Forgive me as I try to put my thoughts down on less than 20% of battery on my iPod Touch.
Dear Hong Kong,
Hey, it's been a fun three months (despite unemployment) and at least I can say that I've had a real holiday. I've had time to relax, catch up with friends and generally enjoy life. As I sit here in the Hong Kong International Airport terminal, I find myself a little teary-eyed as I think of the things I've done this holiday.
It's always sad to leave but I guess it'll just make returning that much more exciting. Excuse me as I become sentimental here but this blog has helped me reconnect with people that I would have maybe not been able to. It has given me a goal and a purpose for my otherwise very boring holiday. It's always fun to go out and eat with friends but being so indecisive, a simple task like picking out a restaurant would have turned into a debate of who was going to choose the cuisine and then choose where to go. So, thanks for making the choice a little easier.
Now that the time has come to leave, I'm a little weary of how this blogging thing is going to work out with studying and working added into the mix. With that I just want to say that I will do my best and I will forever evaluate almost every restaurant and cafe I ever go to.
Friends, family and Hong Kong: Thanks for joining me on my adventures, we'll see each other very soon. Take care and stay cool.
February 25, 2010
February 21, 2010
#022, united cafe bistro, 190210
company: SOS
conversation: University, relationships and life.
Looking into the window as we walked by I saw that the entire store was full. The store looked a lot like a bistro with people on their laptops (free WiFi) and sofas by the window to enjoy a book. Nevertheless, we went in hoping a table would be free and were taken up to a second floor! I was shocked. Once upstairs, we were greeted with a quietness that was different from the buzz downstairs.
Sitting down, I noticed they used warm colours creating a natural theme such as green, brown and yellow. One of the walls was entirely covered by a picture of a cute kid each a biscuit with crumbs all over his face. Aww. Apart from the odd picture of cute babies every now and again, you could say that the interior was relatively empty yet simple.
As we met up around 2:30pm, the afternoon tea sets were available. Prices ranged between HKD$28 - $50 with savoury and sweet food items to choose from with a drink inclusive (plus 10%). There were many espresso coffee varieties to choose from, even an Aroma Banana Caffe which I thought sounded very interesting. Pizza ($70 - $100), pasta ($48 - $78) and salads ($38 - $88) were all available on the a la carte menu which I thought that more than enough.
With about 30 available seats on the second floor, I was unable to count exactly how many were on the ground.
I had a United chocolate cake and cappuccino, HKD$39. He had a pan-fried tuna and cheese sandwich and iced lemon tea, HKD$48. All plus 10%.
I realise I didn't take as many photos as I usually do, too busy catching up!
My cappuccino arrived with a distinct aroma of cinnamon which surprised me as I have never tried it with cinnamon. Although it smelt very nice and relaxing, it managed to cover up any aroma the espresso had released. Whilst the smell reminded me of a Chai tea, it was the espresso smell I was looking for.
The foam was done well, and was creamy although I do think that if I had ordered the cappuccino on it's own at $24, it would be too small. I tasted the espresso which was strong and slightly bitter but was thrown off-track with the additional cinnamon (maybe I just have to get used to it). Overall, a good, if small, cappuccino.
My chocolate cake that arrived first looked very compressed and homemade (not saying that homemade stuff is going to always look like that). It also looked a little like a brownie and when tasted, seemed dense like a brownie too. The presentation of the chocolate sauce made the entire plate look more upscale and I think a strawberry on the side would have brought more colour to the plate.
I was happy to find that the cake was not as sweet as it looks. The density of the cake was enough to make me full for afternoon tea and by the time I got home, I was too full to eat dinner.
SOS' sandwich looked rather flat and did not look like there was any filling inside. But whilst cutting into it, it seemed crunchy and according to SOS, it was good. The salad on the side was also appetising as it had dressing (balsamic vinaigrette?), which always makes a salad more enjoyable.
Well, what can I say about the iced lemon tea? Just your standard Chinese/Hong Kong 凍檸檬茶 which according to SOS is different from Japanese 凍檸檬茶. Hmm, interesting.
United Cafe Bistro is a surprising find in the less-visited area of Jordan. What I realised whilst leaving, is that it is Christian: I saw Bibles on the bookshelves and several Christian religion based books as well as quotes from passages written along the walls and on pictures. Although a restaurant in itself, this was an additional characteristic given to the store.
I do have to point out here that all the waitresses and people working behind the counter were efficient, friendly and not in-your-way. Whilst we were leaving, I think every single one of them said goodbye.
The varieties of espresso coffees was interesting to see, with a blurb about coffee on their "Espresso Menu". Although I do have to admit that I did not have high expectations about the place, their cappuccino was a pleasant surprise.
Overall, I would like to try more of their dishes as the prices seem quite affordable and the environment of the place is relaxing and seems quite popular. Maybe a little hard to find if you're just randomly walking around, but a glance at a map and with the address in hand, it was not all that hard to find for us.
address: 268 Temple Street, Jordan.
佐敦廟街268號
phone: 2730 9622
conversation: University, relationships and life.
Looking into the window as we walked by I saw that the entire store was full. The store looked a lot like a bistro with people on their laptops (free WiFi) and sofas by the window to enjoy a book. Nevertheless, we went in hoping a table would be free and were taken up to a second floor! I was shocked. Once upstairs, we were greeted with a quietness that was different from the buzz downstairs.
Sitting down, I noticed they used warm colours creating a natural theme such as green, brown and yellow. One of the walls was entirely covered by a picture of a cute kid each a biscuit with crumbs all over his face. Aww. Apart from the odd picture of cute babies every now and again, you could say that the interior was relatively empty yet simple.
As we met up around 2:30pm, the afternoon tea sets were available. Prices ranged between HKD$28 - $50 with savoury and sweet food items to choose from with a drink inclusive (plus 10%). There were many espresso coffee varieties to choose from, even an Aroma Banana Caffe which I thought sounded very interesting. Pizza ($70 - $100), pasta ($48 - $78) and salads ($38 - $88) were all available on the a la carte menu which I thought that more than enough.
With about 30 available seats on the second floor, I was unable to count exactly how many were on the ground.
I had a United chocolate cake and cappuccino, HKD$39. He had a pan-fried tuna and cheese sandwich and iced lemon tea, HKD$48. All plus 10%.
I realise I didn't take as many photos as I usually do, too busy catching up!
My cappuccino arrived with a distinct aroma of cinnamon which surprised me as I have never tried it with cinnamon. Although it smelt very nice and relaxing, it managed to cover up any aroma the espresso had released. Whilst the smell reminded me of a Chai tea, it was the espresso smell I was looking for.The foam was done well, and was creamy although I do think that if I had ordered the cappuccino on it's own at $24, it would be too small. I tasted the espresso which was strong and slightly bitter but was thrown off-track with the additional cinnamon (maybe I just have to get used to it). Overall, a good, if small, cappuccino.
My chocolate cake that arrived first looked very compressed and homemade (not saying that homemade stuff is going to always look like that). It also looked a little like a brownie and when tasted, seemed dense like a brownie too. The presentation of the chocolate sauce made the entire plate look more upscale and I think a strawberry on the side would have brought more colour to the plate.I was happy to find that the cake was not as sweet as it looks. The density of the cake was enough to make me full for afternoon tea and by the time I got home, I was too full to eat dinner.
SOS' sandwich looked rather flat and did not look like there was any filling inside. But whilst cutting into it, it seemed crunchy and according to SOS, it was good. The salad on the side was also appetising as it had dressing (balsamic vinaigrette?), which always makes a salad more enjoyable.Well, what can I say about the iced lemon tea? Just your standard Chinese/Hong Kong 凍檸檬茶 which according to SOS is different from Japanese 凍檸檬茶. Hmm, interesting.
United Cafe Bistro is a surprising find in the less-visited area of Jordan. What I realised whilst leaving, is that it is Christian: I saw Bibles on the bookshelves and several Christian religion based books as well as quotes from passages written along the walls and on pictures. Although a restaurant in itself, this was an additional characteristic given to the store.
