Artur Restaurant Bangkok - Affordable Excellence

Fine dining venue's ethos of changing the menu regularly means every visit is a refreshing one

By now Artur has become a favorite fixture for diners looking for sophistication or in the word of Artur Kluczewski himself, an "affordable excellence." A fine mix of classy gourmet experience and friendly, savvy groupings of the menu has created a restaurant of genuine satisfaction in the setting of Soi Tonson.

"In my opinion," Artur said, "I consider the restaurant as a whole experience and the perfect venue will be one where all five key elements culinary and beverage offers, service, design, atmosphere and value come together. What I try to do is juxtapose and balance them at the same level."

Recently Artur, a Frenchman who has been working in Michelin-starred restaurants since 1975 and who was credited with opening the successful steakhouses at JW Marriot and Millennium Hilton, has got more than a little help from chef Raphael Kinimo, a wiry, big-smiling Frenchman of Ivorian descent who's also a skilled muay Thai fighter. The class, craft and culinary refinement are by now a given; then the ethos of changing the menu regularly plus the clever, creative grouping of dishes into various set menus of varying price ranges and occasions also means every visit to Artur is a refreshing one.

Artur's strategy of having both a big a la carte menu as well as a list of ever-changing, thematic formule should work well with Bangkok diners looking for variety. His 1,390-baht "Gourmet Dinner", with the choice of French oysters, seafood riso pasta and evential of prime Australian fillet mignon, for example, is a very good bargain. The 290-baht business lunch (soup, quiche, Aussie beefburger, etc) and the 490-baht "Executive Lunch" (tartare of tuna, seafood pastas, coq au vin, etc) are smart, practical and good value. Starting Dec 1, Artur will offer a festive season menu with both a la carte specialities and a 1,690-baht set again with the choice of various delectable creations.

Not to mention a whole range of beef and steak, from Kobe to Australian and American Angus. Then the staggering wine list of 250 international labels completes the testament of dedication the man has proudly shown. Artur beamed when he held forth and expounded his idea of his namesake.

"Of course in the restaurant bearing the name of the owner who actively participates in the operation, he is the main key," says Artur. "In my case I consider that my presence and personal attention to every detail are the label of quality and good intentions. Many of our dishes are even served using the metal and wooden wear utensils and furniture which I designed especially for my restaurant."

ARTUR RMC Ltd.

Open daily for lunch 11:30 - 14:00 Dinner 18:00 - 22:00

No.9 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Reservation: +66(0) 2658 6288

Fax: +66(0) 2658 6286

Email: office@ArturRestaurant.com

Website: http://www.facebook.com/ARTURrestaurant

Credit: http://www.bangkokpost.com/food/cuisine

Social Networking Makes Us Getting Closer...

Nowadays everything seems to be “worldwide”. Social networking makes people getting to know more about each other and it’s also being an easy way to keep in touch with your friends, your family, and your love ones. 

We try hard to do our best to assure that our guests having a Blissful Living experience staying with us.

To archive that, we ask our guests to get in touch with us on our Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/Blistonhotel We’re using this space to reward them with our special gifts, to assist them with any concerns they may have.

Whether you are a resident of Bliston or not, you can also join us on Facebook to update news, events, promotions here at Bliston and all around Bangkok!

"Have a Blissful Day"

