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The Flour, West Melbourne

Paul
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0
The Flour, West Melbourne

MELBOURNE | I first discovered pastry chef April Yoonhee Bae’s tasty baked goods during lockdown 2020. The box of treats that I ordered was delicious, featuring an assortment of French cakes and pastries. Her business, The Flour, has been around in some form since 2017, but early this year, April took the next step, opening a patisserie and café in West Melbourne, just up the road from Queen Vic market in that pocket that’s becoming quite the exciting food and drink hotspot. I recent visited for What’s On Melbourne.

April started The Flour after being inspired by the canelés she discovered while traveling through France. At her West Melbourne spot you’ll find April’s brilliant canelés, along with other French treats like madeleines and dacquoise. There’s cakes and biscuits, and less commonly seen in Australia French treats to enjoy like crème d’Anjou. All made and baked fresh on site daily, using the best local ingredients.

There’s traditional European flavours, along with inspiration from seasonal Australian produce and native Australian ingredients. Occasional Asian flourishes also appear. Try the layered pistachio, green tea, and lime buttermilk cake; the spiced rum and vanilla canelé; and the strawberries and cream dacquoise. The latter is made with dehydrated strawberries, vanilla cream, and strawberry balsamic compote.

Beyond the sweets, The Flour also holds it’s own as one of the city’s top spots for coffee. Global award winning barista Harry Hyun-suk Go leads the coffee program, with a rotating selection of custom sourced and roasted single origin beans, brewed any way you like. The immersion pour over brew is brilliant. For something different, try the ‘Coffee Fizzy Sour’. It’s a Kenyan and Costa Rican filter blend with notes of blackcurrant, black honey, tartic acidity, and boozy notes. It’s lightly carbonated, with the addition of a squeeze of lime and dash of blackcurrant juice. It works beautifully.

The Flour

199 Victoria Street
West Melbourne
Victoria 3003
Australia

Telephone: n/a
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Wed – Sun: 10:00am to 4:00pm

As.is, Pom Prap Sattru Phai

Paul
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0
As.is, Pom Prap Sattru Phai

BANGKOK | As.is is a specialty coffee shop and roastery in Bangkok’s Chinatown. Visit owner Teerajit Luanpitpong’s venue and you’ll discover one of the best places in Bangkok in which to enjoy a quality coffee.

The space is modern and welcoming, with exposed brick and concrete offset by warm lighting natural materials for the furniture. There’s a full selection of espresso and filter based coffees on the menu, brewed any way you like. Ethically sourced beans come from independent growers in Chaing Mai, and are used to brew As.is’ wide selection of espresso and filter coffees.

There’s a house blend, along with a rotating selection of single origin beans. Order them as a simple pourover or espresso, or go for one of the alternative menu options, like a fruit-infused affogato.

If you’re hungry, As.is offers a small selection of eat in and grab and go items. Things like eggs benedict, buttermilk pancakes, cakes and cookies.

As.is

45 Rama IV Road
Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai
Bangkok 10100
Thailand

Telephone: 085 143 5215
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 11:00am to 6:00pm

Molly Rose Brewing Co. Have Opened A New Restaurant & Beer Garden

Paul
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0
Molly Rose Brewing Co. Have Opened A New Restaurant & Beer Garden

MELBOURNE | I’ve always enjoyed hanging out at Molly Rose Brewing. It’s a cosy, casual space with a friendly team and fantastic beers. The toasties have always been a winner, but for a more substantial or diverse meal, you’ve had to look elsewhere. Well, that’s no longer the case.

A few weeks ago, the brewery opened up their new space, directly next door to the brewery, in a former workshop. I was invited in to take a look. While very much in line with what Molly Rose do on the beer side of things, the new space is its own distinct thing. There’s the restaurant section inside, and a cosy, weather-proofed beer garden for use all year round.

On the menu, you’ll find a tasty assortment of dishes that have been out together by head chef Ittichai Ngamtrairai. Thai and wider South East Asian influences are prominent, making use of the best seasonal produce and native Australian ingredients. Small snacks and larger plates, all designed to share and pair well with drinks.

Kangaroo tartare is mixed with nduja, and Asian herbs, topped with rice paper crisp. Pan seared scallop are served with carrot and burnt butter puree, chili jam, and finger lime. Cuttlefish noodles are a delight, combined with fermented fennel, squid ink mayo, and caramelized lime. For larger plates, think things like duck egg topped char kway teow and roast chicken with Thai flavours. It’s all tasty stuff, and a real step up from your usual brewery fare.

To drink, it’s the full range of Molly Rose two and bottled beer selection, including their interesting barrel aged blended sours, and some of Australia’s best non-alc beers. For non-beer drinkers, it’s local wines and spirits, and a selection of cocktails.

