Define Cafe @ Rama 3 Road, Bangkok - ดีไฟน์ คาเฟ่ @ ถนนพระราม 3 กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Cafe

Map: Define Cafe @ Rama 3 Road, Bangkok - ดีไฟน์ คาเฟ่ @ ถนนพระราม 3  กรุงเทพฯ

Charged Price: THB140 per person without alcohol

Visited: 10 October 2015

Food: 3/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 3/10

Services: 5/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Unarguably, hipster cafes have been spreading out everywhere in major cities. Bangkok is not exception. Especially within city centre, you may probably find cafe literally every corner of streets. Here on Rama 3 Road, within Soi 73 and on floor G of Siamese Nang Linchi, there is another hipster cafe that has not long been opened. It's "Define Cafe". Like many of its peers, the place is kept simply plain and white. Yes, it looks tidy and clean at this juncture. But to me, it is kind of boring really. If you are thinking of visiting this little place, driving is perhaps the only convenient way. You may park at Siamese Nang Linchee and have the parking ticket stamped for 2 hours free parking.

Define Cafe @ Rama 3 Road, Bangkok

located on floor G of Siamese Nang Linchi

bright and white atmosphere

stool corner

The menu is just like other places which comprises of typical coffee based beverage, a bit of frappe, and some alternative choices for non-coffee people. On the pricing wise, it is not expensive but not cheap. There are some hot food being served too. It was almost lunch time when we visited. So, why not at all to try something. The Breakfast Set (4/10) was then ordered. It comprised of toasts, scrambled eggs, ham, sausage, and cheese. Honestly, it is just edible in my light of view. Very plain and basic quality stuff. Everyone can just make this themselves at home within 5 - 10 minutes. Why would I bother having this kind of food if I do not live in Siamese Nang Linchi and do not have time to cook breakfast.

menu board

just things on counter

Breakfast Set (THB120)

For beverage, we had Cafe Latte (3/10) and Hojicha Latte (3/10). I noticed that coffee beans are from Pacamara which guarantees decent quality. However, their brewing skill is unacceptable honestly. My expectation had been high but there was only disappointment. The espresso seemed to be under-extracted. The milk foam was rough. Oh yes, latte art was attempted but it was like broken art really.

For this another hipster cafe, there is no way I will return to this place unless they decide to hire a proper barista. An urgent improvement is highly needed here.

barista!!!

Cafe Latte (THB70)

Hojicha Latte (THB90)

Define Cafe @ Rama 3 Road, Bangkok - ดีไฟน์ คาเฟ่ @ ถนนพระราม 3  กรุงเทพฯ

Floor G, Siamese Nang Linchi
Soi 73 of Rama 3 Road
Yan Nawa
Bangkok 10120

Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 08:00am - 09:00pm for Mon - Fri, 09:00am - 09:00pm for Sat, and 09:00am - 06:00pm for Sun

Tel: +66 (0) 80 083 8833
FB: https://www.facebook.com/definecaferama3

2 East London Bakeries Within A Glab : Lily Vanilli and Violet

Returned to London for the first time after 7 years, we had a chance to visit a couple of bakery joints as well. Both of them are not quite in Zone 1 but still in an acceptable distance. One of them is lovely and adorable whilst the other one is nice but overrated in my opinion. It seems that there are certain trends going on in London either for local or for tourists. So I decided to hop by places with its own personality rather than typicity. Here are the two bakeries.


The Lily Vanilli Bakery and Flour Market @ Columbia Road Flower Market

Map: The Lily Vanilli Bakery and Flour Market @ Columbia Road Flower Market

Charged Price: GBP7 per person for a piece of cake and beverage

Visited: 21 June 2015

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 8/10

Value for money: 7/10

Services: n.m.
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Lily Vanilli Bakery is my very first stop during the trip to UK. It is just a little bakery hidden in a courtyard on Columbia Road. The most important thing to remember when visiting this lovely bakery is it only opens on Sunday: i.e. when Columbia Road Flower Market gets busy with its visitors. Coming to Lily Vanilli can be a little tedious but it's worthwhile. If you are taking tube, the shop is approx. 15 minutes walk from Bethnal Green Station.

As mentioned, Lily Vanilli might be just a small bakery but satisfaction is not small at all. The place is kept clean and tidy with minimal but lovely decoration. There are a few tables and benches for you to sit while sipping your coffee and eating your cake. I believe it is best to visit during nice summer days when you can enjoy outdoor weather (fingers crossed for rain). It is more like a half self-service here. You choose your interested cake at the counter, where there will be choices to be chosen but the range can alter each week, order your beverage, pay your bill, and enjoy. Range of cake here is interesting and pretty too. I promise they are not those weird combination that would make you think "Uhhh....what is this?".