Find Your Embassy in Bangkok

Embassies
	Address (Bangkok)	Tel.	Visa
Apostolic Nunciature	217/1 Sathon Tai Rd.	0 2212 5853 to 4	-
Argentina	16 Fl., No. 1, Glas Haus Bldg., Suite 1601, Sukhumwit 25, Khlong Toei	0 2259 0401, 0 2259 9198	same
Australia	37 Sathon Tai Rd.	0 2287 2680	0 2672 3476 to 7
Austria	14 Soi Nandha, Sathon Tai Rd.	0 2287 3970, 0 2303 6057 to 9	same
Bangladesh	727 Soi Thonglor, Sukhumwit Rd.	0 2392 9437 to 8	same
Belgium	17/F Sathon City Tower, 175 South Sathon Rd., Sathon District	0 2679 5454	same
Belize	10th Fl., Pilot Pen Bldg., 331-331/1, Silom Rd.	0 2636 8377	same
Bhutan	375/1 Soi Ratchadanivej, Pracha-Uthit Rd., Huai Kwang	0 2274 4740 to 2	-
Brazil	34 Fl., Lumpini Tower, 1168/101 Rama IV Rd., Sathon	0 2679 8567 to 8, 0 2285 6080	same
Brunei	132 Soi Asoke, Sukhumwit 23 Rd.	0 2204 1476 to 9	same
Bulgaria	64/4 Soi Charoenmitr (Ekamai 10), Sukhumwit 63 Rd.	0 2391 6180 to 1	same
Cambodia	185 Ratchadamri Rd., Lumphini	0 2254 6630, 0 2253 7967	same
Canada	15th Fl., Abdulrahim Place, 990 Rama 4 Rd.	0 2636 0540	same
Chile	UBC II Bldg., 10/F., Off. #1005, 591 Sukhumwit 33 Rd.	0 2260 3870	same
China	57 Ratchadaphisek Rd.	0 2245 7043 to 4	0 2245 7032 to 3
Cuba	Mela Mansion Apt. 3C, 5 Soi Sukhumvit 27, Khlongtoey Neur	0 2665 2803	same
Czech Republic	71/6 Ruam Ruedi Soi 2, Phloenchit Rd.	0 2255 3027, 0 2255 5060	0 2255 3027
Delegation of European Commission	Kian Gwan House II, 19th Fl., 140/1 Wireless Rd.	0 2255 9100	-
Denmark	10 Soi Atthakan Prasit, Sathon Tai Rd.	0 2343 1100	same
Egypt	42nd Fl., No. 6, Las Colinas Bldg., Sukhumwit 21 (Soi Asoke)	0 2262 0236, 0 2661 7184	same
Finland	16th Fl., Amarin Tower, 500 Phloenchit Rd.	0 2256 9306 to 9	same
France	35 Soi Rong Phasi Kao (Soi 36), Charoen Krung Rd./29 Sathon Tai Rd., Bangkok	0 2266 8250 to 4	0 2287 2585 to 7
Germany	9 Sathon Tai Rd.	0 2287 9000	same
Greece	30th Fl., Thai Wah Tower II, 21/159 South Sathon Rd.	0 2679 1462	same
Hungary	20th Fl., Oak Tower, President Park Condo., 95 Sukhumwit 24	0 2661 1150 to 2	0 2661 1155
India	46 Soi Prasanmit, Sukhumwit 23	0 2258 0300 to 5	same
Indonesia	600-602 Phetburi Rd.	0 2252 3135 to 9	same
Iran	215 Soi 49-11 (Soi Klang), Sukhumwit Rd., Khlong Ton-Nua, Wattana	0 2390 0871 to 3	same
Iraq	47 Pradiphat Rd., Phayathai	0 2278 5335 to 7	same
Israel	25th Fl., Ocean Tower II, 75 Soi Wattana, Sukhumwit 19, Asoke	0 2204 9200	same
Italy	399 Nang Linchi Rd., Thungmahamek	0 2285 4090 to 3	same
Japan	1674 New Phetburi Rd.	0 2252 6151 to 9	same
Kazakhstan	Suite 4301, 43rd Fl., JTC Bldg., 919/501 Silom	0 2234 6365 to 6	same
Korea	(DPR) 14 Muban Suanlaemthong 2, Phattanakan Rd.	0 2319 2686	same
Korea	(ROK) 23 Thiamruammit Rd., Huai Kwang	0 2247 7537 to 41	same
Kuwait	24A Fl., Sathon Nakorn Tower, 100/44 Sathon Nua Rd.	0 2636 6600, 0 2636 7461 to 3	same
