Happiness on a stick

When the pop-up Magnum Cafe opened at the newly refurbished Siam Center early this year, it was an instant success, drawing so many hungry customers that the queue stretched round the shopping centre’s first floor.

The sighs of sadness that came with its closing on May 31 were replaced four days later by squeals of happiness, as a new incarnation of the popular eatery opened in its place. Magnum the Chocolatier, as the pop-up is now known, will be able until August 18 but fans shouldn’t hope for any extension. This is, say the big bosses at Unilever, the restaurant’s final fling.

The new interior design ties in with the launch of the two latest Magnum flavours, chocolate brownie and chocolate & strawberry, with the 300-square-metre area taking on the aura of a European patisserie. The previous dark chocolate tone is given a colourful vibe with the addition of purple, red and cream seats. 

Despite the pop-up concept, this is a real restaurant built with attention to detail. The Bangkok venue is the fifth and latest Magnum pop-up store and follows on successes in London, Paris, Edinburg and Jakarta. The previous menu featuring Thai and European fusion has been changed and offers more than 30 new French dishes and desserts with chocolate, brownies and strawberries as the main ingredients to bring out the character of the new ice cream flavours. Chef Samual Edward Wickson – or Sam as he prefers to be called – is still in place and he’s busy creating both savoury and sweet treats. 

Right at the entrance is the brownie and strawberry bar furnished with a counter and high chairs and a great place for pleasure seekers to enjoy a wide selection of desserts. Unsurprisingly, the best seller is the Chocolate Fondue Set (Bt360), offering a bowl of rich melted chocolate into which you dip brownies, medium-size fresh strawberries and spongy marshmallows. Topping options dried coconut, chilli flakes, corn flakes and sea salt but for those who simply cannot choose, Sam recommends the house favourites - crunched pistachio, marshmallow and red velvet crumble. 

“Our brownie is moist inside and crispy on top, so it will match both Western and Thai taste. Western brownies are sticky and chewy inside and crunchy on top but Thais prefer a more cake-like style,” says Sam. 

 

 

Another mouth-watering treat is Meringue Berry (Bt160), a fluffy strawberry meringue served with magnum strawberry bar and dressed with dark chocolate and lemon sauces. Equally delicious is the Macaron Mess (Bt280) with its layers of strawberry ice cream, ice cream-filled macaroons, fresh strawberries and marshmallows topped with dark chocolate sauce. The Mini Chocolatier (Bt80) offers lighter fare, featuring a Magnum brownie stick (or strawberry flavour) served with your choice of two pieces from the chocolatier selection made with brownie and strawberry. 

Sam has kept two favourite orders from the old menu: Green Tea Stogie (Bt160),a hickory bark smoke brownie served with a Magnum vanilla stick dusted with green tea powder, and Chocolate Implosion (Bt290), a chocolate egg filled with red velvet cake and almond sauce served with a Magnum vanilla bar and icing-covered fruits.

Fifteen new French dishes are up for grabs and range from salad nicoise, croissant francaise, jambon, bouillabaisse and steak diane. For a snack, order the Croque Madame (Bt190) – egg, ham and cheese in bechamel sauce served with fresh salad. Meat lovers with enjoy the Boeuf Bourguignon (Bt290), a slow-cooked beef stew served with champignon mushroom and crispy dumplings dressed with parsley. The classic dish of Duck Confit (Bt360) is also offered with the crispy duck drumstick served with garlic sausage, bacon and lima beans.

The drink menu remains unchanged with a selection of smoothies, mocktails, spirits and cocktails. If you don’t want alcohol, opt for the Summer Tango (Bt120) – an almond Magnum smoothie blended with fresh mango and dark chocolate chip. Or get a kick from Bittersweet Addiction (Bt220) a blend of campari, grapefruit juice, lemon squeeze, syrup and sparkling wine.

  

SWEET TREATS

>> Magnum the Chocolatier is on the first floor of Siam Center and open daily from 10 to 10 until August 18. Call (02) 252 9871.