26
5
1
Level1
3
0
2010-07-09 41 views
其實之前已經聽過 Xen Coffee, 不過因為位置問題, 所以,一直未有拜訪, 今次終於有機會試到了.咖啡店開於一個小型商場內, 可能由於假日關係, 這些小商場根本沒有很多人流... 起初有點懷疑係咪去錯左地方呢. 後來行到某個位置, 聞到咖啡的味道, 於是便找到目的地了~一場黎到, 緊係要試呢度既 Syphon. 不過當望到menu係用 fair trade 咖啡豆果下, 其實係有d擔心會唔會質素唔太好呢... 不過經過店主親切既介紹menu內既咖啡, finally 最後都叫左2杯 fair trade syphon coffee. 危地馬拉雖然咖啡既果味並唔濃列, 不過飲起上黎都幾舒服.可以唔洗加糖又唔洗加奶, good Strawberry Waffle即叫即製的, 不過有點overcook了raisin scone我冇試, 因為朋友話味道一般, 冇咩特別唔知關唔關假日人少事, 人少少並沒有吵鬧的感覺. 整體上黎講呢度環境okay, 坐得幾舒服~ 咖啡也不錯, 雖然應該還可以更好, 不過鐘意飲syphon既我, 應該會再黎
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其實之前已經聽過 Xen Coffee, 不過因為位置問題, 所以,一直未有拜訪, 今次終於有機會試到了.

咖啡店開於一個小型商場內, 可能由於假日關係, 這些小商場根本沒有很多人流... 起初有點懷疑係咪去錯左地方呢. 後來行到某個位置, 聞到咖啡的味道, 於是便找到目的地了~

一場黎到, 緊係要試呢度既 Syphon. 不過當望到menu係用 fair trade 咖啡豆果下, 其實係有d擔心會唔會質素唔太好呢... 不過經過店主親切既介紹menu內既咖啡, finally 最後都叫左2杯 fair trade syphon coffee.


危地馬拉
雖然咖啡既果味並唔濃列, 不過飲起上黎都幾舒服.
可以唔洗加糖又唔洗加奶, good


Strawberry Waffle
即叫即製的, 不過有點overcook了

raisin scone
我冇試, 因為朋友話味道一般, 冇咩特別

唔知關唔關假日人少事, 人少少並沒有吵鬧的感覺. 整體上黎講呢度環境okay, 坐得幾舒服~ 咖啡也不錯, 雖然應該還可以更好, 不過鐘意飲syphon既我, 應該會再黎

危地馬拉
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raisin scone
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Strawberry Waffle
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(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
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Dine In
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$50 (Tea)
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危地馬拉
Level3
72
25
2010-03-28 46 views
Another visit to Xen Coffee almost six months after my last time thereI can say now its operation settled in nicely. I felt Dixon, the barista and owner, was much more relaxed and it’s shown through his great hospitality during my visit there. Also, the empty shop in the picture was somewhat misleading. The shop was filled up soon after I took all these pictures and was fulled on my afternoon visit (5PM) for its waffle.Talking coffee, my Guatemala tasted much better than last time, even though
Read full review
Another visit to Xen Coffee almost six months after my last time there

I can say now its operation settled in nicely. I felt Dixon, the barista and owner, was much more relaxed and it’s shown through his great hospitality during my visit there.


Also, the empty shop in the picture was somewhat misleading. The shop was filled up soon after I took all these pictures and was fulled on my afternoon visit (5PM) for its waffle.

Talking coffee, my Guatemala tasted much better than last time, even though this is not my ‘cup of tea.’ Its nice acidity helped balanced out the monotony of smoky and darker roast prominently shown during my previous visit.

Part of it was due to the change in the sequence of the brew. Dixon now dumped the ground in the upper part of the siphon and let the water rise vs. the prior order of filling up the upper chamber first before dumping the ground. I myself subscribe to its prior order as I believe it yields a more solid temperature profile. Nevertheless, the current setting seemed to work well for Xen’s coffee. I guess it was partly due to a darker roast profile. Check the bean to see how ‘shiny’ or ‘oily’ its surface shows.

Xen now offers a house special waffle with fruit, cream and chocolate syrup. It was quite nice though I prefer a simpler version, just a real light grade maple syrup and waffle. Also, the waffle was quite soft in texture which should fit well with local taste profile. The croissant I had with coffee in the morning tastes more like bread than the flakiness I associated with this type of pastry.

I asked Dixon a favor to brew my own favorite, Nicaragua La Esperanza, roasted by hkcoffee.com. Initially, I wanted to see how it performs in the siphon brew, having been very familiar brewing this coffee myself for a while.

This is a surprise; I couldn’t recognize the cup.


Instead of a familiar sweet acidity, (think fruit juice), I can only taste the darker roast profile similar to other coffees I had at Xen. When the cup cooled down, the acidity only improved a tiny bit. I can only sense the nice acidity on the aftertaste which was good but really fainted.

I double checked the bean this morning via French press and paper drip to see how it performs as tiny batch roasting from hkcoffee.com sometimes went wrong. There it was, the familiar sweet acidity like citrus juice was still in the cup.

Why? The only thing I could think of is water. Xen uses an elaborate water filter which tends to strip everything out of water while the poor man setup like mine, a filtered tap water with Brita, should allow most of the mineral and stuff to stay.

This is actually a classic argument whether one should use ‘pure’ water or water with something. I typically subscribed to the latter one as, from my own experience, the mineral and things in the water makes coffee taste better. You could google and find recommendations on mixing spring water with distilled water for better taste coffee. Remember, water in the majority of the coffee cup. Nevertheless, I did not expect this much difference in the cup.

Is this an issue of too good a thing? Not really. We can further argue about the quality of water in Hong Kong and the need to be more vigilant on the issue. I guess this is a personal issue and, for me, I prefer a simple filtered tap water. You are your own judge then.

