Taste & See: The Garden Gallery & Cafe by Roadhouse BBQ; Bangkok, 195 Surawongse Road at the Neilson Hays Library [itself a nice gem to the side of the cafe; unfortunately, there is a membership fee for use]
For once, a homey cafe with comforts of home [read: Western food] beyond the conventional pastel-chalkboard "pizza, steak, salad."
Beyond Good Taste: We begin not with street food, but with something many ex-pats long for in noisy, stinky Bangkok: an oasis. This cute cafe tucked behind a gate and some greenery provides just that, plus a decent cappuccino and southern bbq. There are a few tables outside and an air-conditioned sparse concrete and glass block with paintings on the wall; you're welcome to plug in your laptop but there is no wifi. The cafe itself feels a little like a greenhouse with its spare, open design and the plain concrete floor. Definitely not for cuddling up with a person or a book. But the simple aesthetic and quite space make a great oasis to work, think or just breathe.
Highlights: A beautiful latte with at least 2 inches of foam. Coke in a tall glass, served with lime, Texas style [see Garden Gallery Part II: Hidden Gems] Goat brie. Balsamic vinaigrette in a corked mini-bottle. Too cute!
