#030, bondi cafe, 170112

company: Sh

conversation: The future, work, Australia

It was the name that caught my attention. After eating dinner nearby, I saw the poster for Bondi Cafe on my way back home, took a photo and made a mental note to check it out the next day with Sh. We kind of, maybe, sort of, got lost before finding the cafe on the second floor of a dingy industrial building thinking we had got the address wrong. I guess I wasn't really expecting a restaurant outlet somewhere like that.

Two large and heavy doors welcomed us with a strong aroma of coffee inviting us in. We had come at about 1.45pm, just as the lunch crowd were dissipating although there were quite a few tables free for us to choose from. Seating was vast (I counted 50 seats - impressive) and spread out to allow for a relaxing and comfortable place to wine and dine.

The decor was quite minimalist (I like!) with a few pictures of iconic Sydney destinations lining one wall and a shelf showcasing wine specially imported from Australia. Before entering, I noticed two cakes of ground coffee (not edible cakes, silly) on the floor beside the door which I thought was an interesting and unique touch. You can see it on the bottom right-hand corner of the first picture!

Sh and I had a cappuccino, $30, and shared a tiramisu, $30.

Feeling a little bit like I was back in Sydney, I noticed the range of types of coffee available from piccolos to flat whites and the presence of another Australian accent from Bondi's owner, Kenneth (hi!). He took the time to answer my questions regarding the type of coffee beans used (Single Origin) and gave us a good ol' Australian outlook on the type of businessman and barista he is.

Boasting lamb cutlets, grilled prawns, salmon and NZ ribeye on their lunch menu, the prices fared a bit high for me (ranging between $88 to $158) but with the amount of people there during lunch time, it seemed to be a success. The plates looked rather generous and were presented nicely as were the coffees.

Our cappuccinos arrived in cute coloured cups at a good temperature, creamy froth but seemed more like a latte (there was a bit too little froth on the surface). The flavour was bold and quite strong which I found surprising having had quite a few disappointing coffees in my time here. Sh marvelled at the "golden coffee sugar" sachets that were available that I had never seen before: they are coffee flavoured and are larger sugar crystals than brown sugar!

The tiramisu, on the other hand, left a bit more to be desired. Maybe we weren't that hungry but it was a bit soggy and underwhelming.

In a culture where service standard takes a backseat to profits and efficiency, it was refreshing to chat with Kenneth about his views on HKers and their take on food and coffee. It was interesting to find out that he also studied at UNSW and had once owned a coffee shop at Mascot.

Bondi Cafe, was a little bit of home away from home and made me realise how much I miss making coffee. Kenneth's easygoing, Australian attitude towards life (think: "Evs, man") and the industry was insightful and was reflected through the atmosphere of the cafe.

Having learnt that he had only opened in the last week (which explains the lack of reviews on OpenRice), with the use of pamphlets and posters here and there, business was surprisingly successful and going strong. I'm pretty sure those working in offices around will turn into loyal customers if not for the food then definitely for the coffee.

Just so you know, the above photo of Bondi beach displayed on one of the walls was actually taken by Kenneth himself! (There's my reference.) Despite Bondi Cafe being out of the way for some, I would recommend this cafe/restaurant if one was in the area, I hope to be back soon too!

address: Room 203, 2/F Elite Industrial Centre, 883 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok

phone: 3996 7806

sometimes i forget the little things

I realised the other day that I missed making coffee. I worry that when I return I would have lost my ability to steam milk, to make latte art, to serve something that I would be proud of despite a rush of coffees at the hotel. I just want to make myself my double shot, flat white with chocolate powder on top.

Trying new coffee shops in Hong Kong is great; I'm catching up with old friends, meeting new people, and generally enjoying the coffee that is being produced over here. But it might be due to recent events, a change of plans, that I find myself also missing Sydney. It's a Catch-22, I miss Hong Kong when I'm in Sydney but I miss Sydney when in Hong Kong. It's like I'll never be satisfied wherever I am. They're both home to me, with people I care about and miss all the same, there's no way I could choose one over the other.

And you're asking me to choose.

#029, barista caffe, 110112

company: JL & CN

conversation: Life, shopping and movies

**It's been too long. Despite my lack of updates on this blog; I have continued to drink coffee, visit coffee shops and perfecting my coffee making skills (latte art? Heck yeah). Nevertheless, I'm excited to be back.**

After walking up three flights of stairs, of course we needed to get a drink! Situated in the midst of many restaurants and office buildings, I was surprised to find a table available for us in the middle of lunch hour.

