Toast Box - Singapore

More Peanut Butter Love
I think I was missing the Bangkok sugared-buttered-toast lady because I've walked by Toast Box a hundred times on the way to my outdoor office and have never felt tempted. Today, I wanted some thick toast! I got the peanut butter version - a thick slice of toast with melted peanut butter, cubed for easy eating. Again, nothing I couldn't do myself but this is an example of the "how something tastes better when you don't have to do the work" theory. Toast Box makes it so easy, eating toothpicks included.

Sugared, Buttered Toast Lady - Bangkok

Proving, Once Again, Simplicity is Best
Puffin spotted her from across the street, how I'm not sure. She was wedged into a tight row of street stalls that were much larger than hers. She was making what any of us could - buttered toast with some sugar sprinkled on top. Of course, hers tasted way better. Maybe it's the charcoal grilling. Or, perhaps it's the butter she uses. I don't know what made it so good, I just know I could eat it every day.

More Street Food - Bangkok

Revelatory Breakfast - Literally
What would you do? If you saw a monk sauntering around a hawker center in Bangkok, listening intently to each sales pitch, contemplating each plate carefully, then finally deciding, would you shadow his decision? It was obvious to me. He is far closer to Buddha than I.
Why resort to my usual breakfast guessing routine when a divine path shows itself?

Daddy Dough - Bangkok

Can't Help Myself
Yes, there are street vendors in Bangkok selling all types of sweets and goodies. So, why buy a donut in an air-conditioned mall? Simple - it's hot outside. I take my AC where I can get it. Then I see this donut staring at me, all choco and peanuty and everything. I'm weak.

Jatujak Market - Bangkok

First Meal in Bangkok

I don't understand those who fly thousands of miles to far away lands and then don't eat local street food. It's as if they summoned up a certain amount of courage only to have it run out at the most inopportune moment. This thought ran through my mind as I crunched some delicious crispy fried pork at Jatujak market. Dozens of tourists walked by me, then paused in surprise that someone like them was sitting in a local street stall, happily munching. I was equally surprised that they didn't sit down and order. Their loss.

Kki - Singapore

A Sweet Slice of Japan
This freshly opened Japanese-style cafe, pronounced "cakey", impresses. It's not just the clean, bright, modern interior and the friendly service. It's not only the delicious franco-japanese pastries like my domed choco-coffee cake shown below. What is most amazing.....

Potong Pasir Pancake Lady - Singapore

Showing My Love for All Things Peanut
Potong Pasir is a neighborhood in Singapore that's a stop away from Puffin's on the MRT (subway.) I like to go over there from time to time to visit with the peanut pancake lady. She whips me up a fresh, hot peanut "pancake" in less than a minute. It's more like a small crepe with molten crunchy peanut butter insides. If you're a fan of peanut butter or peanuts you'll probably like this.

Jalan Hock Chye - Singapore

No Brainer - It's Got "Economic" in Its Name
I'm a stingy bastard so by nature I get excited when I can eat well for next to nothing. One of my favorited dishes in Singapore is called Economic Bee Hoon. It's brilliant. It's a cheap man's dream - a tasty noodle dish that in its simplest form costs about 75 cents. As you add extras, like the fried egg and fish cake below, it gets a bit costlier - about 2 bucks. I'll type that again - two US dollars! I'm excited all over again - so cheap yet so delicious.

Blé Sucré - Paris

Pssssssssst, I Got That Sweet Wheat
Google translate - you fail me, I'm sure there's a more streetwise translation for Blé Sucré. Not to worry fiends, the photo of their coffee eclair translates primally. My cavities hurt when I gazed at it but I didn't care, I had to have it. You know what I'm talking bout. I'm addicted!

Crêperie Bretonne Fleurie - Paris

Would You Eat This?
What is it, you ask? Well, my good friend, it's a galette with lardons and onions on the inside and mushrooms and egg on the outside. What's a galette? And what's a lardon? You sure are full of questions, aren't you? First, I have a question for you.....

Le Moulin de la Vierge - Paris

Sucker for the Old School
I love classic, ornate Parisian patisseries. They transport you back a hundred years with their dark wood, low lighting and painted tile ceilings. Le Moulin de la Vierge is a particularly good example - if you catch just an eye-sliver of it from the street you're bound to come in for a peek. I noticed it while walking down rue St-Dominique on my way to Jean Millet.