You know the Gateau

Cake-mad Thailand has seen 45 branches of Gateaux House appear around the country since
the first opened in Siam Square in 1987. No 46 is something special – a full restaurant rather
than just a bakery cafe, called Maison de Gateaux.

Just opened – in Siam Square off Henry Dunant Road – it’s something of a phoenix rising from
the ashes, says the chain’s managing director, Parichart Laisathit.

It replaces the original outlet, burned down during the political violence of 2010 after 24 years
of operation.

Maison de Gateaux pairs the popular baked goodies and relaxed bistro atmosphere with a
fusion-food restaurant.

Parichart has gone for “contemporary vintage” in the layout and decor, with the bakery cafe and
restaurant on the ground floor and an art gallery above where anyone can hang their
masterpieces for free.

Tawjan C Punyasingh from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School heads the team in the kitchen,
although Parichart still wants the bakery to occupy “centre stage”.

“My idea is that the restaurant food stays on the sideline,” she says. “We aim to please the
sweet tooth. We think people come here mainly to enjoy the cakes, the crepes and breads, but
now we have cooked meals as an extra if they want something more filling.”

The meals are an East-meets-West fusion that relies on top-quality ingredients. The starters
include Cheese Wrap with Salsa, Salmon Cream-cheese Choux, Ham-cheese Spring Rolls and
Veggie Bouquet.

Then there are miso-chicken, mushroom and pumpkin soups, Japanese salad and a grilled-
tofu-and-mushroom salad with a white-sesame-miso dressing.

Parichart caters to the hybrid tastes of Siam Square’s young crowd with Green Curry Chicken
with Roti, Spaghetti with Bacon and Thai Anchovy, Spaghetti Smoked Salmon and Prawn Tom
Yum Spaghetti.

It’s hard to find creations like this anywhere else that show the same attention to style and
ingredients. What’s even more amazing is the price: The main dishes cost Bt100 to Bt180.

There’s no kraprao kai khai dao here – that’s a little too mundane – but you can get Grilled
Miso Chicken with garlic rice or fried rice and Thai anchovies.

For dessert, well, this is the cake house, after all. And there’s quite a selection to choose from.

You need to try Crepe Cake with Strawberry Sauce, or the cheesecake, of the soft-chocolate
cake, or the banana fritter with ice cream. The Canadian toast is also not to be missed. Again,
the top price is just Bt120, and the cake slices are big.

Everything is freshly baked at Gateau House headquarters in Nakhon Pathom, which is more
of a factory than a cosy bakery, producing two million cakes every day. And they do stay fresh.

“We fly them straight to the outlets around Chiang Mai,” Parichart says.

As for drinks, try the iced lemon tea with aiyu jelly imported from Taipei. Usually served with
honey and lemon juice, the jelly is made from the seeds of a fig that grows there. On ice with
milk, the tea is terrific on a hot day.

And don’t forget, after your meal, there’s art upstairs to feed the soul, too!

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Maison de Gateaux is at 414/5 Siam Square, Henry Dunant Road, and open from 10am to 8pm
daily.  Book a table at (02) 255 6661-3.
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