Queen of puddings@Ariyasomvilla

Queen of puddings is a dessert from my childhood - I quite frequently make it and serve it in our restaurant "Na Aroon". We often ate this dish in a restaurant in north Wales - The West Arms at Glanamon DG ( spelling) - well it is about 37 years since I went there!

I found the recipe in my Mothers old cookbook - The Good Housekeeping Cooking Compendium - published in about 1953!

Anyway, it's all pretty easy - fresh bread crumbs, butter, sugar, vanilla, lemon rind - combine - add pour boiling milk over and let stand for 20 minutes. Separate 4 eggs - beat the 4 egg yolks into the bread crumb and milk mixture. Divide into several ramekins and bake in the oven - about 200c for 30 mins.

The pudding should be firm when you take it from the oven - coat with a thin layer of strawberry jam. Beat the egg whites and add the sugar when it gets towards stiff peaks. I also add a little vinegar - it's supposed to help the meringue harden. Pile the meringue mixture on to each ramekin.

Turn the oven right down and even leave the door open a little - it's more a drying process than cooking - take 1 hour + . The meringue should be crispy - mine always goes a little brown as I use crystal brown sugar not white.

Serve with a little fresh cream - and enjoy...........

Ariyasomvilla Bangkok Boutique Hotel

Ariyasomvilla Hotel near Bumrungrad Hospital.

Hope to see you in our Restaurant - " Na Aroon"

Sayadaw U Tsuzana @ Ariyasomvilla

Mark down the 8th October in your diary. Sayadaw U Tsuzana will be @Ariyasomvilla to deliver a Dharma discourse - 'The way to happiness through vipassana meditation". We normally gather at about 18.30 and the discourse will normally commence at about 19.00. For more information call us on 02-2548880/3.

Ariyasomvilla a Bangkok Boutique Hotel

Ariyasomvilla a Hotel near Bumrungrad.

www.ariyasom.com

Birthday Bash @ Ariyasomvilla

September is the month of our "Big Boss" K. Ayre's birthday and of course we celebrated at Ariyasomvilla. We started with a traditional ceremony - we invited 5 monks to come and chant and give the birthday girl and all of us a blessing. The monks were then feed with a combination of our delicious vegetarian and seafood .

After the Monks had blessed us all and we had "extended our merit" we also headed to "Na Aroon" restaurant for a great birthday lunch and some birthday cake too.

"Na Aroon" besides being the name of our restaurant was actually the name of K Ayre's grandmother. Ariyasomvilla was her house and she no doubt celebrated a number of birthdays and other events in the old house. So it's great that her grand daughter is still living in the house and celebrating her birthday there as well. Tradition is still alive and well in Bangkok @Ariyasomvilla.

Ariyasomvilla a Bangkok Boutique Hotel.

Ariyasomvilla a Hotel near Bumrungrad Hospital.

Tarte Sablee au Chocolat@Ariyasomvilla

I seem to have come across "ChezPim" blog a bit late in life - K Pim Techamuanvivit - a Thai living, I believe, in San Francisco has an fascinating blog on food and beverage and has just produced a great Book - "The Foodie Handbook". The blog gets an amazing 500,000 hits a month.

Well I read the book and it contains some great recipes - I've now made the Tarte Sablee au Chocolat about 3 times and it has come out well each time.

The basic necessity is to make the short crust pastry - pate sablee - very short - very rich and delicious. Butter, sugar, salt, flour and an egg is that's required. Bake the pastry shell blind - about 10 - 12 mins.

The filling is also simplicity - beat eggs, egg yolk and a little sugar together ( ribbon stage). Melt good quality chocolate ( 70%) and add butter. Combine the chocolate mixture and the egg mixture - pour into the pastry shell and bake a further 15 - 20 minutes - or at least until just set.

Let it cool and set a little and eat with either vanilla ice cream or fresh cream or both!!

She also has a recipe for Frangipane fruit tart which was equally wonderful - I found fresh figs from Doi Khum and used those in the pie!

Come and try some of our home made desserts at Na Aroon - Ariyasom' restaurant.

Ariyasomvilla - a Bangkok Boutique Hotel

Ariyasomvilla - a Hotel near Bumrungrad Hospital

Real Quiche@Ariyasomvilla

Come and try our homemade quiche.