I do have to point out here that all the waitresses and people working behind the counter were efficient, friendly and not in-your-way. Whilst we were leaving, I think every single one of them said goodbye.
The varieties of espresso coffees was interesting to see, with a blurb about coffee on their "Espresso Menu". Although I do have to admit that I did not have high expectations about the place, their cappuccino was a pleasant surprise.Overall, I would like to try more of their dishes as the prices seem quite affordable and the environment of the place is relaxing and seems quite popular. Maybe a little hard to find if you're just randomly walking around, but a glance at a map and with the address in hand, it was not all that hard to find for us.
address: 268 Temple Street, Jordan.
佐敦廟街268號
phone: 2730 9622
February 20, 2010
#021, simplylife bread & wine, 180210
company: Dad, Mum and G
conversation: Chinese, cameras, inspiration and coffee.
I've walked by this restaurant plenty of times so this was not much of a coffee adventure rather than a desire to try it out. Having tried Simplylife Bakery Cafe in Festival Walk (Kowloon Tong) several years ago and recently witnessing its increased popularity (there is a line every time I walk by), my expectations were relatively high. Now, I have to admit that I already had a good impression of the restaurant due to an impromptu interview with the manager who was professional and friendly.
There are two parts to the store: a cafe/bakery using trays and take-away items and a restaurant with an a la carte menu and table service. As we were in the area during the afternoon, a full-on meal was not needed but rather a comfortable place to sit and have something small to eat.
Walking in to order, you were greeted by an actual bakery. Breads to your left, a wine cabinet to your right and sweet and savoury pastries in front of you. The varieties of danishes were endless; strawberry, blueberry, pineapple, apple, pear, chocolate, coffee, salmon and cheese, cinnamon, to name just a few on the top of my head, all HKD$14 each.
Also available were soups ($35), sandwiches ($32 - $42) and salads ($42 - $62). As you can see, even ordering a sandwich and juice ($28) or smoothie ($32) together could create an on-the-go lunch rather than sitting inside the restaurant.
Seating approximately 40 only just within the cafe area, we found it quite hard to find a table and seats as there were many people. The restaurant extended further from the entrance promising even more seats to provide spacious and comfortable seating for diners. There was not much need for any decoration on the walls to keep with their "simple" decor and especially since there was this spectacular view of the harbour and Kowloon-side with their panoramic ceiling-to-floor window allowing natural light.
I had a toffee latte, large, HKD$30 and a strawberry danish, HKD$14. Dad had a coffee with milk, large, HKD$28 and a chocolate danish, HKD$14. Mum had a cappuccino, large, HKD$30 with an apple danish, HKD$14. G had a peach tea, HKD$22.
Whilst I am all for saving the environment and using ceramic cups instead of paper ones, these paper cups were way too cute to turn away. Maybe it's just me but I thought it was a creative and fun twist to the regular font and original layout of other coffee stores.
As I was watching the barista froth the milk, he spilt a little on his hand, ouch. I remember reading a blog a while ago where this barista was telling stories of crazy customers: This one customer wanted their takeaway coffee to be a certain scalding temperature. After receiving it, they took a sip and threw it at the barista because it wasn't hot enough! Let it be known that the temperature was way above "hot", can you imagine the pain? Maybe we have to start thinking of some OH&S regulations regarding to the steaming of milk.
As morbid as it sounds, the barista's pain was our warm and yummy beverage. Lifting the plastic lid off my toffee latte was like Easter (next holiday) come early, the first whiff was full of toffee with a hint of espresso. Inspecting the froth resulted in a thin layer of foam which was creamy and thick. Hot to the touch, the toffee flavour was not overpowering of the espresso that was strong and pungent.
Maybe it was a cold day but I thought it was really, really good.
I returned a couple of days ago and had a caramel latte, it was not as good as the toffee as the caramel was a little strong but it was still creamy and velvety in texture.
My strawberry danish look pretty and tasted just as good. The pastry was light, fluffy and melted in your mouth. The strawberries on top were sweet and the little blob of cream cheese hidden inside was a nice surprise. Having tried a blueberry danish and chocolate danish on other visits, I can safely say that all their pastries consistently live up to standards and are so yummy that I am craving for one right now.
I smelt G's peach tea first before even reaching the table. Even though it was from a teabag, it smelt sweet and fruity. I imagined it would taste like Snapple... But it didn't. It tasted just like tea and even when G put sugar in, it just tasted like sweet tea. Oh well!
Both the cappuccino and regular coffee were hot and aromatic. Mum said that the cappuccino has been one of the better ones she's had in Hong Kong; a deep foam with a creamy espresso. Dad's regular coffee was strong and just as creamy even though I'm not really sure if they used steamed milk.
Simplylife Bread and Wine is a part of the Maxim's franchise which also includes Starbucks. I guess if you knew that when dining, comparisons would inevitably be made (as seen in a lot of reviews from Open Rice). There are many similarities between both coffee shops with the comfy couches, sandwiches and salads, but what makes Simplylife different is their pastries and focus on bread as well as their process in making coffee. Although with significantly less beverages to choose from, there is less stress on quantity as I assume they don't need to fulfill a quota and can fall back on revenue from the restaurant.
I guess I just haven't eaten a lot of good pastries as of yet, so this is definitely a recommendation from me. Seating is comfortable, prices are affordable and there is a range of food items and beverages to suit everyone. Since my initial visit, I have already returned twice. I guess that says quite a bit, hey?
Overall, whether you want to buy these pastries to takeaway or have them whilst enjoying the view, you will be pleasantly surprised. KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) is something I got from this experience: focusing on quality and doing a few things perfectly can sometimes go a very long way. Well done.
address: IFC (International Financial Centre), Store 1081, Central.
中環港景街1號國際金融中心商場2期 1樓1081號舖
(They also have outlets in Festival Walk and Tai Koo)
phone: 2234 7356
conversation: Chinese, cameras, inspiration and coffee.
I've walked by this restaurant plenty of times so this was not much of a coffee adventure rather than a desire to try it out. Having tried Simplylife Bakery Cafe in Festival Walk (Kowloon Tong) several years ago and recently witnessing its increased popularity (there is a line every time I walk by), my expectations were relatively high. Now, I have to admit that I already had a good impression of the restaurant due to an impromptu interview with the manager who was professional and friendly.
There are two parts to the store: a cafe/bakery using trays and take-away items and a restaurant with an a la carte menu and table service. As we were in the area during the afternoon, a full-on meal was not needed but rather a comfortable place to sit and have something small to eat.Walking in to order, you were greeted by an actual bakery. Breads to your left, a wine cabinet to your right and sweet and savoury pastries in front of you. The varieties of danishes were endless; strawberry, blueberry, pineapple, apple, pear, chocolate, coffee, salmon and cheese, cinnamon, to name just a few on the top of my head, all HKD$14 each.
Also available were soups ($35), sandwiches ($32 - $42) and salads ($42 - $62). As you can see, even ordering a sandwich and juice ($28) or smoothie ($32) together could create an on-the-go lunch rather than sitting inside the restaurant.
Seating approximately 40 only just within the cafe area, we found it quite hard to find a table and seats as there were many people. The restaurant extended further from the entrance promising even more seats to provide spacious and comfortable seating for diners. There was not much need for any decoration on the walls to keep with their "simple" decor and especially since there was this spectacular view of the harbour and Kowloon-side with their panoramic ceiling-to-floor window allowing natural light.I had a toffee latte, large, HKD$30 and a strawberry danish, HKD$14. Dad had a coffee with milk, large, HKD$28 and a chocolate danish, HKD$14. Mum had a cappuccino, large, HKD$30 with an apple danish, HKD$14. G had a peach tea, HKD$22.
