#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

#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

#028, vella nero coffee couture, 080711

company: JL & MW

conversation: Free stuff, trains and dinner

**Thanks to JL for these pictures, of course I would forget my battery but bring my camera!**

Vella Nero was praised several times in reviews that I had read that I thought it would be a good place to visit. One street away from QVB, I was surprised to find so many coffee shops, bars and restaurants along the road as I had only walked there a couple of times to go to just one Japanese restaurant. After MW had left, JL and I had plenty of time to roam the streets waiting for a certain somebody to finish work. From there, we found pretty much all the other bars and coffee shops I wanted to visit on my list in that area. At least now I won't get lost hey!

It seemed like your average cafe, with a strange colour coordination: an aqua-blue on grey colour scheme did not seem very coffee-like. Although brown was a bit generic (after deep discussion), it at least brought together the look-and-feel of a coffee shop. To me, the place seemed more like a canteen rather than a coffee shop. I don't know, maybe I'm just too picky.

Coffee equipment such as grinders, coffee machines, starter kits, french pressers etc were displayed on shelves against the walls. My birthday is coming up in a few months... Maybe I should point my friends in that direction! A blackboard lined the opposite wall listing "Great gift ideas for coffee lovers" as well as an interesting cold-drip technique which was a slowly brewed coffee in cold water over 12 hours and served chilled with ice. Interesting, maybe I shall try that next time.

I had a cappuccino, AUD$3.5 and a turkey gourmet sandwich. JL had a macchiato, AUD$3 and a chicken schnitzel sandwich. MW had a chai latte, AUD$4 and a roast beef sandwich. All gourmet sandwiches were AUD$8.5.

There was an extensive food menu boasting breakfast (decided against it since I had just come from work), and quite a few salads and soups. Seating extended to a second floor with approximately 30+ seats in total. It was just nearing 12:30pm, so I was not surprised to have first choice seating before the lunch rush came through. I could imagine them getting quite busy during lunch times but they seemed relatively chill.

Our beverages arrived first, but we didn't have to wait much longer until the food came after that. I must say that I have seen quite a few rosetta patterns in my coffees, but never as big or even as this! Needless to say, I was very impressed with the latte art. I've been practicing over and over again at work (when I get the chance, ahem) and the baristas on youtube don't make it look any easier. Although the cappuccino was not as frothy and could be hotter, the rosetta left me taking picture after picture on my phone.

JL's macchiato was served with a glass of water on the side which I thought was a nice touch. Usually, though, short blacks are served with a jug of hot water on the side just incase the espresso shot might be a bit too strong. JL did say that themacchiato was "a lot better than uni", so that must count for something!

A few weeks ago, the coffee bean grinder at work broke. Luckily, we had a spare one that we used to use (but stopped for some reason?). Every day when I come into work, I make myself a double shot piccolo latte with chocolate powder on top (just because I like chocolate), but with this new grinder, everything just tasted wrong! The coffee was so bitter and sour no matter how much chocolate powder I had, it just wouldn't taste good. Don't really know how or why but I managed to scull it down after much hesitance. But that got me thinking about how the smallest change to any part of the coffee making process can drastically alter the taste, look and smell of the overall coffee. We've since returned back to our beloved grinder, but now I try my best not to let any ground coffee sit inside the grinder for too long (which we used to do, oops!).

Vella Nero Coffee Couture at first glance would have been a coffee shop I would've just walked past. Whether it be because of the narrow entrance or the colours shouting "canteen". I'm glad I tried it out or else I would have missed out on a very pretty rosetta and another place to buy coffee equipment. Although there were certain elements to the cappuccino I would have liked to change (temperature, froth), I may visit again even just to see if they have a milk thermometer (I would like to see exactly how hot my milk is!).

address: 259 Clarence Street, Sydney
website: Vella Nero / phone: 02 9268 0755

#027, shirt bar, 070611

company: JL & TT

conversation: Maths, movies & Mad Men (mostly just me but yeah)

Google Maps had actually given me the wrong address, so as I walked up to the supposedly store front, there was a FOR LEASE sign on the door. I was quite looking forward to checking out this store as it was advertised in the newspaper as a bar, coffee shop and boutique. As I decided on another plan of action, we walked by a little lane that housed some other coffee shops and stumbled upon it on the other side of the building. Oops, my mistake.

