Nothing matters more (to me) in a cafe then the ambience it sets and the vibe that reverberates through it. A cafe with character, whatever it may be, is almost enough to form a good impression in my mind. Never mind the food, take me out of my usual grind for that hour, play some music to invigorate my soul or sooth my mind, and you would have won my affection. Oh but wait, the coffee must be decent at least. Pet peeve 101.
I was wondering around Duxton late this afternoon, looking for a place to settle for the evening when I came across Group Therapy Coffee. The little doorway that was opened (amongst the many shops around it that were shut in the day), glowing a slight amber, led to a flight of stairs which eventually led to the cafe upstairs. It felt a little like finding a secret cosy enclave as I walked up the stairs and into the quirky place above.
It had a nice, laid back vibe, taking me out of my mid-week misery almost immediately. Mis-matched furnitures, decorative pieces and crockery dotted the spacious cafe. A twinge of vintage, a touch of rustic and a dose of randomness worked to the cafe’s aesthetic advantage. It’s a place that makes you feel like anything goes – a pretty rare occurrence in this day and age (and country).
Having been craving for a some egg benedict for quite some time now, I eagerly ordered a serving of poached eggs that came with smoked salmon, toast, gruyere cheese and hollandaise sauce ($15). Dessert is always a must, hence the lemon meringue tart ($6.50) and a cup of roasted almond latte ($6.50).
Poached eggs with smoked salmon, gruyere and hollandaise
The food was quite pricey for the potion given, its taste was decent but nothing spectacular. The eggs were nicely poached but the thick slice of toast given was a little too hard and dry. Fortunately, the runny yolk saved it from being too bad. I couldn’t taste the gruyere cheese and actually forgot that it was part of the dish until I began writing this a few minutes ago. I’m now thinking they might have forgotten to put the cheese in but oh well.
Run, egg! Run!
The lemon meringue tart was not bad, bursting with flavour with a tangy custard, coupled with a sweet meringue top. The only complaint was that the meringue was a little soggy, as pointed out by the boyfriend, but I liked that the custard was filled with real lemon zest, that gave it a nice bite. Not the best I have had, but enough to make a gloomy, rainy day a little more cheery.
Lemon Meringue Tart
Digging into that tart
Roasted Almond Latte
The latte was satisfying, boasting a bold coffee flavour tinted with the aroma of roasted almonds. A warm drink on a gloomy rainy evening, in this pretty little place, away from the big bad world. Pretty much as perfect as one’s evening goes.
The next time I need an escape from demands/datelines/work, I have got a place to run for some respite and perhaps some much needed therapy. Food or desserts aren’t exactly their forte but a place like that, with its quirkiness, ought not to be overlooked. It’s a pretty great place, whether for a meet-up with the girlfriends, or for chilling alone with a book. Just try not to go there hungry I guess?
Address:
49 Duxton Road #02-01
Contact no.:
6222 2554
That Bottomless Pit 