Whilst I am all for saving the environment and using ceramic cups instead of paper ones, these paper cups were way too cute to turn away. Maybe it's just me but I thought it was a creative and fun twist to the regular font and original layout of other coffee stores.As I was watching the barista froth the milk, he spilt a little on his hand, ouch. I remember reading a blog a while ago where this barista was telling stories of crazy customers: This one customer wanted their takeaway coffee to be a certain scalding temperature. After receiving it, they took a sip and threw it at the barista because it wasn't hot enough! Let it be known that the temperature was way above "hot", can you imagine the pain? Maybe we have to start thinking of some OH&S regulations regarding to the steaming of milk.
As morbid as it sounds, the barista's pain was our warm and yummy beverage. Lifting the plastic lid off my toffee latte was like Easter (next holiday) come early, the first whiff was full of toffee with a hint of espresso. Inspecting the froth resulted in a thin layer of foam which was creamy and thick. Hot to the touch, the toffee flavour was not overpowering of the espresso that was strong and pungent.Maybe it was a cold day but I thought it was really, really good.
I returned a couple of days ago and had a caramel latte, it was not as good as the toffee as the caramel was a little strong but it was still creamy and velvety in texture.
My strawberry danish look pretty and tasted just as good. The pastry was light, fluffy and melted in your mouth. The strawberries on top were sweet and the little blob of cream cheese hidden inside was a nice surprise. Having tried a blueberry danish and chocolate danish on other visits, I can safely say that all their pastries consistently live up to standards and are so yummy that I am craving for one right now.I smelt G's peach tea first before even reaching the table. Even though it was from a teabag, it smelt sweet and fruity. I imagined it would taste like Snapple... But it didn't. It tasted just like tea and even when G put sugar in, it just tasted like sweet tea. Oh well!
Both the cappuccino and regular coffee were hot and aromatic. Mum said that the cappuccino has been one of the better ones she's had in Hong Kong; a deep foam with a creamy espresso. Dad's regular coffee was strong and just as creamy even though I'm not really sure if they used steamed milk.
Simplylife Bread and Wine is a part of the Maxim's franchise which also includes Starbucks. I guess if you knew that when dining, comparisons would inevitably be made (as seen in a lot of reviews from Open Rice). There are many similarities between both coffee shops with the comfy couches, sandwiches and salads, but what makes Simplylife different is their pastries and focus on bread as well as their process in making coffee. Although with significantly less beverages to choose from, there is less stress on quantity as I assume they don't need to fulfill a quota and can fall back on revenue from the restaurant.I guess I just haven't eaten a lot of good pastries as of yet, so this is definitely a recommendation from me. Seating is comfortable, prices are affordable and there is a range of food items and beverages to suit everyone. Since my initial visit, I have already returned twice. I guess that says quite a bit, hey?
Overall, whether you want to buy these pastries to takeaway or have them whilst enjoying the view, you will be pleasantly surprised. KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) is something I got from this experience: focusing on quality and doing a few things perfectly can sometimes go a very long way. Well done.
address: IFC (International Financial Centre), Store 1081, Central.
中環港景街1號國際金融中心商場2期 1樓1081號舖
(They also have outlets in Festival Walk and Tai Koo)
phone: 2234 7356
February 19, 2010
#020, fuel espresso, 140210
company: Dad, Mum and G
conversation: Macau, taking photos and coffee.
Before heading over to my relative's place for a Chinese New Year dinner with quite a bit of time to spare, a coffee adventure happened. Although within IFC (International Financial Centre), I only had a store number as reference and after weaving our way through the mall, we eventually stumbled upon a little quiet corner on the third floor.
Whilst looking at the drinks menu and their prices, something on the counter caught my eye. It was My Coffee Guide! What are the odds. Turns out Fuel Espresso is actually the first store recommended in the book. Seating is extended out into the mall to allow people-watching and maximise space. We looked for a place to sit, but even with approximately 32 seats (including bar stools further inside), they were all paired off, forcing us to have to move a table closer to create a four-seater.
With a small variety of beverages listed on their blackboard, they cover the basics in espresso coffee with hot and cold options available ranging from HKD$24 - $44. Cakes and cookies are also available for $16 - $25, indicating that this store specialises mostly in drinks rather than expanding into the food department (I guess that's what Soho is for).
The overall layout allowed patrons to order at a counter and have the staff deliver the drinks upon them being made. The sleek design and wall arrangements made the whole store look and feel stylish and modern. Even the staff looked really cool and trendy with their glass-less glasses and gelled hair, but they were nice and not intimidating at all.
The wall in the picture below was aligned with paper cups, water bottles and their tea selection. To serve the tea, I observed that they used antique teacups and pots and even had the tea leaf strainers.
Mum and I had a cappuccino, regular, HKD$36. Dad had a latte, regular, HKD$36. G had an iced chocolate, HKD$44.
On first inspection of the menu, I was quite surprised at the prices. As a student, prices like these make me hesitant to order (ahem, S Square Cafe). IFC (1 and 2) houses a mall, cinema and is Hong Kong's tallest office building with 88 floors. Gazillion-dollar-dealing business people working around the area or within the building must not think much about a 36 dollar coffee.
The cappuccinos and latte were made first and looked very promising. Whilst watching the barista froth, he may have put a bit too much milk in the jug causing some to splash and almost spill before he turned off the steam wand. When milk is heated or steamed, it expands as air is incorporated and the fat molecules help to keep them in place. So when initially steaming milk, room must be accounted for in the milk jug. But the result was a creamy froth and a good lookin' cappuccino.
What is different with this cappuccino is that instead of using chocolate powder, they use chocolate flakes. This creates a thin layer of melted chocolate on the surface, adding another flavour to the strong espresso. Although I enjoyed the chocolate dimension, my Mum did think it was a bit too sweet.
Whilst the froth was creamy, the chocolate was sweet, the espresso very aromatic and strong. The only thing that pulled it away from being a good cup of coffee was the fact that it was not hot enough. Boo. I think this was because while the barista was frothing the milk, he turned off the steam-wand too soon so as to not spill any more. This caused the milk to have a nice consistency but it did not have enough time to heat up to a good temperature. What a shame.
The latte was in a glass proportioned nicely. I found out from Felix that using a glass for lattes is an Australian (Sydney?) custom and it is only for aesthetic purposes with no difference to using ceramic. Question answered.
G's iced chocolate had a scoop of vanilla ice cream hidden inside. Yum. It was thick and had a strong taste of dark chocolate although she complained that it was slightly powdery. Like many of the thick iced beverages I have seen lately, I'm guessing this one was filling and heavy.
Fuel Espresso appears to be a more "up-and-go" type of coffee shop for the regular business person before going to work or attending a meeting. And whilst I imagined men and women in suits signing contracts and making deals, I could also see people chatting and reading books. There was a slow trickle of people even though stores were closed and no one was working. Mornings at this place must be super crazy busy!
Seating here is not exactly comfortable, the carpeted area was quite dirty (maybe a baby or kid sat here before we arrived) and the price was way above the usual espresso drink I have seen around that are of the same quality. If only the cappuccino was hotter I would have been able to overlook all of those flaws and recommend it to people and possibly even return.
There are certainly other coffee shops in IFC mall, and I'm betting they are not to be missed. But the consistency of the milk and the creaminess of the espresso is only found in well-trained barista skills and you will be sure to find it here (fingers crossed it is hot when you try it).
address: International Financial Centre, Shop 3023, Central.
中環港景街1號國際金融中心3023號舖
phone: 2295 3815
conversation: Macau, taking photos and coffee.
Before heading over to my relative's place for a Chinese New Year dinner with quite a bit of time to spare, a coffee adventure happened. Although within IFC (International Financial Centre), I only had a store number as reference and after weaving our way through the mall, we eventually stumbled upon a little quiet corner on the third floor.
Whilst looking at the drinks menu and their prices, something on the counter caught my eye. It was My Coffee Guide! What are the odds. Turns out Fuel Espresso is actually the first store recommended in the book. Seating is extended out into the mall to allow people-watching and maximise space. We looked for a place to sit, but even with approximately 32 seats (including bar stools further inside), they were all paired off, forcing us to have to move a table closer to create a four-seater.