A buttery short crust pastry, a little sauteed onions, roasted tomatoes and bell peppers. Grated cheddar, eggs, cream and milk with a little seasoning. Topped with a small amount of Parmesan cheese and baked in the oven for 30+ minutes.

Served with a fresh salad - dressed with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. An extra dollop of homemade coleslaw - a perfect lunch.

Try Ariyasomvilla for a light lunch or dinner.

Ariyasomvilla - a Bangkok Boutique Hotel

Ariyasomvilla - a Hotel near Bumrungrad Hospital.

Meditation Retreat @ Ariyasomvilla

Since opening in the middle of last year we have held regular meditation retreats and workshops at Ariyasomvilla. We have also held numerous ceremonies and blessings presided over by a number of senior and well respected Monks.

The consequence is that Ariyasomvilla has a benign aura which is very conducive for doing meditation.

The meditation retreat slatted for the 3rd August - 6th August promises to be a meaningful and insightful event.

For full details please call us on 02-2548880 or contact pariya@ariyasom.com

Please see our website - www.ariyasom.com

Boutique Hotel Bangkok

Hotel near Bumrungrad Hospital

Contact - info@ariyasom.com / tel 02-2548880/1/2/3

MEDITATION@ARIYASOMVILLA - LET'S SPEND 3 MEANINGFUL DAYS @ARIYASOMVILLA

Meditation and Mindfulness Retreat - August 3rd - 6th , 2009

Program:-

Monday 3rd August -

14.00 Arrive and register

15.00 Introduction to the course

Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th

07.30 Breakfast

09.00 Mindfulness practice with instruction

09.50 Break

10.00 Mindfulness practice with instruction

10.50 Break

11.00 Question and answer

11.30 Lunch

13.00 Meditation session

14.30 Break

15.00 Meditation session

16.30 Break

17.00 Interview with the teacher

19.00 Light Supper

20.00 Meditation session

21.00 Extending meritorious deeds and loving kindness.

Meditation Master is Ven. Metino Bhikhu (Vimokkha) - a Thai Therawada Monk. He is a kind hearted, experienced, enthusiastic meditation master specializing in mind development. Ajarn Vimokkha has practiced meditation with various masters and in various techniques. he is able to instruct most levels of meditators with or without experience.

On a sharing basis the cost is Bt 1,000 per person per day. This special rate is offered or meditation only. If you don't wish to stay the night the charge per day for food is Bt 500 (3 meals per day).

Please contact us on info@ariyasom.com or pariya@ariyasom.com for details.

We look forward to welcoming you to Ariyasomvilla.

Hotel near Bumrungrad

Boutique Hotel Bangkok

See our website at www.ariyasom.com

info@ariyasom.com or pariya@ariyasom.com

July@Ariyasomvilla

Just wanted to write and let you all know what’s new at “Na Aroon” Restaurant this July.

You can see all the details on the photo – I think we’ve got something rather interesting and very ethnic – we are using three “Ma” - Ma-now ( lime), Ma-kok (Thai Olive) and Ma-dan (Garcinia). As we all know Thai food not only tastes great but is also medicinal. Ma-dan – Garcinia Schomburgkiana Pierre – is rich in calcium and vitamin A – it is very sour to the taste but as part of the soup or the Nam Prik is a magical ingredient. Apparently good for coughs ( expectorant), monthly cycle, diabetes and is a natural laxative!

The Kanom Jeen from last month stays on the menu as it has been very popular

We’ve still got Rhubarb – so the Rhubarb Crumble has gone down well – hopefully it will stay in season for the rest of the month – if not we’ll have to return to Apple Crumble

Do call in and see us and enjoy a tasty and healthy meal.

With best regards


David

PS – If you have visitors coming to Bangkok do think of us as a venue for accommodation.

Mobile – 081-8371573
Website – www.ariyasom.com
Tel – 02-2538800

Ariyasomvilla - Boutique Hotel, Bangkok

Ariyasomvilla - Hotel near Bumrungrad Hospital.

Wi-Fi @ Ariyasomvilla

Ariyasomvilla is connected through Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. This is a service provided by the hotel at no additional charge. Whether in your room or by the pool you can connect up. We also have a dedicated computer for internet connection at the 'Library" for those who don't carry a laptop.

