Collaborations are terribly fun, especially when two of your favourite things mash together to become something you like even more. It’s a worn out concept with fashion brands, but not as much with food, which is why Patisserie Mori and its artistically creative sweet bites stand out. In fact, it was the main reason why I did a double-take at Mori Dessert Bar as I strolled past a throng of new dessert cafes at Siam Square One.
A warm and woody ambience can be found at this quiet corner at Siam Square One.
Its wondrously candy-hued macarons, which come with a circular metallic clutch, is a special collaboration with dainty fashion brand Something Boudoir. Another deliciously creative pastry brings renowned illustration artist Wisut Ponnimit on-board. If you love all things cute and aren’t excited to see his Thai cartoon character Mamuang on your cake roll, it’s possible that your heart is made of ice.
These collaborative projects are a perfect fit to the patisserie’s Japanese concept and we’re already giddy to learn that the next will be with the adorable Japanese masking tape brand, MT. Even without all these creative schemes, the sweets alone are reason enough to get excited and with recipes all concocted by Japanese chef Mori, it’s a safe bet that you’ll be getting authentic tastes that hail straight from Osaka.
Strawberry Bubble Gum Soda and Peach Cucumber Lemon Soda.
Behind the glass display case, there are rows and rows of cakes to choose from, with Mori’s signature staples being the triangular shortcakes. We went for the Marron crepe cake (130 baht) instead of the usual fruity fare. Don’t let its bland, pastel-yellow demeanour fool you — if you like chestnuts, then this cake, with its golden nutty spread in layers of crepe and custard, might be the one to go for.
Continuing with the Japanese theme is the seasonal Hanabira (185 baht), which is available until the end of the year. This is a must-try for its use of sakura blossoms as both decoration and to create a light and interesting aroma in various textures of the dish, be it in jelly, ice-cream, mousse, meringue, cookie or bavarois. A sakura garden doesn’t exactly explode in your mouth, but eating the actual petals, which are pickled and taste quite salty, makes for an interesting sensation and serves to cancel out the other rich flavours and creamy components.
Also, don’t miss the most delicious and photogenic star at Mori: the mille-feuilles. We tried the Mixed Fruits Mille-Feuille (185 baht) for its colourful array of strawberries, kiwis, oranges and apples. The crisp layers of puff pastry show that it’s delightfully fresh and its lightweight custard cream filling makes it even more enjoyable. You can easily polish it off alone, but treats like Strawberry Red Bean Matcha Chiffon (195 baht) and the Mori afternoon tea set (450 baht) definitely call for at least two more reinforcements. The chiffon cake is quite possibly large enough to be a pillow, while the tea set will surely keep you stuffed with its selection of a choux pastry, quiche, cheesecake brownie, shortcake and two scones. Served with a pot of tea, you can choose from a selection of Gryphon teas, along with any flavour of brownie and shortcake.
Even if you don’t drop by for a dessert, Mori is still a cosy and quiet spot for drinks, both hot and cold. The drinks don’t disappoint either and we especially liked the Peach Cucumber Lemon Soda (80 baht) for its cooling taste and light herbal cucumber aroma. After all, there’s much to love about the syrups that taste like they’re made from the actual fruit rather than artificial sweetness.
Visit Mori Dessert Bar, 4th floor, Siam Square One, Rama I Road. Open daily 10am-10pm. Call 02-252-3055.
Mixed Fruits Mille-Feuille.
Mori afternoon tea set.
Hanabira.