With a small variety of beverages listed on their blackboard, they cover the basics in espresso coffee with hot and cold options available ranging from HKD$24 - $44. Cakes and cookies are also available for $16 - $25, indicating that this store specialises mostly in drinks rather than expanding into the food department (I guess that's what Soho is for).The overall layout allowed patrons to order at a counter and have the staff deliver the drinks upon them being made. The sleek design and wall arrangements made the whole store look and feel stylish and modern. Even the staff looked really cool and trendy with their glass-less glasses and gelled hair, but they were nice and not intimidating at all.
The wall in the picture below was aligned with paper cups, water bottles and their tea selection. To serve the tea, I observed that they used antique teacups and pots and even had the tea leaf strainers.
Mum and I had a cappuccino, regular, HKD$36. Dad had a latte, regular, HKD$36. G had an iced chocolate, HKD$44.
On first inspection of the menu, I was quite surprised at the prices. As a student, prices like these make me hesitant to order (ahem, S Square Cafe). IFC (1 and 2) houses a mall, cinema and is Hong Kong's tallest office building with 88 floors. Gazillion-dollar-dealing business people working around the area or within the building must not think much about a 36 dollar coffee.
The cappuccinos and latte were made first and looked very promising. Whilst watching the barista froth, he may have put a bit too much milk in the jug causing some to splash and almost spill before he turned off the steam wand. When milk is heated or steamed, it expands as air is incorporated and the fat molecules help to keep them in place. So when initially steaming milk, room must be accounted for in the milk jug. But the result was a creamy froth and a good lookin' cappuccino.What is different with this cappuccino is that instead of using chocolate powder, they use chocolate flakes. This creates a thin layer of melted chocolate on the surface, adding another flavour to the strong espresso. Although I enjoyed the chocolate dimension, my Mum did think it was a bit too sweet.
Whilst the froth was creamy, the chocolate was sweet, the espresso very aromatic and strong. The only thing that pulled it away from being a good cup of coffee was the fact that it was not hot enough. Boo. I think this was because while the barista was frothing the milk, he turned off the steam-wand too soon so as to not spill any more. This caused the milk to have a nice consistency but it did not have enough time to heat up to a good temperature. What a shame.The latte was in a glass proportioned nicely. I found out from Felix that using a glass for lattes is an Australian (Sydney?) custom and it is only for aesthetic purposes with no difference to using ceramic. Question answered.
G's iced chocolate had a scoop of vanilla ice cream hidden inside. Yum. It was thick and had a strong taste of dark chocolate although she complained that it was slightly powdery. Like many of the thick iced beverages I have seen lately, I'm guessing this one was filling and heavy.Fuel Espresso appears to be a more "up-and-go" type of coffee shop for the regular business person before going to work or attending a meeting. And whilst I imagined men and women in suits signing contracts and making deals, I could also see people chatting and reading books. There was a slow trickle of people even though stores were closed and no one was working. Mornings at this place must be super crazy busy!
Seating here is not exactly comfortable, the carpeted area was quite dirty (maybe a baby or kid sat here before we arrived) and the price was way above the usual espresso drink I have seen around that are of the same quality. If only the cappuccino was hotter I would have been able to overlook all of those flaws and recommend it to people and possibly even return.There are certainly other coffee shops in IFC mall, and I'm betting they are not to be missed. But the consistency of the milk and the creaminess of the espresso is only found in well-trained barista skills and you will be sure to find it here (fingers crossed it is hot when you try it).
address: International Financial Centre, Shop 3023, Central.
中環港景街1號國際金融中心3023號舖
phone: 2295 3815
February 16, 2010
#019, princess cafe & bistro, 120210
company: SO
conversation: University, catching up and life.
When looking for this store, I figured it would be easy to find as another coffee shop was on the same street. After 20 minutes of searching, we high-fived each other stumbling into an unknown area but finally seeing the store close by.
I counted exactly 9 seats in a small little room with three tables, a blackboard with meal prices, a corkboard with various pictures and a large refrigerated glass cupboard with cakes on each shelf. The chandelier hanging from the ceiling created an upper-class feel to enhance, I guess, their royalty interior. The place was smaller than I had imagined and if it were not for the lady that left, we would have been sitting on a smaller table squished in a corner.
We were handed several pieces of paper stapled in the corner which was our menu. Listed were several sandwich, omelette (HKD$38 - $45), instant noodle ($38) and dessert ($28) options as well as a great deal on cakes (buy 2 get 1 free).
Cakes ranged from tiramisu to cheesecakes (approximately $32 per piece) with whole cakes available in various sizes from $198 - $398. After we ordered our drinks, one of the waitresses began selling their cakes which were apparently homemade and low in sugar. Some tiramisu cakes we hadn't heard of included the strawberry tiramisu and green tea tiramisu. Their signature lime and lemon cheesecake was apparently also very popular.
The beverage sizes were named as Princess (regular) and Queen (large) which I thought was an interesting and cute way to incorporate the theme of their store. The drinks ranged between $15 - $30.
I had a cappuccino, Princess (regular), $25 and a lime and lemon cheesecake, $22. She had a latte, Princess (regular), $20 and a strawberry tiramisu, $32.
Yeah, we eventually gave in and ordered cakes after the recommendation of our waitress. She was nice and talkative and kept asking us if everything was okay. Eager beaver but who isn't?
The coffee machine was hidden behind the glass refrigerator so I was unable to see or hear the frothing nor did I hear any grinder working. When my cappuccino arrived in a clear glass, I could tell that the proportions were good with a hot, strong and creamy espresso. Although the froth had traces of espresso (to incorporate taste), the air bubbles were quite large.
As I did my best to listen for some frothing or grinding with SO's latte, I figured that maybe they were not frothing the milk manually nor were they pulling the shots themselves either. Working at a hotel in Hong Kong, I remembered that we did not make coffee the manual way either. We pressed a button and coffee with some frothy milk would shoot down a tube into a cup, no manual handling involved. Not exactly the yummiest coffee, but if you were not famous or well-known for it, then I guess it did not matter as much. Although props to you if you do have the skills and machinery.
My lime and lemon cheesecake was slightly small for the price I paid for it. Although I do understand how filling I would get if it was larger, there are certain expectations for certain prices! The cheesecake was refreshing, thick and fluffy with an interesting zing to it from the lime zest on the top layer. The lime and lemon mixed well together although it overpowered the blueberry jam in the centre of the cake. I don't usually order lime and lemon cheesecakes or any of those flavoured cakes in particular but this was a yummy one to start off with.
SO's latte looked a whole lot like my cappuccino although there was less froth. SO did say that the espresso was very strong and bitter but was nothing special.
Instead, we had much more to talk about with her strawberry tiramisu. The waitress went into depth about how they make the cream for the tiramisu, saying how they use real strawberries as well as strawberry liqueur to enhance the flavour. Taking a bite out of the tiramisu, there were a mix of textures as bits of strawberries were incorporated into the cream. Overall, it was a light and interesting slice of something new.
It was interesting to see that by the time we left the store, all their strawberry tiramisu cakes were sold out.
Princess Cafe & Bistro opened approximately 2 months ago, even on Open Rice they are still categorised as a newly opened store. If I was just randomly walking through the street, I would find it a bit out of place with various commercial buildings and Chinese restaurants scattered nearby.
Unfortunately, despite the length of time they let us sit and chat and the friendly and enthusiastic waitress. There were certain flaws in the layout, with it being crowded and the lack of space to sit comfortably as well as their interior that could do with some touching up. I now understand that their coffee was not their selling point but it was their cakes that were the popular items that kept customers coming in and out and their regulars coming back for more. Although their pricing strategies might have to be revised or at least portion controlled.
A little bit of a walk away from the Soho bridge, if you are in the mood for some homemade, low in sugar cakes and don't mind walking, I would recommend this place. It was interesting walking so far away from the regular Soho area that I am familiar with. This was fun.
address: G/F, 115 Wellington Street, Central.
