Wake up and smell the flowers because spring is here! Or so we like to think in this hot and humid rainy season. If you are bored of seeing the greyish sights of the city and long for something green, have no fear, Guru is here! This week we bring to you four floral cafes, blooming with flowers, which are easy on the eyes. So gather your friends, eat cake and sip on tea at these enchanting establishments.
THE BLOOMING GALLERY
As you descend the spiral staircase to the left of the entrance of the Ei8ht Thonglor lifestyle mall, you are greeted by a hidden tea shop stylised like a rustic glasshouse, surrounded by flowers of all colours and sizes. Inside The Blooming Gallery, pots of plants and flowers hang from the walls and dangle from the ceiling. Art plays a major part of the decor inspiration as paintings of French impressionist Monet are displayed alongside the greenery. Customers are given the impression that they have stepped into a beautiful indoor garden.
As the cafe takes inspiration from the arts, so does the menu as the staff combine their passion for art and food. While marvelling at the tea shop's flowers on display, why not enjoy some of their delicious meals such as the Angel hair spaghetti (B250)? Or taste their recommended TBG signature fettuccine pasta with creamy truffle sauce (B350). For artsy desserts, go for A Path in the forest (B380), a four-layer sweet treat consisting of soft cheesecake, matcha mousse, crumbles and fresh cream, with a dusting of matcha powder tableside. Wash it down with a hot cup of Kyoto matcha latte (B120). Watch as the waiter dips a white chocolate flower into the beverage. The Blooming Garden is as a great place to clear your mind as it also serves as a flower shop.
Sun-Tues: 10am-10pm, Wed-Sat: 10am-midnight / LG Floor, Ei8ht Thong Lor, Sukhumvit 55 / 02-063-5508, http://thebloominggallery.com, http://fb.com/thebloominggallery, LINE: @thebloominggallery
B-STORY CAFE
The vintage looking B-Story Cafe with its plethora of shrubs, plants and flowers, seems like it belongs to a fantasy fairytale rather than Ratchathewi's Coco Walk. Head there in the evening or at night when the bright lights are emanating from the quaint cafe, inviting curious onlookers to step inside. Be mesmerised by the homely interiors, where teddy bears and flowers inhabit each and every corner. Upstairs, cathedral-like glass stained windows adorn the brick walls, giving off a Gothic setting. A separate VIP room (B1,000) is available for reservation, and contains a fireplace (for those cold Bangkok days) and a bookshelf, with lots and lots of flowers.
Aesthetics aside, B-Story offers a variety of food and drinks, from Western dishes to desserts. Order quesadillas (B150) as appetisers, which comes in four slices of tortillas filled with chicken, mushroom, spinach and cheese, and then order some bacony Spaghetti olio (B180) or the baked Mac 'n' cheese (B180). Wash it all down with the B-honey coffee (B110), which is a latte with honey (no added syrup) or for a healthier alternative try their kale and honey B-healthy smoothie (B89). Next to the counter, is a fridge showcasing the cafe's desserts. We had a slice of Coconut cake (B110) served with coconut sauce and (if the smell doesn't bother you) a jar of sweet Durian-noffee (B165).
Mon-Sun: 10am-11pm / Coco Walk, next to BTS Ratchathewi, Exit 4, Phaya Thai Road / 095-710-1777, http://fb.com/B-Story-Cafe-456139967853888
THE MUSEUM OF FLORAL CULTURE
Founded by renowned floral artist Sakul Intakul, The Museum of Floral Culture offers flower lovers a historical look into (you guessed it) Thai floral culture, as well as having unique exhibitions on floral cultures of other countries within Asia such as India, China, Japan, Laos and Indonesia. Located in the residential area of Dusit, the museum is home to two cafes -- the Dok Mai Thai Salon du The and the newly opened Cafe Botanica. Both cafes share the same menu, so your choices are basically where you prefer to chill out. Sit by the terrace of the old house with a beautiful garden view at Dok Mai Thai Salon du The, or marvel at the floral patterns hanging from the huge tree by the entrance at Cafe Botanica.
Either way, you will feel relaxed as if it were a second home while you help yourself to some homemade scones with clotted cream and jam (B180) and a cup of Love rose tea (B140), which comes with refills. For something more filling, a slice of the Cheesecake covered in mango sauce (B170) is worth a try, which comes with pieces of the fruit, too. The cafe also serves refreshing sodas like the dark blue Anchan lime soda (B120). Lookout for their new Ongkarak Cake (B180).
Tues-Sun: 10am-6pm / 315 Samsen Road 28, Yaek Ongkarak 13 / 02-669-3633, http://floralmuseum.com, http://fb.com/TheMuseumofFloralCulture
FLORAL CAFE AT NAPASORN
Situated within Bangkok's ancient flower market, Napasorn does not only house flower art but also serves cake and ice-cream. On the second floor is their floral cafe. The charmingly decorated cafe often goes through changing flower patterns to ensure that subsequent visits won't look the same for returning customers. Desserts are displayed on a table, with arcs of a wide variety of flowers around it. Chandeliers complement hanging branches of flowers while cacti surround mirror panes with quotes on them.
The cafe serves a variety of cakes from Crispy lemon and lemon curd cheesecake to Mango passion cheesecake and Rocher chocolate pie (B180 each). The cafe also serves an assortment of drinks, including Hot caramel cafe latte (B130) and the ice-cold Green apple mint smoothie (B140). The cafe plans to add an Affogato (B160), a mix of Arabica coffee with caramel ice-cream to its menu soon.
Mon-Sat: 10am-10pm / 67 Chakkraphet Road / 02-222-6895, 02-221-2039, http://napasorn.com, http://fb.com/napasorn-208683145866994, LINE: napasorn67, IG: 67_napasorn, floralcafe_napasorn
