Bangkok - Warm Welcome Bakery & Cafe

August 23, 2018

Dear Fork,

A mini-sized cozy cafe, a hidden gem in the Sukhumvit area, and my go-to, Warm Welcome Bakery & Cafe, serves you all day baked goods from breakfast sandwiches, cookies, cake etc. Located in Soi Sukhumvit 33 on the opposite of Tops Supermarket, facing the street.

Walk in to a patio garden area, perfect for a late afternoon hangout spot. The interior mimics a home-welcoming vibe with mint green wall and wooden tables and countertops.

The fridge is showcasing their delicious cakes, drinks (apple tea, lemonade, coconut juice), sandwiches, caramel pudding etc.

Fruit Cake, Banana Bread, Croissant, Soft cookies.

Let's start, shall we? Before jumping into the sweet treats, I had to order my favorite Margherita Panini (THB 185). This sandwich gets me every time. So simple, yet very tasty. Warm crispy sandwich with flavorful stuffed filling, just perfect for brunch.

After the sandwich, we opted for the infamous Bread Pudding (THB 95), soft bread pudding with raisins, topped with their homemade caramel. I loved their caramel so much, great amount of the sweetness and thickness. MUST TRY!

Bread Pudding (THB 95), Banana Bread (THB 75)

Banana Bread (THB 75), perfect size, the special bit was that it reminded me of my mom's recipe.

Don't you just wish you have this whole refridgerator at home, filled with cakes, and baked goods... #NOM

It didn't hurt to try a little bit of everything right? I love their cake. What attracted me the most the the shape of their cake. Plenty of frosting/cream balancing out very wonderfully with the cake.
- Vanilla Walnuts Caramel Cake (THB 95)
- Carrot Cake (THB 105)
- Coconut Cake (THB 125)
- Double Chocolate Cake (THB 95)
- Red Velvet Cake (THB 95)

My favorites were their double chocolate and red velvet, simple, yet great taste. What I love about Warm Welcome Cafe is that their baked goods are not overly sweet. It gives you just the right amount of the sugar-kick that satisfies your sweets craving.

NEW! Just the right timing to try their newest addition to the drinks menu. Caramel Coffee Float (THB 155). It's topped with vanilla ice cream and their homemade caramel. OMG, LOVED IT!

To conclude my afternoon at Warm Welcome, everything I had were definitely something simple but executed and tasted incredibly. I'd recommend this cafe to anyone and also those who wants to order Birthday cake, they make it to order upon customer's request.

Special Deal 15% OFF on your first order thru Line@
Add Line@ - @warmwelcome or https://line.me/R/ti/p/%40warmwelcome

With love,

Spoon.

Warm Welcome Bakery & Cafe
Address: 19/5 Soi Sukhumvit 33, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110
Phone: 092 916 6951
Business Hour: Wed-Mon 8AM-5PM Closed on TUE
Price - ฿฿฿
Parking - Off-street (Next to cafe)

Bangkok - La Dotta Pasta Bar & Store

December 29, 2017

Dear Fork,

Glad to see you on such a festive season. It was a late Christmas dinner, but just perfect for some delicious pasta! La Dotta - a traditional Italian restaurant located in the heart of Thong Lo. It offers fresh daily made pasta with hearty sauce. It hosts a mini-sized display of their appetizing fresh pasta by the entrance, from bucatini, linguine, garganelli to tortelloni etc.

Walking in to this small cozy restaurant, decorated with blue and yellowish beige (just like the color of the pasta :D), marble counter top with an open kitchen for us to take in the art of making delicious dishes. There is a shelf holding La Dotta owned products of their pasta sauce and what not. Upstairs, located a more family styled sitting tables and a bar, giving its loud and fun vibe.

Speaking of the bar, I got to try these (not-so)basic cocktails and they were both great! La Dotta Martini - Bombay Sapphire Gin, Carpano Bianco, Strawberry, Cherry Tomato (340฿). Easy to drink. I only wish the glass was bigger. LOL

G & T & TEA...what! Yes, Gin & Tonic with premium selection of tea you can choose from, Rooisbos Cream Orange/Soft Peach/Morgentau Green Tea, Wild Cherries. I opted for the soft peach (320฿). Very refreshing.

