Bloom Cafe: artisan cupcakes bliss

Hi All,

one of my fave places for snacks

It’s Hump Day ~ middle of the week. Just a few more days and it’s the weekends again. What’s special about this weekend is that it’s Chinese New Year/Vietnamese Tet; so many people will be celebrating with family, food, and fun trips! Why not enjoy some cupcakes during this special festivity?

I loooooovveeeee L-O-V-E cupcakes. Bloom Café has been one of my favorite spots to enjoy beautiful and delicious cupcakes. I think I’ve tried almost every flavor. But I try to limit myself to 3 each time. Especially since there’s a discount when you buy 3.

Their cupcakes are whimsical and enchanting. It’s so pure. I can sit a while just gazing at them. But in the end, I must eat the sugary treat because that’s why I bought them. Day old cupcake isn’t tempting to eat – not like enjoyable day old pizza.

selfie with my nom nom

Bloom’s cakes are also sweet to look at. However, I didn’t like to order cakes here because of their cake to icing ratio (too much fondant/icing/lard. I’m a fan of fresh cream more. I wouldn’t suggest buying a cake except for the aesthetic. I had one on my birthday 2 years back and regret having to eat the whole thing myself. I think cupcake is a better bet.

Variety. The little creations.

Different flavors ranging from tart (like passion, lemon, raspberry, etc.), sweet (coconut, vanilla, cheesecake), and chocolatly (who can resist Mr Ganache?) base. The cream on top compliments the cupcake base and will vary. A cute fondant pendant or trinket to top it off.

The extra icing on top is that you can enjoy the cupcakes in two major cities: Phnom Penh (under Bloom Café Phnom Penh) and Siem Reap (under Blossoms Café but now rebranded as Bloom Café Siem Reap). I’ve only been to the Phnom Penh branch.

Self-described "designer cupcake and the best fair trade coffee in stylish café". Have the strong, vibrant taste of coffee to cut the sweet cupcakes. However, being adverse to coffee, I just enjoy their free water.

will.devour.every.crumb.

Let me share you the latest cupcakes I ate. But feel free to enjoy more...with over 48 kind rotated + flavs of the month, how can you pick just one? Seriously, I'm asking you how can you pick one?!?! You may say you've good willpower and resistance...but why would you want to resist CUPCAKE? It's a cupcake ware and I proudly announce I will always lose to its glorious cause.

Space: Reasonable. I love the seating. I also love the interior décor (I’m partial to their blue as I also have that Italian aqua blue).

Atmosphere: Cutie patootie.

entering the zone

Taste: You know I’m a fan of fancy and pretty. The icing is dense because it’s in the fridge. Cake uses lots of fondant/icing but not fresh cream. If that’s not your thing, then wouldn’t be recommended.

Parking: Street parking. It’s a villa turned into bakery/café. Should be easier to park than most places in PP.

Loved: That it’s a not for profit organisation that provides vocational training and employment opportunities for Cambodian women. Girl Power! I love how it makes women feel empowered and able to take charge of their life; pay their bills; and run the world [via Beyonce]. I really do hope that they get compensated well as the cakes are a bit pricey – but totally understandable since it’s hand-drawn.

divinely creations! 

Enjoyed:

At $4.85 for 3; $1.65 each (so I saved 10 cents. I thought I was saving a lot more). 

getting a trio is always good

• Coconut kiss

 Kissed lightly by dried coconut zest, it was a coconut cupcake with chocolate cream cheese icing topped off. The chocolate was rich and it's a standard coconut cupcake. I think I want a bit more coconut flakes in the batter.

• Pineapple coconut cupcake

I got this because the ingredients gave me a tropical feeling. I imagined being on a deserted island (but wouldn’t it be more fantastic if it was a dessert island?!?) and enjoying this cupcake. I enjoyed the tartly release from the too sweet icings. It's a vanilla cupcake with fresh pineapple filling and coconut cream cheese icing.

• Jam donut cupcake

Too cute to pass on. It was a cinnamon sugared cupcake with a dollop of strawberry jam in the middle. After taking a bite, I wondered WHY I got this since I could eat a donut at Krispy Kreme.

can't blog before taking some photos

Other flavors I like: mint, chocolate, cheesecake, tart and citrus, etc.

My take: want to be blissfully happy? Come have some cupcakes.

PP:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bloom.Cafe/

website: http://www.bloomcreations.org/ (not working at time of posting)

address: #40 Street 222 (in between Street 63 and Street 55)

SR:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BloomCafeSiemReap/

website: http://www.blossomcakes.org/ 

address: one street from Pub Street, behind Siem Reap Hospital

Specs: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm (that's super hard to enjoy). Can't enjoy the cafe after work =( better to order to-go during lunch time or go on a Saturday. The business hours are not friendly towards employees like myself because of the hours - especially in the food/catering business. But I understand how they want their staff to enjoy evenings and weekends with their families too. 

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Let me know your thoughts. Shout it out in the comments below.

Thanks for reading.