With approximately 35 seats, the area was spacious and didn't feel packed even when all tables were filled. I noticed that the majority of patrons were ladies, probably from the offices surrounding the area, a stack of magazines on the side were well-utilised by these ladies waiting for their food. I, on the other hand, was a little preoccupied by the different types of coffee-making equipment and pictures of farmers picking coffee beans which added to the coffee shop atmosphere, but I couldn't help but observe how it much more it seemed like a restaurant.

I had a cappuccino, $28, JL had a double espresso, $18 +$5 and CN had a mocha, $30.

Drinks ranged between $28 to $35, with quite a few interesting flavours of coffee (Caffe Banana, Macadamia Nut) and unique teas available (Sangria Tea). There was also a set lunch menu available with pastas, curry, pizza and burgers ranging between $45 to $52, inclusive of drinks (although iced and specialty coffees were an extra charge).

I recently visited another coffee shop in Sheung Wan where the barista kindly taught a couple of friends and me how to prepare a cup of coffee using a syphon coffee maker, (go check out Knockbox Coffee Company if you have the time!) which I assume is how Barista Caffe would make the specialty coffee they offered. Maybe next time.

We did have to wait a bit before our coffees arrived; there was only one coffee machine in the kitchen, and maybe it was because there were quite a few tables in the restaurant, I can understand. CN's mocha arrived first, looking impressive. As much as I would like to admit that my latte art has improved drastically since the last time I posted, I do have to say that it is never consistent!

My cappuccino arrived next. I noticed that it was actually in a smaller cup than the mocha, but that suited me better because I prefer my coffee to be less milky. Yum! The temperature was almost there, although we did spend quite a while taking photos and waiting for JL's double espresso.

We were quite disappointed in the fact that they didn't offer a macchiato for JL, so I went ahead and scooped some of the foam off my cappuccino and gave it to her. I was a bit sad not to have any chocolate powder on top of my cappuccino but it's okay. I remember once at work we ran out of chocolate powder but we got slammed for coffees, so we didn't have time to transfer the chocolate powder into the sprinkler. I ended up trying to sprinkle the powder onto the drinks with a teaspoon... Needless to say, it didn't look as delicate.

Barista Caffe, was a pleasant surprise. The coffee was up to par with other more well-known coffee shops, the interior light and welcoming, and staff not too overbearing. It never got super busy or crowded and made for a nice little place for us to rest our feet and chat.

JL also pointed out that this place allows people to book the whole restaurant for a minimum charge of $3,000 and can fit approximately 40 people. Although there is no view, it seems to be quite an affordable venue for parties. I think Barista Caffe would be a good backup coffee shop to visit if I'm ever in the area, although I'm always on the look for new places to try out!

address: 3/F, E.A. Tower, 18 Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

phone: 2511 0998

#023, bookworm cafe, 200210

company: Dad and Mum
conversation: Food, apartments and general chit-chat.

After a HKD$14.5 (for adults) ferry ride from Central to Yung Shue Wan taking approximately 20 minutes, we arrived on Lamma Island. It was kind of like walking into another world, everything was less rushed and more cultured, even the air was different. A 10 minute walk from the pier along the only main path, I realised that the group of people on the same boat had melted away attracted by the many seafood restaurants (Lamma Island is famous for their seafood) and various cuisine restaurants.

We found ourselves alone as we stumbled upon Bookworm Cafe, strongly recommended in My Coffee Guide. It was a small but easily seen entrance with an old school sewing machine on the side (holding their business cards).

I should point out here that this restaurant is completely vegetarian, meaning things like imitation meat and lots of (vegetable) protein. Definitely something new for me.

It seemed a little dark inside (hence the blurry pictures) but we sat at a booth that might have been a bit cosy for 4 adults next to a window allowing the afternoon's warm sunlight to come through.

What I first noticed once we sat down were several post-it notes taped along the shelves above us with quotes and sayings that bought an authentic-feel to the place. They even wrote on a small blackboard in the corner to: "Please be patient, our food and drinks are fresh!"

Underneath the shelves above were many cute kids pictures stuck on the walls, this made me realise exactly how established they were within the community of Lamma Island.

The waitress that bought our menus told us that the soup of the day was beetroot soup, which definitely intrigued me. Looking through the menu, I realised that the espresso coffees and various drinks were inexpensive, approximately HKD$20 - $27, many of the food items ranged from $50 - $80. I spent quite a while deciding what I wanted as I noticed that there were facts about various vegetables and vegetarianism at the bottom of almost every page. Both interesting and informative, I attempted to read each one.

