A quaint cafe

At first, it was difficult to pinpoint the true nature of this small, bright and flowery place - it sells alcohol, paintings, furniture and flowers. As a new hangout at the serene Baan Silom complex near the busy business district, My Secret Love offers an al fresco pleasure for those looking for a chill-out experience like no other.

Here, you can wind down at one of the relaxing tables, enjoying a cup of good coffee with homemade sandwiches. Those who fancy a glass of chilled beer and a plate of spicy Thai salad can order such items at anytime of the day. Also, if you are in a mood for a chilled glass of wine with a hearty late breakfast, this is the place to be, too.

"And these pieces of furniture, paintings, as well as some decorative items are also for sale as well," cheerfully explains the owner Walailak Khenkum, or Jim, who created this place about four months ago.

"Many people ask what kind of store I am running because it does not exactly fall into any specific category. It can be a cafe, a restaurant, a bar or an art gallery. To be honest, it is a place that sells everything that I love in my life, all in one place."

A keen businesswoman, Jim has a lot of experience in many industries, from furniture and interior decorations to fabric designs and restaurants. She also runs a flower shop, Scent of Flowers, on Sukhumvit Soi 24, where she applies her artistic senses to create expressive bouquets in a private and cosy atmosphere.

My Secret Love is her latest creation. It is where you can come and enjoy her chosen music (mostly adapted and covered jazz tunes and songs of some famous Thai oldies singers such as Srisalai Suchatwut), cold beers and some selected dishes Jim prepares for herself. Painted in bright yellow from floor to ceiling, the place is adorned with bright flowery things from the tablecloths to oversized paintings, two chandeliers, many pieces of antique-style wooden furniture, and folding red partitions made out of steel, wood and cotton. At the back, selected bottles of whisky, wines, spirits and liquors line the shelves - some are the house's while the rest are the customers'.

My Secret Love's menu is small, but covers tea and coffee served hot and cold. Jim uses special Arabica coffee beans from her brother's coffee plantation on Doi Saket, Chiang Mai, to ensure the smooth taste of the coffee-based drinks here. Also, for those looking for something cold, you can order a glass of fresh green apple juice (Bt60), iced coffee (Bt60) or a bowl of homemade mandarin orange in syrup (Bt60).

Those in a mellower mood, can also order a chilled glass of beer (Bt65) and snack on it with a plate of side dishes like spicy deep-fried fish green apple salad (Bt80). This tasty salad is refreshing and best when eaten right away from the kitchen for the fish can get soggy if it sits out for too long.

There are some more options for those looking for some snacks while spending your leisure time here such as a plate of tuna crackers (Bt20), ham and cheese or tuna sandwiches (Bt70) which go very well with a glass of chilled wines (Bt280). Jim's selections of wines change regularly, depending on what she can find during that time.

"I offer my guests a place where they can slow down and be with themselves," explains Jim, who also plans to open a small boutique hotel at Baan Silom complex soon. "I used to be hot-tempered and all, but I now realise there's a fine line between the state bursting all emotions out immediately and the state of letting things go and taking the time to think things through carefully. I have now chosen to slow down and I hope my place can offer my guests a place to do so and take more time to enjoy life in a deeper stage, too."

My Secret Love

Baan Silom Project

(near Silom Soi 19)

Monday to Saturday, 10am to 9pm (081) 961 6453

Parking available in the area.

Sirin P Wongpanit  

The writer can be reached at saleewong@gmail.com.