Destinations on Vivid Magazine - International Chinese Luxury and Style

DESTINATIONS

Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar

Spring 2010
Destination: Concept

Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar
By Wendy Lee

Photographs Courtesy of Banyan Tree Resort

The word vertigo, forever encapsulated in pop culture with Alfred Hitchcock's film of the same name, often results in a dizzying effect. This effect has become a trademark high above the cityscape of Bangkok, Thailand.

Located on the top floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel, the Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar is unlike any rooftop dining experience in the world. Only in Bangkok can you peer over a 61-floor configuration and experience a constant stream of buildings from all around. With the location situated along the equator, the atmosphere is always set on tropical with evening temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Perfect for a year-round scenery of the view before your eyes. Its unique architectural design combined with its breathtaking view has made it a sophisticated and stylish landmark for visitors from around the world.

Upon arriving at the Banyan Tree Hotel, my guest and I were whisked away in an express elevator to the top floor, where a helipad once resided. As we stepped off the elevator, we were greeted with an expansive view of Bangkok. From there, we were taken through a labyrinth of steps and platforms going every which way before arriving at our table. One particular platform showcased the Moon Bar, which features premium drinks, and canapé menus served in extravagant comforts for a friendly and privileged atmosphere. Guests were elegantly dressed for a night out and can be seen gazing up at the stars.

The dining area itself was beautifully decorated with crisp white table linens, white chair covers and plates to match. When we were finally seated, we were presented with a set menu and an a la carte menu detailing the range of European cuisines available. The set menu features a 4 or 5 course set menu as well as a 7-course, 9-course and a spa "degustation" menu. There's also a 4-course menu specifically for vegetarians. The a la carte menu gives you a scrumptious variety of dishes broken down into appetizers, soup, seafood, meats and vegetarian.

My dinner guest and I chose to order from the a la carte menu so we can each sample a bit of everything. We began with foie gras sampler, which included a pan-seared foie gras, crème brulee, foie gras terrine with a hint of a port wine gelee. The variety of tastes and scents hit the spot and was a great start to the meal. Hearing so much about the seafood in Asia, my guest ordered the lemongrass skewer tiger prawns on top of garlic chili scented angel hair pasta and Shitake mushrooms. I, on the other the hand, enjoy red meat and ordered the braised beet short ribs with a horseradish potato puree and roasted root vegetables to the side. The portions were beautifully presented and weren’t overwhelming either. The angel hair pasta was nice and tender with flavorful prawns cooked to perfection. The aroma of lemongrass lingered in every bite. My short ribs were rich and juicy and balanced nicely with the puree and vegetables.

We decided to take advantage of the Moon Bar for after-dinner drinks (which were excellent by the way) and mingled with the crowd of international jet setters and chic locals. The rooftop experience was a worthwhile escape and the perfect excuse to live it up, even for just a few hours.