中環威靈頓街 115號地舖
phone: 2866 9062
conversation: University, catching up and life.
When looking for this store, I figured it would be easy to find as another coffee shop was on the same street. After 20 minutes of searching, we high-fived each other stumbling into an unknown area but finally seeing the store close by.
I counted exactly 9 seats in a small little room with three tables, a blackboard with meal prices, a corkboard with various pictures and a large refrigerated glass cupboard with cakes on each shelf. The chandelier hanging from the ceiling created an upper-class feel to enhance, I guess, their royalty interior. The place was smaller than I had imagined and if it were not for the lady that left, we would have been sitting on a smaller table squished in a corner.We were handed several pieces of paper stapled in the corner which was our menu. Listed were several sandwich, omelette (HKD$38 - $45), instant noodle ($38) and dessert ($28) options as well as a great deal on cakes (buy 2 get 1 free).
Cakes ranged from tiramisu to cheesecakes (approximately $32 per piece) with whole cakes available in various sizes from $198 - $398. After we ordered our drinks, one of the waitresses began selling their cakes which were apparently homemade and low in sugar. Some tiramisu cakes we hadn't heard of included the strawberry tiramisu and green tea tiramisu. Their signature lime and lemon cheesecake was apparently also very popular.The beverage sizes were named as Princess (regular) and Queen (large) which I thought was an interesting and cute way to incorporate the theme of their store. The drinks ranged between $15 - $30.
I had a cappuccino, Princess (regular), $25 and a lime and lemon cheesecake, $22. She had a latte, Princess (regular), $20 and a strawberry tiramisu, $32.
Yeah, we eventually gave in and ordered cakes after the recommendation of our waitress. She was nice and talkative and kept asking us if everything was okay. Eager beaver but who isn't?
The coffee machine was hidden behind the glass refrigerator so I was unable to see or hear the frothing nor did I hear any grinder working. When my cappuccino arrived in a clear glass, I could tell that the proportions were good with a hot, strong and creamy espresso. Although the froth had traces of espresso (to incorporate taste), the air bubbles were quite large.As I did my best to listen for some frothing or grinding with SO's latte, I figured that maybe they were not frothing the milk manually nor were they pulling the shots themselves either. Working at a hotel in Hong Kong, I remembered that we did not make coffee the manual way either. We pressed a button and coffee with some frothy milk would shoot down a tube into a cup, no manual handling involved. Not exactly the yummiest coffee, but if you were not famous or well-known for it, then I guess it did not matter as much. Although props to you if you do have the skills and machinery.
My lime and lemon cheesecake was slightly small for the price I paid for it. Although I do understand how filling I would get if it was larger, there are certain expectations for certain prices! The cheesecake was refreshing, thick and fluffy with an interesting zing to it from the lime zest on the top layer. The lime and lemon mixed well together although it overpowered the blueberry jam in the centre of the cake. I don't usually order lime and lemon cheesecakes or any of those flavoured cakes in particular but this was a yummy one to start off with.
SO's latte looked a whole lot like my cappuccino although there was less froth. SO did say that the espresso was very strong and bitter but was nothing special.
Instead, we had much more to talk about with her strawberry tiramisu. The waitress went into depth about how they make the cream for the tiramisu, saying how they use real strawberries as well as strawberry liqueur to enhance the flavour. Taking a bite out of the tiramisu, there were a mix of textures as bits of strawberries were incorporated into the cream. Overall, it was a light and interesting slice of something new.It was interesting to see that by the time we left the store, all their strawberry tiramisu cakes were sold out.
Princess Cafe & Bistro opened approximately 2 months ago, even on Open Rice they are still categorised as a newly opened store. If I was just randomly walking through the street, I would find it a bit out of place with various commercial buildings and Chinese restaurants scattered nearby.
Unfortunately, despite the length of time they let us sit and chat and the friendly and enthusiastic waitress. There were certain flaws in the layout, with it being crowded and the lack of space to sit comfortably as well as their interior that could do with some touching up. I now understand that their coffee was not their selling point but it was their cakes that were the popular items that kept customers coming in and out and their regulars coming back for more. Although their pricing strategies might have to be revised or at least portion controlled.A little bit of a walk away from the Soho bridge, if you are in the mood for some homemade, low in sugar cakes and don't mind walking, I would recommend this place. It was interesting walking so far away from the regular Soho area that I am familiar with. This was fun.
address: G/F, 115 Wellington Street, Central.
中環威靈頓街 115號地舖
phone: 2866 9062
February 15, 2010
#018, pumpernickel, 120210
company: L
conversation: Food, shoes and Denmark.
My Coffee Guide recommended this restaurant in Tin Hau (heaps far!) but I found another branch in Causeway Bay. In this case, I don't really know if the service or food would be similar to the one in Tin Hau but at least their signature bread should be, right?
The restaurant was not hard to find as we were walking in that general direction but the area did not seem particularly busy. The entrance was basically glass windows from floor to ceiling allowing you to looking inside, there was only one lady near the windowsill eating what seemed to be a yummy sandwich.
Once we entered, we were not greeted by anyone as the counter seemed busy. So we took a seat until someone came over with menus and water. The area was nice and spacious, those sitting near the window would have a good view of the streets, good for people-watching. The walls further inside were decorated with paintings of ladies (naked!) which were artsy and seemed to fit the layout of the restaurant. The whole placed seemed like another version of Delifrance before they changed their store layouts.
There was a glass case showcasing their breads and cakes which all seemed very appetising. My aunt had tried the bread before and she said that it was definitely something she recommended. After 8:30pm every night, the bread is 30% off.
The first thing I noticed when seated was that our table was kind of small. With my camera, notebook, menus and our glasses of water, it was hard not to knock anything over. Looking through the menu, the prices were slightly higher than we expected for a place so far from the main foodie streets as well as for bistro food items. The set lunches ranged from HKD$68 - $88 plus 10% including their soup of the day, a main and coffee or tea. There was pasta, sandwiches and cakes available but I was unable to get all the prices down before we ordered. Oops.
I had a pumpkin soup, a salmon, asparagus and mushroom cream pasta and a cappuccino, HKD$78. She had a mushroom soup, mixed vegetables pesto penne and a pomelo honey drink, HKD$68. Both had an additional 10% service charge.
There were only 4 set lunch meals which was a very limited choice in comparison to other places that we had eaten at. To have anything other than coffee, tea or an espresso beverage, you would have to add money which was annoying because we thought the meal was pricey already.
As our soups arrived we were given a bread basket. The long stick bread was surprisingly yummy with subtle hints of poppy seads and pepper. The other bun was more of a regular wheat bun which was nothing special. Our soups seemed kind of watery but were tasty.
I won't say much about the pasta, they were acceptable and extremely filling. Although my cream sauce was watery, L said her pesto sauce was very strong and flavourful.
Back to the drinks. A regular cappuccino would be HKD$25 on it's own without the meal. The cappuccino was made quickly so I was unable to listen to the barista frothing the milk. Overall, the foam was alright although a little less creamy than what I was expecting and the espresso seemed slightly watery (or is it just me?). It was not very bitter and hot enough but was just not creamy.
It's okay though, I enjoyed the entire meal and the brownie dessert we received after our meal was a surprise. It was a little sweet and we were both so full from the pasta that we couldn't finish it all.
Pumpernickel is slightly far away for those that may not venture out in search for restaurants. In this case, Pumpernickel may lose out on potential customers. We did see several people come to have lunch but not enough to fill the entire restaurant. The prices asked for their food items are slightly higher than I would have expected although the interior and atmosphere of the restaurant provide a comfortable environment for dining.
Knowing that the restaurant promotes their bread (hence the name), it was one of the highlights of our meal. Maybe if we had chosen the sandwiches or the omellette that had a huge piece of bread on it, it may have been a less heavy meal (for me).
