Cafe Corridor, Hong Kong 2013

Blink and you could literally miss Cafe Corridor as you walk down the street. Which is what happened to us because it took us 15 minutes to find the place despite being on the right street and knowing the unit number. Set in a space accessible only by a narrow corridor (very literal) from the street, Cafe Corridor is quite possibly the smallest cafe I have ever been in. Tables and diners are squished in every available corner while the coffee bar and kitchen is packed full of brewing and cooking paraphernalia. Despite the space, a good spread of food and coffee is offered, and we took advantage of that by ordering both brewed (French press) and espresso-based (cappucino) coffees and dinner. If you need some respite from the crowds of Causeway Bay, this is a good spot to get away.

Fullcup Cafe, Hong Kong 2013

We usually think of cafes being located on street level with a pretty signboard and interesting decor to invite you in but the crazy rents in Hong Kong have caused many cafes to move up higher within the multitudes of commercial buildings that dot the Hong Kong landscape. Most of them have nary a signboard or facade to warn you that they are there though!

Fullcup Cafe is located on the 3-7F of a building in Mongkok, and was recommended to us by our friends of friends to go to for live music. I had also found it independently so the extra recommendations made this an immediate must-go for us. Sadly, our dates were wrong for a live music event. Next time.

We got really lost trying to figure out how to actually get into the building. There's no public lobby that opens out from the main road, rather we had to walk down a dingy alley to find this orange sign and then futilely try to push open some likely-looking doors until a security guard took pity on us and showed us where the elevators were.

When we got there, the main floor of the cafe was full with locals and we got moved up to an empty 5th (or was it 6th) floor. This floor had a retro-grunge bar kind of feeling. We took a window seat, and it was fun to observe the hustle & bustle of Hong Kong from high up. Through it all, no one else came up to join us.

Café Bistro The Alchemist, Hong Kong 2013

When we were planning for Hong Kong, we organised what we wanted to see by area, planning to spend every day in a new area, slowly discovering them and more. After the dim sum at Tim Ho Wan, we walked a few steps to Cafe Bistro The Alchemist. And by a few steps, I meant we took the train from Sham Shui Po to Prince Edward, walked to the cafe only to realise it was only about 100m from Tim Ho Wan.

A cafe for travellers, C and I immediately felt welcomed into this space. We also felt that there was a very Taiwanese feel to the decor. Loved the mis-matched chairs, cement wall and fixtures, travel books and inspirational Mandarin quotes on the wall.

Still stuffed from Tim Ho Wan, we went for some coffee and desserts. Our waffles were awesome, why did no one else think to combine green tea ice cream, chocolate fudge and strawberries? And f the horde of people that descended on the cafe for lunch are anything to go by, the rest of the food must be pretty good too!

Pregio by Barista Caffe, Hong Kong 2013

After browsing Island East Markets, we retreated to Pregio by Barista Caffe for a mid-day caffeine boost. Besides coffee, Pregio also serves up Italian Western meals, but we weren't hungry so we gave the food a miss.

C requested for a cup of siphon coffee while I went for the unusual with a caffe banana (iced coffee mixed with banana). The caffe banana definitely takes some getting used to and I think its best suited to a coffee drinker accustomed to filter coffee because the banana adds on to the acidity of the coffee.

If you are looking for a quiet neighbourhood to retreat from the constant hustle and buzz of Hong Kong, Quarry Bay is that place. Besides Pregio, there are a few other coffee shops and cafes that are gaining quite a name for themselves, Camper's, Espresso Alchemy and Yo Bago. These places are definitely on my list for the next trip!

Coffee at Soho

Rainy mornings are made for hot beverages. I only wish I was taking mine in a cozy cafe, watching the rain pitter patter, rather than at my desk with keyboards going clickety clack. Oh well, we work with what we have.

Photographs taken at Soho Coffee (36 Armenian Street, #01-08)

Relational Goods

A fleeting presence in the neighbourhood of Joo Chiat, Relational Goods has found a new home at Katong V. Here are a few photos to remember the old place by.

Skyve-ing

Photographs taken at Skyve a few months ago.

It's been a busy Saturday. I crammed in an early morning swim, a visit to the Singapore Art Book Fair, running a children's programme at the museum and a dinner with a friend. Definitely not skiving.

Afternoon Sun(ray)

Blue skies, sunny (and humid) days are here again. Which means I feel that it is now appropriate to post these photos up unlike the timing for the previous post. These photos came from an afternoon spent at Sunray Cafe, a cozy, neighbourhood cafe with exceptional coffee (yes, such a phenomenon exists). The cafe is located just behind my grandparents' house, which our family has since sold after their deaths, which makes the trip there familiar and nostalgic.

Film Notes
It occurs to me as I post these photographs up, I used the Lomography Sunset Strip film at a cafe called Sunray. How much of a coincidence is that? (laughs). About the film itself, I am not entirely convinced about the Sunset Strip film, so far it has not performed up to expectation. I also hate the grain that comes with it, much like the Lomography XPro 200 film.

Windowsill Pies

If you are looking for a place where Christmas is perpetual, look no further than Windowsill Pies. Because a pie a day keeps the sad doctor away.

The Loft Cafe

I believe I professed my love for the american breakfast in a previous post. Well, on Friday, I had it again for dinner. Sausages, mushrooms, bacon and eggs - the easiest way to get to me. I also dug up another bunch of photographs when we were at The Loft Cafe, guess what I was having at tea time? That's right, american breakfast, with an extra side of pancakes.

A Grin Affair

How could you not grin a little when you walk through a shop named a Grin Affair, knowing that there are desserts in a jar waiting to be devoured by you? Personally, I find it impossible.

Grin Affair has some of the yummiest desserts ever, their choices range from the safe - cookies & cream, hazelnut, caramel, stawberry custard, to the truly decadent - dark choc, peanut butter fudge, and the unique - banoffee, pineapple coconut cheese, marron and honey lavendar. I usually stick to the safer choices but the next time I go, I might get the marron (chestnut)!