Started off with Truffle, sage & ricotta cheese deep fried balls (190฿). They took cheese balls to a whole nother level! These were wonderful, crispy on the outside, fully stuffed with warm truffle, sage and ricotta cheese. Went perfectly well with the aioli.

Here comes my favorite dish of the night, Tortelloni 4 Formaggi or 4 cheese (360฿). Same shape as tortellini but filled with artisanal Italian 24-months aged cheeses, Parmigiano-Reggiano fondue. The dish looked so simple but the taste was pure heaven, filled with warm melt-in-my-mouth cheese. Not too creamy. The kind of dish that gives you that "umm" sound effect after the first bite.

Another dish that's highly recommended, Tagliatelle Bolognese (590฿) - 24-hour slow cooked Wagyu beef shoulder with Parmigiano-Reggiano. Flavorful dish with tender meat. Love the texture of their fresh pasta. One thing I really enjoyed about their menu, in the back, they have this glossary of their pasta in the back, using a basic 2D illustration.

There is no complete meal without desserts, right? I went for the Sicilian Ice Cream (220฿). You get to choose 2scoops of lemon, pistachio or vanilla, served in a waffle cup. I went for lemon and pistachio and they were both delightful. First time having Sicilian ice cream, and I fell in love! Must try!

Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Happy Holidays!

Love,
Spoon.

La Dotta
Address: 161/6 Soi Thonglor 9 Sukhumvit 55 North Klongtan, Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: 02-392-8688
Business Hours: Mon - Sun 11.00AM - 11.00PM
Parking: Lunch - off-street parking or at Eight Thonglor. Dinner - Valet parking.
Price: ฿฿฿฿

Bangkok - Kaizen Coffee Co.

November 2, 2017

Dear Fork,

Friendly staffs and they sure know what they are doing!

I stumbled upon Kaizen Coffee Co. after a big feast of BBQ buffet in the same complex. The minimal-looking plain white coffee shop is located in front of Tai Ping Tower towards the end of Ekamai Road, in the complex where all the buffet places are. Walking in to this cafe, I noticed all these coffee gears and what-not for the coffee lovers to indulge in, experiencing the art of coffee making.

Kaizen Coffee Co., the name itself gives you the Japanese vibe but instead you get this minimalist atmosphere along with great company of their friendly baristas behind the counter. Oh, they sure know what they are doing! The counter consists of the slow bar, espresso machine, cold brew station etc. Their Nitrogen Cold brew is highly recommended if you like cold brew.

Hot latte (Five S Blend) with beautiful latte art. Wonderful taste, just perfect.

Let's head over to what made me fall in love with this place...(EVERYTHING :D) Kaizen Iced Coffee is my all-time favorite, and this is what got me addicted to my daily visit to Kaizen. The moment I took a sip of this wonder made me feel WOW...what was that? It's served in a glass with beautiful coffee marble between half and half milk and the double espresso, topped with vanilla bean ice cream and whipped cream. #GOODNESS.

On a no-coffee-needed kind of morning, I would go for my second favorite, Double Down Chocolate Shake. Again, a beautifully presented blended milk ice cream with Dulcey chocolate bits and balls and topped with Milo powder. WOW, this is THE SHAKE you must try. It gives you crunchy bites in every sip. Imagine having a boba milk tea, but crunchy!

Their cakes range from 75-200 Baht. The red velvet is amazing!

Last but not least, Milo Mountain, your childhood drink with a twist. Iced chocolate blended with cream, topped with dark chocolate ice cream and Milo powder, creating the mountain shape. Jump in the pool of chocolate but beware, it can get a little messy!

Kaizen also serves brunch which I have yet to try. So, I might be able to see you then?

Love,

Spoon xoxo

Kaizen Coffee Co.
Address: 582/5 soi ekkamai 26-28 (Tai Ping Tower) Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Tel: 098-831-6009
Business Hours: Everyday 8.00AM - 6.00PM
Parking: Yes
Price: ฿฿฿

San Mateo: Vampire Penguin

September 26, 2015

9/25/2015

Dear Fork,

Clean white and gray interior with artwork on the wall. Friendly staffs!