Shirt Bar sells coffee, spirits and tailored made business shirts. An interesting concept that was combined well together when we first stepped in. As it was about 2pm in the afternoon, the store smelt like coffee with quite a few tables taken up by coffee drinkers (mostly in suits, don't these people need to go to work??). I would say the store had an antique yet modern, contemporary look to it, with the old, antique sewing machines and glass carafes like in Mad Men placed all over in contrast to the modern colours and styles of shirts on sale.

I had a cappuccino, AUD$3.5, JL and TT had a latte, AUD$3.5. It was a relatively cold day, so stepping into

a warm and welcoming coffee shop enhanced our first impressions. The coffee temperature was perfect for this weather. Not scalding hot but a good temperature to sip on and enjoy the warmth. The cookies were buttery and complimented the coffee because they were a tad on the dry side.

What surprised me was their addition of the piccolo latte, cappuccino and flat white: I only thought piccolo lattes existed, but I guess if they exist, it wouldn't be too hard to make a cappuccino or flat white in that style either. A piccolo latte is basically a smaller version of a latte. The beverage is prepared in an espresso/macchiato cup and fill to the top with milk and froth, so there is milk incorporated into the espresso rather than just a dash of froth as a macchiato would have. Was that confusing?

Looking through their drinks menu, I did not see any cocktails (much to my disappointment) but just a list of spirits and liqueurs. They showcased the more expensive spirits on the wall, such as Glenfiddich, Johnnie Walker Black Label and some others that I had never seen before. It was a lot to take in, but we stayed there for a while to observe and enjoy.

I did not see any bar snacks menu - I may have just missed them, but an assortment of pastries and danishes were available, set out on the bar for quick access and viewing.

Shirt Bar joins other new concept bars/boutique/coffee shops and creates an interesting atmosphere to enjoy coffee and drinks. Located near KPMG, you can imagine the amount of people visiting for coffee breaks and after-work drinks. For someone who hasn't visited this area before, it was quite hard to find but with many other coffee shops in its vicinity, Shirt Bar was a standout in the services they provided. More coffee adventures in Wynyard, I guess!

The staff were friendly, giving us water from those awesome glass charafes (all I need to do now is start smoking in-doors) and asking me about my blog (I hid it in their sugar pot, hope they found it). And with a VIP Lounge up above, there is ample seating and standing areas, both inside and out.

I would someday like to go to Shirt Bar during the night to see it in action with after-work business men and women. With a vast amount of choices and varieties of men and women business shirts, the cost although on the slightly expensive side (although I am not really sure how much a shirt would cost on average) provides another tangent of interactivity and look and feel of the store. Just go to look at the shirts, if you must!

address: Sussex Lane: 275 Kent St & Sussex St.

website: Shirt Bar / phone: 02 8068 8222

#026, triple pick coffee, 030611

company: JL & TT

conversation: Movies, decor of the place.

Yes! I am back!

I had originally planned on us going to another coffee shop that served crepes (as I felt like eating them that day) but as I found myself alone waiting for the others to arrive, I

decided to take a little stroll to see what else was around that area. If I hadn't decided to walk down a side street, I would have completely missed this little gem.

JL perfectly describes our first thoughts upon walking in: "Smells like you could eat the air"; freshly ground coffee was strong, aromatic and so yum. The decor in the store was simple, clean and sophisticated. Even the furniture was the colour of roasted coffee beans!

One of the walls was covered in framed photos and posters of the coffee brewing process, facts about coffee and general latte art. Coffee grinding, roasting and brewing equipment was lined up on shelves on the other wall. Triple Pick Coffee roasts coffee beans daily and specialises in "high quality Indonesian Arabica Coffee".

