If you're planning to spend the holidays in Thailand's South or North and are looking for a venue to celebrate a New Year feast, consider Koh Samui, Krabi or Chiang Mai.
Banyan Tree Samui
Overlooking a beautiful palm-fringed bay, the award-winning Saffron restaurant will treat diners with a nine-course set menu of fine authentic Thai cuisine on New Year's Eve to create a special festive mood. The options include pan-fried duck liver escalope in tamarind sauce; steamed egg custard with seared foie gras; poached snowfish; black ink spaghetti and Boston lobster; and Wagyu beef tenderloin.
Classical Thai dancers will perform throughout the evening, and the "Sanctuary Of The Serengeti" party will take over the Sands restaurant on the beach. Inspired by a safari feast, the Serengeti-themed event features a carving station with lamb, prime rib of beef; sashimi and sushi; a variety of seafood including octopus, tiger prawns, lobster and mussels; as well as French foie gras and Cordon Noir Russian Sevruga caviar.
The price is 16,500 baht including live entertainment and a countdown party. For reservations, call 077-915-333 or send an email to saffron-samui@banyantree.com and sands-samui@banyantree.com.
Meliá Chiang Mai
Laan Na Kitchen and a live bossa nova band will warm the celebratory spirit amid cool winds with a "New Year's Eve Lavish Buffet", which runs from 6-10pm. A variety of Mediterranean specialities including exquisite steak and tiger prawn cuts, expertly roasted prime ribs, Moroccan-spiced lamb, khao soi and nutritious salads will be served at live cooking stations.
The "Sparkling New Year's Eve Countdown Party" will take place at Chiang Mai's tallest rooftop bar Mai The Sky Bar from 9pm to 1am. Partygoers can savour traditional Spanish tapas and pinchos, along with a wide selection of cocktails while listening to a DJ line-up.
For more details, call 052-090-699 or visit melia.com.
Banyan Tree Krabi
Set against the starlit sky, the Naga Kitchen will stage "White Glittering Night Gala And Countdown Party" on Dec 31. Vacationers can enjoy live music, fun games, lucky draw prizes, a local market selling souvenirs, a fire-twirling show and fireworks at midnight.
The international cuisine options include dill-marinated salmon; herb-marinated beef carpaccio; cold cuts and cheeses; and a host of locally inspired and Asian favourites like crispy crabmeat with pomelo salad in tamarind sauce; Japanese sashimi; and tiger prawns, oysters and rock lobster. A range of premium grilled meats from the carvery is also available, along with New Zealand mussels, French foie gras and Russian caviar.
The meal is priced at 16,000 baht per person. For reservations, call 075-811-888 or send an email to krabi@banyantree.com.
