Note: the interview has been edited for brevity.

Q&A with Executive Chef Rolando Manesco:

Maria: What makes your restaurant successful?

Chef Manesco: In Asia, you need to follow what most of your guests like to eat and find the ingredients from the region that pair with those recipes. We need to adjust the dishes to the local culture, which inspires me to design a menu based on our client’s expectations.

Maria: Why did you choose Bangkok?

Chef Manesco: The job chose me. You need to find the right opportunity and time to be there, and sometimes it’s up to destiny with chefs. In Asia, chefs are moving all the time, so we try to change often to get more experience, learn about other ingredients and cultures. So far, I am with InterContinental Bangkok for two years. Prior to this appointment, I already experienced different Asian cuisines and worked in several countries in Europe, starting at a very young age in my native Italy followed by other countries.

Maria: Can you tell us about your favorite creation on the menu?

Chef Manesco: In our Italian restaurant “Theo Mio” we introduced truffles originating from Europe and the reception has been great. We have different restaurants with different cuisines, from curry with noodles to pasta. The most popular Italian dish is called “parppadelle al tartufo”, which is served a Theo Mio.

Maria: What would you like for your guests to remember from the dining experience?

Chef Manesco: We want guests to remember the full journey-from the moment they enter the hotel, the culture of Thailand, our restaurants at InterContinental Bangkok, the style of the restaurant, the freshness of our ingredients, and the simplicity of cooking.

Maria: Tell me about the process of pairing wine and food?

Chef Manesco: We want guests to remember the full journey-from the moment they enter the hotel, the culture of Thailand, our restaurants at InterContinental Bangkok, the style of the restaurant, the freshness of our ingredients, and the simplicity of cooking.

Maria: How do you see your chances to be awarded a Michelin Star?

Chef Manesco: We are doing very good in some of our restaurants such as Summer Palace, Fireplace Grill and Bar, and Theo Mio. We are already in the Michelin guide. We are working hard to reach that goal, especially with Fireplace Grill and Bar, where the focus on ingredients, service, and quality is very high. Our goal is to surprise our guests. We hope to get a star!

Maria: Our readers enjoy local tips from chefs. What three places do you recommend for visitors to see?

Chef Manesco: Discover Thai cuisine and taste original food and flavors. Here are some other tips:

• Enjoy the food at Chinatown Bangkok.
• Visit many of the parks and large green areas throughout the city.
• Visit the many of the beautiful monuments, recommend visiting Erawan Shrine, featuring a gilded statue of the god Brahma located just in front the hotel where many people come to pray. It’s often the site of rituals and traditional dances.

About Our Dining Experience:

We had the pleasure to enjoy and eat at three of the different restaurants at the property: Espresso, Summer Palace and Theo Mio and below you can find some of our favorites dishes and wines at Theo Mio, Italian Kitchen by renowned chef Theo Randall:

• Pulpo alla griglia.
• Gnocchi con crema al tartufo.
• Barramundi alla griglia.
• White Wine: Dipinti la Vis, Chardonnay, Trentino-Ato-Adige, Italy.
• White Wine: Bottega, Pinot Grigio, Veneto, Italy.

It was a real pleasure to meet Executive Chef Rolando Manesco, Executive Chinese Chef Han Long Hua, and rest of the diverse team at InterContinental Bangkok. The experience truly made us feel at home. Everyone we met represented the kindness that Thai culture is known for.

InterContinental Bangkok, 973 Phloen Chit Road, Lumpini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand Website

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The Rooms

InterContinental Bangkok is a 5-star property that strikes a balance between modern décor and traditional Thai hospitality. Our room was very spacious with a fantastic view of the ever-changing Bangkok skyline. It was hard to leave our comfortable bed, but we had only 48 hours to explore Bangkok!

The Food

The hotel has 12 different restaurants covering several types of cuisine. We had the pleasure to meet and interview Executive Chef Rolando Manesco and Executive Chinese Chef Han Long Hua and discussed with other members of the diverse team at InterContinental Bangkok. We enjoyed dining at 4 of the different restaurants at the property: Espresso, Summer Palace,  Theo Mio, and Club InterContinental. Here are some of our favorites dishes and wines:

At Summer Palace, Chinese Cuisine by Han Long Hua:

• Snow fish with crab egg white and teriyaki sauce.
• Wagyu beef with black pepper corns
• Chilled whole coconut served with mango puree, sago pearls and ice cream.
• White Wine, Domaine Chandon, Chardonnay, Victoria, Australia.
• Red Wine, Caliterra, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile.