Ariyasomvilla - Boutique Hotel Bangkok.

Ariyasomvilla - Hotel near Bumrungrad

www.ariyasom.com

Check us out on Tripadvisor!

Breakfast@Ariysomvilla

We have a good breakfast here at Ariyasomvilla. One of the best things is that it's available all day. Recognizing that guests arrive at all times of the day and night we thought it would be nice if they could have breakfast at any time - no having to be down before 10.00am!!

Besides our regular "English" breakfast we also a good Oriental breakfast - rice soup ( Kao Tom) vegetarian (pak) or fish (pla) or shrimp (kung).

Fresh juice, fresh fruit, cereals, natural yogurt, eggs (any style), sausage(V), bacon (V), saute potatoes, grilled tomatoes, mushroom and of course we have our version of Eggs Benedict. Butter croissant, good toast and home made marmalade or strawberry jam.

We have great "Lavazza" Coffee and our English Tea is full flavoured and strong. Outside guests are welcome for breakfast, at anytime, as well.

Ariyasomvilla - Hotel near Bumrungrad Hospital

Ariyasomvulla - Boutique Hotel Bangkok

www.ariyasom.com

The "Library" @ Ariyasomvilla

The "Library" @ Ariyasomvilla is a quiet peaceful spot in House #65. Normally, a spot for reading, using the internet or just having a quiet cup of tea. The room is also used for meetings, small functions and exhibitions.

During our regular meditation sessions the room is used as a pre function space and also for refreshments and meals.

Ariyasomvilla - Bangkok Boutique Hotel. Ariyasomvilla - Hotel near to Bumrungrad Hospital.

Ariyasomvilla - Kanom Jeen Specials

We are introducing a number of new monthly specials this week. These include a range of Kanom Jeen dishes:-

* Kanom Jeen Sao Nam

* Kanom Jeen Nam Prik

* Kanom Jeen Nam Yah

You can have the Kanom Jeen as the main course of our set " Quicky" lunch - Herbal drink, Kanom Jeen and dessert of Sala Loy Gao - all for Bt 220 net.

For more information about our food and beverage please call us on 02-2538800 or refer to our website at www.ariyasom.com.

Our food is vegetarian or seafood - mostly organic and healthy but always delicious! Private parties are catered for.

Ariyasomvilla - "Rhubarb Crumble" !

I was surprised and delighted to find "Rhubarb" in the royal project shop - Doi Khum. Consequently, we've introduced Rhubarb Crumble on the menu.

To make rhubarb crumble follow a few easy steps:-

Clean and cut the rhubarb into small 1 inch long pieces. Put them into the dish or ramekin that you want to use. Add a little crystal brown sugar and ginger powder. Place in the oven and cook for about 15 - 20 minutes at about 200c. In a large bowl make the crumble - flower, crystal brown sugar, ginger powder and butter. Rub the ingredients together so that it is a bisquity/ crumbly texture. Cover the dish / ramekins with the crumble and bake in the oven for another 20+ mins.

The crumble should be turning brown and the rhubarb juice should be bubbling. Serve hot with , cream or creme Anglais and or vanilla ice cream - comfort food at it's best.

For reservation at our Na Aroon Restaurant call 02-2538800 or you can visit our website at www.ariyasom.com

Ariyasomvilla - "Big Break" in Bangkok !

Until October 31^st the Resort is offering Thai citizens and Resident expatriates a special 2 night package priced at Bt7,900. 2 nights accommodation ( Deluxe Room) with breakfast, Thai dinner for two,1 hours Thai Massage for 2 persons, 1 Bottle of chilled sparkling wine upon arrival.

Email – info@ariyasom.com or call 02-2548880-3 . Ariyasom is a resort in the centre of the city. No need to travel to Chiang Mai or the south our Sanctuary in the City awaits you!!

Meditation Hall @ Ariyasomvilla

The Meditation Hall is located on the 3rd floor of the  same building that contains the Library ( 1st floor) on the 2nd floor we have 3 Guest Rooms.

The Meditation Hall is not a commercial part of the Hotel but caters to our personal interest in Buddhism in general and meditation in particular. We have had monthly meditation classes since the middle of last year as well as hosting several evening Dharma talks. For meditation it can comfortably cater to 24 meditators and for discourses we've had up to 47 participants.

