This eatery is an oddity, pure and simple, from its slightly out of the way location to the eclectic décor. It’s certainly a cute spot for a girly lunch thanks to the antique furniture (much of which is for sale) and a ceiling festooned with everything from pieces of fern to hanging heart shaped lanterns. Even the bright little conservatory is bedecked in floral lights and filled with hearts in picture frames. Some would say sweet, some would say over the top. You could imagine My Collection sitting quite happily on Thonglor, not lost in the heart of embassy land. Still its location probably explains the European touches on the menu and the fact that it’s only open for lunch during the week. Matching the warm atmosphere, the service is certainly attentive and friendly, even if the food itself is mostly disappointing. Appetizers include plenty of bite-sized dishes like salmon rolls, pieces of smoked salmon wrapped around sprigs of asparagus. It would be uninspiring if it weren’t for the excellent spicy sauce they give as a side. The rocket salad is OK, if a little tired, but we would prefer more than three small shavings of parmesan. Moving quickly onto mains, (very quickly last time we were there as we hadn’t finished our starters), the choice is clear: spaghetti or meat. The beef stew with spaghetti combines both but while tasty the meat was a little tough and the sauce rather sweet. Unfortunately, the Bolognese suffers a similar fate thanks to an overkill of carrots. The pasta itself is your usual cheap, non-al dente, pre-cooked variety. The sweet theme continues to the dessert menu. The apple crumble certainly looks sweet, especially the small side jug of custard. The topping is superb but is let down by too much cinnamon and a bland custard. The trifle is better but you need to be a sugar fiend to cope with the layers of sweet sponge, custard and cream. Indeed that probably sums up My Collection, one for ladies who lunch and not for the sugar intolerant. A final word of warning, save any embarrassment and take cash, there’s a charge for using your credit card and they don’t accept debit cards. Corkage B300.