After each meal I always crave for dessert, as people would say, "you are never too full for dessert". It's totally a true statement, right? Today, I went to the Vampire Penguin in San Mateo (856 N Delaware St. San Mateo, CA 94401), recently opened a month ago. They actually have a few locations all over the bay, mostly in the Sacramento area. I was excited to finally try these delicious-looking snow ice! YAY!!!

Vampire Penguin offers Shaved Snow Ice (people call them shaved ice, but it felt more like a snow ice for me). These fluffy snow ice in a cup-shaped comes in different variety. The hardest thing is what to get?! There are flavors like Dulce De Leche, Mexican Candy, VP Green tea, Tuxedo, Twix, and S'moreos...WHAT?! They also have Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches too.... #love I had my eye on that Cookies n' Cream one... >///<

Best selling snow ice - Strawberry Cheesecake.

I had to get the most popular item on the menu, which was the Strawberry Cheesecake. Oh wow, this was truly wonderful. Soft and fluffy strawberry and vanilla snow with crushed graham crackers, with strawberry, raspberries, topped with white chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce and condensed milk. SO GOOOOOOOD! I got the Large size, which I couldn't finish by myself, of course LOL. Good to share. This flavor is the only one with a bigger size options ( Large $7/Deluxe $9). MUST TRY!

It was tempting to get another flavor... and yes I did haha! I went with the Halo Halo (Filipino style dessert). It is taro snow with munggo beans, white beans, taro paste, mango, condensed milk and flan. Nommm. Condensed milk and snow ice is just the best combination...it literally goes with everything!

Fork, I hope you don't mind me having so much ice cream type desserts. I know it's not your thing, but it would be nice to let you try them. It might be hard, but worth a try. I will be back and try all other flavors, and ooooh that macaron ice cream sandwich!!!!

Love,

Spoon

Source: http://www.vampirepenguin.com

Reno: Campo

September 23, 2015

9/20/2015

Dear Fork,

You made my weekend worthwhile. I loved going food hunting with you. You always make me feel so much better. Today, we got to go to Campo together. It was my second time here. I just love the vibe and food here so much.

Campo is an Italian restaurant located near the downtown river walk, which also gives you the river view from the patio. The simple wood and cement decor gives you the hip and contemporary feel.

The glass has the word 'Milk' all over in different languages.

What attracted me the most was their dessert, but let's talk about their food first because they were also delicious! One of the most popular menu at Campo is their Kale Salad. Simple, yet amazing. It features crispy grana padano cheese, lemon-garlic vinaigrette dressing, which gave it a hint of freshness. It's topped with poached egg, beautiful! #eatyourveggies

Last time I got to try their pizza called Campo. When something is named after the restaurant, I had to try it, right?! Look how beautiful my pizza was. It has tomato (of course), mozzarella, sausage, salami and pancetta. For the love of egg, I had to add it on my pizza. #EGGCELLENT

Salumi Tasting -  $22 — Salumi Tasting - $22

Finally, I got to try their Salumi from Reno Provisions, yum! Salumi Tasting it is. It comes with six kinds of salumi.

Prosciutto di San Danielle (imported Italian ham)
Milano (red wine & garlic)
Mortadella (pistachio studded)
Coppa ( black pepper cured shoulder)
Calabrese (red wine & chile flakes)
Nduja (spicy, spreadable salami)

There is also a Grand tasting, which comes with items above plus three cheese. I was actually craving for some burrata cheese, but they did not have any on the lunch menu. So I asked if it was possible to get it and they were so nice and managed to accommodate us promptly. Thank you so much, everything was delicious! My favorite was the prosciutto, Nduja and the Mortadella.

Gelato Cookie Sandwich - chocolate chip with strawberry gelato.

Here comes the best part of the meal...dessert time! Sorry, Fork, I forgot you for a sec. Their dessert is everything. We got two items, a House Made Gelato Cookie Sandwich, AKA my favorite kind of sandwich. :P A MUST MUST MUST order dessert is the most famous Caramel Budino. It is a layered dessert in a cup of vanilla pudding, chocolate wafer crunch, topped with salted caramel and whipped cream. The different textures made this dessert a to-die-for! SO GOOD!