Also, I would like to thank Dixon who still keeps the SCAJ 2009 lanyard for me. I hope you have a great time for SCAJ 2010 and bring back some great idea for the shop.
Xen Coffee's shop fronts
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Xen Coffee's on the side and its cake offering
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Well-used Hottop roaster. Notice the stain
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Three halogen heating lamps and Guatemala coffee
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La Esperanza's turn and the resulting cup below
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Banana Waffle... Thks for SCAJ '09 lanyard
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(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
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Date of Visit
2010-03-27
Spending Per Head
$35 (Other)
Recommended Dishes
Xen Coffee's shop fronts
Xen Coffee's on the side and its cake offering
Three halogen heating lamps and Guatemala coffee
Level2
18
0
由他們開張不久起,一直到現在,我已經去過 Xen 不下十次了。到今日之後還沒有寫食評的原因,是身為一個 Syphon 玩家,也是咖啡愛好者,實在不知怎下筆。怎麼說好呢? 別看 Syphon 很花俏,它其實是一種很易上手,相對容易沖出穩定的咖啡的器具。因為 Syphon 出來的咖啡很「清」,它在很適合煮 Single Origin/Estate 甚至現在流行的 Micro Lot ,去表現獨特的風味。正正如此,要煮得出色,還真的很考究。說說水溫。基本上,用同一種 Syphon 的話,水溫是不太可能調節的,最多只有兩三度左右的空間。前提是,水升上上壺後火力要控制得好,不要有太多的氣泡,否則過熱的氣泡會燒傷咖啡粉。因為 Syphon 沖煮時水溫失溫不多,沖煮時維持在一個比較高的溫度 (下粉前 92 度左右,完成時咖啡也能回到 90 度左右的水溫) 所以它是比較合適沖煮淺炒的咖啡去表現果酸甜香。水溫不可動,那只有粗幼/時間可動了。對,Syphon 就是玩這幾樣,粗幼,浸泡時間,火力控制。怎玩法?例如說,正常的 Syphon 咖啡沖煮時間都在 1 分鐘內,但有適合超粗磨極長泡 (5 分鐘以上)的
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由他們開張不久起,一直到現在,我已經去過 Xen 不下十次了。到今日之後還沒有寫食評的原因,是身為一個 Syphon 玩家,也是咖啡愛好者,實在不知怎下筆。

怎麼說好呢? 別看 Syphon 很花俏,它其實是一種很易上手,相對容易沖出穩定的咖啡的器具。因為 Syphon 出來的咖啡很「清」,它在很適合煮 Single Origin/Estate 甚至現在流行的 Micro Lot ,去表現獨特的風味。

正正如此,要煮得出色,還真的很考究。

說說水溫。

基本上,用同一種 Syphon 的話,水溫是不太可能調節的,最多只有兩三度左右的空間。前提是,水升上上壺後火力要控制得好,不要有太多的氣泡,否則過熱的氣泡會燒傷咖啡粉。
因為 Syphon 沖煮時水溫失溫不多,沖煮時維持在一個比較高的溫度 (下粉前 92 度左右,完成時咖啡也能回到 90 度左右的水溫) 所以它是比較合適沖煮淺炒的咖啡去表現果酸甜香。

水溫不可動,那只有粗幼/時間可動了。對,Syphon 就是玩這幾樣,粗幼,浸泡時間,火力控制。

怎玩法?

例如說,正常的 Syphon 咖啡沖煮時間都在 1 分鐘內,但有適合超粗磨極長泡 (5 分鐘以上)的豆,喝起來醇厚回甘極強。

----------------------------------- 我是分隔線 ---------------------------------------

說了這麼多,要回來說說 Xen 了。

作為 Syphon 玩家,在 Xen 中,我就是看不到那些 Syphonist 應有細微的執著。

豆的種類的確不少,但大多是炒得比較深的 (應該入二爆了吧?) 只有耶加雪夫和藍山是比較合適 Syphon 的淺。這問題我也有跟店家反影,他們說這是市場問題 (唉) 香港人愛喝香甘苦黑,不愛活潑的果酸。

豆,大多數時間是即磨,不過幾種豆也用同一部磨豆機,轉豆時沒有下多一點去「以豆洗機」。

火力控制不太好,上壼很多時是不停滾動的。

粗幼/時間這方面,我就不太清楚他們有沒有為每種豆去試,去訂制,所以我就不評了。

Fair Trade,原意是好的,不過 Fair Trade 的機制令咖啡豆的質素沒有保証。

----------------------------------- 我是分隔線 ---------------------------------------

說完大體上的評語,也說說味道吧。

House Blend -

用 Syphon 煮 Blend 豆其實很是不容易的,通常都會弄到「兩頭唔到岸」
這杯 House Blend 就是這樣子了。有點像我對日本人炒/煮咖啡的感覺 (平衡,醇厚,香氣注重),不過這杯 House Blend 又沒有那種 Dedicated 的香氣。Not my cup of coffee!

耶加雪夫 -

最初去 Xen 時,這裏的耶加雪夫也是較深的! 感覺有點像啞了。
事實上用 Syphon 煮深炒耶加雪夫實在是大大的浪費,幸好店家後來也從善如流,炒淺了,淺紅啡色,花香,果香,很淡的甜和最最最最重要的橘柑酸… (老黃賣瓜 - 雖然沒有我自己煮自己買的耶加那麼好
)

這才是耶加雪夫嘛!

----------------------------------- 我是分隔線 ---------------------------------------

看我彈多過讚,應該很不喜歡這兒吧? 錯了,我其實是很喜歡這店的。尤其喜歡他們慢慢把「好咖啡不用加奶糖就很好喝」這觀念帶給附近的人。

看到我的下筆難處吧?

從一個 Syphonist,咖啡癡的觀點來看,這裏可以改進的地方有好多。但這些改進,是不是能為市場接受? 增加了的成本,換來質素的提升,會不會太少人欣賞,反過來說你加價了少了幫襯?

