Restaurant
guide 2019
&Bar
The Packages
Wel
Are you a connoisseur of quality food, a purveyor of gou
If so, you are invited to take a seat at the table and be a pa we consider delicious food and quality dining ex
The Restaurant & Bar guide reveals the best establishm From artisan kitchens to innovative street cuisine, and g individuals and enterprises who offe
So join us as we lift the lid on the best victuals, an
lcome
urmet cuisine or an enthusiast of exotic culinary delights?
art of the Restaurant & Bar guide at LUX Magazine, where xperiences to be an essential part of luxury living.
ments offering sumptuous cuisine from across the globe. gourmet restaurants to quaint cafes, we are looking for the er outstanding gastronomic delicacies.
nd those who serve them, from around the world.
lux
www.lux-review.com
The Gold Package £995 • A double-page editorial inclusion – max. 1800 words (depending on use of imagery) • Your article replicated on the “Taste” section of our website • High-resolution PDF copies of your inclusion, for use in your own direct marketing campaigns • A personalised digital logo for use in your own marketing • A LUX Recommended window sticker • 1 bespoke crystal trophy
Mar19066 30
Holiday Issue 2019
Brasserie 9: Simply Exquisite French Dining
in Thai’s Capital There are many places around the world that have attempted to capture the magic of French cuisine outside of the country itself. Perhaps it is a bit unexpected to find that one of the places that does succeed in this endeavour is deep in Bangkok – a city with its own refined culinary identity. That restaurant is Brasserie 9. On the back of Brasserie 9’s success in LUXlife’s Global Luxury Restaurant and Bar Awards programme, we spoke with Mr. Linus Knobel to find out more. Based out of an elegant remodelled mansion, Brasserie 9 strives to make a dramatic first impression. From its position at the heart of Bangkok’s downtown, located closed to the city’s business areas and entertainment high spots, the restaurant embraces a sort of revitalised old-world vibe, doubling down on the sophistication. It’s fitting, echoing Brasserie’s approach to Authentic French cuisine – thoroughly traditional with a modern twist. As Knobel explains, Brasserie 9 aims to capture a luxurious atmosphere, to match the gastronomical treats that are served to guests every evening. “Brasserie 9 offers fine French dining amid in an elegant, colonial-style villa. It offers a new level of luxury experiences for the well-travelled culinary connoisseur. The restaurant is an intimate and stylish drinking, dining and entertainment venue, with four meeting rooms, and a professional team for events planning and catering. There’s also a spacious cigar and smoking room, further accentuating that idea of old-world luxury that Brasserie 9 is trying to recapture.” On the food front, Brasserie 9 uses only the finest ingredients for their creations. “All of the superb elements are drawn together with the unrivalled expertise of our Chefs, to make sure that each customer enjoys the best authentic French cuisine on every visit.” This remains a keen focus for the restaurant, as they dedicate their efforts to ensuring that dining at Brasserie 9 is a treat, an experience to be cherished. “We are committed to giving all of our guests the best possible dining experiences, from the
first contact with the guest through to the end of the meal: Excellent service, delicious food, beautiful surroundings. Quality permeates everything we do at every level of operation – we ensure this through high levels of commitment and dedication.” Naturally, the restaurant’s team play a vital role in bringing this goal to fruition. Here Knobel takes a moment to discuss Brasserie 9’s approach to employee training in more detail: “We create awareness through communication, training and comprehensive engagement activities. As we do this, we constantly monitor the performance of our staff to ensure high standards and high levels of service are met and maintained. At BAC Group (the restaurant’s Owner), we strongly believe training and developing employees are the key components in attracting talent, increasing productivity, and improving employee satisfaction. “This year, the company will be focusing more on succession planning and employee development. With over 2,100 employees at BAC, the turnover is less than 2% as a result of development and training. Ultimately, our employees love what they do which makes a remarkable impact on their service!” It would be remiss to not mention Bangkok in isolation – that is to say, how it has evolved over the last decade to become a gourmet dream, defined by world-class chefs at the height of their game. Knobel agrees, “Bangkok is a culinary paradise, with so many possibilities across the capital,
from affordable and luxurious. Whether you are looking for style, ambience or flavour, Bangkok has a lot to offer – which has led to a highly competitive market. The competition in Thailand’s restaurant business is intensifying every year. “It is therefore important for us to be original and different, and we differentiate ourselves from competitors by offering truly traditional and authentic cuisine.” As such, Brasserie 9 doesn’t follow trends. It forges its own path. After all, food trends are notoriously transient. “Over the past few years, we have seen a lot of fusion creations where, often, a basic cooking skill has not been practiced. Saying that, recently, chefs are embracing the idea of simplicity and going back to basics. We’re already one step ahead of the curve there. Current food trends are all about healthy, organic food and understanding the origins of the food you buy. Brasserie 9 have been doing that for years.” Regarding the future, Knobel comments on BAC’s plans for the remainder of 2019 and beyond. “The BAC group has four business units (over 2,000 employees) under its umbrella where they are related to one another. Our first establishment was Bangkok Air Catering at Suvarnabhumi Airport in 2004, a provider of airline catering and in-flight services, which has expanded to additional units on Samui and Phuket, with operations set to start in Chiang Mai during the first half of 2019. Throughout the business uncertainty, we have pursued business diversification with the aim of competitive differentiation and long-term sustainability. The successful establishment of Gourmet House Culinary Care, a provider of premium catering services at first class hospitals, and Gourmet Primo, a manufacturer of customized meal solutions that enjoys strong representation in the airport lounge, HORECA and outside event catering sectors. “Meanwhile, the Gourmet House group of restaurants has two dining establishment operating under its umbrella: the multiple award-winning Al Saray Fine Lebanese and Indian Cuisine restaurants can be found at two locations in Silom and Soonvijai, while Brasserie 9 Fine French Cuisine has been established for over a year in a spacious new venue off Sathorn. A new restaurant will be added to its portfolio to celebrate the purest traditions of Thai cuisine, Ruen Noppagao, which promises a classic experience in every detail of menu, beverages, décor, and even the tableware.”