Our next meditation will be held on the weekend of 9th and 10th of May so do call us and register - 02-2548880-3 - website can be accessed on www.ariyasom.com or you can seek further information by contacting info@ariyasom.com.

We look forward to welcoming anyone who would like to come along. There is no charge for attending meditation.

Dharma @ Ariyasomvilla

On a monthly basis we normally have a Saturday and Sunday meditation session. For the last few months these have been lead by Ajahn Vimoak. One day is in English and the other is in Thai. Please see the other blog - Mind Matters @ Ariyasom for details of forthcoming events.

We have also had a few evening talks the last two by the Venerable U Wansa - a Canadian Monk ordained in Myanmar at Chammay Yeiktha under the auspices of  Sayadaw U Janika. We were also lucky enough to have a visit from another Burmese Monk - Sayadaw U Jotika whilst he was in  Bangkok . He is the author of the now famous book - "Snow in the Summer".

Please do keep a look out for our regular meditation sessions as well as the more ad hoc discourses.

Ariyasomvilla - Location

Ariyasomvilla is located in the centre of Bangkok. It is located in Sukhumvit Soi 1. The first Soi ( side road ) off Sukhumvit Road. The Hotel can be found at the end of the Soi.

When arriving from the Airport the Soi is just off the down ramp of the Expressway at the Sukhumvit exit - so we are convenient for the Airport. It is also convenient to move out of Bangkok to all regions using the Expressway system.

Pleonchit BTS station is approximately 550 metres from the Hotel and allows easy access to the main shopping and entertainment areas of Bangkok.

The Hotel is within 200 metres of Bumrungrad International Hospital - undoubtedly South East Asia's leading Hospital.

Ariyasomvilla - Hotel near Sukhumvit Road

Ariyasomvilla - Hotel near Bumrungrad Hospital

Ariyasomvilla - Hotel near BTS

Ariyasomvilla - Hotel Thailand

Ariyasomvilla - Hotel Thailand Bangkok

Whether you are visiting for leisure, business or medical services Ariyasomvilla is well located.

Doors@ Ariyasom Villa (1)

Doors are a very important design element here at Ariyasom Villa. We purchased quite  number of doors from various parts of Thailand. As we purchased so many I thought I'd split the blog up. You might not recognize the photo as we spent considerable time and energy stripping the doors back and redoing them.

The entry to any space is important and to install a special door gives added emphasis.

Thai Orchids@ Ariyasom Villa

We've all decided that Thai Orchids work really well in the hotel. The colours and varieties are just magnificent. We have been buying orchids from lots of places but now find that the area just beyond Salaya is one of the best. Quality, variety and price are all good. Actually, because of the price you just keep buying so in the end you spend the same but you have a huge amount of orchids around the hotel.

Burmese Oils @ Ariyasom Villa

At about the same time that I purchased the Burmese water colours I also managed to get hold of some interesting and evocative Burmese Oils. Composition, colour, texture and technical ability are all good in these. But in the end of the day it is just subjective and you either like them or not.

It is a pleasure being able to go to each room and see all the different paintings that I have collected over the years - mostly I can recall something about them and enjoy seeing them all framed and hung on the walls - before I didn't have enough walls for them all.

Come and see the Burmese art at Ariyasom Villa.

A few watercolours.

Several years ago I acquired  a number of Burmese water colours. Most were painted by an artist from Mandalay with the name of Marlar.  Almost all of these are now up on the walls of Ariyasom Villa Hotel. I believe that most of his scenes are taken from daily life in and around Mandalay. 

The paintings are very evocative of the time I spent in Myanmar and bring back happy memories. I am enclosing a few photos .

I also have a number of oils from Burma and will publish them in the blog shortly. Altogether I think we have about 100 original paintings at Ariyasom Villa  

Kalagas@Ariyasom

We just hung most of our Kalagas - it's a sort of Burmese Tapestry. These are still being amde today but the new ones don't compare with the older ones.

I purchased these from a shop at the Oriental about 12 over years ago. The shop was closing down and offering special prices. We had each piece framed with fabric and they have now been hung in various locations around Ariyasom.