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Slappy Cakes Review – Best of Bangkok
Pancakes were synonymous with birthdays at our house growing up. My sweet daddy would take us out on a birthday date to the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) and order us their funny face pancake all doctored up with chocolate chips and a whipped cream smiley face. We’ve worked to recreate fun memories and make traditions with our own children now a few decades later and on the other side of the world, but until now, have come up short in the pancake department.
Delighted we were to find Slappy Cakes – a family-friendly, quaint, relaxed restaurant that specializes in a weekend favorite at our house – pancakes. Every parent of small children has experienced the frustration of ordering, and then waiting and trying to keep kiddos entertained while your meal is being prepared. Slappy Cakes provides little aspiring chefs entertainment and work experience with their “make your own breakfast” option. Tables outfitted with griddles in the center are a wonderful solution to keep little hands busy (and the mess out of your own kitchen!).
We ordered two of the big combo breakfasts (each serves about 3-4 people). The set comes with three bottles of batter (in mess-free squeezable containers) and all the trimmings and toppings; nutella, whipped cream, ice cream, strawberries, bananas, almonds and the like. The kids loved squirting their own pancake shapes and making faces with the various flavors of batter then decorating with all the accoutrements.
You’ll find that rather than rushing through the meal and your kids being done and ready to move onto your weekend agenda before you get to taste your own treat, your kiddos instead will be the ones lingering and begging to make “just one more” sweet sensation. And for those inclined toward savory instead of sweet, there are heartier breakfast options like Eggs Benedict to tempt your tastebuds.
A full menu is at your fingertips, but you’ll be amiss to not experience the tabletop cooking station, so grill up some pancakes and slather on some toppings for a fun interactive mealtime option!
And we’d venture to say that this spot would not be nearly as fun without a kid or two in tow. Definitely one for the whole family!! With easy access to Phrom Phong BTS, this makes for a great weekend morning family excursion!
Maison de la Truffe
The Aston Martins and Bentleys parked outside are a clue as to the pedigree of clientele this ritzy restau- rant attracts. It seems high society has a new hotspot at Maison de la Truffe, a French-inspired fine dining experience that leverages the holy grail of all gourmet ingredients — the truffle.
Enter and you’ll find, enshrined in glass, championed specimens of white and black truffles that flavor the majority of the restaurant’s signature dishes and inspire cocktails, desserts and even the decor.
Black truffle infused oil served with a warm bread basket sets the tone for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. The inventive chef masterfully crafts each dish by pairing flavors and ingredients that complement the main attraction, so that you can experience course after course of truffles in just about every way imaginable.
For a scent-sational flavor feast foodies will love, the truffles are served up as shavings. This presentation allows the truffle aroma to emit strong signals of taste before they touch your tongue.The subtle and succulent tones of truffles incorporated into each dish will leave you fascinated by the versatility of these exquisite mushrooms.
The jury is still out on the black truffle infused vanilla ice cream, which per- haps only the most ardent enthusiast can truly appreciate, but the fondant chocolate cake is to die for.
The restaurant — opened just a few months ago — is in the heart of the up- scale Thonglor district, and there is a second location at Siam Paragon.
Offering a set lunch menu, Maison de la Truffe is ideal for an executive lunch by day and a romantic rendezvous by night. Perfect for anniversaries, Valentine’s dates and special occasions, you can count on the finest service and an elaborate menu but expect to shell out a small fortune to cover costs of a dining experience superior to most date-night destinations.
Avarpuri Massage & Spa
One of the best things about living in Bangkok is the abundance of foot massage locations to pop into after a long day of commuting or touring. But, on occasion, its nice to spring for something slightly more sophisticat- ed when you and your pals are on the prowl for some next-level pampering. Dodge the rows of glass fronted par- lors along the gritty Sukhumvit strip and step into Avarpuri — a five-star spa service that comes with an affordable price tag.
Tucked away on the top floor of J Avenue, you’ll discover one of the city’s best-kept secrets. A luxury spa with sensibly priced services and staff that are professionally trained,
Avarpuri is an oasis of calm in bustling Bangkok. The space was renovated a year ago in a contemporary style with understated elegance — just the environment for mindful relaxation.
From the moment you step into their comfy slippers until you’re sipping tea from porcelain cups at your treatment’s end, you’ll find your- self—if only for an hour or two— free from the chaos and clamor of this city and in the lap of luxury. It begins with the music: Rather than playing music featuring twangy stringed instruments (as many spas in the city do), Avarpuri will woo you with the timeless works of Chopin, Tchaikovsky and other classical com- posers with its soothing soundtrack.
Next, choose from an assortment of natural products for the purest spa experience and then begin your spa treatment. The oil massage rooms are single occupancy only, so they are not ideal for couples. However, you can book a couples Thai massage in the beautifully renovated massage corridor where double occupancy rooms allow for a relaxing treatment side-by-side.
Body scrubs, masks, waxing, massage and facials are among the treatments you can book for a little “me time” or pampering for you and your girlfriends.
(Published first in Wanderlust Magazine, written by Mandy Smith)