Lily Vanilli Bakery hidden in a courtyard

variety of freshly baked cakes on store counter

It's tiny but comfy enough inside

What I had during the visit was Elderflower & Almond Layer Cake (8/10) and Banana Choc Rye Cakes with Tonka Beans, Banana, Cacao, & Toffee Shard (7/10). I, especially, fall in love with the elderflower cake one. The texture was nice and dense whilst the frosting added sweetness to balance. The aroma was as well wonderful. Cheers for this pretty cake. On the other hand, banana choc rye cake was enjoyable too. However, its stiffness was a little too much to my liking. Each component played its role harmoniously well.

Indeed a cup of coffee or tea would be nice with these rich cakes. I had cafe latte and it was decent. Not the best but decent. Lastly, I do recommend this little place to anyone who is fond for cakes and those who are visiting Columbia Road Flower Market. It would be wonderful to have half an hour relax before strolling around and shopping your favourite flowers.

Elderflower & Almond Layer Cake (GBP4.20)

Banana Choc Rye Cakes with Tonka Beans, Banana, Cacao, & Toffee Shard (GBP4.20)

nicely together with cafe latte

The Lily Vanilli Bakery and Flour Market @ Columbia Road Flower Market

6 The Courtyard
Erza Street
London, E2 7RH
United Kingdom

Open Hours: Sunday from 08:00am - 04:00pm

Web: http://www.lilyvanilli.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/lilyvanillicakes


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Violet @ Hackney

Map: Violet @ Hackney

Charged Price: GBP7 per person for a piece of cake and beverage

Visited: 1 July 2015

Food: 6/10

Atmosphere: 6/10

Value for money: 4/10

Services: n.m.
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Violet is another interesting bakery. However, it is a little further from Lily Vanilli in Hackney area. The concept of Violet is chic bakery making american style cake. You can find those classic range of pastry here: cupcakes, loaf cakes, muffins, cookies, brownies, and etc. This place is kept in an even more plain style: hardly any decoration in a two storey house. Yes, it is small and there is no seat indoor. There are some seats in front of the bakery and a few more in the backyard.

Walking inside the store, you can find ranges of pastry in a window shelf on your right and on your left, you will find working space for staffs: i.e. open kitchen right there. To me, this place is enjoyable but not really kick my butt just yet. Things tend to be on the sweet side here but thanks to minimal amount of frosting that keep it alive. In term of pricing, it is expensive in my opinion, especially for a place outside centre of London.

the very local bakery but chic in Hackney

American style cake and bakery products

sliced cakes range

cupcakes of the day

For the day, we Chocolate Violet Cupcake (6/10) and Chocolate Caramel Rum Slice (6/10). Both are kind of similar for me. The chocolate violet cupcake has frosting with violet floral scent whilst chocolate caramel rum slice is topped with cream cheese frosting and is richer on the palate. The texture of both were decent with softness and moisture. To coupling with cakes, we had Iced Coffee: Salty vs. Sweet (5/10) to attack the heat of such a hot day in London. Both were brewed in the same way but one was stirred with a touch of salt and the other one was obviously sugar. They were different in contrast but were just similarly enjoyable. It was ok to drink this beverage. But GBP3.00 per small glass of coffee is just too much indeed.

If I have to choose to go back between the two places, Lily Vanilli indeed has won my heart. I would not hesitate at all to return to the place.

Chocolate Violet Cupcake (GBP2.90)

square cut view of Chocolate Violet Cupcake

Chocolate Caramel Rum Slice (GBP3.50)

Iced Coffee: Salty vs. Sweet (GBP3.00)

Violet @ Hackney

47 Wilton Way
London, E8 3ED
United Kingdom

Open Hours: Tue - Fri from 08:00am - 06:00pm, Sat from 09:30am - 06:00pm, and Sun from 09:30am - 05:00pm

Tel: +44 (0) 207 275 8360
Web: http://www.violetcakes.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/violetcakeslondon

Sora City @ Sukhumvit 26, Bangkok - โซระ ซิตี้ @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 26 กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Cafe

Map: Sora City @ Sukhumvit 26, Bangkok - โซระ ซิตี้ @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 26 กรุงเทพฯ

Price: THB225 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)

Visited: 25 January 2015

Food: 5/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Value for money: 6/10

Services: 6/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

There may be coffee shops almost every corner nowadays in Bangkok city centre. Here is no exception. Sora City in Soi Sukhumvit 26 was established not long ago: just at the beginning of 2015. It is just a small cafe with simple but comfortable ambient: those wooden furniture in Japanese minimalist style. In addition, the owner also opens a bike shop at the rear of the cafe. It is a small and unique bike shop in fact.

