Chu: Chocolate Bar & Cafe @ Exchange Tower, Sukhumvit, Bangkok

Cuisine: International/Dessert

Map: Chu: Chocolate Bar & Cafe @ Exchange Tower, Sukhumvit, Bangkok

Price: THB500 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)

Visited: 7 September 2013

Food: 4/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 4/10

Services: 4/10

Chu: Chocolate Bar & Cafe, which was recent refurbished into a bigger shop, is located on Floor 2 of Exchange Tower at Sukhumvit Road (Asoke Junction). This place is well-known for its Churros which can be hardly found in Bangkok. Having located at Exchange Tower, this place is rather busy with office staffs and during weekends it is usually packed with foreigners. The place offers kind of simple menus such as pasta dishes, salad ranges, breakfast/brunch choices, and etc.

Chu @ Exchange Tower

good looking order counter

It may not be one of the best place to go for food. At least it is comfortable enough for a relaxing moment. Chu decor is kept minimalist: simple wooden chairs and tables, loft style ceiling, and even a comfy zone. I find it is quite an ok place to chill with a cup of coffee during weekends, of course if I live nearby, or a place meet up with a quick chat with family and friends for brunch.

rather spacious place

chill and relax atmosphere

quiet corner

At the time of our visit, it was almost lunch time and we decided to go for some light meal. We happened somehow to have similar idea for lunch which was scramble. They were Norway Scramble (5/10) and Chorizo Scramble (4/10). Both were just acceptable. Norway Scramble came with smoked salmon and mascarpone, whilst Chorizo Scramble of course came with spicy chorizo and cherry tomato salsa. I didn't find scramble match with chorizo and salsa as pretty as salmon. The let down point for me was the structure and texture of scramble egg. It was overcooked, at least to my liking though. In addition, I wish the piece of bread that came alongside could be tastier and crispier.

Norway Scramble (THB290)

Chorizo Scramble (THB250)

We then had to try Churros which was a compulsory, wasn't it. The one we ordered was Spanish Churros with Cinnamon Sugar (3/10). Well, it was not spectacular for us at all. Spanish doughnut, it was. At least cinnamon did give some enjoyable touch of palate. I would not myself be a fan of it though.

Also we saw that the name of the place is Chu: Chocolate Bar & Cafe, we though it should be fantastic if we had a cup of hot chocolate. Without hesitation, I went for 70% Extra Dark Chocolate (3/10). As a chocolate lover, I did not find this cup enjoyable at all. Smooth perhaps but not the best. Structure wise, I wish it was fuller in term of body. Aroma of chocolate.....ummmm.....so so, nothing spectacular. Bitter, of course yes, it was 70%, wasn't it but it seemed like burnt bitterness.

Well, as mentioned, this is a place to relax and not the one for strikingly fabulous meal. Come here and relax is ok for me, otherwise, I may have to skip.

Spanish Churros with Cinnamon Sugar (THB90)

70% Extra Dark Chocolate (THB135)

Guilty Passion by Twist (THB120)

Chu: Chocolate Bar & Cafe @ Exchange Tower, Sukhumvit, Bangkok
Floor 2 Exchange Tower
388 Sukhumvit Road
Khlong Toey
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

Open Hours: 08:00am - 07:00pm daily

Tel: +66 (0) 26634554
FB: https://www.facebook.com/CHU.BKK

Patisserie and Chocolaterie Bigot @ Amboise, France

Cuisine: French Food, Pastry, Chocolate

Map: Patisserie and Chocolaterie Bigot @ Amboise, France

Price: EUR10 per person without alcohol (what I paid for)

Visited: 1-5 May 2013

Food: 8/10

Atmosphere: 6/10

Value for money: 9/10

Services: 9/10

Bigot is an old patisserie that is located just right next to Chateau d'Amboise in a small town of Amboise along the Loire river. During my visit to Loire Valley, my party and I almost everyday had our breakfast at Bigot. Needless to say how fantastic this place is.

