CAFE 1950

Quite unique from the outside exterior to the inside.

I am almost hopeless in going around Tin Shui Wai to find a different restaurant to dine into. The choices are so limited. Or so I thought. Because today, my daughter and I ran into Cafe 1950. And I thought it was worth a try. Located in Tin Shui, it was just a 10-15 minute walk from where I live, literally behind the building pass the park. And where I walked is totally safe and stroller friendly.

their menu

So as I was checking it out from the outside, they got this huge menu that was so appealing to me because of the serving, the presentation (totally different from the others since some dishes are plated on a wooden chopping board which I find to be the latest culinary trend lately) and most especially, the worth of each dish. As you can see, it ranges from HK$72 up to HK$200. Not bad right?

See how those lights (often can be seen in a green room as spotlights)
match the wall and the rustic ambiance. It seems like they
are the link to how the well decoded walls had got connected to the plain ceiling.

the hues carefully compliment
the interior of the place

I was decided. I went in and was surprised that there was just a couple sitting at the far end corner of the room and us who were there at nearly dinner time. In my mind, that says "it might not be good otherwise, it'll be packed." It didn't stop me from going for it though.

The restaurant's interior was quite rustic and spring-y in style. It looked fresh and laid back to me. It was very tidy, and every decor matches each other giving birth to a breathable atmosphere. The green plants stylised it into becoming unique and welcoming. Everything was simple and the shades used to compliment the bowls, plates, the drawers where the condiments are, were kept subtle. Green, white, teal, beige or nude and rust were hues that you may see in a beach house. Green for any plant, white, for the clouds, teal for the sea and rust and beige for the sand. The electric fans mimicked the blowing winds in a beach house. The high ceiling gave it enough space for a breezy feel.

Sad to say though, I got annoyed as soon as I was stopped to choose where to sit. I wanted to have a feel of their couched booth so, I went for it but they said, "You should make your baby sit on you." And added, "So that you can fold your stroller." So, I asked, "Do you have a baby seat?" They said no so I said, "Oh no, she'll just sit on the stroller then, it's safer." But they disagreed and was pointing me to a tacky area. I asked why I had to stay there because of the stroller and they said, "Because it's in the way." I tried to contain myself but I had just let go of a sarcasm, "By all these people?" There were none. So, they were caught speechless. My buttons were pushed right before I was about to try their food.

Literally, there were no people at that time to complain of my stroller. Anyways, I'm sure it was just lack of understanding on their side. Because I was trying to convince them that it won't take long for me to eat. So I ended up sitting on one of these tables. I initially would like to try that one at the far end but explaining to somebody who doesn't speak English well is hopeless. I didn't want to ruin the excitement I have so I had just conformed.

The menu was well presented. Individual choices come with a choice of soup, rice or noodles and drinks. There are also choices where lunch and dinner sets are available on a cheaper price. I think this depends on what is on season as per ingredient needed.

I was craving for something different yet fulfilling. For a price of HK$72, I got a satisfying grilled chicken on white curry sauce with a cup of steamy rice with cheesy scrambled egg on top. Garnished with some flaky seaweed, it had delivered an unexpected tactile sensation that I've been longing to have for quite a while now. Don't get me wrong, I love home cooked food but there comes a point that you long for something different. Along with my meal came a usual tasting creamy corn soup but with a delightful hot Lemon Tea. I swear this tea was so relish it made me ask if it's from Korea. Because some of their drinks like the lime soda are featured Korean.

as presented

as you open

Grilled Garlic Oyster - HK$1/piece

I also ordered a take out for my husband. Angus beef steak with rice, with a choice of pepper steak (from garlic and/or gravy) and soup. I got him the Korean Lime Soda for a price of HK$134. It didn't take them too long to bring my order and a little over 2 minutes, the water tried his best to speak in English to me in offering grilled garlic oysters for a dollar. Minimum order was 2 pcs. So I ordered for the sake of maximising my dining experience in Cafe 1950. I didn't trust it at first because I was worried that they may be giving out this deal just to finish up an "almost rotten" bunch. But no, I approve along with my husband that it was nicely done. All of their services were on time and was hot enough for perfect consumption. But if it would come a time that by the moment you decide to try this, and there are a lot of people already, you could log on to their wifi and for me this completes my 3 stars out of 5 for this dine-in newbie.

It was taped beside the cutlery box that gives out a very good message for the customers. 

These maybe unnoticeable to some but these are the little things that make this haven a trendy place to visit. I like how minimal it is, how rustic and warm and most of all, modern. Go and try it if you are around Tin Shui Wai. It sits near the Tin Shui Market. Happy Wine and Dine Wednesday!

