The buzz: After closing for a few months, Asoke’s beloved Chu is back with a new space on Sukhumvit Soi 31 and now serves a small-but-excellent selection of wines until late.  

 

The vibe: Forget the cramped office building—sorry for your loss, Exchange Tower—this veteran cafe is now blessed with a larger space complete with its own pet-friendly garden. Head there in the morning to get your breakfast fix or go after 5pm where the cafe transforms into a fluorescent nightlife hang.

 

The food: Fans of the old Chu will notice that most of the all-time favorites remain here—think eggs benedict with Sloan’s back bacon (B300) and the smashed avocado toast (B320). Though you can still order these breakfast dishes afterdark, their pasta dishes are commendable; try their spaghetti with fresh burrata (B360) or the poached egg and bacon carbonara (B260). Those with a sweet tooth can enjoy their Belgian waffles (B240) topped with banana, chocolate chips, salted caramel whipped cream, and dark chocolate gelato.

 

The drinks: For the record, we still think their creamy, velvety dark hot chocolate is still arguably one of the best in town. But with their revamped menu, the innocent young cafe has matured into a little drinking spot complete with cocktails and interesting wine labels, like the biodynamic Fritz Wieninger Wiener Grüner Veltliner 2018 from Austria (B1,700), a pleasant, floral bottle perfect for day-drinking. 

Why we’d come back: It’s no mystery why Chu has gathered loyal customers over the years, with their decadent desserts and crowd-pleasing all-day breakfast dishes. Now that they serve alcoholic beverages—and wine—you might have another spot for day-drinking in Phrom Phong.