Last month Mantra presented tender wagyu beef in sashimi and steak specialities. This month, it's offering the succulent taste of hairy crab, which tastes even better when accompanied by warm sake, shochu or even a drop of sherry.

The hairy crustaceans are in the form of sushi, dumplings, salads, soups, or served whole steamed, fried or baked.

Call (038) 429 591 or visit www.mantra-pattaya.com.

Health in a bottle

Olive oil has always been known to have health-giving properties and Oliviers & Co is introducing one of a premium grade from Greece. Kalamata Greek virgin olive oil is made from dark eggplant-coloured olives that have a thick texture, a fruity taste and are found exclusively in Greece. The olive oil is named after Kalamata, the city around which the olives are grown.

This oil naturally contains salt and lactic acid, which contributes to its quality, aroma and taste, and goes beautifully with salads, mezze, or over pasta.

The oil comes in 313cc bottles (Bt650) and are available at the Oliviers & Co shop in Peninsula Plaza.

Ken Hom returns

A pioneer in Asian cuisine, Ken Hom, will be in Bangkok serving his specialities at Lord Jim's in the Oriental from October 16 to 21.

The chef is renowned for Asian recipes the world over, and has published more than 20 best-selling cookbooks. His BBC television series have also made his face and name well known in more than 60 countries.

In 1990, Hom was inducted in the Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America. He has cooked for leading figures like French President Jacques Chirac, former German chancellor Helmut Kohl, former Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, singer Tina Turner and footballer David Beckham.

Some of Hom's signature dishes, which will be featured at Lord Jim's, include poached oysters with champagne and lemongrass butter sauce, scallop corn ginger soup and stir-fried persillade prawns.

Call (02) 659 9000.

All about oysters

Bangkok Marriott Resort and Spa presents oysters, fine wines, vodka martinis as well as a visit by the "Guinness Book of World Records" oyster-shucking champion at Trader Vic's restaurant this month.

Patrick McMurray, the oyster-shucking champ, will witness and judge an oyster-shucking competition, which takes place at Grand Sala on October 14 at 10am.

The winner will receive Bt20,000, a certificate of achievement from Ripley's Believe It Or Not!, and a complimentary two-night stay at the hotel.

McMurray will also be on hand to talk about art of selecting and shucking oysters, and will even try and break his own record on October 15. The hotel will offer a special brunch, featuring a superb array of fresh BBQ delicacies, great wines and free flow of mai tai cocktails to mark the occasion.

Call (02) 476 0022, extension 1416.

Texas BBQ

Circle restaurant is putting on a great Texas barbecue all this month with authentic dishes that will fill up the hungriest cowboy.

Brought to Bangkok by executive chef Edmond Kwan, the dishes include melt-in-your-mouth baby back pork ribs with coffee BBQ glaze, grilled hickory-smoked rib-eye steak with cayenne remoulade, sloppy Joes with fire house chilli, mole Amarillo (hickory-grilled king fish with a yellow bell pepper and chilli sauce) and mesquite-grilled river prawns in a citrus marinade.

Call (02) 650 8047 for reservations. The restaurant is located in Ruamrudee Village, Soi Ruamrudee, Ploenchit.

The editor can be contacted at focusfood@nationgroup.com.

Compiled by Juthamas Cholthavornpong