Keep an eye out for the upcoming chef’s table menus, which will see unique dishes created for specific degustation type meals specifically paired with beers.

Hia Tai Kee, Phra Nakhon

Paul
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0
Hia Tai Kee, Phra Nakhon

BANGKOK | Step inside Hia Tai Kee, and it feels like you’ve gone back in time to Bangkok’s past. The traditional shophouse-style coffee shop, one one of the few remaining in Bangkok, is little changed from when it opened in 1952.

Advertisements, photos, and newspaper clippings from the cafe’s past line the walls. The vibe is slow and relaxed. This is a place to linger, and enjoy conversations with friends.

On the menu, you’ll find traditional Thai breakfast dishes, along with Thai takes on classic Western breakfast items. If you’re familiar with Hong Kong’s cha chaan teng, it’s a similar thing.

The popular kai kra ta (pan-fried eggs with minced pork) is served in the pan that it’s cooked in, with a toasted baguette on the side. There’s also things like green curry, and omelettes. To drink, you can’t go past a cup of Thai milk tea, iced or hot, or the classic, cofe te. The latter is black coffee served with a side of sugar syrup and milk for you to add to taste.

Hia Tai Kee

78/4 Prachachat Road
Soi Ban Phan Thom, Phra Nakhon
Bangkok 10200
Thailand

Telephone: 02 629 1297
E-mail: n/a
Website: n/a

Open
Mon – Sun: 10:00am to 8:00pm

BKK Social Club, Khet Sathon

Paul
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0
BKK Social Club, Khet Sathon

BANGKOK | Despite a country-wide ban on alcohol sales between 2pm to 5pm since 1972 because “drunk civil servants will not work productively” (I kid you not), Bangkok has a vibrant bar scene. There’s loads of great spots in town on which to find a post 5pm tipple, some of them amongst the world’s best. One of these is BKK Social Club.

The bar, part of Four Seasons Hotel, currently sits at number 10 on the “World’s 50 Best Bars” list. It’s a swish place, inspired by the vibrant bar scene of 1970s and 1980s Buenos Aires. Drinks and snacks draw upon Argentina and wider Latin America for influences, with some Thai influences too.

The team is led by respected bartender Philip Bischoff, who has helmed some of the world’s best bars over the years, and it shows in the attention to details here. The atmosphere is classy but not stuffy, upmarket yet fun. Service is exceptional, and the cocktails are quality. Gracing the 4 metre tall back bar are a selection of artisanal spirits, top notch wines, and bubbles.

Be sure to try the signature cocktail ‘Evita’. It’s a blend of Plantation Rum pineapple rum, Campari, Aperol, a citrus mix, bay leaf, and cinnamon syrup. I’m also partial to the ‘Bananzo’; which blends Michters Whiskey 1 Straight Bourbon, salted ripe banana, and chocolate bitters, served with caviar for good measure. Definitely one to try it you’re an Old Fashioned fan like me.

BKK Social Club

300, 1 Charoen Krung Road
Khwaeng Yan Nawa, Khet Sathon
Bangkok 10120
Thailand

Telephone: 02 032 0888
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 5:00pm to 12:00am

Chatuchak Weekend Market, Chatuchak

Paul
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0
Chatuchak Weekend Market, Chatuchak

BANGKOK | Chatuchak Weekend Market is one of Bangkok’s most popular spots for visitors to the city, and as you walk through the market it’s easy to see why. The market, which opened in 1942, is the largest in Thailand. Also known as JJ Market, there’s over 15,000 stalls and 11,000 vendors, selling all sorts of things.

There are distinct sections of the market to help make navigating the sprawling space easier. Whether it’s art, furniture, antiques, food, or anything else, there’s something for you at Chatuchak Weekend Market. Here’s how the sections are split up:

  • Clothing and accessories (sections 2–6, 10–26)
  • Handicrafts (sections 8–11)
  • Ceramics (sections 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 25)
  • Furniture and home decor (sections 1,3,4,7,8)
  • Food and beverage (sections 2, 3, 4, 23, 24, 26, 27)
  • Plants and gardening (sections 3, 4)
  • Art and galleries (section 7)
  • Pets and accessories (sections 8, 9, 11, 13)
  • Books (sections 1, 27)
  • Antiques and collectibles (sections 1, 26)
  • Miscellaneous and used clothing (sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 22, 25, 26)

Prices aren’t fixed and bartering is common and expected. As a general rule of thumb, start with an offer of around 30% of the asking price and go from there. The market opens at 9am, and many vendors consider the first sale of the day to be lucky, so arriving early is a great idea. Not only will you have a better chance of getting a better price, you’ll also beat the rush.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

587, 10 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road
Khwaeng Chatuchak, Chatuchak
Bangkok 10900
Thailand

Telephone: n/a
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Sat – Sun: 9:00am to 6:00pm

Kor Panich, Phra Nakhon

Paul
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0
Kor Panich, Phra Nakhon

BANGKOK | Is there a more iconic Thai dessert than kao niew mamuang, aka mango sticky rice? Nobody quite knows when or where in Thailand it was created, bit what is certain is that Kor Panit (also translated Kor Panich), opened by two former Grand Palace royal chefs in 1932, was one of the first places to sell it to everyday Bangkok locals.