XoXo V

* Sunny Up with V *

If you would like me to visit your place, let me know! I’m more than happy to check out and eat your delicious food =)

Pastamania & Gelatofix: enjoy scenic Riverside with good food and gelato

Hi All,

another edition of V's delights

Seriously guys, Pastamania wants us to “Join the Italian Revolution.” It’s even on their cover photo. Italian isn’t something NEW; Italian food has been a staple to my diet like rice is to any Asian. I shouldn’t use the word diet, because bread, pasta, cheese, meat, and dairy compounded x200 isn’t helping my “diet.” Plus, writing this blog post just makes me hungrier even though I should be on the weight-loss, healthy-eating diet plan.

Secondly, when I think of the Italian Revolution, I think of the Italian Revolution of 1848 or the Italian Unification. I don’t think that’s what Pastamania wanted me to think about but I start to digress when I think longer about it.

Anyway, they probably assumed it’s a FOOD revolution because it’s supposedly new in Cambodia. Sorry, but not sorry, Italian cuisine is popular in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Most are small, cozy, romantic dining experiences but Pastamania is more casual. It’s everything Italian that my American blood thinks of: very cliché caro mio [translation: my dear].

Mmm don't judge me while i eat

got a good look?

But I love being a tourist! This place for Cambodians is like Disneyland Italy. [If you know how sugar-coated Disney is, then I think you get my gist]

Now, connected with Pastamania is Gelatofix. The building is H shaped. I totally love the architecture and interior designing! Favoloso [translation: fabulous]!

Gelatofix’s says:

An Italian Artisanal Gelato Café.

Dream like an Italian.
Dress like an Italian.
Dine like an Italian.

The Italian Break!

I totally love.that.motto.

DO I want to dream like an Italian? Yes, I do - with a hunky Italian man whispering in his Italian accent, oye mi dolce vita!

DO I want to dress like an Italian? Yes, I do - their designer handbags and haute couture or their simple chic and effortless summer outfits.

DO I want to dine like an Italian? Yes, I do - enjoying my food slowly with good company and good wine.

When Gelatofix puts it that way, Italian life sounds so irresistible! Especially with GELATO, your life can’t be any worse.

front

It’s a Singaporean based franchise that’s located in a few countries (like Dubai, Vietnam, Malaysia, etc.).

Ambiance: New, crisp and clean cliché Italiano restaurant. Bright lights, balcony seating with view of the Mekong River, or sit inside in aircon (2 floors worth).

inside Gelatofix

Service: I LlooooooVvvVVEeeeEee their cute outfits that mashes well with the atmosphere.

amirite? his outfit is on fleek

Taste: Acceptable because it’s franchised. It’s tested and proved already.

Parking: I always have a problem with parking in Phnom Penh =( I think there’s car parking somewhere, but having a moto or taxi is better.

jelly flats are best for rainy days!

Added bonus: Going to the night market afterwards. I rarely buy anything but I like to mingle with the pushy people going stall to stall and listening to ordinary singers looking for their 5 minutes in the limelight.

Tip: I like to sit on the veranda outside to enjoy the sights and sounds from the riverside.

yes, that's the one i want!

I actually meant to come in for gelato but ended my snack with a main entrée.

What I enjoyed:

• ·         Strawberry Rosso sorbetto and Milan Mokacchino gelato

yum yum yum

Yes, I had a double scoop on a cone. No, it’s not the only time I’ve ate a double scoop. It’s almost always. Stop grilling me mother.

It was $3.50 for a double scoop. Similarly priced to other places.

To die for Milan Mokacchino gelato! I highly recommend this flavour! It was a rich chocolate that melts in my mouth. Maybe the Italian man would melt the same way in my mouth?!? I’m a hot girl, so it’s possible. GUYS, it’s 40 degrees in Cambodia, anything will melt. ;)

The Strawberry Rosso sorbetto reminded me of my daily morning strawberry smoothie so I wasn’t too impressed. Strawberry + ice = sorbetto. Maybe I should have opted for something else. But I wanted something fruity to go with my chocolate.

• Spicy sausage penne with broccoli in creamy sauce

try it!

The spiciness came from the Cambodian chili. Very speziato (translation: spicy) – but not too much that you would hate it.

The penne was cooked al dente covered in a creamy tomato sauce (but I think it was arrabbiata or red pepper sauce with cream). Few pieces of broccoli and sausages. Overall I thought it was delicious. I would order it again.

where am i?

The menus are expansive. They’re a bit different from each other so make sure to check out both Pastamania and Gelatofix menus. They have salads, soups, pizzas, pastas, gelatos, waffles, cakes, etc. Reasonably priced, good for sharing to try more items. Since it just opened two weeks ago, there’s still some specials going on.

Pastamania specials

Gelatofix specials

My take: enjoyable time with friends and good food. Definitely stay for dessert.

Pastamania: https://www.facebook.com/PastaManiaCambodia/

Gelatofix: https://www.facebook.com/GelatofixCambodia/?fref=ts

Address: #661, Preah Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh, Cambodia (right across the Riverside Night Market, near Titanic Restaurant, and all the bus companies)

Specs: open for lunch and dinner until late

Let me know your thoughts. Shout it out in the comments below.

Thanks for reading.

life is dolce [sweet]

XoXo V

* Sunny Up with V *

If you would like me to visit your place, let me know! I’m more than happy to check out and eat your delicious food =)

strawberry cheesecake

pistachio and havelnut