S
ometimes it’s a functional drink
that gets us through the day,
sometimes it’s a stolen moment
of ‘me time’, sometimes it’s an
excuse to get out of the house and
catch up with friends, and other times
it’s a drink we truly love and cherish. A
coffee that’s so hot it burns is my sworn
enemy, in complete contrast to my
father, who complains when a coffee
isn’t hot enough. This juxtaposition has
made me very aware that a great
coffee to me, might suck for you.
In short, coffee is like wine (without
the alcohol!) – it’s a personal choice.
Just like they say with wine, a good
coffee is one you enjoy. But coffee
isn’t just about the taste, it’s about the
place, the experience and the people
you share it with. Here are eight great
caffeine-fuelled experiences across
the city:
1. 18 Grams
18 Grams has eight stores scattered
across the city, from Mong Kok to
Sheung Wan. Not only do they serve
beautiful coffee in gorgeous venues,
they also roast and sell their own
beans. They’re the real deal. These
guys are passionate about coffee and
they also serve pastries and hot food
from early ’til late.
At the Sheung Wan store I spotted
both man buns and beards, but no
babies, so, 18 Grams can be a great
little escape for mums needing a break
from home life. 18 Grams’ cold brew
coffee is a delicious indulgence at $58
a serve – but it comes in a beautiful
sake-inspired serving style, so it feels
very special and worth the splurge.
This one is great for coffee lovers
and mums who want to feel plugged
in to the food scene, but some of their
venues aren’t stroller-friendly, so try 18
Grams with some other mamas and
leave the kids at home.
•
Check out all the details at
2. The Cupping Room
This Sheung Wan favourite has opened
another venue in the heart of Central,
just under the escalator. Mums and tots
are regulars at The Cupping Room, but
be warned – the Central store gets very
busy around lunch time and you will be
asked to leave if you linger too long.
These guys are Hong Kong barista
champions, so it doesn’t get any
better than this for coffee boffins and
Australian tourists. The Cupping Room
offers a range of coffees including cold
brew, plus they serve a mean smashed
avocado on toast with almonds, and
a delicious house-cured salmon on
toast. The iced mocha is an indulgent
treat that looks almost too good to eat
– it comes in a mason jar with handle,
topped with whipped cream. Super
cool and super yummy.
•
The Cupping Room is at 299 Queen’s
Road Central, Sheung Wan, and 18
Cochrane Street, Central
.
3. The Cofftea Shop
This hole-in-the-wall shop is a favourite
of K-Town mums. Why? Because it has
great coffee and mouth-watering
cakes. This is a handy one for busy
mums who want a decent coffee to go.
The Cofftea Shop offers one small table
inside but, with limited space, it’s really
a grab’n’go experience.
You can sip on a bunch of different
coffees, all guaranteed to be crafted
to perfection by their friendly barista.
And don’t forget to duck around the
corner of the counter to eyeball the full
range of treats on offer.
•
The Cofftea Shop is on the ground
floor of the Yue On Building, 78-86
Catchick Street, Kennedy Town
.
4. Jaspa’s
Across the road from The Cofftea Shop
in K-Town is a huge Jaspa’s, with acres
of space for strollers and families. This
is a great coffee experience for those
mums who need a sit down break or
February 2016
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