Although the room may have seemed a bit small when we walked in, the owner (Mulyady Suopo) gave us the freedom to move the furniture around so that all three of us could sit around a table. With approximately 8 seats and a couple of stools for window seating, the store allowed for a comfortable chill out area.

The simplicity of the decor was amazing, matching well with the jazz music in the background. When we arrived, there was a father and son sitting at a table with the father enjoying his coffee and newspaper but the little boy was obviously bored, aww. Once seated, a couple more people came and went with take-away coffees.

I had a cappuccino, regular, AUD$3.00. JL had a flat white, regular, AUD$3.00.

I have come to realise that I cannot fault any frothed milk from the majority of Sydney cafes due to the prevalent coffee culture we have here. Knowing that my coffees aren't great I am surprised to not have received any complaints regarding the milk/look of the coffee. The other day someone sent back a coffee I had made because it was burnt (in my defense, the coffee machine was too hot and by the time the ground coffee beans were even in the group handle, it was already burnt).

I think it was just me, but when our drinks arrived, there was a distinct sweet caramel aroma coming from the coffee. It smelt really good. The little cookie on the side was a cute touch and complimented the coffee well.

Taste and appearance wise, the coffee was amazing. But I wish the temperature was a little hotter (not scalding hot but not scull-able either) and the amount of froth in my cappuccino was similar to the flat white JL had. Minor observations...

I noticed on their drinks list they had a new iced coffee (AUD$5.50) option with coffee ice cubes, which was a smart way to ensure the drink did not go watery. Teas and hot chocolates were also AUD$3.00. Larger coffees cost an extra dollar (AUD$4.00), which included two shots. I don't know about you but I sometimes see my colleagues making large coffees with only one shot... I don't actually know which practice is standard but I always thought that with the extra volume of milk, an extra shot would allow it to taste similar to its regular counterpart. Hmm...

Being quite a small coffee shop, I was not surprised to find a small selection of pastries and cookies but that was alright because we had eaten already. Non-coffee drinkers can also enjoy this area with a variety of fruit juices and bottled drinks. Not too shabby...

Hidden in the corner of an empty street (which we later found was the exit for the Bondi Junction Westfield carpark), Triple Pick Coffee provides great coffee for a reasonable price and in a relaxing, comfortable environment. From the beginning of the street, the store may be hard to find and looks like it belongs to the pet store next door.

I would not hesitate to go back and I definitely recommend this place. With only 45 minutes to spare (we were going to watch a movie), we were pretty chilled out and comfortable smelling the air and admiring the surroundings. Too bad there was no Wi-Fi, or maybe that was a good thing cos we only had 45 minutes, I can imagine us sitting there for hours on end just playing Words with Friends, haha.

Anyway, I wish my room was as cool as this store was. I'm glad I decided to come here instead of the crepes store (maybe some other time!).

address: 17 Gray Street, Bondi Junction, NSW 2017
website: Triple Pick Coffee / phone: 9388 9015

#025, the fairtrade coffee company, 080410

company: K
conversation: Uni, life and Pecan pie.

Having walked by this coffee shop numerous times in the past year, we finally went together after K's recommendation. Conveniently located just 2 minutes walk into Glebe (near University of Sydney), it was very boho chic and had a very laid-back atmosphere to it.

The semester previous I had done a marketing project on Fairtrade and I must say that I was happy to be a patron to help coffee bean farmers lead a higher standard of living and provide more for their families. It was obviously very community friendly with bulletin boards in one corner and revolving around Fairtrade, there were ornaments from exotic places all around the world.

Ordering at the counter, we were excited to find that students got a 12% discount on their orders, which I thought was a good marketing scheme and helped entice customers. Looking at the menu; breakfast, lunch and dinner options were available. Pancakes and waffles were $11 and $9 respectively which were extremely tempting but we opted for the pies on display (cos they looked better).