At the time of our visit, Sora City was just launched. The lady owner and staffs were friendly. Menu is kept simple as in cafe style ranging from simple scrambled egg to omelette rice for savoury, pancake for dessert, and cafe beverage. As mentioned, the place is tucked in Soi Sukhumvit 26 which is more or less convenient for many mean of transport. Nevertheless, driving might cause you a little problem if you are thinking of stopping by this little cafe for a good cup of cafe latte. The thing is there is one park lot at the back of the cafe. More than that you will have to find parking space yourself somewhere along the street. But if you live in the area, walking or biking to Sora City may give you some pleasure during weekend.

Sora City @ Sukhumvit 26

simple but relax

tiny cafe and bike shop

"The Real Alaska" exhibition (happened to be at the time of visit)

name card and reindeer

This is just a cafe, an ordinary cafe really. So there is nothing much for me to review except saying that coffee here is not bad at all. It was carefully brewed though. Savoury dishes were enjoyable too. As we often drive through Soi Sukhumvit 26, Sora City will be another destination for our coffee break. The followings are what we had:

Creamy Omelette with Shrimp on Rice - ข้าวไข่ข้นกุ้ง (6/10)
Bacon, Scrambled Egg, and Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes - เบคอน ไข่กวน และแพนเค้ก (5/10)
Caffe Latte - กาแฟลาเต้ร้อน (7/10)
Signature Bitter Chocolate Frappe - ช๊อคโกแลตปั่น (6/10)

Creamy Omelette with Shrimp on Rice (THB100)

Bacon, Scrambled Egg, and Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes (THB125)

Caffe Latte (THB85)

Signature Bitter Chocolate Frappe (THB140)

Sora City @ Sukhumvit 26, Bangkok - โซระ ซิตี้ @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 26 กรุงเทพฯ
61/52 Soi Sukhumvit 26
Sukhumvit Road
Khlong Tan, Khlong Toey
Bangkok 10110

Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 09:00am - 08:00pm

Tel: +66 (0) 2001 6600
FB: https://www.facebook.com/soracity

Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters @ Rain Hill, Bangkok - ร้านกาแฟพาคามาร่า @ เรนฮิลล์ กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Coffee Shop

Map: Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters @ Rain Hill, Bangkok - ร้านกาแฟพาคามาร่า @ เรนฮิลล์ กรุงเทพฯ

Price: THB100 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)

Visited: 10 August 2014

Coffee: 7/10

Atmosphere: 6/10

Value for money: 8/10

Services: 5/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Boutique coffee shops are sure to be spreading all over the place in Bangkok nowadays. Some seem to come and go pretty fast. Pacamara is another boutique coffee shop that has not long been established in Bangkok. In fact, it is originally from Chiang Mai. I have not been to the one in Chiang Mai personally but have heard about Pacamara in Chiang Mai from time to time. When I had heard about its establishment at Rain Hill, I thought I might opt for a try.

Pacamara is on the 2nd floor of Rain Hill. If you are not sure where Rain Hill is, it is right at the entrance to Soi Sukhumvit 47. Hence, taking BTS to Phrom Phong Station or Thonglor Station may be the easiest routes and you can reach Rain Hill on foot within a few minutes. The place is rather small, tiny actually. Just a small room with a few tables. I am not really sure whether this is really a place opened to do commercial or just to let people aware of its name. They do serve some nice coffee beverage. But such a small place like this, not really sure about its customer turnover and takeaway order. However, Pacamara is not just a coffee corner, it is as well a coffee bean roaster and seller (both retail and wholesale level). Personally, I did buy back some coffee beans back to try: House Blend and Roaster Blend. They both are not bad and of some decent quality.

Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters @ Rain Hill

small coffee corner

We did pop by for a really quick shot of coffee. If you are an expert, you might as well go for espresso shot to taste. But we cannot really take that though. We instead went for Caffe Latte and Piccolo Latte. At the price of THB85 a cup, I think it is rather good for these days. Caffe Latte is usually smooth and creamy and this one was as well rather well made and smooth. For Piccolo Latte, it is not much different from Caffe Latte but with reduced milk portion which gives a more intense coffee flavour and aroma. I do like both type of latte, just the former one that is easier to consume.

