Dessert with a Japanese flavour

THAILAND - A great new place to take a break from blowing whistles and indulge in a pastry or two, Mori Dessert Bar in that bright red building opposite Central Chidlom is the latest branch of the popular Patisserie Mori Osaka that opened in RCA last October.

It's run by Zen Restaurant Group and is a joint venture with hotel and restaurant investment group Stork Japan, which is trying to get a foothold in Bangkok's bakery market.

Decorated in minimalist style, with plenty of natural wood and comfy sofas, the friendly bakery can seat about 20 diners. The menu is pretty much the same as at the RCA outlet, with more than 30 different cakes that go light on the sugar. They are made with fruit imported from the US, Australia and Japan and contain no additives or preservatives.

"We stick to the traditional recipes of Japanese bakery items in making our sweets. They are fresh, light and healthy," says brand director Jomkwan Chirathivat.

"Our main kitchen is at Patisserie Mori Osaka on RCA and that's where our Japanese chef prepares the cakes for both branches. We will also be opening a new outlet at the Siam Square One mall in March.

We sample the hot chiffon cake filled with cheese and custard and served with vanilla ice cream and sliced orange (Bt185, S$7.20) and the yummy Strawberry Haru shortcake, which is layered with custard cream (Bt135).

Rose vanilla tea (Bt80) and Iced Red Bean Macha Latte (Bt120) are the perfect accompaniment to slices of colourful Fruit Tart De Fromage (Bt220, cheesecake topped with sliced apple, banana, strawberry, kiwi and orange and Chocolate Bavarois (Bt135), vanilla cake is filled with milk chocolate Bavarian and coated with dark chocolate.

You can also take home a pack of melt-in-mouth Mori X Mamuang roll cakes filled with strawberries (Bt750). They're packaged in a box designed by artist Wisut Ponnimit and are available through March.

"We also offer seasonal and festive menus like Mont Blanc cake made from Japanese chestnut, which will be on sale next month," Jomkwan says.

Other menu items worth sampling include Marron Crepe cake, Strawberry Shortcake, Lemon Mousse, Yuki No Hime, X'Mas Chocolate Mousse, Apollo Cake and Banana Choco Cake.

SWEET TREATS

Mori Dessert Bar is located on the first floor of The Mercury Ville mall on the corner of Lang Suan. It's open daily from 8am to 9pm from Monday to Friday and from 10am on Saturday and Sunday. Call (02) 658 5518 or visit Facebook.com/Pages/Mori-Dessert-Bar