There were sofas, tables and chairs around the store with a similar pattern and colour scheme adding into the relaxed environment.

A range of books and board games were available indicating that this was a place for someone to sit for hours playing, studying (you can see someones textbook in the corner of the picture on the right) or just chatting.

I particularly liked the ceiling decor, although it's not something people regularly observe, after starting this blog I have been more perceptive in almost everything (which is a good or bad thing, I don't know), its elegance and detail was eye-catching and so pretty.

I had a cappuccino and a slice of apple crumble, AUD$8.50. K had a cappuccino with cinnamon and a slice of pecan pie, AUD$8.50.

Alas, we were too busy chatting that we forgot to get our student discount! Next time.

Our food and beverages came quite quickly whilst we were trying to figure out how to play a game which we gave up on eventually.

We discussed how pecan pies are so well-known but none of us had actually tried one, so in the spirit of trying new things, K had ordered one. IT WAS AMAZING. You would think that a slab of something like that would be sickly sweet and very nutty but it wasn't anything like that! I don't even know how to describe it myself, a mix of crunchy (but not crazy crunchy) pecans with some kind of custard-like gel (which was the right amount of sweet) made this pecan pie heavenly and the pastry was a whole other thing, crisp and lightly buttered. Ahh... Despite its appearance, since then, I have been back to get more of that pecan goodness!


My apple crumble was really good as well, the apples were sweet with a twang of sourness but I would say the pastry was the best thing. Chewy but still crisp... Ahh...

Anyway! Back to the coffee. Whilst it was good, I did realise that the ratio of froth with coffee was lacking just a little. Unfortunately, despite my efforts support to Fairtrade, I wasn't sure whether the coffee I had ordered was Fairtrade or not because I did see a sign afterwards telling us to ask them about their Fairtrade coffee. So, um, maybe next time? One thing to note is that Fairtrade coffee does cost a little extra (as there is a premium amount going to the farmers) and similar to Starbucks, you usually have to ask them to use Fairtrade coffee.

I will admit that it has been a while since I've updated and since then I have had my fair share of coffees. I do realise that maybe I am being a bit nit-picky with the whole ratio thing. I say this because whilst at work, I am not great with the ratio of froth to coffee either, mine is probably half and half, which is worse than having more coffee than froth. Oops? Still trying to work on it!

Still, I was happy with the combination of pie and coffee. I did a little bit of maths since they didn't tell us the price of the coffee on its own. The coffee turned out to be only $2.80, which is similar to university campus coffee. I was quite surprised. The pie was $5.50 but I was full afterwards and very satisfied!

The Fairtrade Coffee Company, is a big coffee shop allowing students and customers nearby to chat, study and catch up with others. With free Wi-Fi, I can imagine many people just camping out and staying for hours on end. The outdoor areas accommodate smokers whilst the sofas and board games allow for patrons to sit and relax.

Their prices are reasonable, food and beverages both good (try their Pecan pie!). Their location is one of the best for those just walking from uni (and deciding on the first coffee shop to visit).

Yay for Fairtrade practices and pecan pie.

address: 33 Glebe Point Road, Glebe 2037
website: Fair Trade Coffee Company / phone: 9660 0621

#024, sam i am, 130310

company: K
conversation: MLIA, university, life and Dog Shows.

** Thank you to K for the pictures! **

After a long day of work, K and I met up to go on our first Sydney coffee adventure. After studying here for already 2 years, K had found a street near her university that boasted many coffee shops so we decided to start there. I passed many stores that were really full as it was a weekend and a flee market was going on. Thinking I might have walked a bit too far, just as I was about to turn around, this little shop caught my eye.

Walking in, I noticed how spacious the coffee shop seemed to be. Although empty, I later found a couple sitting in a courtyard behind the shop leading to a larger seating area outdoors for smokers. There was a blackboard with several meal deals hung above a desk with magazines and pamphlets to read through.