某個程度來說,我覺得 Xen 在質素,價錢和工夫上來說,算是平衡得很好了。

所以,我還是會給他們四分。

(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
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2010-02-08
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  • 耶加雪夫
Level4
2010-01-31 19 views
自從第一次來過, 寫過了之後, 就好久都沒有再來喝咖啡了, 就是怕要久等。經過一年的努力 (它剛慶祝了開店一周年), 的獨門虹吸式咖啡, 總算在本地的咖啡界站穩了陣腳, 就連陳豪的咖啡書都有介紹。近日喝厭了連鎖店的咖啡, 也是時候回歸 Xen Coffee 的懷抱, 放慢一下腳步, 好好欣賞咖啡了。士別三日, 果然刮目相看; 店子不但贏得了名氣 (榮登 Time Out Hong Kong 雜誌的 Hong Kong's 20 Best Coffee Spots 之一), 也得到愛好咖啡的人士的歡心。其實, Xen Coffee 也是一家有心企業, 有公平貿易咖啡 (還有朱古力!) 出售, 也在有關的界別得到認同。所謂公平貿易, 就是確保在貧窮國家的生產者得到公平的交易。公平貿易運動的出現, 是基於國際貿易中現時仍有很多(尤其是對生產者) 不公平的地方。以咖啡為例, 出產咖啡豆的地方很多都是發展中國家, 農民沒什麼議價能力, 常會被大企業壓價, 而經過層層的轉銷過程之後, 消費者付出買咖啡的錢, 只有很少部份真正落入這些農民手中。在公平貿易的制度下, 收購者興生產者協議, 向生產者提
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自從第一次來過, 寫過了之後, 就好久都沒有再來喝咖啡了, 就是怕要久等。經過一年的努力 (它剛慶祝了開店一周年), 的獨門虹吸式咖啡, 總算在本地的咖啡界站穩了陣腳, 就連陳豪的咖啡書都有介紹。

近日喝厭了連鎖店的咖啡, 也是時候回歸 Xen Coffee 的懷抱, 放慢一下腳步, 好好欣賞咖啡了。士別三日, 果然刮目相看; 店子不但贏得了名氣 (榮登 Time Out Hong Kong 雜誌的 Hong Kong's 20 Best Coffee Spots 之一), 也得到愛好咖啡的人士的歡心。其實, Xen Coffee 也是一家有心企業, 有公平貿易咖啡 (還有朱古力!) 出售, 也在有關的界別得到認同。

所謂公平貿易, 就是確保在貧窮國家的生產者得到公平的交易。公平貿易運動的出現, 是基於國際貿易中現時仍有很多(尤其是對生產者) 不公平的地方。以咖啡為例, 出產咖啡豆的地方很多都是發展中國家, 農民沒什麼議價能力, 常會被大企業壓價, 而經過層層的轉銷過程之後, 消費者付出買咖啡的錢, 只有很少部份真正落入這些農民手中。在公平貿易的制度下, 收購者興生產者協議, 向生產者提供一個合理的價錢, 提供長期合約以保障他們的生活, 以至可以持續生產; 還有向他們給予支援, 以使他們獲得經營所需的知識和技巧。同時, 公平貿易也著重維持環境的可持續性, 對地球環境也有好處。

(參考資料:
www.maketradefair.com
www.maketradefair.org.hk)

Xen 有兩款公平貿易咖啡供應, 都已試過了。
第一款是 Guatemalan Rainforest 100% Organic Fairtrade: 危地馬拉 Coban 雨林出產的有機公平貿易咖啡 ($32)。這種咖啡有清新的果香, 透過虹吸法就可以保留此細膩輕柔的芳香而不會流失。

另一款是 Ethiopian Yigarcheffe 100% Organic Fairtrade 埃塞俄比亞耶加雪夫 ($32), 店家稱之為「黑啡之選」, 說是帶花香 (咦?) 還有麝香 (嘩!) 的味道 (好明顯我鼻塞), 入口不酸, 口味清甜 (!!!), 不下糖幾 OK 但下少少糖更能帶出其細膩的質感。

食物沒怎麼試過, 平時有些三文治蛋糕之類, 也有午餐吃的, 配咖啡其實幾抵。圖中的是煙火雞三文治, 買咖啡可半價購買, 即製的, 有烘底, 倒也見心思。
似乎有不少的讚許
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虹吸式咖啡製作中!
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甘香細緻兼備的咖啡
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三文治其實也可以
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店主推介
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似乎有不少的讚許
虹吸式咖啡製作中!
甘香細緻兼備的咖啡
店主推介
  • 公平貿易咖啡
Level4
2K
91
2010-01-25 11 views
24-1-2010陪朋友到西灣河一轉, 搞掂後原本想去太古坊一帶的新店食 crepe 及 souffle, 但該店星期日唔開門, 轉戰呢間傳說係「低調高手」的咖啡店.叫了 Xen Special Blend... 聞落好香, 齋飲唔酸, 唔澀, 亦其實唔覺苦, 只覺得十分濃厚, 帶點甘味; 落糖落奶後, 就十分滑溜, 飲完喉嚨好舒服呢 唔飲咖啡的朋友叫了 iced chocolate, 勁多 cream 無試了, 唔知朱古力味又夠唔夠濃?另要了兩隻店員 (老闆?) 介紹的 raisin scone, 配 cream 及 blueberry jam... 自行走 raisins 後, 食落少少甜, 不過唔黏口又唔算香, 而且唔係熱食始終差 d; "cream" 非 clotted cream 而係 whipped cream, 雖然奶香一般, 但打得輕巧, 感覺還 ok 的.小店「藏於」人流好少的「0靚」商場, 地方亦較簡陋, 不過望埋 bar area 見到佢 d 咖啡 equipment, 感覺係好 pro 的一間店, 真係估佢唔到. 每人放低約 $30, 喺呢頭想飲咖啡的話
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24-1-2010

陪朋友到西灣河一轉, 搞掂後原本想去太古坊一帶的新店食 crepe 及 souffle, 但該店星期日唔開門, 轉戰呢間傳說係「低調高手」的咖啡店.