I can't say much about the coffee as I was not able to observe their process but it was alright if a bit watery. This could have been because of the extraction of the espresso shot although regularly they should only be 25 seconds long. Frothing the milk to the right consistency would allow a creamier texture and possibly make it less watery.
Overall, I was extremely full even though I thought it was slightly pricey. Probably just another tick off my list rather than somewhere to go to again. Maybe next time I'll just buy their bread since their bread basket was quite yummy. Maybe a bread blog will be next? Haha.
address: Shop B, 13 Cleveland Street, Causeway Bay.
銅鑼灣 加寧街13號B舖地下
phone: 2576 1302
conversation: Food, shoes and Denmark.
My Coffee Guide recommended this restaurant in Tin Hau (heaps far!) but I found another branch in Causeway Bay. In this case, I don't really know if the service or food would be similar to the one in Tin Hau but at least their signature bread should be, right?
The restaurant was not hard to find as we were walking in that general direction but the area did not seem particularly busy. The entrance was basically glass windows from floor to ceiling allowing you to looking inside, there was only one lady near the windowsill eating what seemed to be a yummy sandwich.Once we entered, we were not greeted by anyone as the counter seemed busy. So we took a seat until someone came over with menus and water. The area was nice and spacious, those sitting near the window would have a good view of the streets, good for people-watching. The walls further inside were decorated with paintings of ladies (naked!) which were artsy and seemed to fit the layout of the restaurant. The whole placed seemed like another version of Delifrance before they changed their store layouts.
There was a glass case showcasing their breads and cakes which all seemed very appetising. My aunt had tried the bread before and she said that it was definitely something she recommended. After 8:30pm every night, the bread is 30% off.
The first thing I noticed when seated was that our table was kind of small. With my camera, notebook, menus and our glasses of water, it was hard not to knock anything over. Looking through the menu, the prices were slightly higher than we expected for a place so far from the main foodie streets as well as for bistro food items. The set lunches ranged from HKD$68 - $88 plus 10% including their soup of the day, a main and coffee or tea. There was pasta, sandwiches and cakes available but I was unable to get all the prices down before we ordered. Oops.
I had a pumpkin soup, a salmon, asparagus and mushroom cream pasta and a cappuccino, HKD$78. She had a mushroom soup, mixed vegetables pesto penne and a pomelo honey drink, HKD$68. Both had an additional 10% service charge.
There were only 4 set lunch meals which was a very limited choice in comparison to other places that we had eaten at. To have anything other than coffee, tea or an espresso beverage, you would have to add money which was annoying because we thought the meal was pricey already.As our soups arrived we were given a bread basket. The long stick bread was surprisingly yummy with subtle hints of poppy seads and pepper. The other bun was more of a regular wheat bun which was nothing special. Our soups seemed kind of watery but were tasty.
I won't say much about the pasta, they were acceptable and extremely filling. Although my cream sauce was watery, L said her pesto sauce was very strong and flavourful.
Back to the drinks. A regular cappuccino would be HKD$25 on it's own without the meal. The cappuccino was made quickly so I was unable to listen to the barista frothing the milk. Overall, the foam was alright although a little less creamy than what I was expecting and the espresso seemed slightly watery (or is it just me?). It was not very bitter and hot enough but was just not creamy.It's okay though, I enjoyed the entire meal and the brownie dessert we received after our meal was a surprise. It was a little sweet and we were both so full from the pasta that we couldn't finish it all.
Pumpernickel is slightly far away for those that may not venture out in search for restaurants. In this case, Pumpernickel may lose out on potential customers. We did see several people come to have lunch but not enough to fill the entire restaurant. The prices asked for their food items are slightly higher than I would have expected although the interior and atmosphere of the restaurant provide a comfortable environment for dining.Knowing that the restaurant promotes their bread (hence the name), it was one of the highlights of our meal. Maybe if we had chosen the sandwiches or the omellette that had a huge piece of bread on it, it may have been a less heavy meal (for me).
I can't say much about the coffee as I was not able to observe their process but it was alright if a bit watery. This could have been because of the extraction of the espresso shot although regularly they should only be 25 seconds long. Frothing the milk to the right consistency would allow a creamier texture and possibly make it less watery.Overall, I was extremely full even though I thought it was slightly pricey. Probably just another tick off my list rather than somewhere to go to again. Maybe next time I'll just buy their bread since their bread basket was quite yummy. Maybe a bread blog will be next? Haha.
address: Shop B, 13 Cleveland Street, Causeway Bay.
銅鑼灣 加寧街13號B舖地下
phone: 2576 1302
February 14, 2010
don't get too comfortable, fall asleep & miss your life
Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year, 新年快樂.
祝大家: 心想事成, 身體健康 and 學業進步.
Reviews coming soon!
祝大家: 心想事成, 身體健康 and 學業進步.
Reviews coming soon!
February 12, 2010
#017, moccato, 100210
company: Sh
conversation: Ngong Ping 360, HAVE A NICE TRIP, timetables and coffee.
I have always passed by this little coffee shop whenever I am at the Tung Chung Citygate Outlet Mall (I even asked them if they were hiring back in December) but never had the chance to try it out. As Sh and I were just coming back from being tourists I figured this was more of an opportunity to try it rather than an actual adventure. We had had quite a bit of a day so we were tired and ready for a nice comfy environment to chat.
A strong smell of freshly ground coffee (mm!) awaited us as we entered looking up at the overhead menu. Seeing all the varieties of coffee, I noticed that the prices were acceptable in comparison to other places that I have tried although there was a limited selection of food items (only sweet stuff like cakes, brownies and cookies). Espresso coffees ranged between HKD$22 - $30 with regular and large sizes, fruit smoothies and juices were also available.
As we ordered at the counter, I realised I was craving for something super sweet rather than my regular cappuccino (I usually order that so I can make comparisons with other stores). We took a seat near the entrance so we could watch people walk by. Seating approximately 15 with inside and outside tables, the area is spacious and comfortable to have conversation. The brown interior although enhancing the "coffee shop" look and initially being inviting did not make us feel warm for some reason. Nevertheless, we ended up sitting for a while.
I had a Cafe Brule, regular, HKD$28. She had a Moccato, regular, HKD$28. We also ordered a chocolate brownie as well, HKD$20.
Cafe Brule description: Premium espresso with white chocolate and caramel topped with froth from steamed milk and drizzled with creamy caramel sauce.
One word: Sweet. There was not a very strong espresso taste as the caramel overshadowed it with a burnt taste so it tasted weird. I was able to listen to the barista steaming the milk but because it was not a cappuccino, I was unable to determine the consistency of the froth (ahh, maybe I should have just ordered the cappuccino for comparisons sake). The steaming sounded alright though and the end result was a very creamy sweet beverage.
Surprisingly, the thick chocolate-y brownie accompanied my Cafe Brule very well. The taste of the espresso showed itself underneath the caramel. The weird taste disappeared allowing the espresso to be stronger and more prevalent.
Moccato description: Our signature coffee, imagine a hot drinkable tiramisu... The rest is a secret!
Sh liked the additional lady finger (a reminiscence of Dcolonp) placed on top of the drink which was a mix between a mocha and a very thick and creamy hot chocolate. I can imagine how the differences in texture from the lady finger and beverage could resemble a tiramisu. There were other flavours found in the drink but I couldn't seem to identify what they were. Ahh, Baileys? Tia Maria? I don't know.
After drinking our beverages, we found ourselves feeling very full and sleepy (I guess warm drinks tend to do that). The cups were larger than expected and we wondered what the large would look like. They were huge as we spied two ladies next to us drinking their coffees from cups that were significantly larger and rounder than ours.
Moccato is a coffee shop owned and run by the Novotel Citygate Hong Kong, although located away from the lobby of the actual hotel (if you associate lobbies with coffee shops?). It is found inside the mall so as to attract shoppers for a sweet treat or a comfortable place to rest after a long day of shopping. Although there is a Pacific Coffee Company nearby (competition), they do seem to have a slow but steady flow of customers.