Bookcases lined one side of the wall with CDs, books, magazines and many games. It was only when I heard the sound of scrabble tiles being mixed together did I notice that they had created their own mini-library and that you had to apply for membership. Being in a relaxed environment, you could spend hours upon hours just reading and playing games.

Everything just seemed so quirky and unique. My eyes darted around just trying to absorb everything but finding new intricate details in the process. They made their own salad dressing, there is Wi-Fi available, they're closed on Thursdays, community gatherings are sometimes held here, even the people eating in the restaurant were interesting.

I had an Eggs Orlando Brunch, HKD$65 and a cappuccino, regular, add $10. Mum and Dad both had the beetroot soup, small, HKD$25 and medium, HKD$45 and a hot chocolate, HKD$25.

Once again, I was surprised to find my cappuccino with cinnamon sprinkled on top. I heard the barista frothing the milk which seemed to be good but at first glance at my froth, the large air bubbles and its lack of creaminess was a bit of a disappointment.

Whilst hot to the touch, it burnt my mouth. The espresso was bitter and strong and up to standard although it was watery and did not seem very thick. The mug was large which was well worth the $25 I would have otherwise paid for, but the watery espresso coffee in it did not appeal to me and thus would not be worth it.

Similar to my previous post at United Bistro Cafe, the smell of cinnamon greatly overpowered the espresso coffee aroma that I would have smelt just before drinking. Although I am not adverse to the idea, it is still an interesting and new concept to me. Whilst providing a slight sweetness to the beverage, I guess maybe I have grown accustomed to drinking cappuccinos with chocolate to appreciate a difference in taste.

Unfortunately, the hot chocolate did not live up to standard either. It was watery and tasted like hot chocolate made out of the powder, which I know is what is usually used but sometimes it is creamier and thicker. The foam, again was bubbly and unappealing as it formed craters on the surface as the bubbles burst.

My Eggs Orlando brunch was a special for the weekend. This included: Scrambled eggs with avocado, veggie hams, baked beans and a toasted bagel. It may not seem like much especially as no meat is concerned, but as I munched away happily, I began to feel satiated. Funnily enough, if you had given me a blind-fold and told me to try the veggie ham, I would not have thought it any different to a normal piece of ham (even looking at it, I would have been fooled).

I ended up not finishing the bagel as I was full and that maybe it had been toasted for a little too long, turning out to be more of a very crunchy bite rather than being soft and crispy.

With all the beetroot I have eaten in Australia, I could not imagine what it would taste like as a soup. The once tangy and sharp juicy beetroot was mushed up and at first glance looked like purple pumpkin soup. It even smelt like it. It was incredibly thick and although strange to look at, was very good (with a little salt added). Just don't get it on your clothes.

The soups were accompanied by garlic bread which was surprisingly well-made (y'know how I love my garlic bread). With a lingering garlic taste and just enough butter for the salty and rich taste. An adventurous dish.

Bookworm Cafe established since 1997 has obviously become quite a popular restaurant for visitors and residents on Lamma. Not even 15 minutes after we walked in, the restaurant was practically full (we noticed later that there was an extended bit outside that was more open). As I seldom visit Lamma Island, this was a nice little trip to somewhere further away where the hustle and bustle of the city was far from our minds.

I could imagine sitting there for hours on end, chatting, playing games, reading the newspaper or books, or just staring into space. It might have looked a bit dated but that is what gave the restaurant character and personality. Sometimes old is good.

Whilst the beverages were not great and afterall, this is specifically a coffee blog, I would not recommend coming here if you are looking for an Italian cappuccino. But otherwise, please do. The other pictures of their food items looked appetising and were just calling out to me. I would not mind coming back to try their vegetarian burgers or even their salads.

As it is the overall atmosphere and company rather than just the food and beverage that makes an adventure complete, this one is sure high up on my list. Usually I don't expect much to be happily surprised but after planning the trip for quite sometime, it lived up to my expectations (apart from the coffee).


address: G/F, 79, Yung Shue Wan Main Street, Lamma Island.
(There are two piers, the other being Sok Kwu Wan. Don't get confused or else it will take you about an hour to hike to the other pier.)
For more information regarding ferry timetables, please visit Lamma Island's website.
website: Bookworm Cafe
phone: 2982 4838

**Sorry it has taken so long for me to even post some of my older adventures from Hong Kong. Whilst uni has picked up and I am working again, I am excited to continue with this blog but I hope that you will be patient. Thank you.**

life happens over coffee

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.

#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

#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

#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

#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