叫了 Xen Special Blend... 聞落好香, 齋飲唔酸, 唔澀, 亦其實唔覺苦, 只覺得十分濃厚, 帶點甘味; 落糖落奶後, 就十分滑溜, 飲完喉嚨好舒服呢


唔飲咖啡的朋友叫了 iced chocolate, 勁多 cream
無試了, 唔知朱古力味又夠唔夠濃?

另要了兩隻店員 (老闆?) 介紹的 raisin scone, 配 cream 及 blueberry jam... 自行走 raisins 後, 食落少少甜, 不過唔黏口又唔算香, 而且唔係熱食始終差 d; "cream" 非 clotted cream 而係 whipped cream, 雖然奶香一般, 但打得輕巧, 感覺還 ok 的.

小店「藏於」人流好少的「0靚」商場, 地方亦較簡陋, 不過望埋 bar area 見到佢 d 咖啡 equipment, 感覺係好 pro 的一間店, 真係估佢唔到.


每人放低約 $30, 喺呢頭想飲咖啡的話, 應該會再來的.
勁多 cream 的 iced chocolate
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勁對口味的 Xen Special Blend
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一般的 raisin scone
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好 pro 的一間店
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(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
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DETAILED RATING
Taste
Decor
Service
Hygiene
Value
Date of Visit
2010-01-24
Spending Per Head
$30 (Tea)
Recommended Dishes
勁多 cream 的 iced chocolate
勁對口味的 Xen Special Blend
一般的 raisin scone
好 pro 的一間店
  • Xen special blend
Level2
5
0
2009-12-21 25 views
今日同老婆黎呢度試下tea因為睇左食評!來到後,老板好細心講解每種咖啡的分別後我地就order左個哥倫比亞咖啡同兩個cake,一試之下果然名不虛傳,因為飲左後真係比星XX的好飲好多,特別佢個朱古力燉蛋非常滑!連我要求高的老婆都話好最後重同佢買左個手磨咖啡機同一包咖啡豆
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今日同老婆黎呢度試下tea
因為睇左食評!來到後,老板好細心講解每種咖啡的分別後
我地就order左個哥倫比亞咖啡同兩個cake,一試之下
果然名不虛傳,因為飲左後真係比星XX的好飲好多
,特別佢個朱古力燉蛋
非常滑!連我要求高的老婆都話好
最後重同佢買左個手磨咖啡機同一包咖啡豆
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(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
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DETAILED RATING
Taste
Decor
Service
Hygiene
Value
Date of Visit
2009-12-20
Spending Per Head
$40 (Tea)
Recommended Dishes
  • 朱古力燉蛋
Level2
5
0
2009-12-20 11 views
今日同老婆到呢度飲tea,因為睇過食評咁好,就試下啦!老板好細心介紹每種咖啡的特性,最後點左個哥倫比亞,一試之下果然名不虛傳!咖啡沒有飲後帶有酸的味道!非一般star****的味道重有佢地D Cake連我老婆好要求高都話好正!最後重幫親佢買左一包咖啡豆同一個手動咖啡磨!
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今日同老婆到呢度飲tea,因為睇過食評咁好,就試下啦!
老板好細心介紹每種咖啡的特性,最後點左個哥倫比亞,一試之下
果然名不虛傳!咖啡沒有飲後帶有酸的味道!非一般star****的味道
重有佢地D Cake
連我老婆好要求高都話好正!最後重幫親佢買左一包咖啡豆同一個手動咖啡磨!
(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
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DETAILED RATING
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Decor
Service
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Value
Date of Visit
2009-12-20
Recommended Dishes
  • 朱古力燉蛋
Level3
77
0
2009-11-14 32 views
從前在這區返工,卻不知地庫下有間咖啡店存在,經食友帶路,才找得著小店。食物:Columbia $35(約),我不懂咖啡,問店方那款咖啡品種較原味,老闆推介了這款,即叫即磨,很有心,輕度的烘焙,味道略帶酸味,非港人喝得慣的口味,我倒是無所謂,能嚐到咖啡應有本質就好了,很香,應該是周內烘焙的新鮮咖啡豆製作成,喝得滿意。環境衛生:企理乾淨小店,坐得不算舒服,是純為喝咖啡人士才會來的咖啡小店。消費:不平宜,但花過心機製作的味道,卻是物有所值的。
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從前在這區返工,卻不知地庫下有間咖啡店存在,經食友帶路,才找得著小店。

食物:Columbia $35(約),我不懂咖啡,問店方那款咖啡品種較原味,老闆推介了這款,即叫即磨,很有心,輕度的烘焙,味道略帶酸味,非港人喝得慣的口味,我倒是無所謂,能嚐到咖啡應有本質就好了,很香,應該是周內烘焙的新鮮咖啡豆製作成,喝得滿意。

環境衛生:企理乾淨小店,坐得不算舒服,是純為喝咖啡人士才會來的咖啡小店。

消費:不平宜,但花過心機製作的味道,卻是物有所值的。

精美蒸餾咖啡機。
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好喝。
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Service
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$35 (Other)
Recommended Dishes
精美蒸餾咖啡機。
好喝。
  • 即磨咖啡
Level3
72
25
2009-10-25 21 views
I ventured out of my way today for a cup of filtered coffee as I typically will make it myself if the coffee is not espresso. The choice is obvious, Xen Coffee for a Vac Pot brewThe overall experience was great, particularly the hospitality from both of its proprietor. They even recognize the cups I had last time there.. Also, I like to thank him for giving me a meaningful souvenir from his trip to events organized by Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ) which, under the influence of t
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I ventured out of my way today for a cup of filtered coffee as I typically will make it myself if the coffee is not espresso. The choice is obvious, Xen Coffee for a Vac Pot brew
The overall experience was great, particularly the hospitality from both of its proprietor. They even recognize the cups I had last time there..