Laos	520, 502/1-3 Pracha-Uthit Rd., Wangthonglang	0 2539 6679, 0 2539 6667 to 8	same
Malaysia	33-35 Sathon Tai Rd., Sathon	0 2679 2190 to 9	same
Mexico	20th Fl., Thai Wah Tower 1, 21/60-62 South Sathon Rd.	0 2285 0995	same
Mongolia	251 Soi Rojana, Sukhumwit 21, Khlong Toei Nua, Wattana	0 2640 8017 to 8	same
Morocco	19th Fl., One Pacific Place, No. 140, Sukhumwit Rd., (between Soi 4-6)	0 2653 2444 to 6	same
Myanmar	132 Sathon Nua Rd.	0 2234 0278	0 2234 4789
Nepal	189 Sukhumwit 71 Rd., Prakanong	0 2390 2280, 0 2391 7240	same
Netherlands	106 Wireless Rd.	0 2254 7701 to 5	same
New Zealand	M Thai Tower, 14/F., All Seasons Place, 87 Wireless Rd.	0 2254 2530	same
Nigeria	100 Sukhumwit Soi 38, Sukhumwit Rd.	0 2391 5197, 0 2712 0812 to 3	same
Norway	18th Fl., UBC II Bldg., 591 Sukhumwit 33	0 2302 6415	same
Oman	32nd Fl., Seng Thong Thani Tower, 82 North Sathon Rd.	0 2639 9380 to 2	same
Pakistan	31 Soi Nana Nua, Sukhumwit 3	0 2253 0288 to 9	same
Panama	7th Fl., Sarasin Bldg., 14 Surasak Rd., Silom	0 2237 9008 to 9	same
Peru	16th Fl., No.1 Glas Hous Bldg., Soi Sukhumwit 25	0 2260 6243, 0 2260 6245, 0 2260 6248	same
Philippines	760 Sukhumwit Rd., (Opp. Soi 47)	0 2258 5401, 0 2259 0139 to 40	same
Poland	2th Fl., 8A, Sri-Yu-Khon Bldg., Sukhumwit Soi 5	0 2251 8891 to 2	same
Portugal	26 Bush Lane (Soi New Rd. 30), Bangrak	0 2234 7435 to 6, 0 2234 2123	same
Romania	20/1 Soi Rajakhru, Phaholyothin Soi 5, Phayathai	0 2617 1551	same
Russia	78 Sap Rd., Surawong, Bangrak, Bangkok	0 2234 9824, 0 2268 1169	0 2234 2012
Saudi Arabia	23rd-24th Fl., Sang Thong Thani Bldg., 82 North Sathon Rd.	0 2639 2999, 0 2639 2960 to 3	same
Singapore	9 & 18/F, Rajanakarn Bldg., 183 South Sathon Rd.	0 2286 2111, 0 2286 1434	same
Slovakia	22/F., Thai Wah Tower II, 21/144 South Sathon Rd.	0 2677 3445 to 6	same
South Africa	6th Fl., The Park Place, 231 Soi Sarasin, Lumpini, Bangkok	0 2253 8473 to 6	same
Spain	7th Fl., Diethelm Bldg. Tower A, 93/1 Wireless Rd.,	0 2252 6112, 0 2253 5132 to 4	same
Sri Lanka	13th Fl., Ocean Tower II Bldg., 75/6-7 Sukhumwit 19 (Soi Wattana)	0 2261 1934 to 5	same
Sweden	20th Fl., Pacific Place 1, 140 Sukhumwit Rd.	0 2263 7200	0 2263 7211
Switzerland	35 North Wireless Rd.	0 2253 0156 to 60	same
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office	20 Fl., Empire Tower, 195 Sathon Tai Rd.	0 2670 0200 to 9	same
Turkey	61/1 Soi Chatsan, Suthisan Rd., Huai Kwang	0 2274 7262 to 3, 0 2274 8574	same
Ukraine	87 All Seasons Place, CRC Tower, 33rd Fl., Wireless Rd.	0 2685 3215	same
United Arab Emirates	25th Fl., Seng Thong Thani Bldg., 82 Sathon Nua Rd.	0 2639 9820 to 4	same
United Kingdom	1031 Wireless Rd.	0 2305 8333	same
U.S.A.	120-122 Wireless Rd.	0 2205 4000	0 2205 4485
Vietnam	83/1 Wireless Rd.	0 2251 7202, 0 2251 3552, 0 2251 5836 to 8	same

