The Place
Brasston, a vegan and gluten-free dessert shop with a secret (which we’ll get to later), occupies a prime spot along the Pearl River in Haizhu District. Its large windows in front are perfect for people watching or taking in views of the charming riverside promenade across the street.
Named in part after ‘brass,’ which cofounder Tsui Chong describes as a “pretty yet low-profile material" used to make everything from instruments (he loves jazz) to wires ("they connect things, like we do people"), Brasston strives to be 'subtly chic,' i.e. the opposite of tuhao gold.
Its founders are vegetarians who care deeply for animals and try to connect that passion with their work. During the next Chinese Valentine’s Day (the Qixi Festival) in August, for example, Brasston will be selling boxes of chocolates with a romantic gift, the proceeds of which will be used to help stray animals in Guangzhou.
Pets aren’t only welcome at Brasston – in the future they may even enjoy a menu of their own.
The Food
While the theme of the cafe (brass, jazz, animals) feels a bit random, the menu is reassuringly focused. Every item uses all natural ingredients and is free of gluten, dairy and sugar – white sugar, that is. But sweet additions like Canadian maple syrup, dates and coconut milk ensure the desserts still taste like desserts.
The rainbow stone cake (RMB48/slice), made with cashews, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, dates, maple syrup, coconut milk, coconut oil, mango, lemon juice and sea salt, is tangy and refreshing – like lemon meringue pie sans the sugary filling and rich butter crust. The presentation is pretty awesome too:
If you're not into dessert, give the fruity beverages a try. Rainy days call for the Sunny Smoothie (RMB50), made with a blend of mango, banana and coconut milk topped with fresh raspberry puree (pictured below).
The Vibe
Though its pastel exterior now primarily attracts ladies for afternoon tea, Brasston’s vibe can only be fully expressed by divulging its secret: a concealed door that leads into a gallery featuring interactive installation art and then – wait for it – a colossal bar.
The 'secret' door
Interactive installation art
Use these guns to spray-paint your name on wooden boards in Brasston's latest art installment
Brasston's bar, still in the works
Open in late June, the bar will see a DJ and mixologist working side-by-side in an animated spectacle; one mixing tracks, the other drinks. A stage is reserved for live music.
Stay tuned for a review or go check the place out for yourself. It’s well worth the cab fare to Haizhu.
Price: RMB50
Who’s going: ladies, Sebastian (La La Land)
Good for: vegan and gluten-free desserts, Wi-Fi with a built-in VPN
[Photos by Jocelyn Richards]
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