Kor Panit is still trading in the same location today. Unchanged is their family recipe. A combination of mango with glutinous sweet rice, topped with coconut milk and crisp yellow mung beans.

You can find the dessert all over the city these days, but Kor Panit still stands tall as having one of the best versions in town. For my absolute favourite mango sticky rice spot in Bangkok, check out my post here.

Kor Panit

431 433 Thanon Tanao
San Chao Pho Sua, Phra Nakhon
Bangkok 10200
Thailand

Telephone: 02 221 3554
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 7:00am to 6:00pm

Wat Sutthi Wararam, Sathon

Paul
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0
Wat Sutthi Wararam, Sathon

BANGKOK | When it comes to Bangkok’s Buddhist temples, Wat Sutthi Wararam isn’t one that appears on most people’s lists. Indeed, it wasn’t on my list when I visited, rather I chanced upon it while walking to nearby BKK Social Club. I’m glad I found it, as it’s one of my favourite temples in the city.

What sets Wat Sutthi Wararam apart from other similarly sized, small temples in Bangkok, is its role not just as a temple, but as a contemporary art gallery. Gracing the beautiful gilded walls of the temples exterior, you’ll find intricate, colourful murals, presenting Buddhist motifs and tales, in a modern way.

Walk inside the temple, and you’ll be treated to more contemporary artworks, also inspired by Buddhism.

Wat Sutthi Wararam

223 Charoen Krung Road
Yan Nawa, Sathon
Bangkok 10120
Thailand

Telephone: 02 211 1564
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 8:00am to 6:00pm

Mae Varee Mango Sticky Rice, Watthana

Paul
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0
Mae Varee Mango Sticky Rice, Watthana

BANGKOK | Mae Varee Mango Sticky Rice opened just over 20 years ago, and many consider it to be the city’s top spot for the classic Thai desert, mango sticky rice. There’s the classic version, as well as riffs on it, which feature rice naturally flavoured with things like butterfly pea, turmeric, pandan, and matcha.

It’s the classic for me which really showcases why the mango sticky rice at Mae Varee is a cut above the rest. The Nam Dok Mai cultivar of mangoes have a nice firm texture, with well balanced sweetness and slight tang, while the coconut milk and rice are sourced from independent growers across Thailand.

As well as mango sticky rice, Mae Varee also sell things like mango sundaes, sweets and treats, and whole mangoes. I highly recommend grabbing a few packets of their soft, sugar coated lollies. The real, natural mango flavour really shines through.

Mae Varee Mango Sticky Rice

1 Thong Lo Road
Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

Telephone: 02 392 4804
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 6:00am to 10:00pm

Yasothon Duck Larb, Silom

Paul
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0
Yasothon Duck Larb, Silom

BANGKOK | Yasothon Duck Larb is a great place to visit if you’re looking to enjoy Issan-style Thai dishes. It’s a proper street food experience. The restaurant is set up along the street with small tables and stools lining either side of the kitchen and counter. It’s full of locals, and has a wonderful, lively atmosphere.

Everything is in Thai by default, but an English menu is available on request. On it, you’ll find the same dishes as the Thai menu, with nothing toned down. Larb, as the name suggests, is a signature dish. A well balanced mince dish filled with perfectly grilled duck offal, and zesty fragrant sour notes.

Seafood is another speciality of Yasothon Duck Yarb. What’s on the seafood menu changes daily, and it can sell out earlier in the night. It’s all dependent on what’s available fresh at the markets each day. Pla pao (charcoal grilled whole fish) is popular, as is the salted egg stir fried squid.

Be sure to get some kor moo yang (grilled pork neck) and fiery, fresh som tam to complete your meal. Other popular dishes include tom saap moo (sour Issan pork soup), gai yang (grilled chicken), and yum talay (spicy seafood salad).

To drink, it’s soda, juice, and cold beer.

Yasothon Duck Larb

519 Soi Sueksa Witthaya
Silom, Bang Rak
Bangkok 10500
Thailand

Telephone: 081 754 9867
E-mail: n/a
Website: n/a

Open
Tue – Sat: 4:00pm to 10:00pm

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