*The above data are subject to change without notice.

Credit: Thaiways magazine

Additional Info: As the Bliston Residence situated at the heart of Bangkok, so there are many embassies nearby us, check out on our map if there is including your embassy!

Irrepressible Bangkok

Why 'Bangkok' is such a great city...

Bangkok  is full of surprises. With the recent political confrontations prompting vigorous debate about Thailand’s reputation as the ‘Land of Smiles,’ that sounds like an understatement. But one of its greatest attractions is a non-stop capacity to amaze. The pulsating urban energy comes from Thai culture’s ability to absorb dramatic change and outside influence while keeping its vital essence.

Throughout a roller-coaster history, Bangkok has survived many harrowing turns — not least the Asian economic crash of 1997 — and rebounded not just fast, but with flair. This time, as soon as the Red Shirt rally ended in late May, the city sprang back up on its feet, dusted itself down and applied its irrepressibly positive, practical spirit. Within days, Bangkok began to recoup the zesty character that has made it one of the most visited, awarded and fondly regarded world cities.

To the millions who have visited or lived here, Bangkok appeared unfamiliar as the protests escalated. That’s true of any city during a spasm of political unrest. Yet most of Bangkok stayed untouched throughout. In the aftermath, most of the Ratchaprasong and Siam Square shopping districts remain intact and operating as before. Returning visitors will recognise the city they remember.

Shopping mall operators and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration have provided space for displaced shop-owners to maintain their businesses. Residents have already splurged on the discounted wares. Now tourists can expect a lot more sales, promotions and festive markets, reinforcing Bangkok’s reputation for value.

Street Life Much of Bangkok’s appeal derives from the vibrant street life. Entrepreneurs turn any occasion into a market infused with sanuk — the easy-going Thai sense of fun. Roving vendors bring food, goods and local colour to daily life. Now this culture of flexible improvisation ensures continuity through the city’s recovery.

Bangkok’s most authentic retail experience remains the market, whether for shopping, looking for souvenirs or simply browsing. Dozens of bazaars span the capital, from herb-scented wet markets and the textiles hub of Pratunam to the specialist lanes of Chinatown and the old wooden markets revived at the city’s edge. None integrates more with metropolitan life than the vast Chatuchak Weekend Market. Every segment of society heads there to seek serendipity, inspiration, regional foods and a laid-back social scene.

More Malls Than Before

Thais also take their market culture indoors. Bangkok boasts several of Asia’s biggest malls, brimming with international brands and emergent Thai labels. On the mile-long ‘Ratchaprasong Shopping Street’ between Central Chidlom and Siam Square, all the malls bar two now trade as normal. CentralWorld will reopen in stages and the BMA has pledged to upgrade the area’s public spaces.

As Bangkok develops, its affluent suburbs gain destination attractions. During Ratchaprasong’s temporary closure, the spotlight moved to chic new malls beyond downtown. At the end of March, the semi-outdoors K Village lifestyle mall opened where Sukhumvit Soi 26 meets Rama IV Road. Near Suvarnabhumi Airport, the former Seri Centre on Srinakharin Road emerged in April from total transformation into the luxury mall Paradise Park. The recently launched Crystal Design Centre on the Ekamai-Ramindra Road also came into its own as Asia’s biggest integrated design complex. In a measure of Thai retail verve, Bangkok ironically emerged from the protest period with even more shopping options.

Creativity Draws On Tradition

The local products now marketed in Bangkok boutiques and abroad reveal a key progression in Thai society, from rural produce to urban wares, from crafts to creativity, from artefacts to art. Aspects of high culture and folk wisdom persist in authentic settings, notably food, herbalism, textiles and artisanship. Now a new generation parlays those strengths into gourmet cuisine, spas, catwalk fashions, contemporary art and stylish products infused with indigenous materials and a sense of Thainess. Innovative institutes like Thailand Creative and Design Centre (TCDC) and Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC) nurture and showcase this resourceful artistry.

Youth Culture

Much of Bangkok’s momentum derives from its expressive youth and indy subculture. The informal economy enables entrepreneurs to experiment with their ideas in thousands of tiny shoplets and stalls, before founding their own brands. Siam Square, buzzing with students, designers and indie creatives, drives the pulse of Thai pop culture and fuels new industries. A score of galleries hold publicly accessible exhibition openings for the region’s liveliest art scene, which has generated many internationally collected artists. Just as the rally ended, one of Thailand’s new wave film directors, Apichatphong Weerasetthakul, became the first Southeast Asian to win cinema’s highest honour, the Palme d’Or at Cannes. That same week, the country’s foremost dancer, Pichet Klunchun, premiered a touring production at Singapore Art Festival, translating Thai tradition to a global audience. Bangkok designers, too, continue to win plaudits abroad for their fashion and furniture. These young achievers are all the fruit of Bangkok’s fertile creative seedbed.

