LV THE PLACE AND SIROCCO

The Bangkok Post has a once a month feature segment, Elite Life, bringing the best of luxury lifestyle in Bangkok.  The front page highlight was entitled Journey from Jura, featuring the marriage of Louis Vuitton and Chef Gaggan Anand.  

In short, here is the story:

• Louis was born in the Jura region of France in 1821.
• At the age of 33 he established his eponymous brand in Paris in 1854, 170 years ago.

• 
  He established his reputation by making travel trunks for Napolen III's wife, Empress Eugenie.
• His trunks were weatherproof and light, with an unpickable lock.  That design began then.
• In 1987 LV merged with Moet et Chandon and Hennessey, becoming LVMH.

• 
  Today, a LV bag can cost from $1,200 to $36,000, but knock offs can be found in Thailand, China, etc. for $20 or so.
• You probably did not know this, but Bernard Arnault heads LVMH and, with a worth of $235 billion, is the richest person in the world.  #2 is Jeff Bezos of Amazon at $194 billion and #3 Elon Musk of Tesla/SpaceX at $193 billion.

• 
  Segueing on to Chef Gaggan Anand, in 2007 he arrived in Thailand from Kolkata, India with $500 in his pocket.  Of course, he had the good fortune or skill to have worked for Ferran Adria (right) of El Bulli, where he learned molecular gastronomy.

I featured Chef Anand a decade ago, for one stop on my Fall Circle Pacific Adventure was Bangkok, where I had dinner at Gaggan.  This photo has Gaggan to my left.  To quote from that posting:

Chef Gaggan asked me if I thought he could attain #1 ranking?  As I dined at Noma and took a similar photo (below right) of Chef Rene and his staff when Noma in Copenhagen was not yet #1, I later thought about that question and can now feel comfortable in saying that his steeple of excellence in Bangkok cannot.  His kitchen is too small and the two floor home he is in is not fashionable.  Narisawa in Tokyo is in a high tech setting.  Pierre Gagnaire'srestaurant at the top of the Lotte Hotel in Seoul has a spectacular view.  This will almost surely gain 3-Star Michelin ranking when they bother to come to Korea.

However, I can suggest that a #1 Pellegrino world ranking is possible if he finds a situation at the top of a new sky rise in Delhi or, perhaps, a venerable castle in Kolkata, and call it Gaggan's Palace.  He did indicate that rents in his home country are 25 times higher than Bangkok, so this would be a life-changing challenge to gain financial backing for such a magnificent opportunity.  But #1 in the world does not come easily.  Ask Chef Rene, who had to make a comeback after a norovirus outbreak one night.  However, Chef Gaggan is destined for greater things, so I would not be surprised if he someday ascends to a new level of high.

Well he found his match with Louis Vitton.

• LV The Place Bangkok opened on 1March2024 at Gaysorn Amarin, a new destination concept featuring the restaurant and the Louis Vuitton universe today.

• 
  There is a ground floor Le Cafe Louis Vuitton for desserts, etc.
• At the upper level is Gaggan's food journey for lunch and dinner called Gaggan at Louis Vuitton.

• 
  A seasonal menu is based on the 5 S's, for Sweet, Sour, Salty, Spicy and Surprise.
• Sort of a French/Thai/India fusion of these sensations.
• Works of international artists are on display throughout the space.
• Telephone?  1 800 01 1112.
• Open from noon to 11pm but closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Walked around a bit yesterday, through Robinson and down to Tops to buy take-out food to try to finish our bottle of blue sake.

Went Thai, for roast park and vegetables over rice.

Then at 6PM to the Library for Glenmorangie Single Malt, Coconut juice and Prosecco.

Loved the soft coconut meat.

We decided to order a meal to watch the Jazz Group.  Spaghetti Bolognese and Caesar Salad.  Just as the food came, the session started.

The singer tonight was from Thailand.

Walked 5249 steps.

Had a large and late brunch this morning because our next meal will be under the stars at Sirocco.

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