons involved were knives and
forks.
 F&B
manager Thongchai receives a certificate of appreciation from Baillie
Ranjith Chandrasiri.
The first combat was fought out with spoons, though. The cauliflower
cream soup with clams was defeated in no time, as was the matching wine
- a light Duchesse de Bretagne Muscadet Serve & Maine - with a slight
almond scent. Perfect for a start.
The fight continued with Napoleon of scallops and risotto. The tower
made of aromatic crispy pasty and sliced scallops with risotto drenched
in truffle oil was also finished up quickly. A slightly bitter and
perfumed aroma characterizes the Eugene Klipfel Sylvaner. It has a bit
more body than the first one and a soft flavor of lemon and pineapple.
Next was a sea battle against the grilled sea bass in a red wine
demi-glace. The crisped Parma ham around the bass gave it a gentle
saltiness, which was paired with a light sweetness from the shallot
confit. A Cotes de Provence Cuvee de Cep D’Or was served: a long, medium
bodied red with a floral hint of raspberries, vanilla and herbs that
complimented the dish very well.
 Chef
Yannis receives a certificate of appreciation from Baillie Ranjith
Chandrasiri.
The main combat of the evening was fought against a roast loin of lamb,
flanked by gnocchi, tomato concasse and rosemary sauce. With the support
of the full-bodied Chateau Sissan Grande Reserve, Cotes de Bordeaux, the
guests showed no signs of mercy and put an end to all of it.
To round up the skirmish, a selection of French cheeses with mesclun
salad in piquant balsamic dressing was offered. All wounds were licked
on a field of scattered rock sugar. A variety of French pastries served
with a chocolate fondue as the dip.
With a Chateau les Bardoulets, Cotes de Bergerac, the joy was completed.
Special thanks for this wonderfully organized evening go out to resident
manager Olmo Fernandez, executive chef Yannis as well as F&B manager
Thongchai. Alisa Phantusak, former mayoral candidate and assistant
managing director of Woodlands Resort, was among the honored guests, who
were welcomed by general manager Stephane Bringer.
Responsible for the great
evening: (L to R) Olmo Fernandez, executive chef Yannis Amarantinis,
Alisa Phantusak and Stephane Bringer with Baillie Ranjith Chandrasiri.
City folks say Happy 15th to Pattaya Mail
Pol Maj Pitakpong Krongchon,
traffic inspector
Pattaya Mail is a newspaper that has grown as Pattaya
itself has grown, and the high quality of its reporting is a credit to the
entire team. Congratulations to everybody, you are doing a fine job in
presenting Pattaya to the world.
Deputy Mayor Wattana
Chantanawaranon
Pattaya Mail reports on and reflects Pattaya City, and
provides honest information that is very widely read by the foreigners who
live here and who visit here. It does a quality job, and long may the
Pattaya Mail continue to be the voice of Pattaya.
Wuthipon Charoenphon,
head of the Pattaya City Management Office
As Pattaya Mail enters its 16th year, may I wish health,
wealth and happiness to everyone concerned in the production of this vital
newspaper. Long may it continue in its own inimitable style.
Sittiprap Muangkoom,
permanent secretary, Pattaya City
Pattaya Mail is to be respected for its honest and
truthful reporting, and in its consistent coverage of the workings of this
great city of hours. Very best wishes to all of you as the paper enters its
16th year.
Bernie Tuppin,
Pattaya Sports Club Charity Chairman
On the occasion of Pattaya Mail 15th Anniversary, on
behalf of the Pattaya Sports Club I would like to wish you another 15 years.
Happy Birthday to Peter and the gang; you have served the community well and
we hope you continue.
Sopin Thappajug,
Managing Director of Diana Group
We would like to say Happy Birthday to Pattaya Mail on
the 15th anniversary. We hope you continue to work hard and do the best for
Pattaya City. We hope to see you progress into the future.
Women With a Mission -
relief efforts to Burma
DHL truck and crew - loaded
and ready to leave Pattaya.
Rosanne Diamente, Bronwyn Little and
Kylie Grimmer
Women with a Mission (WWM) is a private group of three women who between
them were working on various welfare projects in Pattaya and Rayong. Soon
after the Asian tsunami of December 2004 we joined together to raise funds
for the communities in southern Thailand and worked together, immediately
after the tsunami and for the next three years, as Helping Hands Pattaya.
 Children
of boarding house in Mae Sot area.
Women With a Mission came about after we realised we needed a name that
reflected our continued collaboration and our plans for the future. WWM
offers direct help to the people that need it most and because of the
altruistic attitude of our supporters we are able to do this without costs
and/or fees. We are also able to assist those that otherwise could not be
supported due to strict operating guidelines of some organisations.
This past week WWM has been able to send food, clothing, medical supplies
and funds into Burma and the Mae Sot area to help feed, clothe and educate
the children of Burmese migrant workers and survivors of Cyclone Nargis.