Also, I like to thank him for giving me a meaningful souvenir from his trip to events organized by Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ) which, under the influence of too many caffeine today, I forgot to take it back…

Back to what’s in the cup, I was actually surprised that I can hardly distinguish the character of Nicaragua and Guatemala. Only after Guat cooled down a while (5 minutes, I guess, after it was served), I can finally sense the famous smoky flavor Guat was typically associated with. Neither was the fruit juice tone of Nicaragua from the beginning to the last drop.
IMHO, this is mostly due to its darker roast profile that most third wave roasters avoid in order to showcase its origin flavor. Nevertheless, it seemed to go better with the food offering there than if you just want to drink the coffee by itself.
Also, almost no acidity in its coffee due to darker roast profile. It was dawn on me why Xen chose to roast it coffee that way after I attended a seminar/tasting session organized by hkcoffee.com on Saturday. At the meeting, one of the participant said the coffee he had was too “sour” and just average. My take on the same coffee was that it’s good but not great vs. the great days at famous cafés in HK. Being an "acid freak", I would actually like to have more acidity in that cup. Such a diverse opinion should be the reason while Xen wants to play it safe by roasting darker. Only if someone would showcase the “better” side of acidity to coffee drinkers in Hong Kong.
The Earl Grey Crème Brûlée/mousse cake I had was not my cup of tea but it served well to reduce the effect of caffeine on my stomach (it’s the second and third cup of day within 15 minutes after I had a cappuccino expertly prepared by the 1st HK GBC Tracy Kwok which was good as usual).
Of course, a café can’t be everything for everyone and I respect Xen's decision. While it’s not up to 100% of my expectation, I would say that Xen is definitely a place to drop by if you want to have a decent cup of filtered coffee and don’t mind its price tag.

(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
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DETAILED RATING
Taste
Decor
Service
Hygiene
Value
Date of Visit
2009-10-25
Spending Per Head
$92 (Tea)
Recommended Dishes
  • Nicaragua and Guatemala coffee... Hold the milk and sugar
Level4
2009-09-22 2 views
昨天放飯時間, 師傅冇咩食慾, 加上唔多肚餓, 所以索性小睡片刻; 但又唔知點解訓訓下又想出去逛下, 大概係心太野! 於是即刻出去行下, 但喺呢d鄉下地方, 邊有好地方可以散下步得架? 正當悶悶不樂之際, 忽然間師傅諗到附近有間咖啡店, 應該唔會太多人, 可以去坐下喎, 於是即刻出發!去到咖啡店外, 望下有咩好食或好飲啦, 點知個伙計已經行左出黎招呼, 眼見又冇咩人於是就決定入去坐下; 其實入去同出去都冇咩分別, 皆因呢間咖啡店係用開放式設計, 但感覺挺舒服! 坐底後即刻望下有冇正野先, 哎呀! 原來又係冇靚女, 正有少少失落之際, 師傅忽然有另一種感覺, 就係"牙痕", 想搵少少野咬下, 於是師傅就睇下有冇輕盈d嘅食物, 最後見到午餐其中一客係吞拿魚火腿意大利包, 於是就落單, 再加多一杯咖啡! 其實師傅一向都不太鍾意咖啡, 談不上欣賞, 更惶論研究, 但偏偏呢度咖啡選擇甚多, 喺唔知點揀嘅情況底下, 師傅就隨心揀左Xen秘調!落完單一條友四圍望, 冇靚女可供觀賞下, 唯有望下餐牌, 影下相咁啦! 終於等左一陣一杯熱騰騰嘅咖啡登場, 咦! 點解會係一杯齋啡? 黑忟忟唔多吸引, 加上齋
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昨天放飯時間, 師傅冇咩食慾, 加上唔多肚餓, 所以索性小睡片刻; 但又唔知點解訓訓下又想出去逛下, 大概係心太野! 於是即刻出去行下, 但喺呢d鄉下地方, 邊有好地方可以散下步得架? 正當悶悶不樂之際, 忽然間師傅諗到附近有間咖啡店, 應該唔會太多人, 可以去坐下喎, 於是即刻出發!

去到咖啡店外, 望下有咩好食或好飲啦, 點知個伙計已經行左出黎招呼, 眼見又冇咩人於是就決定入去坐下; 其實入去同出去都冇咩分別, 皆因呢間咖啡店係用開放式設計, 但感覺挺舒服!

坐底後即刻望下有冇正野先, 哎呀! 原來又係冇靚女, 正有少少失落之際, 師傅忽然有另一種感覺, 就係"牙痕", 想搵少少野咬下, 於是師傅就睇下有冇輕盈d嘅食物, 最後見到午餐其中一客係吞拿魚火腿意大利包, 於是就落單, 再加多一杯咖啡! 其實師傅一向都不太鍾意咖啡, 談不上欣賞, 更惶論研究, 但偏偏呢度咖啡選擇甚多, 喺唔知點揀嘅情況底下, 師傅就隨心揀左Xen秘調!

落完單一條友四圍望, 冇靚女可供觀賞下, 唯有望下餐牌, 影下相咁啦! 終於等左一陣一杯熱騰騰嘅咖啡登場, 咦! 點解會係一杯齋啡? 黑忟忟唔多吸引, 加上齋啡冇奶好寡好傷架嘛; 等多一陣迷底解開了, 原來花奶係另上, 任由食客自由添加, 呢一下師傅又覺得呢間食店想得幾周到; 皆因好似師傅呢類唔多鍾意花奶嘅食客, 就唔會覺得杯咖啡奶多少啡, 喧賓奪主喇, 自己想要幾多就落幾多, 洽到好處!

加入花奶同黃糖後, 師傅即刻試下杯咖啡; 以師傅角度黎睇, 呢杯咖啡帶出黎嘅香味並唔算濃, 但將隻杯攞埋個鼻度近少少, 就聞到非常之香濃, 令師傅精神為之一振; 再喝一口, 發覺咖啡並冇苦同澀嘅味道, 鑑於師傅放糖同奶亦不多, 能有這種效果, 堪稱神奇, 莫非真係秘調? 喝下一口神奇咖啡亦正好為黎緊嘅意大利包做好準備!

