TALE AS OLD AS TIME, SONG AS OLD AS RHYME
PASTRY CHEF YANNIS JANSSENS BRINGS BEAUTY AND THE BEAST TO 137 PILLARS BANGKOK
It’s been a while since I’ve indulged in one of my favourites — afternoon tea. And no better way to break that spell with a fairy tale-inspired one.
Continuing their journey of magical afternoon teas, 137 Pillars Suites and Residences Bangkok have once again managed to turn fable into reality with award-winning pastry chef Yannis Janssens (you may know him from his delicious creations at L’Atelier Joel Robouchon). The new “A Fairytale Afternoon Tea” brings the enchanting story of Beauty And
The Beast to the table in small bites. Everyone is familiar with story of the prince, cursed to spend the rest of his life living in a fantastical castle as a beast until he finds salvation in the heart of a girl. Caught stealing a single rose from the Beast’s garden, a desperate merchant exchanges his youngest daughter’s freedom for his own life. The Beast, stripped of his handsome features and compassion, must win her heart, or spend the rest of his life in bitter solitude.
Chef Janssens’ interpretation of the tale has each whimsical course (and I use the word loosely) based on chapters of the book. Starting off when Belle is lost in the forest, “The Black Forest” is a terrarium of Tainori 64% chocolate from the Dominican Republic, chocolate soil complete with a mushroom sprouting from it and comes with a cherry and kirsch (brandy) coulis to be poured over. Don’t forget to eat the Beast’s horns, which are made from marzipan.
Move on to the second chapter when Belle sits down to dinner with the Beast, labelled the “Savoury Chapter”. Here, chef Janssens moves away from “the finger sandwiches typically served” and to a more decadent and luxurious spread. Start with the thick smoked salmon, creme fraiche, ikura and caviar served atop a soft blini. I then chose to eat the pata negra, a delightful bite of an open toastie smeared with sun-dried tomato confit and chorizo aioli topped with jamón Ibérico. A brioche bursting with lobster and tarragon was just right as the next bite, while an ever so light and fluffy escargot croissant with béchamel, rocket and indulgent shavings of earthy black truffles ended the chapter. “Who doesn’t like all these combinations,” laughs chef Janssens.
Since no afternoon tea is complete with scones (in my book), chef Janssens moves away from the traditional. Since he is not a fan of scones, he heads into savoury scone territory with buttermilk scones and Comte and bacon scones, of which one wasn’t enough. Please chef, serve me more! The square scones (also because chef Janssens finds square ones easier to cut) are served with house-made passion apricot mint marmalade, home-made Nutella spread and clotted Irish cream. The clotted cream was thick and lovely, went well with the cheese and bacon scones, and I couldn’t tell the difference between Irish and proper Devonshire.
The final “Sweet Chapter” is a delectable array of desserts that will indulge any tooth, sweet or otherwise. I started off with Tahitian vanilla macaron, which represents Featherduster and comes with a white chocolate feather atop. Nothing reminds you more of Belle’s dress than the Belle mango, vanilla and passion caramel rosette. Eat this before moving on to the caramel fleur de sel and macadamia tart, complete with an edible Cogsworth. To say this is delicious would be an understatement.
Petite fours to end a magical afternoon are the luscious citron and basil tart, which is chef Janssens’ interpretation of Lumière, and the mouthwatering Last petal — Rocher red fruits and rose, complete with an edible rose petal. The fairytale afternoon tea is complemented by a wide choice of organic, wild teas sourced from Monsoon Teas. However, I think the Monsoon blend green tea pairs best. The tea is served in Mrs Potts and Chip Potts, but they do make it hard for you to pour without spillage.
Additional beverage options include the unique Gin Tonic Tea Pot, Villa Conchi Brut Selection Cava and Champagne Vieille France NV.
A “Fairytale Afternoon Tea (inspired Beauty & The Beast)” starts today until December 1. It is only available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 1-3pm and 3.30-5.30pm. The magical tea is priced at B1,200 ++ per person or B2,150++ per person with Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial Champagne Miniature (200ml).
137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok / 59/1 Sukhumvit 39 / Call 02-079-7000 / Visit 137pillarshotels.com.