Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Cha Panya @ Sukhumvit 59, Bangkok - ชาปัญญา @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 59 กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Tearoom
Charged Price: THB400 per person without alcohol
Visited: 5 March 2016
Food: 6/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Value for money: 7/10
Services: 6/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Personally, Cha Panya is a kind of tearoom I like. It is peaceful as well as has quality tea available. Located right next to Mother May I in Soi Sukhumvit 59. Hence, driving is perfectly fine as visiting via public transport. Similar to Mother May I, Cha Panya is a house converted into a cafe. The interior is kept minimum in zen like atmosphere (Am I using the right word???). Thinking about going on a game of Go while sipping quality hot tea for a fine afternoon. Isn't this another great moment? At least it is a "yes" for me.

Cha Panya @ Sukhumvit 59, Bangkok

house converted tearoom

tea counter

seating area by window

another seating corner

Strolling into the tearoom, there you can find a tea counter where beverage would be prepared. Cha Panya uses different technique in brewing different kind of tea. Indeed there are various choices of tea to be chosen from: Japanese, Chinese, Indian, white tea, green tea, red tea and etc. If you are unsure, ask for samples to sniff. It is always a great idea to get the sense of what you are going to order.

the brewing area

different brewing technique

the classic high pour technique

In my humble opinion, either iced tea or hot tea represent better character of the tea than the hybrid one such as tea latte. But still pleasant though. Iced tea here ranges around THB150 a glass while hot tea can range from THB200 to THB300+ depending on your choice. My favourite one was hot Pu-erh Tea (THB240). Classic strong Chinese tea with unique palate, it is. I could just sit at the tea counter with a book of novel and sip for hours.

Iced Tea Range

Hot Tea Choice (Pu-erh)

new gen tea latte

We also did try a selection of cakes including Banana Cake (4/10), Carrot Cake (4/10), and Green Tea Cake (3/10). I personally would not recommend any of these. Cakes are not the strong point of Cha Panya. They seem to be there just for a minor role complimenting the tea.

our trio cakes

Banana Cake (THB90)

Carrot Cake (THB90)

Green Tea Cake (THB80)

Not so much better were Bael Fruit Cake (4/10), Ginseng Oolong Tea Jelly (4/10), Osmanthus Tea Jelly (4/10), and Green Tea Panna Cotta (3/10). Out of these desserts, I would go for those jelly. At least they seem to pair better with exotic Asian tea.

Bael Fruit Cake (THB90)

Ginseng Oolong Tea Jelly (THB70)

Osmanthus Tea Jelly (THB70)

Green Tea Panna Cotta (THB110)

Cha Panya @ Sukhumvit 59, Bangkok - ชาปัญญา @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 59 กรุงเทพฯ
26/1 Soi Sukhumvit 59
Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

Open Hours: Tue - Sun from 11:00am - 09:00pm
Tel: +66 (0) 93 650 4944
FBhttps://www.facebook.com/chapanyaTH/

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Domaine Leroy Bourgogne Aligote 2011

Date of Tasting: 8 January 2016
Wine Type: White
Grape Varieties: 100% Aligote
Alcohol: 12.5%
Origin: Burgundy, France
Appellation: Bourgogne Aligote AOC
Expect to Pay: ~ EUR60
Web: http://www.domaine-leroy.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Critics' Opinion: CT - 89/100


Appearance: Light yellow straw.
Aroma: Saline, lime curd, crushed rock, and orchard.
Palate: Rich and creamy. Lingering acidity. Dry with density. Citrus and spice notes. Not at all austere.

Such a unique personality and expression from the woman behind Domaine Leroy, Lalou Bize-Leroy, this with Bourgogne is. This is no ordinary flat Aligote. On the other hand, vibrant and fresh with complexity. Initially, it seemed to hold its nerve backward. Only after a few hours of opening, the true characters revealed. Such an enjoyable Aligote.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Mother May I @ Sukhumvit 59, Bangkok - มาเธอร์เมย์ไอ @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 59 กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Thai
Charged Price: THB400 per person without alcohol
Visited: 5 March 2016
Food: 5/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Value for money: 6/10
Services: 5/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Finding a restaurant to hang out with family and friends around Thong Lo / Ekkamai area (except the old boring Audrey Cafe), "Mother May I" in Soi Sukhumvit 59 may be another one in your list. What we like about this place is the location and the atmosphere. It is located not to far from BTS stations with Thong Lo Station as the nearest one. In addition, for those who drive, they also provide some parking lots in front of the restaurant, otherwise, parking in the Soi is as well not a bad idea.

This house-converted-restaurant is rather beautiful. The front garden with big trees does its job in cooling down temperature rather nicely. The decoration inside is somewhat contemporary. Whether you are in a big group or just a couple, it definitely can suit you. For me Mother May I might not at all be a choice for dining in my head if I were to select a meal to enjoy. However, it would surely be a choice when I have to hang out with a group of friends.

