conversation: Breakfast, the food and coffee.
If you live in Hong Kong, you will not be a stranger towards the term 茶餐廳 (English literal translation: tea meal room). The food provided here in Mo-Ikken Cafe is similar to that of a 茶餐廳 but with a higher price tag to account for the more comfortable seating and the presentation of the dishes. The restaurant is well-lit, decorated with ceiling fans and spacious seating. Staff greet you just as you enter, and although it is not extraordinary service they are efficient and friendly.
Having been to this cafe several times for breakfast and lunch, I had a good impression of their breakfast items but not so much for lunch. The problem with eating breakfast here is that it ends at 11:30am. Having to get dressed and travel to this cafe is a tough ordeal in the morning since I have been very lazy lately. Although lunch is inclusive of soup and a drink, it is nothing special. The regular dishes include baked rice and/or spaghetti, fried rice and curry with rice. If possible, we usually try to avoid coming in later than 11am to make sure we can have breakfast.Their Horlicks were a good indication of their skills in frothing milk (yum) and after realising that they advertised their cappuccinos as a recommendation and with their impressive bar and steamer on display, I decided to try it this time.
I had a Ice & Fire Pineapple Style Bread (HKD$15) and a cappuccino, regular, HKD$22. Everyone else had a breakfast meal, HKD$26 - $29.
Breakfasts are a set with an additional coffee or tea with extra charges according to the type of drink you want to change it to. Unfortunately, espresso drinks are not included and have to be ordered separately. Consisting of the typical Chinese breakfasts (macaroni pasta, sandwiches and Chinese noodles) there are also sets that include scrambled or fried eggs with your choice of proteins (ham, bacon, sausages), there is even a healthy option of oats.Altogether, it is a very hearty meal and the previous times I had breakfast here, I was full until dinner (didn't finish most of the stuff as well).
I did not really understand the Ice & Fire Pineapple Style Bread. Was the slice of butter (too much) the "ice" part and the fact that the bread had been pan-fried the "fire" part? I assume so, considering I found nothing else special about it. Although filling, the butter and oil from frying the bread made me feel very heavy and ew.
Back on to the main point: the cappuccino.
Sorry, let me rephrase: what cappuccino? Whilst watching the manager (she was wearing a different coloured shirt) making the espresso, I realised there was no coffee grinder and that she was directly tamping (previously?) ground coffee into the group handle and fitting into the machine. I wait a couple of seconds expecting the espresso to slowly stream out, but saw nothing.When I pulled shots (the little times I did) at work, everyone kept reminding me to start the extraction within 3-seconds of putting the group handle into the machine. This is because any time spent longer in the machine would cause the ground coffee to burn and make the espresso bitter.
You can imagine my horror and confusion when I did not see any espresso streaming out of the handle. The manager then began to froth the milk. This was a reminder to me of exactly how much I still need to learn as the screeching of the milk and steamer brought me back to the times when I was on the verge of tears just trying to get my milk to begin a whirlpool. She attempted to steam the milk twice before pulling the espresso shot and then serving the cappuccino to me.
The above picture shows the difference in the espresso coffee (right) and regular Hong Kong style coffee (left). Apart from the presentation, I did not see any difference. Suffice to say, I was very disappointed. Despite the lack of froth and chocolate powder on top, I was surprised to find that the coffee itself was smooth and velvety. I was expecting incredibly bitter coffee but found that even without sugar, the coffee was still drinkable and did not taste burnt at all. Why? What happened??? I'm confused!
The Mo-Ikken Cafe, in Chinese is called 又一間餐室, meaning "just another restaurant store", plays on the fact that there are so many similar cafes and restaurants around. Although many of the other stores do not require a 10% service charge, they do not provide any particular any service to warrant such charge. However, one of the great things is that with the level of service received in Mo-Ikken Cafe and their presentation, they do not include a 10% service charge with the meal as well. Score.Paying $22 for a cup of coffee similar to the filtered one included with the meal was a huge disappointment especially with it being highly recommended. Even though it tasted fine, the lack of foam and presentation (there was coffee spilt on the sides) was just, not good.
Rarely ever empty during breakfast, lunch or even afternoon tea. This is definitely just another one of those restaurants... But different as well. I would return, for breakfast and their Horlicks and stocking tea. But not for their espresso coffees.
address: Shop G08 ,1 Po Lun Street,Manhattan Hill Plaza, Lai Chi Kok.
荔枝角寶輪街1號曼克頓山商場(曼坊)G08舖地下
phone: 2886 8778
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