When I feel like ice-cream!!!

Often I crave for ice-cream. Swensen's is usually the typical joint that can be found anywhere and it is decent enough, I have to admit. Technology these days seems to go beyond our imagination. Not the ingredients and technique it supposed to be but yield similar result. Salute. However, there are 2 small places in Bangkok that I from time to time have to stop by to fill by blood vein with more sugar and fat. One is in Soi Sukhumvit 39 called Ampersand and the other one is tucked in a small Soi on Charoen Krung Road which is Gelato Finale. Both are delicious but different in someway.

Map: Ampersand Boutique @ Sukhumvit 39, Bangkok

Charged Price: THB79 per scoop

Visited: 2 May 2016

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 6/10

Value for money: 6/10

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

Ampersand Boutique is just a small joint in Baan Prompong Building in Soi Sukhumvit 39. This ice-cream parlour seems to position itself a little bit towards homemade/high-end stuff. I have to say it is wonderful enough to keep insulin keeps working. Texture wise they are firm and full. Not too sweet is a plus point for me. Personally, smoothness is the point they could improve to make their ice-cream beyond satisfaction. Recommend to try their classic range to start off.

Pistachio

Mango & Sticky Rice with Chocolate

Ampersand Boutique @ Sukhumvit 39, Bangkok

Floor 1, Baan Prompong
147 Soi Sukhumvit 39
Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 12:00pm - 10:00pm (from 10:00am during weekend)

Tel: +66 (0) 2662 0351
Web: http://www.ampersandgelato.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/theampersandboutique/

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Map: Gelato Finale @ Charoen Krung 46, Bangkok

Charged Price: THB60 per scoop

Visited: 2 May 2016

Food: 8/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Value for money: 10/10

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

Gelato Finale is perhaps my favourite found of the year. Tucked in a small Soi of Charoen Krung 46 where anybody would expect nothing like this to be there. It is right next to Bang Rak Market. Driving there can be hassle in finding parking lots. However, BTS can be convenient enough.

I gotta say that this place has decorated to bring the ambient to a friendly point. It is comfy too. For a delicious scoop of gelato at the price of THB60 in Bangkok, I would say it is a bargain. This is Bangkok, not Italy. Usually expect something expensive not for value. But it is not the case here. Texture of each scoop is just soft, tender, smooth, and most of all creamy. If it is near my house, I could drop by daily. I would recommend you to try just anything here. Finale, it is!!!

Ferrero Rocher and Amaretto

Gelato Finale @ Charoen Krung 46, Bangkok

20-26 Soi Charoen Krung 46

Bang Rak

Bangkok 10500
Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 09:301m - 09:30pm except Monday

Tel: +66 (0) 2237 6815-6
Web: http://gelatofinale.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/GelatoFinaleIceCream%20/

A Hot Day in Brighton with Fabulous Tea and Gelato

Here are two little places in Brighton in which they were never there when I was living in Brighton. It was a hot day when I paid a visit to this little beach town. As I was strolling from Brighton Pier through Pool Valley, I popped by a gelato shop called Boho Gelato in Pool Valley before stopped by Blackbird Tea Rooms for afternoon tea chitchat with my cousin. But hey, these two places were awesome, especially, Boho Gelato. What a delicious ice-cream.

Blackbird Tea Rooms @ Brighton

Map: Blackbird Tea Rooms @ Brighton

Charged Price: GBP7.00 per person

Visited: 1 July 2015

Food: 8/10

Atmosphere: 8/10

Value for money: 8/10

Services: 7/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Blackbird Tea Rooms is located in the famous shopping area of Brighton, The Lanes. It is rather small. The atmosphere is lovely which would bring you back to the rustic old time of England. It was a fine summer day when we paid a visit to Blackbird and we were fortunate to be able to grab a table in the backyard. There were on a few tables there in the backyard. Believe me it could be great sipping tea in the old fashion atmosphere here but it was fantastic, in my view, in the backyard on a fine day.

Blackbird Tea Rooms store front

getting more rustic inside

old fashion counter

a perfect day for courtyard afternoon tea

Typical and classic afternoon tea here. We had Cream Tea and Banana, Pecan & Date Cake and we did not disappoint. Scone came in a big chunk. It was not just about the size of scone here. It was delicious too. Soft on the touch and delicate. Wonderful scone indeed. The cake was as well in par with scone. Large slice and yummy. Perfect with its frosting. As for tea, there were around 10+ choices ranging from something classic to more exotic choices: English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Rose Congou, Rooibos, and etc.

In short, this is an excellent place to stop by for tea, snack, and dessert. A must return for me (if I have a chance).

our afternoon break treat

Cream Tea (GBP6.00)

delicious scone with jam and clotted cream

Banana, Pecan & Date Cake (GBP3.90)

Blackbird Tea Rooms @ Brighton

30 Ship Street
Brighton
BN1 1AD
United Kingdom

Open Hours: daily from 08:30am - 05:30pm
Tel: +44 (0) 1273 249 454
Web: http://www.blackbirdtearooms.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/BlackbirdTeaRooms

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Boho Gelato @ Brighton

Map: Boho Gelato @ Brighton

Charged Price: GBP2.40 per person

Visited: 1 July 2015

Food: 9/10

Atmosphere: n.m.

Value for money: 8/10

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

Needless to say much about Boho Gelato. It is just a tiny shop with all about ice-cream. There are somewhat 24 flavours daily here. Again flavour ranges from something classic to exotic ice-cream. So so delicious ice-cream here. It was smooth, it was creamy, it was delicate, and yet flavourful. I had Cucumber and Rose on a cone on such a hot day and it was wowwww. Cucumber and Rose, what a combination. It somehow support each other pretty well. Freshness of cucumber seems to go unexpectedly well with aroma of rose. I miss it already as I am typing now. In two words, "MUST VISIT".

Cucumber and Rose on Cone (GBP2.40)

mini store of Boho

the menu board

Boho Gelato @ Brighton

6 Pool Valley
Brighton
BN1 1NJ
United Kingdom

Open Hours: daily from 11:00am - 06:00pm

Tel: +44 (0) 1273 727 205
Web: http://www.bohogelato.co.uk/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/bohogelato