Ordering at the counter was interesting as they had so much stuff to look at, the menu was not extensive but they did serve breakfast and lunch with a larger variety of drinks. I was not surprised they didn't open for dinner as competition along the street was fierce and because they were quite a walk away from the main road, they might not get as much business.

Looking around, the place was very relaxed and chilled. Excellent place to study and chat as it was quiet comfortable. I guess you could really imagine a student coming in, ordering a beverage and staying for several hours with their books all spread out on the table in front of them. Pop art painted on the walls as well as posters were prevalent, giving the surroundings a modern feel.

The waitress was nice and casual, giving us a tiger figurine as our table number. So cute (but scary, if you ask me)! (As you probably might have guessed, I spent most of the time in the cafe making roaring noises and attacking our food and drinks with the tiger). I noticed their tips jar had a leaning cow on it with a label saying "Tipping Cow"... Ha ha, get it? I wanted to get a picture but it would have been weird.

ROAR!

I asked exactly how many floors there were to the store and the waitress replied saying including the courtyard, it counted as 4 floors! Amazing! I didn't even bother counting how many seats that would be. I also observed them to have air-conditioning on the higher floors, which is an uncommon thing in Sydney (or at least the places I've been to) because fans are usually sufficient. Although good for hot summer days in Sydney, it was fairly chilly where we sat (in front of the air-con, smart) and my coffee got cold fast.


I had a cappuccino, regular, AUD$3.5. K had a berry frappe, AUD$5.5. We both shared a french toast, AUD$16.

The coffee and frappe arrived very quickly. Although small, the foam was creamy and espresso was strong but not very bitter.

Since visiting this store, I have had a lot more coffees to try out. Maybe it's just me but the bitterness no longer gets to me as much as it did before. Now I wish to try different blends and roastings to identify the beans' properties and taste.

Temperature is another thing that has been getting to me lately as well. At work, we do not have a thermometer to measure the temperature of the milk whilst it being steamed. When I make coffees, my hand is usually red after holding the jug and for me, the coffees can be drunk (or gulped, up to you) on the spot. On the other hand, my colleague made me a cappuccino the other day, and it scalded my entire tongue (am still recovering). I am confused as to how people like their coffee. And which extreme is acceptable amongst regular coffee drinkers.

Presentation was simple, nothing extravagant.

The berry frappe was very tropical, refreshing and cool. Perfect for a summer day. I tasted strawberries, raspberries and I assumed there would be blueberries in there too. They were also very generous with the amount as you can see it filled right up to the top!

As I was sipping my coffee, all I could do was think about the french toast that was coming soon. I figured the combination of espresso coffee and sweet french toast with caramelised banana, strawberries and maple syrup would be a perfect end to my day. But whilst chatting away, I had finished my cup of coffee and the french toast was nowhere to be found.

The waitresses had already begun mopping the floors and generally cleaning up for the end of the day, so I figured the french toast was being made... But surely not for that long? I agreed with K after a while that the dish was rather expensive, especially as there might have been cheaper options elsewhere but I was adamant on staying. Turns out, they actually forgot about our french toast! Boo! When it finally did arrive, my stomach was more hungry rather than peckish so it was more like wolfing down the toast rather than savouring it.

Sam I Am being so far away from the main street, definitely has it's work cut out for them in trying to attract residents and pedestrians within the area. I would assume it would be busier during the weekdays when university is in session.

Although quaint and original in their ideas, the coffee was good, the frappe was good and the french toast was good... But not that good. Maybe it was the fact that they forgot our order and I have a fear of being forgotten. Or maybe it was a long day and I wanted to enjoy my coffee with the french toast. Or maybe it was even the pricing of the french toast which could have bought me a meal instead. Sam I Am makes me want to watch the movie (which I have not seen yet) instead of reminding me of a coffee shop I once visited.

Whilst a good place to study, relax and chat with friends, there are alternatives cheaper in price and closer in distance to the main street (it was a good day to have a nice stroll but it rained afterwards so that was annoying).

address: 99 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037, Sydney, Australia

#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.**