The management of Regent Park, Naklua, provided a house to use as a
collection point for all of the food and clothing items over a period of one
month and DHL Logistics provided a truck and staff to load and deliver the
items to Mae Sot.
Arriving into Mae Sot around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday July 13, the truck was
greeted by the children and director of Hsa Thoo Lei Orphanage and Learning
Centre, home to 210 orphaned Burmese/Karen children and children of
Internally Displaced People (IDP). Within three hours the two truck drivers
and children had unloaded the large truck and separated the items for ease
of distribution. Within an hour of the truck being unloaded, a local
volunteer organisation was able to take the boxes of men’s, women’s and
children’s clothing for distribution to survivors of Cyclone Nargis.
The remainder of the food and clothing items were distributed between Hsa
Thoo Lei and two orphanages inside Burma, who through their various channels
help the survivors of Cyclone Nargis. Due to the difficulties in
transporting relief items into Burma, the orphanage house mother and her
driver will make three trips in a small van over the next few weeks so as
not to draw unnecessary attention to their activities. WWM left additional
funds to be used for transportation.
It has proven difficult to give assistance to the people in need inside
Burma. Many obstacles stand in the way of sending in large quantities of
relief items and the high cost of fuel has prevented even small shipments
going in, along with unrest at the border. We have been able to direct funds
collected (over half a million baht so far) to an organisation operating
inside Burma. They are utilising the funds to provide food and medical
supplies, re-build homes and repair boats so the fishermen are able to start
earning a living again. Your donations of money, food and clothing have had,
and continue to have, a positive effect on their recovery.
Women With a Mission will continue to assist the Burmese families inside
Burma with funds to help rebuild their lives in addition to providing
children living in refugee camps along the Thai/Burma border with daily
meals, educational materials, uniforms and medicines.
A big thank you goes out to so many people, but first of all Marjolijn
Bakker for co-ordinating the food and clothing drive, along with her many
friends. We also thank the following people, schools and organisations for
the generosity: management of Regent Park (Bangkok Sunday Co. Ltd); DHL
Logistics; Thai Thani Management Co. Ltd.; St Andrews International School;
International School Eastern Seaboard (ISE); Montessori Children’s Centre
International; Neighbours of Regent’s Park; De Nederlandse Vereniging in
Pattaya; AGS Four Winds; Pattaya International Ladies Club; Dana Spicer
(Rayong).
There were many individuals who helped in collecting the goods, sort and
label boxes, produce packing lists and others who provided medical supplies.
Our thanks go out to you all for making this a successful collection.
Help is still needed by the Burmese people. Please contact WWM on how you
can make a difference to the lives of those with so little. We’d also like
to hear from you if you want some more information or updates on our
activities. Email [email protected].
Dormitory at refugee camp on
Thai/Burma border.
A new face for the
Thai Garden Resort
Elfi Seitz
The Thai Garden Resort, one of the most popular hotels in Pattaya,
closed its doors on May 1 for comprehensive renovation works to its
facilities, and now, after nearly three months’ work, Pattaya Mail
has been allowed a peep inside to see how the new look is taking shape.
 Constructor
and general manager Rene Pisters is looking forward to welcoming guests
again.
The main building, which houses the lobby, the Lanna Coffee Shop, the
kitchen and offices, will be amazing. The pillars that had once helped
support the roof’s timberwork are gone, freeing up the space and giving a
feeling of lightness. Artists from Chiang Mai are creating beautiful reliefs
on the walls, and there are many more surprises.
Outside, a roofed driveway is being constructed that will lead cars and
buses directly to the entrance of the lobby. Incoming and departing guests
won’t need to worry about the rain anymore.
The giant kitchen, completely new and magnificently fitted with
state-of-the-art equipment, is what a chef dreams about.
We walked through the partly air-conditioned coffee shop, and as we reached
the garden terrace, we saw a giant swimming pool. The 63- meter long pool
winds through the garden like a huge dragon. Filled with chlorinated salt
water, it will probably be the longest hotel pool in Pattaya. There will
also be a paddling pool, jacuzzi, bubble bath, waterbeds, and a pavilion
where foot massage is offered.
The new TGR will have several apartments for wheelchair users. Access ways
and bathrooms are being facilitated accordingly.
Rooms and apartments are being completely redecorated and refurnished.
Another 12 rooms have been added to the former private residence, and the
parking lot outside the Moon River Pub has been extended to hold up to 40
cars. The MRP is open during the renovation period, and the popular Power
Jam Band has just extended their contract by a year.
Not a single member of the staff has quit. Instead, the management,
department heads, office workers, room maids, gardeners and technicians have
helped with the works on what many of them consider their home.
Completely remodeled, the TGR will open its doors again in grand style on
September 1.
The main entrance with the
lobby.
The giant pool, winding
through the garden like a dragon.
|