Mother May I @ Sukhumvit 59, Bangkok

the entrance

nice house with garden

the garden

al fresco corner

the counter and open kitchen

dining hall

glass house like ambient

Here comes to the part that I was not so impressed. Food here are not priced too dearly nor too friendly. The kind of logic can as well be applied to the quality and taste of each dish. They were not that delicious but they were not bad either.

Riceberry Rice in Coconut - ข้าวไรซ์เบอร์รี่มะพร้าว (THB6/10) : THB75 for a small portion of rice. This is insane in my humble opinion. Some may argue its riceberry rice. So what? Ok, it may have a touch of coconut scent giving added value. But not this expensive still for just boiled rice.

Chicken Wings - ปีกไก่คั่วเกลือ (6/10) : Rather nicely fried and came in a small portion.

Stir-fried Minced Pork with Purple Olive and Phak Wan (5/10) : Delicious if you forget the purple olive part as you might think "Where are my purple olive?".

Riceberry Rice in Coconut (THB75)

Chicken Wings (THB115)

Stir-fried Minced Pork with Purple Olive and Phak Wan (THB165)

Pork Belly with Shrimp Paste - หมูสามชั้นรวนกะปิระยอง (6/10) : It is like yum sweet pork belly with shrimp paste. Not bad at all with nice boiled rice but not the coconut riceberry rice as shrimp paste and chilli would just eliminate the perfume of coconut.

Thai Omelette with Chai-ya Salted Egg, Century Egg, Shrimp, and Chilli - ไข่ติงลี่ ของเชฟป้อม (4/10) and Thai Omelette with Squid, Black Squid Ink, and Sweet Basil - ไข่ไอ้เท่ง ของเชฟชุมพล (4/10) : Not a bad idea in stuffing in various ingredients in omelette. But come on, you better fry omelette with much better skill. Where is the fluffiness?

Pork Belly with Shrimp Paste (THB165)

Thai Omelette with Chai-ya Salted Egg, Century Egg, Shrimp, and Chilli (THB165)

Thai Omelette with Squid, Black Squid Ink, and Sweet Basil (THB145)

For soup / curry range, I don't think they really know how to cook this kind of food.

Lotus Stem and Semi Salted Fish in Coconut Soup - ไหลบัวต้มกะทิกับปลาสลิดทอด (5/10) : Like the crispy salted fish part but the lotus stem coconut soup part needs to be improved. Lack of texture there.

Yellow Curry with Prawn and Jackfruit Served with Roti - โรตีแกงกะหรี่กุ้งขนุน (4/10) : Tasted more like pineapple curry in my view, not really yellow curry. Too sweet and need more spices. Also prawn with yellow curry and roti don't seem to go well with each other in my humble opinion.

White Crab with Tumeric Red Curry Served with Vermicelli - ขนมจีนแกงปูใบชะพลู (5/10) : Not bad for crab curry. Not too spicy also, guess everyone should be able to take it. Might not be exactly the authentic kind of crab curry but nice enough.

Lotus Stem and Semi Salted Fish in Coconut Soup (THB175)

Yellow Curry with Prawn and Jackfruit Served with Roti (THB235)

White Crab with Tumeric Red Curry Served with Vermicelli (THB255)

Mother May I @ Sukhumvit 59, Bangkok - มาเธอร์เมย์ไอ @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 59 กรุงเทพฯ
26/2 Soi Sukhumvit 59
Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

Open Hours: Daily from 11:00am - 10:00pm
Tel: +66 (0) 97 990 5990
FBhttps://www.facebook.com/mothermayikitchen/

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Chateau Leoville Barton 2003

Date of Tasting: 26 March 2016
Wine Type: Red
Grape Varieties: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 13%
Origin: Bordeaux, France
Appellation: Saint-Julien, Deuxieme Grand Cru Classe 1855
Expect to Pay: ~ EUR100
Web: http://www.leoville-barton.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 97/100
Critics' Opinion: WA - 96/100, WS - 98/100, WE - 95/100, ST - 93/100, DC - 19.5/20, JR - 17/20, CT - 94/100


Appearance: Opaque and inky purple.
Aroma: Forest floor, mushroom, mild truffle, dark fruits, earth.
Palate: Rich, big, and powerful. Fine and smooth tannins. Wonderfully long in the mouth with black fruits and oak characters. 

Stunning is the only word for me with this red Bordeaux. It was Chateau Leoville Barton which brought me into the world of "God Blood" and it is still as fabulous. My kind of Bordeaux really. For this Leoville Barton 2003, it was just spectacular for a hot year. It at first stroke me hard with powerful bouquet of earth and spring which followed by concentrated fruits, and signed of mature Bordeaux. The spectacular lovely nose of truffle was what I admire. Silky on the palate too. Though it was big, elegance was as well another shining character. Entering its drinking period now but long life is ahead. Wish I had cases of this Saint Julien. Raise many more glasses, Bravo!!!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Blogging tips