Further down Soi Ari 1, just before the rufous-hued Noble RE:D condominium, is the hole-in-the-wall crêperie that you (and later, I) have come to love and frequent.
The sliding windows; the pair of flat, circular planchas; the tiny fan on the side to cool down finished crêpes to crisp them faster – the production process at Phumjai Crêpe is part of the appeal.
Not to mention the delicious aroma as the thinly spread batter begins to cook.
The menu tempts us with more options than we can fathom. Do we want sweet or savoury, to begin with? Or both?
The savoury flavours roll off the tongue with relish: Mac & Cheese, Taco Beef, Mozzarella Tuna, Chilli Paste with Shredded Pork, Ham Salad and Pizza Mushroom. The simply named Tokyo Crêpe has egg, sausage and pork – who knew the Japanese were so big on animal protein that didn’t come from the sea?
On the sweeter side, there is Nutella Almond, crunchy Ovomaltine with Marshmallows, Green Tea spread with Koko Crunch, Milo Banana with added condensed milk and cornflakes, and Peanut Butter with Sweet Egg Floss.
Peanut butter is what catches your eye, of course, but you want it with sliced bananas. This is what you always order. I want the same, but with added Nutella. (I’m greedy.)
They usually use Skippy Superchunk, the blue lid proclaiming the spread’s crunchy nuttiness from a mile away. The way the staff would slice the banana, chipping away with elegant efficiency is mesmerising.
The best part, of course, is when they hand over the cooled and now crispy crêpes. We take a tiny bite, then two, and before we even reach our condo, the crêpes are all gone. More next time, please.