Retro charm at Vanilla Garden, Bangkok

The Wallpaper Guide to Bangkok led me to this stunning & somewhat secluded place in the Ekamai area in Bangkok. Vanilla Garden houses a restaurant called the Royal Vanilla Chinese Restaurant, the Vanilla Cafe & a Bookstore. The garden has a sort of Zen feel to it- sand, flat stones, water features, lush greenery & a minimalist vibe in general. When I first saw the bookstore, on the left as you enter, it reminded me of the Eames house with its steel frame & oversized glass windows. I loved the time we spent at Vanilla Garden today. The decor in the cafe is retro with incredible furniture, collectables & it's outstandingly styled, with cosy nooks & crannies to relax in & absorb the charm of the interior with its Japanese influences here & there. I didn't try the food this time which is Japanese retro fusion cuisine- but I can vouch for one of the out-of-the-ordinary patisserie, all of which are works of art; lovely to look at & lovelier to eat. The dessert I mean is the delish strawberry daifuku, a Japanese confection consisting of a small round mochi (glutinous rice cake) stuffed with sweet filling, most commonly anko, sweetened red bean paste made from azuki beans. The pancakes, like the peanut butter brownie, were dry & bland sadly. Lateral Paul said the coffee was quite smooth- his best yet in Bangkok - I nearly fell off my 50's chair! I am booking for dimsum at the main restaurant next week, after our return from Hua Hin. And now, say hello to the Vanilla Garden....

The gate at the main entrance...

The interior, one corner of a charming space....

Earl Grey tea please...

The Strawberry Daifuku upstaged the bland double layered pancakes...

Japanese influences....the garden is gorgeous....

 

 

A peanut butter brownie...

Address: 53 Soi Ekamai 12, Sukhumvit Rd., Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok. Take the BTS to Ekamai & then a cab to Soi 12... quite straightforward, so you have no excuses...

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