Though Pacamara does brew good cup of coffee, it is still not a destination that you might want to specifically drop by for just a cup of coffee. In case you are already at Rain Hill, this is not a bad place to stop by.

smooth vs. intense

Caffe Latte (THB85)

Piccolo Latte (THB85)

Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters @ Rain Hill, Bangkok - ร้านกาแฟพาคามาร่า @ เรนฮิลล์ กรุงเทพฯ
Floor 2, Rain Hill Community Mall
777 Sukhumvit 47 Road
Khlong Tan Nuea, Wattana
Bangkok 10110

Thailand

Open Hours: for lunch Thu-Mon 11:30am - 01:30pm and for dinner Wed-Mon 05:30pm - 11:00pm

Tel: +66 (0) 2261 7830
FB: https://www.facebook.com/pacamaracoffee

Roots Coffee Roaster @ Soi Ekkamai, Bangkok - รูทส์ คอฟฟี่ โรสเตอร์ @ ซอยเอกมัย กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: coffee and pastry

Map: Roots Coffee Roaster @ Soi Ekkamai, Bangkok - รูทส์ คอฟฟี่ โรสเตอร์ @ ซอยเอกมัย กรุงเทพฯ

Price: THB100 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)

Visited: 22 June 2014

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 8/10

Value for money: 9/10

Services: n.m.
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Roots Coffee Roaster is a splendid corner for coffee lovers / caffeine addicts. It is just a block of commercial build in which the interior has been decorated to give such relaxing ambient. Let me recall Bar Storia del Caffe @ Eight Thonglor and Casa Lapin X49 @ Soi Sukhumvit 49 that I reviewed last year. Roots, Bar Storia del Caffe, and Casa Lapin do offer similar range of coffee products. However, I personally feel that Roots represent a more delicacy choice whilst the other two are more comfortable ones that could be good for chit-chatting with friends.

One thing you may have to keep in mind is that Roots is in the middle of Soi Ekkamai with no parking lots. Hence, you will need some skill to find parking space, else, you will need to rely on public transportation which is absolutely splendid (not) in Bangkok. In fact, it is built more for local dwellers and those who pass by from my sense. From what I noticed, visitors tend to me the regular type and the ones living nearby. People pop in and pop out pretty fast. Just a quick stop for a good glass of coffee and perhaps a piece of croissant really. If you are going to visit Roots, be sure that you really are here for coffee as there will be no other choices, except some range of baked goods to accompany your coffee. Expect none of those fancy cafe food. Also visit during weekends only from noon to 6pm, there is no weekdays operation.

Roots Coffee Roaster @ Soi Ekkamai, Bangkok

coffee counter corner

Roots also comes with a range of freshly baked goods in which largely are Viennoiseries. The kitchen is right there for you to observe. The selection may be kept limited but mostly are enjoyable. Remember that it is self serving. If you do like those pastry, you may also buy some back home.

baking room

baked goods for self service

This time, we popped by for a quick cup of nice coffee and without any pastry to accompany. I had Caffe Latte (8/10) and it was really good comparing to many other cafe around Bangkok. The coffee beans were Bruna blend which is 40% Thai from Prao district + 40% Brazil Carmo de Minas, Fazenda Serrado + 20% Guatemala Huehuetenango, Finca Injertal. This Bruna blend gives roasted almond aroma and dark chocolate on the palate with medium-full body. In addition, we also tried French Press (7/10) with Indonesia, Wahana Estate, Longberry. This was a rather nice black coffee. I like the acidity character and the smooth texture. This is a kind of coffee for sipping all day long for me.

caffe latte (Bruna)

Press Coffee (Indonesia Wahana Estate, Longberry)

For us, we do pop by the place occasionally. Each visit is kept short but with satisfaction. The best part is when you pay for your order. They use the system of "Honesty Box" which gives suggested price of THB100 for coffee and THB50 for baked goods. Reasonable price indeed for good coffee and pastry. This is sure a must visit small coffee shop if you do pass by.

products for takeaway

the Honesty Box

Roots Coffee Roaster @ Soi Ekkamai, Bangkok - รูทส์ คอฟฟี่ โรสเตอร์ @ ซอยเอกมัย กรุงเทพฯ
between Soi Ekkamai 15 and 17
Khlong Tan Nuea, Wattana
Bangkok 10110

Thailand

Open Hours: 12:00pm - 06:00pm for Saturday and Sunday only

Tel: +66 (0) 2658 5556
Web: http://www.rootsbkk.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/RootsBkk