Address: 27 Soi Piphat, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Website: https://www.brasserie9.com Telephone: +66 (0) 21317500 LUXLIFE MAGAZINE | 31
lux
Restaurant
guide 2019
&Bar
Company Name Award Title
lux
www.lux-review.com
The Silver Package £450 • A full-page editorial inclusion – max. 850 words (depending on use of imagery) • High-resolution PDF copy of your editorial inclusion, for use in your own direct marketing campaigns • A personalised digital logo for use in your own marketing • A LUX Recommended window sticker 33
1809LU28
Taste
Recipe for Success Critically acclaimed Bertram’s Restaurant is a unique and modern adults-only restaurant and cocktail bar, located in 100 acres of countryside affording spectacular views the rolling hills. An eclectic mix of modern and retro makes for a stunning dining experience, and Bertram’s offers creative food, delicious cocktails and live entertainment. Bertram’s is a family run business that has become recognised as one of the North West’s ‘go-to’ culinary and social destinations. With its stylish contemporary feel that matches Burnley’s newly aspirational outlook, Bertram’s is renowned for the outstanding signature dishes of acclaimed chef, Spencer Burge. The restaurant is part of the Crow Wood Leisure Complex, Burnley, Lancashire, which opened in 2013 following a £5m investment. However, Bertram’s has a character and identity of its own – from the subtle but sophisticated styling, to the culinary excellence that has seen recipes devised by Spencer featured in the Great British Cook Book, alongside the likes of celebrity chefs such as Nigella Lawson, Rick Stein and Paul Heathcote. Spencer, also the restaurant’s director, tells us a little more about Bertram’s and how it achieves excellence time and again. “Bertram’s never takes its success for granted and has vowed to push harder than ever before in a pursuit to keep its customers satisfied and eager to return for more,” he explains. “Not allowing complacency to settle in, good staff retention and continuing to invest are what set the restaurant apart from other local competitors.” In a world where businesses are judged daily, both on the premises and through social media, a high priority is placed on customer care. Bertram’s makes a point of not only listening to customer feedback but acting upon it as a matter of importance, Spencer continues: “As our reputation grows, so do our client’s expectations. We need to meet these expectations on a daily basis by improving training and encouraging our young managers to grow.” Indeed, Bertram’s staff retention is excellent and the company is dedicated to providing on-going training and a pleasant working environment for its staff.
“A shortage of good chefs and front of house staff in rural areas, and indeed the industry as a whole, has pushed Bertram’s to adopt a slightly different approach to the usual catering/restaurant environment,” Spencer tells us. “Managing Director, Andrew Brown, and myself have placed a high importance on staff retention and wellbeing. Chefs are experiencing four day rotas and a lot of thought goes into company benefits and bonus schemes. Chefs and waiting staff work reasonable hours and are paid above the average wage for this sector. Staff rotas are not only planned on the needs of the business but also on the needs of the individual who makes this amazing business flourish. As a result of this, the kitchen still has its core staff that started in 2013 in Bertram’s Restaurant and Crow Wood still retains a lot of staff who started with the company in 2000, which allows for a greater consistency throughout.” The innovative and dynamic duo, Andrew and Spencer, are continually looking for ways to involve staff in all aspects of the business whilst concentrating on perks. “The introduction of an app called “PERK BOX” allows us to both reward staff with recognition and vouchers for things like free phone insurance, half price cinema tickets and numerous discounts across retail outlets,” explains Burge. A £750,000 investment in 2016 at Crow Wood saw the creation of a new terrace bar and tapas kitchen which has been a roaring success and has further enhanced the customer experience of Bertram’s. “With the impressive current economic growth of Burnley, and the addition of Premier League and European football, Crow Wood sits in a great position to impress customers from far and wide. The addition of a £13m, 76 bedroom luxury hotel will enhance the current facilities available at Crow Wood even further.” The result of Spencer and his team’s efforts is an affordable and sophisticated dining experience in a breath-taking setting. Guests enjoy a delicious and varied menu based on locally sourced ingredients, whilst dining in front of a floor to ceiling window with stunning views of surrounding woodland, set against the backdrop of the dark and brooding Pendle Hill. Contact: Spencer Burge Address: Bertram’s Restaurant, Royle Lane, Burnley, Lancashire, BB12 0RT, UK Telephone: 01282 471930 Web Address: www.bertramsrestaurant.com
lux
Restaurant
guide 2019
&Bar
Company Name Award Title