497
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The great mini
Bangkok's foodies lover - the Minibar Royale has a mini Minibar at the Emporium (for a few years already), and it is, arguably, the most creditable full service cafe in the entire Bangkok's mall food scene.
Minibar Deli ***3/4
5/F Food Hall
the Emporium Shopping Complex
622 Sukhumvit Road
Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110
Tel.: 02.259.8826
Open daily : 10 am - 10 pm
Pay (food only for one): around THB 400
*(Updates (2015-Feb): Minibar Deli had vacated her outlet at the Emporium.
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496
.
Mr. Bean failed to be reborn
In Bangkok, coffee specialty cafes tend to focus on coffee only (whether good or not, while the taste of food is subjective to diners), but most of them fail to deliver it with an 'ambiance' and good service. If a cafe doesn't convince me that it is comfy, cozy and commercially homey (where service counts), but just looks like a part of my kitchen and served by my buffalo-like maid at home,
than why do I spend my money there instead of just getting my brew at
home. For chain coffee specialty cafes in Thailand, by far, I only see that Starbucks passes the mark.
Though ASIATIQUE the Riverfront doesn't count Starbucks in, lucky that I didn't see Tom n Toms and Coffee World there. Coffeol, I am okay with it though not in my routine. (p.s. I miss Mr. Bean, as there it delivered an "ambiance" and service.)
Coffeol Coffee Shop **3/4
Shop E07, Warehouse 10
ASIATIQUE the Riverfront
2194 Charoenkrung Road
Bangkolaem, Bangkok 10120
Open daily : 5 - 11:30 pm
Pay (drink and pastry only for one): around THB 250
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480
.
A matter of tea
My favorite coffee shop at the Emporium - Salon de L'Oriental had gone, and is now replaced by the TWG Tea Salon and Boutique, a Singaporean tea vendor since 1837. There they offer food that can be elegantly stuffed into our stomach (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea) with a manner of a tea infused touch and a hint of French., besides their renowned selections of tea.
My friends and I found that their food was generous in sodium and pastries were high in sugar (higher than today's Bangkokian standards, and very high against top patisseries standards). Price is modest, and service is flawless since they kept the original team from the Salon de L'Oriental, except the trainees need an intensive training for their face movement - smile.
TWG Tea Salon and Boutique at the Emporium is definitely 'my cup of tea' to meet friends (or even to tea alone) during an afternoon tea hour at the Sukhumvit area, though it may not be my first choice to dine at.
TWG Tea Salon and Boutique ***1/2
G/F the Emporium Shopping Complex
622 Sukhumvit Road
Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110
Tel.: 02. 259.9510
Open daily : 10 am - 10 pm
Pay (food with tea for one): around THB 800
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455
.Penguin likes calories Brownies, cream pies, and chocolate cakes are rich, but wonderful, though they deliver extra sinful calories, more than I ever needed.
Penguin Likes Chocolate, run by a local chocolate enthusiast, is a recent addition to the crowded Sukhumvit gourmet strip. While there, I found that their cakes and drinks are modest in sugar, meaning sweet patrons may have less of a chance to visit a diabetes doctor in the future. Glad that now there are more local bakeries (finally) that offer real pastries, but not sugary condensed products!
Penguin Likes Chocolate ***
1/F Rain Hill Community Mall
777 Sukhumvit Road (at Suk Soi 47)
Wattana, Bangkok 10110
Tel.: 02.261.7115
Open daily : 10 am - 10 pm
Pay (pastry product only for one): around THB 160
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271
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Share a cup. Share a story.
I have read a book when I was 14, 'What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School'. I believe that Howard Schultz must have read this book too.
The success of Starbucks does not lay on the food (definitely not on its coffee) alone, but rather on the service. Starbucks is probably the only fast-food category restaurant that comes with good service. Eighty percent of customers are not foodies, but all of them are discerning consumers. Starbucks has very strong marketing strategy and impeccable customer service to all. They share with customers "what we want" instead of what the company "push you to have" like some other brands do.
A greeting card from Starbucks has being sent to me on my birthday's month, every year. I have no idea where did they obtain my address from, as I have never disclosed my mailing address to them. (A little surprise!) For hotels and restaurants, through membership, keep sending promotional materials to me, which is their main purpose of course. In contrast, Starbucks, never sent me any junk (promotional) mail. Just cards and gift vouchers. This is an impeccable marketing job.
I don't go to Starbucks for beverage and food, but comfort drink and soul food. Shared and connected, so to enjoy. That's a lifestyle.
Starbucks Coffee ***
39/1 Soi Langsuan
Ploenchit Road
Lumpini, Bangkok 10330
Tel.: 02.684.1524
.. and at major shopping centers
or around the corner of your house
Starbucks Thailand
Open daily : 10 am - 10 pm
Pay (a treat for two): around THB 350
