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2010-12-04
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This morning, I suddenly craved for Crema Coffee, my favorite café in Hong Kong though I haven’t visited this place for a while. Slumbering but very hungry with no breakfast at almost lunch time, I made my way to Tsim Sha Tsui East and stood there flabbergasted with the sight in front of me. My fear finally comes true!Early August this year, a coffee lover posted on the coffee enthusiast webboard, saying that Crema finally closed down for good. I was panicked at the time and made a call to th
Early August this year, a coffee lover posted on the coffee enthusiast webboard, saying that Crema finally closed down for good. I was panicked at the time and made a call to the shop next morning and was glad to find out the shop is still in business. I visited Crema next weekend to make sure it was still there. Apart from Crema receiving phone calls about the issue, things were good. But now it’s the real thing in front of me! Walking closing I was happy I found a map to a new shop. Crema didn’t close down, just moving.. OMG!
The map, however, does not help; I almost walked back from Tsim Sha Tsui East to Tsim Sha Tsui. Low in sugar, confusing and in need of coffee, I finally gave up on the map and called the shop. It turned out I was actually passing it by all along but didn’t see the shop as it was underground, below Park ‘n Shop. It was funny when one thought back but it wasn’t funny at all for man needing coffee to wander around the area aimlessly looking for the shop… The map should add phone number or telling that it was under Park ‘n Shop and everybody won’t be hurt… 
Finally, I found my Shangrila and familiar face of Terry working behind the counter. Everything looked more airy than the old shop though all the things including cake showcase, table/share and nice pictures on the wall joined the new shop here too.
Wait no more, I ordered my usual Capp and Croissant. 
To me, Crema has the most luxurious milk drink in Hong Kong with velvety, rich, thick milk texture at the right temperature (need to tell Terry you want it warm) but a bit short of sweetness. The familiar chocolaty tone was still there in the capp.
Croissant is as flaky and good as it was so all my familiar things that made me fall in love with this café were still there. 
This is a perfect pairing I suggest one tries it here.
My ristretto shot was meticulously prepared with test shots and the resulting cup was familiar and good. One good thing seemed to be the roast which was lighter though a bit less heavy hand with the coffee bean should give the bean back all the glory I had on the very first year I dropped by this place. 
This time, I can sense a nice acidity which resembled grapefruit but not as bitter. A nice mouthfeel toward the end helped parting the cup difficult for me. So, I proceeded to order espresso here for the first time to see how its ‘standard’ drink was like.
The cup was much more subdue and less tasty overall than its ristretto. Nevertheless, the layers of taste in espresso was much clearer with a somewhat ashy first few sips, following by a clearer grapefruit like acidity and ending with a syrupy consistency. It’s quite nice and not acrid; the crema did not look that blond to me. However, previous ristrettos I had at Crema also exhibited this kind of layers/tasting note and was tastier so I prefer/recommend ristretto at Crema. Mind you that the waiter/waitress may not know ristretto so ordering this drink when Terry or Fiona is around. Come to think about it, the coffee at Crema that I haven't been enjoyed all these years reminded me of Silly Monster blends at 18 Grams, ie the stabilized Silly Monster should take quite similar to Malabar Monsooned blend served since Crema opened its door in 2005, IIRC. Anyway, just my 2 cents.
To sum it up, I continued to say this is, again, the best espresso bar in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, I need to stress that its competitors are breathing on its neck now. With different style, Barista Jam could pass through this shop if they get the milk just as good as Crema but this is more of a nitpicking.!!!
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