吞拿魚火腿意大利包一客有兩件, 將長長嘅意大利包切開兩件, 再放入藩茄, 火腿同埋吞拿魚; 本來應該仲有生菜, 但是日咁啱售罄, 師傅反而覺得冇生菜更好; 先講下個意大利包, 包身新鮮軟熟, 加上烘到脆脆地, 入口勁好味, 特別係師傅對麵包一向都麻麻地, 而今次呢個確實有水準, 淨係個包都一絕; 而裡面嘅藩茄夠新鮮, 加上汁多鮮甜, 好好味; 而火腿同吞拿魚雖然冇咩特別, 但呢個配搭竟然好味到不得了, 簡直係妙到毫顛, 加上白汁份量不多, 師傅真係不停口係咁食!

總拾黎講吞拿魚火腿意大利包同咖啡質素甚佳, 而環境都算舒服, 服務態度友善, 價錢又唔算平, 埋單四十八蚊! 好抵食又未算, 但喺呢d鄉下地方有間咁高水準嘅食店, 可以食下麵包, 嘆下又咖啡, 令師傅嘆左個高質素嘅午餐, 確實不錯! 師傅對呢間食店印象良好, 所以有機會一定會再黎, 笑臉當然值得一比啦!
Xen秘調
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Xen秘調
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吞拿魚火腿意大利包
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(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
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$48 (Lunch)
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Xen秘調
Xen秘調
吞拿魚火腿意大利包
Level4
2009-09-04 38 views
As much as I like Espresso machines - I also carry a soft-spot for Siphon Coffees. In particularly, African coffees and certain Single Origin coffees possessing very subtle sophisticated characters thrive under this extraction method. It can also be very educational as a mean to learning everything about world coffee offerings! There's certainly a slight 'catch' : you see, certain coffees just don't work with this method. Such a preparation method also can and often do extract the wrong und
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As much as I like Espresso machines - I also carry a soft-spot for Siphon Coffees. In particularly, African coffees and certain Single Origin coffees possessing very subtle sophisticated characters thrive under this extraction method. It can also be very educational as a mean to learning everything about world coffee offerings! There's certainly a slight 'catch' : you see, certain coffees just don't work with this method. Such a preparation method also can and often do extract the wrong undesired flavours as well as the right ones, since Siphoning is actually quite low-tech even though the anti-vacuum process might make one think otherwise - its quite gimmicky in a way, it has much more shortfalls and less controllable possibilities than an Espresso Machine. (Clover Machine aside although Starbucks seems set on doing all it can to stop its proliferation: so that direction is considered a dead end.)
Normal Siphoning requires certain conditions to be fulfilled and plenty of Trial-&-Errors. There's not so much theories about it - it either works or it doesn't and you only get to find out with the resulting cupping, when its infront of you on the table! :
************************
***Ethiopian Yirgacheffe -
When this arrived, it was instantly aromatic with a darkish red appearance. This carried detectable tannins and grips the edge of your tongue, not unlike a Red tea - the well known berries character and lively floral bouquet associated with the famous African bean were all present in the cup. Brewed and extracted out confidently and accurately.
Don't even think about drinking this with milk. Its meant to be drank as it is and the existence of this particular bean is enough reason for brewed or siphoned coffees to exist. It gets better and livelier as it cools too, developing an tangy citrusy end note. EXCELLENT!


***XEN Special Blend -
This was presented with a more soil-like character and is an 'alarming' contrast to the above example. I personally didn't enjoy this cupping and blend as it was monotomous in presentation, the savoury earthiness backdrop was easily drowning away all other pleasant flavours. One would say it wasn't 'bright' enough nor was it 'bold' either, it was in the middle of nowhere and the cup just wasn't alive. You could also argue it doesn't carry any undesirable sourness but either way, it didn't work with added cream later when I decided to boost it up a bit by experimentation. It just wasn't aromatic, had no spiciness or nut or cocoa, seemingly lacking perceivable note-worthy characters. Perhaps it would benefit with a less intense roast just like the Yirgacheffe, or if they carry the right equipment, try to bring it to City+ Roast over an extended period subtlely by careful temperature control - so it might just maintain some original fruitiness in the final product! As it is, it can be rather dull and despite trying this twice, nothing had changed much.
NOTE: I guess Blends just don't work as easily with Siphon compared to a Single Origin, as the numerous possibilities thrown into the equation multiplies in complexity with each additional variable, unless you somehow get it JUST RIGHT! Good luck with further experimenting!

***Earl Grey Tea Cake -
This cake was slightly hard than moussey like but the flavour was really good - I enjoyed it and it reminds me of the Cafe Corridor's cakes or the ones bought from La Rose Noire Bakery in Central.

****************************
REALLY LIKE THIS SHOP, SOME COFFEES ARE GREAT, THE 'ORGANIC FAIR TRADE' IDEA ARE THE WAY TO GO NOWADAYS - YET ONE FEELS THEY NEED TO ACT AND IMPROVE THE SIGNATURE 'SPECIAL BLEND' QUICKLY TO BE MORE CONVINCING. ITS CURRENTLY JUST NO MATCH TO THE JAPANESE CAFE 'BLENDS' SUCH AS UCC AND POKKA, ETC. THE 'CORIOLIS' EFFECT IS PROVEN TO BE INCONCLUSIVE AND I CAN SAY WITH CERTAINTY - ITS NOT EVEN THE CORE OF ANY PROBLEMS FOR NOW.
Ethiopian Yirgacheff + Earl Grey Mousse Cake
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XEN Special Blend Needs More Work!
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Staring At the Wall All Day ; )
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(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
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Decor
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Spending Per Head
$60
Recommended Dishes
Ethiopian Yirgacheff + Earl Grey Mousse Cake
XEN Special Blend Needs More Work!
Staring At the Wall All Day ; )
Level3
72
25
After I brewed myself a so so filtered coffee for couple of weeks, it’s wonderful to have a good filtered coffee for a change. However, the catch was the place I got the good coffee. It’s Xen Coffee.Until this time, I approached this café on a rather negative light no matter how much I tried to be objective. The reason was, along the way, I encountered something more like advertising, ie posts for Xen Coffee with some sort of empty rhetoric, ie how good this place is without things to substan
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After I brewed myself a so so filtered coffee for couple of weeks, it’s wonderful to have a good filtered coffee for a change. However, the catch was the place I got the good coffee. It’s Xen Coffee.

