I ALMOST FELT GUILTY FOR THE LUXURY of it all, but maybe once in a while hardworking writers for whom deadlines are a daily grind deserve the indulgence of a gourmet tour in a five-star hotel. And so we met, eight writers and myself, at the Lobby Lounge of Dusit Thani Hotel to begin an extraordinary evening of food and fun planned for us by hotel GM Prateek Kumar and PR manager Danelle Palang. This getting-acquainted portion was made more congenial with bowls of mixed nuts and tall glasses of iced tea, which the staff served almost as soon as we were seated. Beside our table, a number of hotel guests were enjoying the scintillating music and partaking of the wine and cheese buffet (served from 7-11 p.m. daily at only P750 per person; high tea is also served from 3-5 p.m.).
Our next stop came as a pleasant surprise. Umu, Dusit’s new Japanese restaurant, seemed to be in a different cosmic zone altogether. At the entrance, long tables of hard wood were planked by chairs upholstered in silk fabrics, while at the bar Japanese chefs expertly prepared sushi and sashimi. Behind the bar, a soft incandescent glow lit up a dining room where smaller tables were set with copper-colored napkins on black plates. A granite counter displayed morsels of salmon, chicken and vegetables for those partaking of the hotel’s “Happiest Hour” deal, a selection of appetizers, grilled food and unlimited servings of local beer and sake (served weekdays, 5:30-7 p.m. at P850 net per person, call 8673333 for reservations).
With three tatami rooms and three pavilions for private parties, Umu looked like an ideal place for family celebrations and business gatherings. My own favorite spot was the terrace overlooking the garden, where the waterfalls cascade into a pond of happily swimming koi.
Such a serene atmosphere made our appetizers taste even more delectable: Baked oysters with spicy mayo, lightly broiled fillet of salmon, Japanese potato salad, cones of nori encasing barbecued eel and assorted sushi rolls served on a wooden boat platter.
More serious dining was in store for us at Benjarong, Dusit’s signature Thai restaurant. Living up to its name (which means “five colors”), the restaurant displays at the entrance a wall of colorful porcelain pieces painted with exquisite patterns.
During the many times I’ve dined in Benjarong, I’ve always been extremely pleased, and this evening was no exception. The perfect balance of flavors that Thai cuisine is known for was exemplified in every dish we had—from the tom yam gung, a spicy-sour soup of shrimps, lime and straw mushrooms; to the Phad Thai noodles, salad of crispy shredded catfish and shrimp patties served with sweet chili dip. Every dish tasted like a democracy of flavors, with the sour, spicy, sweet and salty each having equal say.
Sugary treats
We could have called it a night after that but Danelle had other plans. Dessert still awaited us at Tosca, Dusit’s Italian restaurant. Thrice a recipient of Wine Spectator Magazine’s “Award of Excellence” for its outstanding wine list, Tosca serves a modern interpretation of Italian cuisine. Just how modern was evident in the dessert trio they served us: The chocolate mousse was shaped like a roll, the panna cotta like a loaf, beside which were wedges of fresh fruits, and the tiramisu was served in a short, wide glass, its rim dusted with bits of chocolate. Presentation aside, all three had multi-layered levels of creaminess and sweetness. And just to jolt us out of all that saccharine, we had a shot of limoncello afterwards, the Italian dessert liqueur made with lemon and vodka.
It wasn’t in our itinerary that evening but I understand that Dusit Gourmet, the hotel’s sweet shop, also serves all kinds of sugary treats, such as macadamia chip cookies and vanilla cheesecake. The hotel is especially proud of the Tropical Coconut Chocolate Cake, made with grand cru Madagascar chocolate, spiced pineapple puree, white rum and coconut gianduja.
A stopover in the boardroom gave Gilbert Yu, Dusit’s F&B director, a chance to explain the hotel’s meeting facilities, which includes four boardrooms and a grand ballroom that can seat up to 800. Freshly brewed espresso coffee and Ronnefeldt tea come with each booking of a boardroom.
After all that eating, it was time to get some workout. At Dfit Fitness Center, we tried to follow the dance steps of trainer Edna Contavi but without much success. Oh well, better to go to the Deverana Spa, where the heavenly touch of a masseuse can induce complete relaxation and hopefully, drive out some of the accumulated calories and guilt.
By this time, it was well into the evening and the outdoor swimming pool had become a desolate spot, quiet save for the strains of Thai music played by a pretty lady all decked out in gold jewelry. After playing some games, during which some of us contorted ourselves into what we hoped were meaningful poses, it was time to call it a day and head back to our luxurious suite with its comfortable bed, plump pillows and widescreen TV. For a change, serenity will rule and there will be no thinking about deadlines tonight.
