Thalias Hospitality

Cambodia – Topaz Restaurants

      A symbol of French culinary brilliance ” While Topaz proudly embodies the sophistication of French gastronomy, its heart beats with the warmth of Cambodian hospitality ” For nearly 30 years, Topaz has been a symbol of French culinary brilliance in Phnom Penh’s lively core. Its journey, deeply rooted in tradition yet always embracing innovation, now unfolds in two exquisite settings. Proudly standing among the elite, owner Arnaud Darc and his teams ensure an unparalleled dining experience that celebrates the rich tapestry of dynamic Phnom Penh, whether through Topaz Norodom‘s sophistication or Topaz TheCommune‘s contemporary flair. Arnaud first arrived in Cambodia in 1994 on an internship as a Cost Controller for Sofitel Cambodiana. He served with the Accor group for three years before taking a leap and moving on to his own ventures, including co-founding Topaz in 1997. Commenting on how the restaurant has remained the beacon of French culinary brilliance, Arnaud Darc, who is a Chargé de Missions in the Bailliage of Cambodia, observed, “At Topaz, we tirelessly curate events that spotlight talents, offering innovative, intriguing takes on French cuisine, enriching and tantalizing the culinary journey. Numerous Michelin-starred chefs have joined us to celebrate and impart their knowledge, drawn by our commitment to discovery and self-improvement.” He continued, “At Topaz, our essence is deeply rooted in the celebration of classical traditions that form the backbone of one of the world’s most esteemed cuisines. Our homage to these time-honoured principles is expressed through our unwavering commitment to sourcing the finest ingredients available. We forge lasting partnerships with premier producers and suppliers, spanning from the lush landscapes of France to the vibrant coastlines of Cambodia, ensuring that every dish we serve is a testament to our dedication to culinary excellence. While Topaz proudly embodies the sophistication of French gastronomy, its heart beats with the warmth of Cambodian hospitality. The restaurant is passionately invested in nurturing the talents of the next generation, cultivating the skills of young chefs, managers, and team members. Topaz is more than a restaurant; it is a cradle of culinary education and a beacon of cultural fusion, where the future of gastronomy is shaped with care, respect, and an eye towards innovation.” When next in Phnom Penh experience the art of exquisite dining at Topaz. The culinary masterpieces and elegant ambiance create an unforgettable dining experience. It is no wonder therefore that the Bailliage of Cambodia chose Topaz to host its 2024 Chapitre on May 25th at which Joe Prasobsook Thawilvejjakul, Member of the Conseil d’Administration from Thailand, was the Inducting Officer. Prepared by a Chaîne News Online Staff Writer Researched principally from the Topaz website. E&OE Other Chaîne members at Topaz – Maître Restaurateur Eden Gnean – General Manager – Maître Restaurateur Lina Hak – Director of Operations – Maître Rôtisseur Pov Sopheak – Executive Chef, Topaz Norodom – Maître Rôtisseur Phyra Hem – Executive Chef, Topaz TheCommune Topaz Norodom 162 Preah Norodom Blvd Phnom Penh 12302 Web: topaz.thalias.com.kh Tel: +855 15 821 888 E-mail: reservation.topaz@thalias.com.kh Topaz TheCommune 1st Floor, TheCommune 15 Street 347 Phnom Penh 12151 Web: topaz.thalias.com.kh/venues/topaz-thecommune Tel: +855 15 413 888 E-mail: reservation.topazthecommune@thalias.com.kh POSTSCRIPT Alain Darc (1942-2023) Born into a venerable lineage of chefs, Arnaud’s father Alain Darc was a custodian of culinary wisdom, a treasure trove of skills honed under the tutelage of illustrious French mentors. After a long and illustrious career driven by a mission to promote French cuisine across the globe, “Papa” Darc arrived in Cambodia in 2005 and soon joined the team as Executive Chef at Topaz. Away from the kitchen, he devoted his life to the enrichment of local culinary arts, significantly through his heartfelt work with the NGO “Pour Un Sourire d’Enfant”. Article by: Chaîne Online News [https://newsonline.chainedesrotisseurs.com/story/3329/cambodia-topaz-restaurants.html]

C’est Délicieux: What’s new in Thalias’ offer?