Until this time, I approached this café on a rather negative light no matter how much I tried to be objective. The reason was, along the way, I encountered something more like advertising, ie posts for Xen Coffee with some sort of empty rhetoric, ie how good this place is without things to substantiate and without denying the advertising nature of the post. In addition, it’s my opinion that the proprietor did not know how to press the magic button but chose to stress on its easy to handle marketing side, ie I’m a politically correct café which uses Fair Trade beans, freshly “brewed”, blah blah blah. Some would say that HK market is not “READY” for a full scale of really good coffee. To me, it’s a miscalculation on the proprietor side and I could only pray nobody will follow this route ever again though I believe there will be one soon. I initially want to give place the last chance and close the book for this café forever. Boy, I was wrong!

Nevertheless, while I like to declare that the above notion is a thing of the past for Xen, I could only go as far as “much improved.”

Again, I have its Set B with Fair Trade Ethiopia YirgaCheffe. The proportion of coffee and water was now much closer to what was supposed to be vs. a watery black water I had last time. You can now enjoy the flavor of Yirgh and the clarity which is likely the reason Japanese fell in love with vac pot. The bean was not fresh out to me liking. The owner indicated that it was roasted last Monday but from the blooming, I think it’s at least 2+ weeks old beans. No distinct lively flavor associated with this coffee but it was quite drinkable.

I was pressing the barista for freshly roasted coffee earlier and he tried to tell me that the roasted bean needed to be rest a bit. Nevertheless, he came back with a Nicaraguan coffee with no background, ie don’t know the area or the farm it came from, etc. It’s a fair trade bean though. I asked for a cup of the bean and what in the cup told me that it was actually ready for consumption in my book vs. 6 rest days the owner suggested/practiced for this bean. For the cup, the roast profile was full city but I think it was too prominent and the additional two more days of rest wouldn’t help, IMHO. Come to think about it, there is some consistency among coffee roasted by famous home roaster Hottop. All of previous coffees I had from hottop was good but quite dark it covers all the nuances of coffee origin, particularly the acidity. Nevertheless, my sample size is still to small to make a final conclusion.. So, just some note then. I think the roaster should try apply some roasting curve to its bean and roast lighter to allow the origin flavor to shine as the vac pot brewing method was famous for its clarity which accentuates nuances of coffee flavor.

The dull grinder was not in use and the famous budget grinder for espresso Feima 600N was employed. The cup clarity now was prominent and this is the sort of cup quality vacuum pot lovers are looking for. For the brewing technique, barista waited for the water to fully come up to the top before she added the coffee ground, avoiding the overextraction that causing unnecessary bitterness to the cup. Kudos to these changes.

The food offering was worse than last time. The texture of the scone was so heavy it resembles fruit cake you get during Christmas time. The decoration and the location were not good at all but nothing can be done on these points unless one moves away from this Manly which was not designed to host a nice café, IMHO. The friendly owner and barista partly made up of these weaknesses but not totally compensated for all.

In all, if you really like siphon coffee and only interested in the coffee itself without much care for the setting and location, here’s finally the place to enjoy vac pot coffee.
(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
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Date of Visit
2009-08-23
Spending Per Head
$72 (Tea)
Recommended Dishes
  • Yirgacheffe coffee
Level4
因為慣用的影碟租賃店搬了來萬利廣場, 誤打誤撞下發現了這間咖啡店. 有別於大型連鎖店的暗黃燈光加舒適大沙發形象, 這裡反而是用前衛的白色為主調, 給客人一種乾淨清潔的感覺; 座位不是沙發而是高身的硬椅, 但坐久了亦不覺辛苦, 而且因為座椅夠高, 可以全程看到咖啡師炮製咖啡的工藝, 從中可以偷師呢 老闆之一的 Dickson 很親切地為我們介紹店中的咖啡種類, 我們選了產自熱帶雨林的危地馬拉咖啡, 有別於高山種植的咖啡, 它的咖啡因濃度較高, 但口感反而更清新, 不加糖加奶亦很易入口, 很符合個人口味, 而且這是公平貿易商品, 既可飲靚咖啡又可幫助農民, 多謝 Dickson 的專業推介 另外點了一件朱古力蛋糕, 香濃的朱古力味完全滿足女友的要求, Dickson察覺到我們的喜好, 便介紹了一款也是公平貿易產品的朱古力給我們, 有70% 濃度, 味道不太苦亦不過甜, 名字叫 “Divine” “天賜的”, 好食又窩心的朱古力 知道這裡有賣 “三低一高” 的午餐, 會找機會來嚐試.p.s. 這裡每惠顧一杯咖啡會有一個小印章, 每4個印章就可免費獲得一杯咖啡, 不是10個不是8個, 祇要4
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因為慣用的影碟租賃店搬了來萬利廣場, 誤打誤撞下發現了這間咖啡店. 有別於大型連鎖店的暗黃燈光加舒適大沙發形象, 這裡反而是用前衛的白色為主調, 給客人一種乾淨清潔的感覺; 座位不是沙發而是高身的硬椅, 但坐久了亦不覺辛苦, 而且因為座椅夠高, 可以全程看到咖啡師炮製咖啡的工藝, 從中可以偷師呢

老闆之一的 Dickson 很親切地為我們介紹店中的咖啡種類, 我們選了產自熱帶雨林的危地馬拉咖啡, 有別於高山種植的咖啡, 它的咖啡因濃度較高, 但口感反而更清新, 不加糖加奶亦很易入口, 很符合個人口味, 而且這是公平貿易商品, 既可飲靚咖啡又可幫助農民, 多謝 Dickson 的專業推介