For the overall atmosphere provided by the coffee shop, it's affordability and their quality, if you are ever in the area shopping and feeling slightly peckish or thirsty for some coffee, I would recommend this place. Although Haagen-Dazs is a close contender (you can always get a coffee flavoured ice-cream).
I still need to pay you back, Sh! Thanks for an awesome day, hope your headache disappeared soon after.
address: 東涌文東路51號諾富特東薈城酒店2樓
2/F, Novotel Citygate Hong Kong, Citygate Outlets, 51 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung.
phone: 3602 8838
conversation: Ngong Ping 360, HAVE A NICE TRIP, timetables and coffee.
I have always passed by this little coffee shop whenever I am at the Tung Chung Citygate Outlet Mall (I even asked them if they were hiring back in December) but never had the chance to try it out. As Sh and I were just coming back from being tourists I figured this was more of an opportunity to try it rather than an actual adventure. We had had quite a bit of a day so we were tired and ready for a nice comfy environment to chat.A strong smell of freshly ground coffee (mm!) awaited us as we entered looking up at the overhead menu. Seeing all the varieties of coffee, I noticed that the prices were acceptable in comparison to other places that I have tried although there was a limited selection of food items (only sweet stuff like cakes, brownies and cookies). Espresso coffees ranged between HKD$22 - $30 with regular and large sizes, fruit smoothies and juices were also available.
As we ordered at the counter, I realised I was craving for something super sweet rather than my regular cappuccino (I usually order that so I can make comparisons with other stores). We took a seat near the entrance so we could watch people walk by. Seating approximately 15 with inside and outside tables, the area is spacious and comfortable to have conversation. The brown interior although enhancing the "coffee shop" look and initially being inviting did not make us feel warm for some reason. Nevertheless, we ended up sitting for a while.
I had a Cafe Brule, regular, HKD$28. She had a Moccato, regular, HKD$28. We also ordered a chocolate brownie as well, HKD$20.
Cafe Brule description: Premium espresso with white chocolate and caramel topped with froth from steamed milk and drizzled with creamy caramel sauce.One word: Sweet. There was not a very strong espresso taste as the caramel overshadowed it with a burnt taste so it tasted weird. I was able to listen to the barista steaming the milk but because it was not a cappuccino, I was unable to determine the consistency of the froth (ahh, maybe I should have just ordered the cappuccino for comparisons sake). The steaming sounded alright though and the end result was a very creamy sweet beverage.
Surprisingly, the thick chocolate-y brownie accompanied my Cafe Brule very well. The taste of the espresso showed itself underneath the caramel. The weird taste disappeared allowing the espresso to be stronger and more prevalent.
Moccato description: Our signature coffee, imagine a hot drinkable tiramisu... The rest is a secret!
Sh liked the additional lady finger (a reminiscence of Dcolonp) placed on top of the drink which was a mix between a mocha and a very thick and creamy hot chocolate. I can imagine how the differences in texture from the lady finger and beverage could resemble a tiramisu. There were other flavours found in the drink but I couldn't seem to identify what they were. Ahh, Baileys? Tia Maria? I don't know.After drinking our beverages, we found ourselves feeling very full and sleepy (I guess warm drinks tend to do that). The cups were larger than expected and we wondered what the large would look like. They were huge as we spied two ladies next to us drinking their coffees from cups that were significantly larger and rounder than ours.
Moccato is a coffee shop owned and run by the Novotel Citygate Hong Kong, although located away from the lobby of the actual hotel (if you associate lobbies with coffee shops?). It is found inside the mall so as to attract shoppers for a sweet treat or a comfortable place to rest after a long day of shopping. Although there is a Pacific Coffee Company nearby (competition), they do seem to have a slow but steady flow of customers.For the overall atmosphere provided by the coffee shop, it's affordability and their quality, if you are ever in the area shopping and feeling slightly peckish or thirsty for some coffee, I would recommend this place. Although Haagen-Dazs is a close contender (you can always get a coffee flavoured ice-cream).
I still need to pay you back, Sh! Thanks for an awesome day, hope your headache disappeared soon after.
address: 東涌文東路51號諾富特東薈城酒店2樓
2/F, Novotel Citygate Hong Kong, Citygate Outlets, 51 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung.
phone: 3602 8838
February 10, 2010
the explorer becomes a student, part 2
I think baristas are superheroes.Your superpowers are frothing milk, pulling the perfect shot and awesome latte art. Your enemies are uncalibrated grinders, dirty steam wands and over-extraction (please correct me if I'm wrong).
Today we learnt about roasting, blends of coffee beans, more frothing and latte art. We went through Coffee Assembly's coffee menu and Felix made each one to show us the differences in taste, size and technique.
Once again, I tried and tried again to get better at my latte art and steaming of milk. For my latte art I managed to make an onion (bottom right) and something that might have resembled a certain body part (I'm not going to get anymore specific than that haha).
I quickly threw them down the drain because I was embarrassed that I still couldn't execute the technique used to create latte art as well as getting my milk to be even socially acceptable. Like Sylar from "Heroes" (in the first season) he had to practise (and kill - but that's beside the point, not a perfect metaphor I admit) and meet people with the powers he wanted before he became a hero himself (or villain? Definitely not a perfect metaphor).Whilst I understand the theory and logic behind the process of making an espresso coffee. There is a difference between knowing how to make it and actually making it. I guess I'm just a little disappointed in myself, I thought I would have been better at it after working with my colleagues that taught me too. But yes, practise, practise, practise! (I mean, I don't mind getting bitten by a radioactive spider if that'll help?)
Felix taught us a little about different coffee beans with differing qualities and how when blended together create complex levels in the overall taste. He roasted a mix of Brazilian, Ethiopian, Papua New Guinea (has strong aroma but little taste) and Indonesian (has strong taste but little aroma) beans for about 30 minutes in his roaster and when he ground them, man, the smell was amazing! We had to wait about an hour before we could actually try the espresso from the freshly roasted coffee beans, but it was well worth the wait and overtime.Ristretto, espresso, espresso lungo, espresso macchiato, cappuccino, caffe latte, latte macchiato, caffe mocha and cappuccino mocha. These are the espresso beverages Felix described in detail, made and got some of us to taste. I got to ask more questions and have them answered. If you are interested and want to learn more about coffee, I do recommend Coffee Assembly.
Before we left, Felix told us to keep practising when we had the chance. Afterall, learning about all this stuff will only be useful if we put it to use. I hope to keep practising but I'm scared of doing it in front of others as well as wasting coffee beans and milk! Ahh.
February 07, 2010
#016, pop bites, 060210
company: K
conversation: Renovation, Valentines Day, spirituality and life.
After reading several reviews on Open Rice, many stated that this restaurant was well-hidden and hard to find. I am usually not a very observant person when it comes to road and street signs, so I had no idea what I was supposed to be looking for or which direction I was supposed to go. We walked to the end of one street only to walk all the way back... Needless to say, when I found out that Pop Bites was about two stores next to Flying Pan (where I eat quite often), I felt kind of dumb.
As we walked in we were greeted by a waitress that asked us whether we wanted to sit by the window or on a sofa. Not knowing the layout, we opted for the window because everyone wants a view right?
There were tons of newspapers and magazines available to read as well as books and CDs all lined up on a wall. The interior felt very artsy with paintings scattered around and the dim atmosphere near the entrance added to the coziness and relaxed environment.
The place is big and spacious, I wasn't able to count how many seats there were as we were hidden in a corner but I did notice a DJ turntable as well as wine cellar! Where we sat, the window allowed sufficient light although the view was just the back of buildings. The music was quite mainstream (I heard some Daniel Powter and Taylor Swift), suitable for the environment and not too loud so as to disrupt conversation.
The waitresses were very nice if a bit eager (that's okay, so am I) and whilst we looked through the menu (they serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner), I noticed that prices might be slightly high for the average student but considering we were in Soho, I guess regular customers within the area would find the prices acceptable.
