Waffles

From top to bottom: strawberry waffle with gelato; blueberry waffle with cream

Waffles

$38 (waffle with gelato); $28 (waffle with cream)

Pappa Gallo, Langham Place, Mong Kok

On a whim, I stepped into the Pappa Gallo dessert shop in the Langham Place basement and was pleasantly surprised by its diverse menu.  The shop specializes in waffles, crepes and other desserts that would more likely be found in a shop in Korea or in the States than in a Hong Kong restaurant.  I ordered a $28 blueberry waffle while my friend ordered, for $10 more, a strawberry waffle with his choice of gelato.  The presentation of both were exquisitely presented, and no sooner had I taken the above photos than I scarfed down my waffle by the fork-load.  Sweet, filling and inexpensive, that is an unbeatable combination!

In fact, I was more interested in trying out their Lavazza coffee, which can be purchased for only $15 (regular price, $20) with the purchase of any meal.  Unfortunately, I had already had two cups of coffee earlier in the day so that seductive Lavazza will have to wait until I return!

Tub Tim Krob: an excellent Thai dessert

Tub Tim Krob, a refreshing Thai dessert served with fresh coconut milk and ice shavings is best savored at this speciality store at Thong Lo in Bangkok.

Tub Tim Krob is basically water chestnuts coated with flour and a bit of red syrup, served with coconut milk and crushed ice. The water chestnuts retain their crunchy insides but when you bite into it, you first feel the soft outside.

It's not too sweet, with the ice helping to reduce the amount of sweetness on the tongue.

The particular store I frequent specifically for tub tim Krob is located in Bangkok at Sukhumvit Soi 38, where they have street stalls open at night. The shop (and it is a shop proper and not a stall) is located around 15 meters into the Soi and is on the right.

Other stalls also sell this dessert, but this shop nails it with the perfect water chestnut texture and the right amount of coconut milk, so that it compliments and not overpowers the water chestnut.

At only 20 baht (USD 0.67), it's a nice refreshing end to a good Thai meal.

Crispy Diced Toast with Ice Cream

Crispy Diced Toast with Ice Cream
Price: ?
Calories: ???
Pokka Cafe (Causeway Bay)

Speaking of Pokka, Wynnie and I had dinner a few weeks ago at its Causeway Bay cafe, where we ate; and then I, going glutton, tried to finish this crispy diced toast with ice cream for dessert. I failed. Although I managed to squeeze through the ice cream -- simple enough, after all, when it melts into liquid form -- the mountain of cubed toast proved too redoubtable, and ponderous for my stomach, even, to handle. Alas, I left some of those sweet, sticky chunks of bread on the table.