另外點了一件朱古力蛋糕, 香濃的朱古力味完全滿足女友的要求, Dickson察覺到我們的喜好, 便介紹了一款也是公平貿易產品的朱古力給我們, 有70% 濃度, 味道不太苦亦不過甜, 名字叫 “Divine” “天賜的”, 好食又窩心的朱古力

知道這裡有賣 “三低一高” 的午餐, 會找機會來嚐試.
p.s. 這裡每惠顧一杯咖啡會有一個小印章, 每4個印章就可免費獲得一杯咖啡, 不是10個不是8個, 祇要4個印章便可以換取, 有誠意的優惠!!
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清新易入口
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70% 的 Dark chocolate
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(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
Post
DETAILED RATING
Taste
Decor
Service
Hygiene
Value
Spending Per Head
$35 (Tea)
Recommended Dishes
清新易入口
70% 的 Dark chocolate
Level2
5
0
2009-07-06 7 views
聽朋友說 陳豪 也到過這間cafe。自己亦喜歡喝咖啡,今日剛好約了朋友在鰂魚涌食lunch,就試試這間小店吧。小店裝璜簡約乾凈,令人感覺好舒服。食材用料亦有心思,如選用公平咖啡,能量水,外國奶脂等。不得不提是這里的 Lunch menu 全是三低一高營養餐,每日四款,天天不同,我有味精敏感,這個餐單令我喜出望外。我選了 芙蓉雜菌豆腐天使面,朋友則選了 馬來薯仔肉片紅米飯,味道剛剛好,吃後一改對營養餐的睇法。聽店主說有感一般食店的午餐大都油鹽肉多而纖維少,打工仔長期食十分不健康,所以特意推出由營養師設計的餐單。還是說回這里主打的咖啡。虹吸式方法制作出來的咖啡,果然最能帶出咖啡的本質,就算不加糖不加奶,都入口自然香醇,只加一點點這里的奶脂,就令咖啡加添一份幼滑,這是享受單品咖啡的最好方法。我們今次惠顧午餐就以半價即$28換一壺兩杯的 Xen Special Blend 咖啡,正!抵飲!下次要一定試試其他產地的咖啡。美中不足的是小店座位數目比較少,繁忙時間可能要等位,不過可以逛逛商場,另外就是店舖位于一個不起眼商場的角落(位於“萬利酒城”對面),得花點時間找找。除此之外,整體上非常滿意。
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聽朋友說 陳豪 也到過這間cafe。自己亦喜歡喝咖啡,今日剛好約了朋友在鰂魚涌食lunch,就試試這間小店吧。

小店裝璜簡約乾凈,令人感覺好舒服。食材用料亦有心思,如選用公平咖啡,能量水,外國奶脂等。


不得不提是這里的 Lunch menu 全是三低一高營養餐,每日四款,天天不同,我有味精敏感,這個餐單令我喜出望外
。我選了 芙蓉雜菌豆腐天使面,朋友則選了 馬來薯仔肉片紅米飯,味道剛剛好,吃後一改對營養餐的睇法。聽店主說有感一般食店的午餐大都油鹽肉多而纖維少,打工仔長期食十分不健康,所以特意推出由營養師設計的餐單。

還是說回這里主打的咖啡。虹吸式方法制作出來的咖啡,果然最能帶出咖啡的本質,就算不加糖不加奶,都入口自然香醇,只加一點點這里的奶脂,就令咖啡加添一份幼滑,這是享受單品咖啡的最好方法。我們今次惠顧午餐就以半價即$28換一壺兩杯的 Xen Special Blend 咖啡,正!抵飲
!下次要一定試試其他產地的咖啡。

美中不足的是小店座位數目比較少,繁忙時間可能要等位,不過可以逛逛商場,另外就是店舖位于一個不起眼商場的角落(位於“萬利酒城”對面),得花點時間找找。除此之外,整體上非常滿意。
(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
Post
DETAILED RATING
Taste
Decor
Service
Hygiene
Value
Date of Visit
2009-06-24
Spending Per Head
$46 (Lunch)
Recommended Dishes
  • 各款虹吸式咖啡,營養餐
Level4
2009-06-12 5 views
15/5(五) 5pm日復日跟餅乾薯片為伴,結果逃不過喉嚨發炎的惡果.是日還挑戰自己,到"XEN"來一杯與別不同的咖啡.點了午餐煙火雞胸蕃茄Panini $32跟日式炭燒咖啡加$13煙火雞胸蕃茄Panini --此店採用天然食材,蕃茄Panini帶烤焦香,鬆脆香口;夾中的煙火雞胸鹹津津的,以新鮮蕃茄及生菜,及輕量的低脂沙律增鮮,丁點罪疚感也沒有!日式炭燒咖啡--獨特的虹吸管製法令咖啡很醇香馥郁,富炭香而沒澀,上品!服務生彬彬有禮,服務細心,還用上公平交易的咖啡豆,別具一格的咖啡店!
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15/5(五) 5pm
日復日跟餅乾薯片為伴,結果逃不過喉嚨發炎的惡果.是日還挑戰自己,到"XEN"來一杯與別不同的咖啡.

點了午餐煙火雞胸蕃茄Panini $32跟日式炭燒咖啡加$13

煙火雞胸蕃茄Panini --此店採用天然食材,蕃茄Panini帶烤焦香,鬆脆香口;夾中的煙火雞胸鹹津津的,以新鮮蕃茄及生菜,及輕量的低脂沙律增鮮,丁點罪疚感也沒有!

日式炭燒咖啡--獨特的虹吸管製法令咖啡很醇香馥郁,富炭香而沒澀,上品!

服務生彬彬有禮,服務細心,還用上公平交易的咖啡豆,別具一格的咖啡店!
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25 views
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105 views
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(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
Post
DETAILED RATING
Taste
Decor
Service
Hygiene
Value
Date of Visit
2009-05-15
Spending Per Head
$45 (Tea)