Related posts:
1. MAMASAN - an Indonesian experience at the heart of Central's blissful city.
2. ALCHEMY - a lovely happy hour with oysters! haven nearby Mamasan, good to visit as you start a night of drinking
3. JOLLIBEE - a very famous fast-food pride of the Philippines also stands in World Wide Plaza, Central

LA KAFFA CAFE

Hogan and I love eating. As much as we can, we cook our own food and skip on fast food. Besides the general fact that it ain't healthy, we are very particular with the taste, presentation and ambiance. On rare occasions like having a day off together, we see to it that we satisfy our taste buds and explore together our cravings for different, zesty food. Today, we tried the La Kaffa Cafe that newly opened in the Kingswood Ginza Mall that people who live around here in Tin Shui Wai have been waiting for.

We were so surprised that on a Sunday when most restaurants are packed, this one, particularly wasn't. That invited us more to get in and check the menu. It looked so inviting with the images they have provided of the food. The breakfast selection was the most tempting with the big label, "ALL-DAY BREAKFAST" starting the run down. But then we decided that for dinner, we would skip to the MAIN COURSE. Here are the choices...

The deal isn't that bad. We salivated instantly and ordered right away as we got excited. I ordered steak and Hogan, his ever favorite, roasted lamb chops. In addition, we ordered Tomato Pasta with Mushrooms on the side. But were our expectations met? This was how our orders were presented to us.

Hahahaha! I was overwhelmed with how much sauce our food can swim in. Don't get me wrong, I'm very aware that at least, I have something to eat but being a food critic, and working hard to be able to pay for what you wanted to order is another thing. Hogan looked for the roasted potatoes on the side for his lamb (as how the menu looks like) but like how the label goes, it did just say "Premium Lamb Chops" while my steak specifically indicated "...with roast potatoes, salad and bell pepper sauce". They did give us a generous portion of "the sauce". Uhmmmm..... Just that. So he ordered a separate portion of roasted potatoes and comparing it to the image once again in the menu, we were disappointed. The photo on the left is from the menu and the one on the right was how it came to us.

What a total rip-off!!!! I wish I owned the place and for sure every customer that would go out of this restaurant will be satisfied. I ordered hot milk tea along with my meal and Hogan had the cold one. It lacked sugar and tea. I asked cheese for my pasta, all the people behind the counter seem to not know that cheese had to go with pasta. I mean, it wasn't available in the condiments section which I think is a must. Salt was put in a pepper container. Can you imagine how much we had to stand up for all of these? I mean how ridiculous is that! Hahaha!

Hogan and I had almost finished our bowl of pasta before his lamb chops came. And around 15 minutes after he finished his lamb chops came my steak. Hogan told me maybe it's the breakfast that's really their specialty. So, I asked if they were serving breakfast anytime in between their opening hours but I was surprised that the label, "ALL-DAY BREAKFAST" was the name of that specific choice. Like how McDonald's has a "BIG BREAKFAST" complete with the works. So don't be fooled! This cafe is no different from the rest. Don't ever think that they serve breakfast all day. It's really served just during breakfast. And so I studied the breakfast menu again and I saw the picture having a sausage, a portion of scrambled egg and many more. I was doubtful that it's going to be the same as how the picture goes. Hogan wants to give them another try tomorrow. He said he'll try their breakfast.... for a second chance. Good luck!

So, what I must say: It's too costly for such small serving, bad presentation and confusing taste. I wish they had put the sauce in a separate saucer or small bowl. They didn't even have a background music. LAAAAMMMMEEE!!!!! It's very unlikely that I'd come here again. No wonder, it wasn't packed.

day-off

There's nothing that could top having days off together. It's always a time for us to bond together. Most of the time, we end up exploring Tin Shui Wai.... everything about it. Well, besides the pool tables and the dart boards by the lobby, we get to enjoy Harbour Plaza Resort City's swimming pool. It's a fun location to relax. It's got peaceful and safe ambiance. You can even stay there for the entire day, hooked onto your iPod. Who knows that you're getting some snooze with your shades on? The water is a bit chilly though. But, that's all that you need during the Summer season, right?


A lot of times we catch ourselves with nothing to do so, besides getting a lot of sleep, we come up with extraordinary stuff to do. There was one time when we decided to cut off some of his hair for a change. That was my 1st time. It turned out good enough. Not bad for a start.

We also take a lot of walks in the park. Tin Shui Wai parks I can say are fine. They have different recreational facilities. We always opt for a place to throw some spikes. We just couldn't get Volleyball out of our system. A lot of fountains and garden beds surround the park. It's homey, spacious and peaceful. It's not allowed for people to smoke within the park so, it's really good for walking if you're after catching fresh air.

We also tried Hot Pot.

So much so, I still don't know when we'll be having the same days off... I guess there's one thing left for me to do.... reminisce, remember and hope. Hahaha!!!!

valentine's 2008

This was my very first time to spend Valentine's in a different way.

Usually, couples would escape from the real world and would want to create their own on this special day. But Hogan and I celebrated it with a bunch of friends and it turned out that it was a good idea. The night was filled with mostly, single people or people whose loved ones are across the miles from them. So, we swept the night away with fun games and nice chit chats.

Greatness!!!!