NOC Coffee shop, Hung Hom, Kowloon, HK

Expected that their coffee was the highlight but it's somewhat not that surprising.  However, their pastry was impressive.  Not bad to find another delight.

 

Bake House, Wanchai, HK

This shop has been the talk of town with long queue for its croissant.  Waited for half an hour for a dine-in, and ordered their signature breakfast.  In general, all were very nice except the sourdough bread that it lacked some chewy tangy texture.  I didn't take it all though I like bread much because quite some heavy olive oil was put on it.  Noticed they served house-made lemonade.  A bit disappointed that it was served in a  small glass with lots of iced cubes and yet it was just 2/3rd full.  I guess that was about 100ml lemonade on ice.  Their signature croissant was much disappointing as I found the butter not evenly spread inside.  They made it in such a rush to cater for the queue.  Perhaps this is another example of the crowd killing the shop.  After all, I wouldn't go back as we had to share the table and yet the table setting was too packed.

 

A bread shop by Saki Moto, Harbour City, TST, HK

Plain bread and rice have always been my most favourite food.  I was tempted to come to this place because it claimed to be a specialist in plain bread.  The menu showed a colourful variety of jam to go with the bread though I'm still much into plain bread.  However, the shop has a mandatory choice for you to select jam or butter for an extra price.  So it's about HK$50 for a slice of bread with jam or butter.  When it was served on the table, the presentation made it even nicer.  I tried a bit hard to cut off the bread in pieces though it was half-cut in 9 pieces.  I decided to pick it up in a napkin and took my bite.  Quite disappointed that it wasn't with any flour aroma.  It was bland bread, not plain bread.  The heavily sweetened jam wasn't appealing either.  I found their imported Manuka honey water pretty nice though.

 

Bread at RUB26 (HKD3), Saint Petersburg, Russia

Bread of the festive season, at Paul BKK

Whenever I could, I'd still like to get some plain bread or plain rice.  No butter, no jam, no sauce and no thing more.  That's my festive food.

Paul Edgware/Marble Arch, London

Seems like I am a QC to check every Paul branch around the world wherever possible.  A few years ago Paul branches in London didn't serve a full menu but this time they did.  So I took a full breakfast plus a coffee.  Service and coffee are good and the food is average though not too bad.  

Lagkagehuset (bakery), Copenhagen, Denmark

Couldn't resist not going in for a breakfast.  Later on I know why this chain also has their branches in the airport.  However, their coffee is somewhat disappointing.

Paul, Nice, Southern France

I have been telling my friends about how good Paul Bangkok is, if they have ever tried Paul France or Paul Taiwan.  Even Paul SG/JP aren't as good as Paul Bangkok.  This time I had a re-visit at this outlet in Nice downtown.  I'd rather try the other boulangerie.

Paul Taipei, Shin Yi District

This Paul is a totally different story.  When I walked in, I was asked if I had a booking.  Later on, they spent some time and found a table but it wasn't full during lunch time.  The waitress reminded that there was a minimum charge of NT$180 per person and I agreed to it, as a single coffee can make up for this.  Got a almond pastry with the traditional ceramic prince figure in it.  The pastry is too fluffy with just butter aroma only.  The iced mocha (yes an iced mocha in a ceramic mug) was awlful.  No choco., no espresso flavour.  Just a cup of deep brown semi-iced water.  The iced cubes melted already when it was served; so it wasn't that chilled.  I really don't like drinks being not hot, nor not cold enough.  As noted on their special menu, by now you would know what this branch is.   

Monsieur Spoon, Canggu, Bali

Noticed this shop having some trucks servicing their pastry and breads to other places.  So there should be something.  Got an iced cappuccino, cheese croissant, a chicken sandwich and club sandwich with their special mustard sauce.  Indeed the mustard sauce is quite zesty with a light touch of mustard aroma.  Later on, we got a choco. mouse cake.  Much beyond our expectation and yet low beyond the price.  The meal is just about US$20 for 2 drinks, a croissant, 2 sandwiches and a cake.  At this same level, this meal should be over US$60.  So the other night we came back for a nice choco. tart and a choco. drink.  A wrap up for the trip.

Paul, Central World, BKK

It's interesting that no matter how full I am, whenever I see some plain bread on the table, I can't help getting a bite or even taking it all.  Paul has been always the choice for me in Bangkok (and Sapporo too).  Because of this magnet, I'd always skip the breakfast of the hotels.

A stroll through Provence, with Paul Thailand

It was such a pleasant surprise when I stepped in Paul in BKK and saw this table paper mat.  Got my favourite almond croissant, a lemon soda, lemon tart...  The scenery Provence was right in front of my eyes.

Paul, French Bakery, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, UAE

Saw this good old friend in Dubai.  I had to try it and see if it was close to the French one, or BKK's.  Ended up it wasn't such a story.  The choco. cake was too greasy and sweet, so for the Paul's signature rhubarb tart being disappointing.  The iced mocha was just milk and light choco. with tiny trace of coffee aroma.  This Paul is even worse than the one in Taiwan.