We
went as guests of Iain Arthur, one of the partners in the Alkemy Restaurant,
to try the culinary efforts of Arturo Lope. In fact Iain’s words were,
“It’s all about presentation and flavour. It will have your eyes and
tongue going wild!”
A few words from chef Arturo will not go astray at this
point. He is a friend of the Alkemy’s regular chef, Marcus, with the two
of them having worked together in London, and we chatted after he had
personally come from the kitchen to pour flaming Grand Marnier over my
chocolate dessert! He is only 25 years old and very Spanish and very
passionate about his food, having started his culinary career at age 13
despite parental objections. “I cook because I don’t know anything else!
Spain has the best chefs in the world these days. We have stopped
traditional cooking - now we play! We need to be creative in the kitchen. I
can spend three hours just to make an Amuse Bouche. I forget about the time
or the money. I never do the same plate twice. With my presentation,
everything has a reason - it’s not just for show!” And that was without
taking a breath!
Marcus
(left) and Arturo
The special “Gastronomic Menu” from Arturo is 800
baht per person, but encompasses eight courses including tea or coffee. We
began with a smoked salmon rose in a fresh fruit salad with wild honey
mustard, and we knew immediately that this was going to be something
different. Like a type of ‘mini-kebab’ with the salmon and cantaloupe
presented on a black oblong plate with a smear of the honey mustard and a
stripe of pepper to dip the kebab into. Great presentation and great taste.
The next course was generically called ‘soup’ but
like no soup we have ever had before. A cream of prawn with its own hot
jelly and caramelized Japanese mushrooms. The prawn flavour going through
the entire dish.
The next special menu item was one that chef Arturo had
made for King Juan Carlos of Spain, a salad capresse. This was a most
aromatic dish, with the layers of tomato and cheese and anchovy surrounded
by a honey and Balsamico sauce. Again it was brilliant presentation and
brilliant taste.
We followed this (or should I say Arturo followed this)
with a roasted sea bass, set in a curl between two strips of filo pastry,
with onion and a herb mousse with a champagne sauce. Once again, innovative
and fabulous flavour.
To give our taste buds a rest we were given a sorbet, but
by now knowing Arturo, this was no ordinary sorbet, but a citrus and basil
sorbet. “Chefs are starting to experiment with sorbets,” said Arturo, as
if we needed an explanation. I had by this stage decided that if Arturo had
offered me an egg and lettuce sandwich sorbet it would have been superb!
We finished with a fillet of pork with a port wine
reduction and then the aforementioned triple textured chocolate and sat back
totally satiated.
We continue to be impressed with Alkemy as a fine dining
venue. The appointments are superb, and the restaurant itself is most
inviting. In fact it is difficult to leave! The special menu from Arturo was
a sensational gastronomic experience and one of the most innovative I have
experienced for a while. If you need something to pep up an otherwise jaded
palate, you have Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd to do it. The evening did, as
Iain Arthur said, “have your eyes and tongue going wild!” I suggest you
book now. If you are too late, it will necessitate a trip to Majorca! Very
highly recommended.
Alkemy Restaurant, Nova Park Apartments, 80/164 Soi
Sukrudee, Pattaya City, telephone 038 415 304, fax 038 415 309, email
novapark@ loxinfo.co.th
All major cards and secure parking.