Party Place

For decades, Bangkok has revelled as a hub of nightlife tourism, which covers the merry spectrum from quirky to saucy to chic. Recent trends have seen contrasting booms in nightlife, such as clubs with dramatic design, raves with international DJs, Bohemian retro bars, and exuberant theme nights by outfits like Dudesweet and Trasher. Plentiful live music draws fans and aficionados, whether indy rock, boisterous pop, rap, jazz or blues. Asia’s biggest and most diverse gay scene plays magnet to affluent regulars flying in from regional capitals to party, dine and shop. New venues opened even during the protests, with the art-bar WTF Bar & Gallery immediately becoming a “refuge pub,” typifying the city’s resilient morale.

Food Capital 

Whatever kind of sanuk, Thais never socialise without a constant stream of food — very good food. Bangkok dining has entered an exciting phase. Some of this buzz comes from spectacular settings, whether chic eateries like Long Table or al fresco restaurants atop skyscrapers. Expatriate chefs contribute to one of the world’s broadest ranges of ethnic dining options, joined by visiting famous names during the many epicurean festivals. Thai food, long a global favourite, is also receiving haute cuisine attention, while retaining its integrity. Bo.lan restaurant and the upcoming Nahm, a branch of the only Thai restaurant with a Michelin star, typify a nascent Thai slow food movement. Both draw inspiration from Bangkok’s non-stop pavement buffet of street food, and from the old family restaurants in the historic parts of town.

Cultural Diversity 

For all its globalized advances, Bangkok remains rare among modern metropolises by maintaining communities in its old centre as an authentic living heritage. Markets abut museums, shophouses flank palaces, temples hold folkish festivals, and ancient neighbourhoods retain their signatures, from apothecaries and amulets to arcane crafts. Increasingly, developers restore not replace old buildings. These express architectural history despite new uses as hotels or bars, restaurants or spas. In Chinatown or riverside quarters, nostalgics can still find traces of old Asia and a precious sense of place.

Hybrid Heritage

An international trading gateway for centuries, Bangkok acquired its patchwork appearance by constantly adding to its architecture rather than bulldozing all the past. The same fusion is as true of traditional dance, costume, music and decorative arts as it is of prevailing pop fads. This hybrid culture reveals traits from across Asia and the West, somehow blended in a way that’s distinctively Thai. The city has always harboured communities of diverse ethnicity. Confident in its cultural core, Bangkok embraces foreign influence and modernity, which accounts for its openness to visitors and whatever is in vogue.

Expanding Transport

Access to Bangkok’s attractions has improved vastly over the past decade. Right now the mass transport network is expanding in several directions. The MRT Subway and BTS SkyTrain — recently extended across the river to Thonburi — were joined just after the protest by the new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). It links the BTS with Yannawa and Khlong San using comfy high-speed buses. Set to be fully launched in August, the Airport Link brings Suvarnabhumi and several train stations within a quick, cheap glide from a downtown terminal and links to the BTS and MRT. The canal expressboat service along Klong Saen Saeb will also this year extend to Minburi in Bangkok’s semi-rural northeast, where the old wooden market is being revived.

Calm Sanctuaries 
The klong (canals) in this formerly waterborne city also provide a contrasting amenity: tranquillity. Bangkok epitomises the busy, relentless metropolis, but its pockets of quiet replenish the soul. The remaining klongfeed the Chao Phraya River, which churns with activity and every kind of boat imaginable, yet soothes as it slides relentlessly by. Parks and plantations provide recreational green space, while temples, spas and massage offer sanctuaries for mind and body. Bangkok has its share of friction, but also hands that heal.

Embracing Change 

The energy of the city buzzes around a heart of calm. Buddhism brings to Bangkok a detachment that allows dramas to unfold, contradictions to flourish, diverse cultures to coexist, and every day to bring a surprise. After all, they are mere moments amid constant change. Regardless of what happens, Thais have a remarkable capacity to greet the next moment, irrepressible, graceful, cheery. They treat life as a series of cycles. So as the wheel of karma turns, Bangkok comes back up.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Philip Cornwel-Smith is the author of Very Thai: Everyday Popular Culture, and writer-editor of the Time Out Bangkok guidebook. Born in England and based in Bangkok since 1994, he was founding editor of Bangkok Metro Magazine, contributes to international publications and is currently writing Very Bangkok, a book about the city’s neighbourhoods, networks and social scenes.


Credit: http://www.tatnews.org