Sandwich, salad and pasta sets were all available ranging from HKD$48 - $72. To include drinks, desserts and soups would require an additional charge, approximately $15 for a drink and $20 for a soup or dessert. Just wanted to note that if you ordered the breakfast set, on the weekends or public holidays, you would get all you can eat scones and toast! Yum.
I really like their use of the same pattern as decoration for the walls, ceilings and even their cups and plates. There were random different things all around but somehow they all seemed coherent when put together.
We both decided to get the sandwich lunch set. Using a sandwich order form you were able to choose two toppings (meats or cheeses), type of bread, dressing, vegetables and additional charging stuff: drinks, soup, desserts etc. Each additional topping was an extra $10.
I had pesto sauce, roasted chicken, grilled mushroom, all vegetables on ciabatta bread with a cappuccino. She had avocado tartar sauce, salmon, Jarlsberg cheese, all vegetables on wholewheat baguette with green tea. HKD$48 + $15.
Our drinks arrived first in a glass mug, I was admiring the foam and smelling my cappuccino multiple times when a waitress delivering K's sandwich asked me if anything was wrong with my drink. How nice.
The foam was thick and creamy and the proportions were good. For me, it was the first time I was served a cappuccino with a straw, I still don't really understand what it was for apart from mixing in sugar. My first sip was a gulp of foam, which was a bit much but the espresso later on was milky and strong but not bitter. The temperature was slightly hot, although it got colder as I began eating. Overall, it was a good cappuccino. I really wanted to watch the barista make the espresso coffees but I wasn't able to see so far. Kudos to them.
K said that her green tea was very refreshing and light. Looking at the consistency of the tea, I could see that they had used matcha powder instead of regular tea bags or tea leaves. This allows a stronger flavour and apparently is much healthier. Look at that sandwich: Yes, it looks just as yummy as it tasted.
I think this is going to turn out to be more of a food post than a coffee one. My sandwich was quite large, whilst finishing my coffee I felt very, very full. 
The sandwich was crisp, chicken moist and provided many textures from the grilled mushrooms, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and red onions. The side salad was fresh with a zing from the dressing, I think, maybe balsamic vinaigrette?
Altogether a very relaxing atmosphere with yummy food and good company.
Pop Bites provides a very unique and comfortable environment to enjoy food as well as beverages. I noticed on the menu that they had several pages of drinks for their "Magic Hour" (happy hour?), I did not see the prices of the beverages but I do think that they would not be much different from Lan Kwai Fong. The small cakes on display are homemade and available for afternoon tea, they look appealing and appetising and remind me of bakeries in Sydney.
K rated this restaurant an overall 8 out of 10, which is high for her standards as she is very critical (10 for her would be Cafe Deco at The Peak). As she took a sip out of my cappuccino, she did say that it would bring her back when she was in the mood for a good sandwich.
The unique aspect of this restaurant is that there is an open kitchen allowing patrons to smell bacon and eggs during breakfast time or pasta during lunch. The kitchen is relatively small, but food comes out at a timely rate. Another awesome aspect is: No service charge!
The little details (cups and plates) in this restaurant make me feel like the owners have put a lot of thought and time into creating a place where people can spend hours enjoying their food. With friendly waitresses providing good service, this is definitely a place I will be returning to. I want to become a regular!
address: UG/F, 3-5 Old Bailey Street, SOHO, Central.
phone: 2525 4141
conversation: Renovation, Valentines Day, spirituality and life.
After reading several reviews on Open Rice, many stated that this restaurant was well-hidden and hard to find. I am usually not a very observant person when it comes to road and street signs, so I had no idea what I was supposed to be looking for or which direction I was supposed to go. We walked to the end of one street only to walk all the way back... Needless to say, when I found out that Pop Bites was about two stores next to Flying Pan (where I eat quite often), I felt kind of dumb.As we walked in we were greeted by a waitress that asked us whether we wanted to sit by the window or on a sofa. Not knowing the layout, we opted for the window because everyone wants a view right?
There were tons of newspapers and magazines available to read as well as books and CDs all lined up on a wall. The interior felt very artsy with paintings scattered around and the dim atmosphere near the entrance added to the coziness and relaxed environment.
The place is big and spacious, I wasn't able to count how many seats there were as we were hidden in a corner but I did notice a DJ turntable as well as wine cellar! Where we sat, the window allowed sufficient light although the view was just the back of buildings. The music was quite mainstream (I heard some Daniel Powter and Taylor Swift), suitable for the environment and not too loud so as to disrupt conversation.
The waitresses were very nice if a bit eager (that's okay, so am I) and whilst we looked through the menu (they serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner), I noticed that prices might be slightly high for the average student but considering we were in Soho, I guess regular customers within the area would find the prices acceptable.Sandwich, salad and pasta sets were all available ranging from HKD$48 - $72. To include drinks, desserts and soups would require an additional charge, approximately $15 for a drink and $20 for a soup or dessert. Just wanted to note that if you ordered the breakfast set, on the weekends or public holidays, you would get all you can eat scones and toast! Yum.
I really like their use of the same pattern as decoration for the walls, ceilings and even their cups and plates. There were random different things all around but somehow they all seemed coherent when put together.We both decided to get the sandwich lunch set. Using a sandwich order form you were able to choose two toppings (meats or cheeses), type of bread, dressing, vegetables and additional charging stuff: drinks, soup, desserts etc. Each additional topping was an extra $10.
I had pesto sauce, roasted chicken, grilled mushroom, all vegetables on ciabatta bread with a cappuccino. She had avocado tartar sauce, salmon, Jarlsberg cheese, all vegetables on wholewheat baguette with green tea. HKD$48 + $15.
Our drinks arrived first in a glass mug, I was admiring the foam and smelling my cappuccino multiple times when a waitress delivering K's sandwich asked me if anything was wrong with my drink. How nice.The foam was thick and creamy and the proportions were good. For me, it was the first time I was served a cappuccino with a straw, I still don't really understand what it was for apart from mixing in sugar. My first sip was a gulp of foam, which was a bit much but the espresso later on was milky and strong but not bitter. The temperature was slightly hot, although it got colder as I began eating. Overall, it was a good cappuccino. I really wanted to watch the barista make the espresso coffees but I wasn't able to see so far. Kudos to them.
K said that her green tea was very refreshing and light. Looking at the consistency of the tea, I could see that they had used matcha powder instead of regular tea bags or tea leaves. This allows a stronger flavour and apparently is much healthier. Look at that sandwich: Yes, it looks just as yummy as it tasted.
I think this is going to turn out to be more of a food post than a coffee one. My sandwich was quite large, whilst finishing my coffee I felt very, very full. 
The sandwich was crisp, chicken moist and provided many textures from the grilled mushrooms, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and red onions. The side salad was fresh with a zing from the dressing, I think, maybe balsamic vinaigrette?Altogether a very relaxing atmosphere with yummy food and good company.
Pop Bites provides a very unique and comfortable environment to enjoy food as well as beverages. I noticed on the menu that they had several pages of drinks for their "Magic Hour" (happy hour?), I did not see the prices of the beverages but I do think that they would not be much different from Lan Kwai Fong. The small cakes on display are homemade and available for afternoon tea, they look appealing and appetising and remind me of bakeries in Sydney.
K rated this restaurant an overall 8 out of 10, which is high for her standards as she is very critical (10 for her would be Cafe Deco at The Peak). As she took a sip out of my cappuccino, she did say that it would bring her back when she was in the mood for a good sandwich.The unique aspect of this restaurant is that there is an open kitchen allowing patrons to smell bacon and eggs during breakfast time or pasta during lunch. The kitchen is relatively small, but food comes out at a timely rate. Another awesome aspect is: No service charge!
The little details (cups and plates) in this restaurant make me feel like the owners have put a lot of thought and time into creating a place where people can spend hours enjoying their food. With friendly waitresses providing good service, this is definitely a place I will be returning to. I want to become a regular!
address: UG/F, 3-5 Old Bailey Street, SOHO, Central.
phone: 2525 4141
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