Bigot @ Amboise

simply classic setting

Bigot may not be such a big franchise such as Pierre Herme or Laduree and is still run by family but the quality is of high standard. At its 100 year of birth this year, this should prove enough of its quality. Services are as well splendid, staffs are friendly especially the lady owner, Christiane Mason, who are so lovely and adorable.

macaron

cake selection

pastry choices

I will not go into detail of each piece I tried but the picture should speak for itself well enough. Pastry are nice, Viennoiseries are crisp and yummy, and what I really like was hot chocolate which is smooth and creamy. Well, I highly recommend you to have a chill breakfast or relax afternoon tea at this place if you happen to be around Amboise.

baba

fruit tart

strawberry mille feuille

chocolat chantilly

chocolat de Grand-Mere

strawberry cake

pistachio cake

chocolat a l'ancienne

mushroom omelette

inside mushroom omelette

Patisserie and Chocolaterie Bigot @ Amboise, France
2 Rue Nationale

37400 Amboise
France

Open Hours: Tue - Fri from 09:00am - 07:30pm and Sat - Sun from 08:30am - 07:30pm

Tel: +33 (0) 2 47 57 04 46
Web: http://www.maisonbigot-amboise.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Patisserie-Chocolaterie-Bigot-%C3%A0-Amboise/87315785580

Bar Storia del Caffe @ Eight Thonglor, Bangkok

Cuisine: cafe food

Map: Bar Storia del Caffe @ Eight Thonglor, Bangkok

Price: THB410 per person without alcohol (what I paid for)

Visited: 7 July 2013

Food: 6/10

Atmosphere: 8/10

Value for money: 8/10

Services: 7/10

As a coffee lover, searching for a cafe that both serves good coffee and has splendid atmosphere in Bangkok is extremely difficult.  Here is one good cafe that is worth a try: Bar Storia del Caffe @ Eight Thonglor.  On the day, we were thinking of going to a famous restaurant at Eight Thonglor, Calin.  However, it was full and packed.  By chance, we spotted a small cafe just around the corner and we didn't hesitate to give it a try.

Bar Storia del Caffe @ Eight Thonglor

food menu

beverage menu

Bar Storia del Caffe looks pretty much cool and relax.  There are just simply 2 sheets of menu available: one for food and the other for beverage.  The food menu comprises mainly of snack and dessert, whilst drinking menu of course offers mostly coffee base drink.  This small cafe can perhaps accommodate around 20 people at a time max.

What really surprise us and catched our eyes was the fact that all prices in the menus are "inclusive of VAT and no service charge" or so-called the plus-plus charge which seems to be common in Thailand these days.  You would hardly find a place in Thailand now that does not take advantage out of customer with the plus-plus charge nowadays, hence, expect to pay somewhat 20% more from the price you see in the menu. It does not matter how poor or how well the service of the restaurant is, you have to pay extra 10% compulsorily. So at the end of the meal, we didn't hesitate to voluntarily give extra 10% for the friendly service they gave us.

cool and relax cafe atmosphere

Glancing through the menu during the lunch time, I realised that this is sure not a fulfil lunch meal but an enjoyable moment with a cup of good coffee and perhaps pastry.  We just ordered two menu just to try: Spinach Puff (6/10) and toasted Welsh rarebit with pickled peppers, peach, thyme and fresh rocket (4/10). Welsh rarebit was not so great but spinach puff was enjoyable.

While deadly bunny decided to have a cool glass of Iced Chocolate to accompany during a hot Sunday, I noticed Drip Brew Coffee in the menu and did not hesitate to order at all.  It can be really hard to find a place in Thailand that offers drip brew coffee.  Range of coffee at Bar Storia del Caffe is of splendid quality indeed.

spinach puff (THB80)

inside of spinach puff

toasted Welsh rarebit with pickled peppers, peach, thyme and fresh rocket (THB220)

iced chocolate (THB120)

barista drip-brewing coffee

drip brew splendid coffee

Afterwards, we did try Almond Cake (7/10) and Bread and Butter Pudding (6/10) too.  Almond Cake was gorgeous in term of both taste and texture.  But it was let down by the accompanied whipped cream that did not taste so great. Bread and Butter Pudding was as well delicious. If ones would like to order Bread and Butter Pudding, I would recommend to have a cup of aromatic tea or black coffee to go along in order to balance the taste.

Anyway, Bar Storia del Caffe is now one of my favourite cafe in Bangkok and I will do sure give it many returns.  Give it a try if you have not yet been there. Enjoy.

almond cake (THB100)

bread and butter pudding (THB180)

another view of bread and butter pudding

Bar Storia del Caffe @ Eight Thonglor, Bangkok

Floor G Eight Thonglor
Soi Thonglor 8
Sukhumvit 55 Road
Khlong Ton Nuea, Wattana
Bangkok 10110

Open Hours: 08:30am - 08:30pm daily

Tel: +66 (0) 2714 9301

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Barstoriadelcaffe