The warm, welcoming environment at the InterContinental Bangkok makes it easy to feel at home. Everyone we met represented the kindness characteristic of the Thai culture. We even met foreign repeat guests during our stay.

I asked Mr. P. Richard, a recurring French guest for more than 20 years why he continues to return to the property. He said “location, friendship, feeling at home, and perfect sleep quality.”

Dining Traveler Tip: Don’t miss cocktails and appetizers with a view from Club InterContinental Lounge. The lounge is on the 37th floor with a dazzling view of the city matched with excellent service.

The Facilities

No trip to Thailand is complete without a spa treatment! Even if you only have 48 hours in Bangkok, don’t pass up on their beautiful Spa InterContinental. Entering there gives you the feeling of going to the sea.

Infinity Fitness: the 24-hour fitness center is perfect to work out all the delicious food that Bangkok has to offer. Get your cardio on with panoramic views of Bangkok where you can work out and relax. The fitness center even has personal trainers ready to assist.

Oasis Pool: The rooftop swimming pool on the 37th floor offers a relaxed and informal setting as well as cocktails from the Oasis pool bar. Another great view from Bangkok’s skyscrapers.

What to do during 48 hours in Bangkok

You may not want to leave the InterContinental Bangkok BUT there’s plenty to see and do in city. Here are our recommendations:

• Wat Pho, one of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha
• Enjoy the food, busy life, tuk tuk ride to Chinatown Bangkok
• Erawan Shrine, featuring a gilded statue of the god Brahma where many people come to pray and it’s often the site of rituals and traditional dances.

The Verdict

Bangkok is a city of contrasts with action at every turn. The food, the colors, the people, and so much more make it one of the most dynamic cities in the world. If you’re looking for a luxury hotel to return to at the end of the day, InterContinental Bangkok is the place for you. With its charming staff, luxurious amenities, and central location, it’s the perfect oasis in Bangkok.

InterContinental Bangkok, 973 Phloen Chit Road, Lumpini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand Website

Disclaimer: I was graciously hosted by InterContinental Bangkok. As always, opinions are my own and it was a true pleasure to meet the friendly and professional team at the hotel. 

The post Urban Luxury: A Tour of InterContinental Bangkok appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

Checking In

Upon arrival we were welcomed with refreshing towels and homemade tea. Immediately at the reception while doing the check-in, our receptionist Minji welcomed us to a stunning room. The kind staff took care of our suitcases and brought us to the cliff bungalow with an amazing view over the sea. From our balcony, we could enjoy the view of the palm trees, the Gulf of Thailand and Koh Samui island. The hotel is locally owned and employs more than 170 locals.

The Location

When deciding on where to stay in Koh Phangan, look for a property with a private beach. On the Leela private beach there are 3 hotels and a floating pier on the sea that allows you to go further in the water for a swim with small fish and a fabulous place to enjoy the sunset.

There is a small town call Had Rin just a few minutes away from the hotel where you can find shops, beauty centers, and restaurants. This beach is famous for the full moon party which is celebrated several times per year, with between 10,000 to 30,000 music festival fans coming from all over the world.

The Rooms

The resort has 92 rooms, ranging from bungalows to private villas. There are 5 villas with a private pool and sea view (76 m2), pool terrace rooms (108 m2), wooden bungalows (28 m²), the Cliff bungalows (35 m2), Senior bungalows (30m2), hillside bungalows and luxury rooms. The luxury building is being updated with modern materials like glass, ceramic tiles and metal. The most amazing room #802 includes a private pool on the balcony with a sea view and swimming pool view.

The Staff

The whole staff at Cocohut Beach Resort is fabulous! From the friendly concierge to the general manager, we were spoiled during our stay. We especially appreciated the pool staff who also provide service at the beach. All you need to do is relax and enjoy the sun and the ocean view and they take care of the rest. Service is always superb in Thailand.

The Food

Breakfast here is amazing, offering a large selection from Thai to international cuisine, warm and cold buffet, with food stations including fruits, cereals, yoghurt, freshly made omelets and eggs.

Lunch and dinner can be enjoyed inside or outside. The staff will set up an area outside allowing customers to enjoy the sunset with drinks, food and lounge music. The menu includes Thai, Japanese and international cuisine and the fresh fruit juices and cocktails are not to be missed.

Coconut Beach Resort: The Verdict

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