The Thalias Group is always keen to meet the needs of its loyal customers and regularly offers new products, new menus, special promotions and services. We are committed to keeping abreast of the latest trends and the gastronomic aspirations of our customers and friends.  The Malis Business Lunch  As a pioneer of the new Khmer cuisine, the famous Malis restaurant in Phnom Penh has been offering a business lunch with two options since the beginning of this month. This is your chance to discover the best of Khmer cuisine on the go, with the best value.  Two options  The first option of this business lunch, available every day from 11am to 1.30pm, offers pork kebabs and M’chou-style chicken as starters. This is followed by a main course of Fish Amok, Prahok Ktis prawns and wok-fried eggplant, served with steamed jasmine rice. Finally, the menu is rounded off with a 100% Cambodian green bean dessert.  The second option is no less appetising, with Takeo sausages and moringa soup – perfect for your health – as starters. This is followed by Amok fish and steamed chicken curry, before finishing with a corn dessert.  Both menus are priced at $15 each and include a choice of soft drink or beer (Angkor draft) or coffee/tea.  Book now: https://malis.thalias.com.kh/malis-phnom-penh/  Our cheese made in Cambodia  Since 2020, Thalias has been developing its own range of cheeses, 100% made in Cambodia, using fresh local cow’s milk from a local farm (O’More Farm, Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture) and Kampot salt.  Immediately after milking at the farm in the morning, the chilled raw milk is delivered to Thalias in sustainable stainless steel containers (no plastic). The milk is immediately analysed, pasteurised and processed by the Thalias cheese-makers. All dairy products are made using raw milk.  The first Khmer dairy products launched by Thalias were dairy products such as :  Yoghurt ($ 3.3 for a 180 grams jar and $ 6.6 for a 400 grams one)  Fromage Blanc ( $ 18.90 for a kilo)  The Rousseau, a cow’s milk crottin with a tasty thin crust ( $ 5 for one piece)  The Chanda, a cylindrical cheese coated with vegetable ash and kept in a local straw made from grey sedge grass ( $ 5 for one piece)  Khemabert, a lactic creation based on the Chaource process, with a flowery rind and a chalky core ( $ 6 for one piece)  Nota : to produce Chaource made cheese, the cattle mainly graze for over five months of the year and supplements are limited. This milk is brought to a temperature of 25 to 35 °C and rennet is added. It is then left to coagulate for at least twelve hours. It is thought that the Chaource cheese was made by the monks at the neighbouring Abbey of Pontivy. Its name comes from the town in the Aube region where it was sold at the market.  The Thalias cheese-makers team was then able to learn the techniques of “enzymatic” cheese and is now proud to propose :   The Camembert of Phnom Penh, a soft cheese with a flowery white rind thanks to the famous Penicillium camemberti fungus.( $ 6,6 for one piece)  The Tomme of Phnom Penh, an uncooked pressed cheese with deux original ash lines matured for at least one month, its flavours are unique and express the Khmer terroir ($ 35 a kilo)  The Tomme Annatto, an uncooked pressed cheese inspired by the “Mimolette” but with a softer texture. The colour comes from annatto (rocou), a natural colouring obtained from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana). A specific penicillium is used for the two Tomme crusts, a concentrate of flavours ($33 a kilo)  The Raclette, a large uncooked pressed cheese with washed rind, made from 60 litres of milk. Fruity aromas and an amazing taste and texture when hot and melted.($35 a kilo)  The Blue of Phnom Penh, a creamy and tasty blue cheese, is the best way to appreciate the exceptional quality of fresh Khmer cow’s milk   Find our cheese and yoghurt and special promotions on these products in all Khéma outlets  Le Bistrot de l’Institut français launches weekend brunch  Le Bistrot de l’Institut français is now serving an unlimited brunch menu for just $15. Viennoiseries, eggs Benedict, omelettes, quiches, fresh fruit, pancakes, toast, cheese, charcuterie, coffee, tea, pineapple juice, watermelon juice… there’s something for everyone in this generous new offer. What could be better after a long week at work or a Friday that’s a little too festive than a generous, soothing brunch? For just $15 net, you can be the one to enjoy a brunch with family, friends or on your own on Saturdays, and for those who can’t make it, the formula is also available on Sundays.  A brief history of brunch  Brunch is a meal, sometimes accompanied by champagne or soft drinks, taken in the late morning or early afternoon. It has its origins in the British hunting breakfast. The word “brunch” is a combination of the words “breakfast” and “lunch”. It first appeared in England at the end of the 19th century and became popular in the United States in the 1930s.  The term is thought to have been coined in Britain in 1895 to describe a Sunday meal for Saturday night revellers.  By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch was said to make life more pleasant for Saturday night revellers. It has also been suggested that the term may have been coined by journalist Frank Ward O’Malley, who wrote for the New York newspaper The Sun from 1906 to 1919 in the early 20th century. He is said to have coined the term after observing the lunchtime eating habits of his newspaper colleagues.  Open every Saturday & Sunday from 11am to 3pm at Le Bistrot de l’Institut français  Free Flow for lunch at Khéma Flatiron  Join us at Khéma Restaurant on the 28th floor of Flatiron for an incredible free flow business lunch with … Read more

Khéma Flatiron Ready to Rise

This August, Khéma Restaurant is proudly opening its doors in the landmark Flatiron by Meridian building to the west of Phnom Penh train station. It’s taken more than expected (thank you Covid) but on the first day of August Khéma Flatiron finally opened its doors to the general public: a brand new Khéma venue, with the same great menu and a spectacular location on the 28th floor giving views in every direction across Phnom Penh and on a clear day even as far away as Phnom Aural in Kampong Speu. This new Khéma is a celebration of the best of traditional and modern values. A stunning contemporary design, with clean, open spaces, marble-topped tables and an exquisite curving copper-topped bar provides a fresh, cosmopolitan backdrop not just for those incredible views but also for our way of elevating time-honoured French cooking. This is a venue for a city that’s permanently on the move, always growing, always looking forward; like its people. You’ll find here all the things you’ve long loved about Khéma’s sister outlets on Pasteur, at Khéma La Poste, and not forgetting Khéma Angkor. Our fabulous Free-Flow Breakfast, our Wine & Dine events (just imagine the joy of savouring endless plates of cheese, charcuterie and more while looking out over Phnom Penh’s constellation of twinkling city lights), and soon we will be offering the rightly famous Khéma Business Lunch deal (one of the best value lunch deals in Phnom Penh). Khéma Flatiron will lift your spirits, we have no doubt. We still have more up our sleeve too, and are looking forward to the imminent opening of Siena, an Italian-style steakhouse. Keep an eye on October, because we’re sure you won’t want to miss this. And don’t forget that, if you’re in a hurry, there’s always Khéma GO on the ground floor. Looking forward to seeing you all soon! Written by Nicky Sullivan