Based along Soi Sala Daeng in Bangkok's Silom disrict, Peony House is a family-run cafe and restaurant that specializes in the provision of fine teas and succulent desserts and cakes.
While it also serves a simple yet delicious lunch, teas are an important factor during a visit to Peony House, so customers can choose from an impressive collection, ranging from blended teas through to Chinese and Japanese favorites. The restaurant also hosts a private collection of paintings, which were produced by my host's grandmother, who has a penchant for the peony flower.
Chatting with the young and beautiful host of Peony House, Pichaya 'Ping' Wongkittichote (see main photo), who considers herself to be the family's 'big sister', was truly a blissful experience. As well as getting the chance to sample some of Peony House's wonderfully aromatic teas, I also managed to develop a deeper understanding of the wide range of teas Ping offers her customers.
Visitors to Peony House can enjoy an extensive range of teas, imported from China, Germany, Japan and South Africa. Ping explains that most of the blended teas (featuring floral fragrances and flavors, including dried spices and fruits) are sourced in Germany. Since they are of the finest quality, the teas maintain their fragrance over a long period of time, according to Ping.
Among the teas imported from China, Japan and South Africa are white and green teas, along with Oolong tea (a traditional Chinese tea) and herbal teas. Peony House also stocks a tea that is completely free from caffeine. All of these are best served hot.
Bai Mu Dan ('White Peony') tea is a white-colored tea from China, which is very soothing and features a nice, smooth taste, while Sencha is a Japanese green tea that has a very 'grassy' aroma and leaves a sweet taste on the lips.
If you have a sweet tooth, you should delve into Peony House's dessert options, which cost between 65-200 baht (US$2.16-6.66). I would recommend you try the Chocolate Classique (95 baht), which features the richest kind of chocolate I've ever experienced and a special kind of fresh cream.
Another interesting dessert is the Peach Waffle (180 baht). This takes the form of a generous serving of skillfully baked waffle, which is garnished with pear and served with a topping of whipped cream and icing. I found that this was ideally complemented with a pot of Bi Tan Piao Zau ('Snowflake' [90 baht per pot], see photo, above), which features the refreshing taste of jasmine and a hint of vanilla.
Typically, Peony House's exclusive daily lunch menu features four to five dishes. However, Ping suggests that the lunch menu will 'rotate' in order to switch between pasta-based dishes, steaks, as well as some special Thai dishes, including noodle-based dishes. There is also a selection of homemade sandwiches. Each lunch item is priced at about 150 baht.
A Splash of ColorAnother 'must see' during a visit to Peony House is the extensive collection of paintings, which are located in the restaurant towards the back of the compound. Most of the compositions were created by Ping's grandmother and most of them are currently on sale. Since Ping's elderly relative has a passion for the peony flower, most of the works feature this flora, or other popular forms of flora. This art collection therefore provides the restaurant with a highly relevant decorative feature, which refers to its name.
Peony House can cater for private parties (350 baht per head for a minimum of 100 guests), corporate meetings (from 500 baht per head), or other special events or occasions. The catering service includes numerous tea and coffee options, along with a range of 10 kinds of canapes and desserts, according to Ping.
Peony House opens from 7 am to 8 pm, from Monday through Friday and from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
For further information, or to make a reservation, call Tel: +66 (0)2 235 5369, +66 (0)81 808 0167, + 66 (0)81 868 9891, or visit Peony House's official website at http://www.peonyhouse.com/.
Transport Connections:
Peony House is located at 132/3 Soi Sala Daeng 1, Silom Road, Bangrak.
Train: The easiest way of reaching Peony House is to take an MRT subway train to Si Lom station, or a BTS skytrain to Sala Daeng station.
From the station you can take a motorcycle taxi or regular taxi to Peony House, depending on your preference. The fare for a motorcycle taxi will be about 10-15 baht. Peony House is located about 50 meters inside Soi Sala Daeng 1 on the left-hand side of the road.
