The Americano Affair

Have yet to recover from the previous stressful week of 6-day work, my tired mind told me that it's time to compensate myself with a cup of coffee for my hard work. 

Americano (RM7.00) & Kapitan Chicken Pie (RM7.50)

 

STARBUCKS COFFEE

Taiping Sentral

Jalan Istana Larut

34000 Taiping, Perak.

Malaysia.

He Ain't a Pie Lover, He's My Brother...

I was not raised as a pie person. When I was small, I had hardly heard of 'pies'. Dad and Mum, ex-Michaelian and ex-MGS's respectively, were brought up to be totally 'free' from pies. Influenced by their upbringing environment, they never let us eat pie during our childhood days. Years later, I came across 'pies'  for the very first time when my elder brother who formerly studied at St. George's Institution bought me a chicken pie at Ipoh Bakery, a shop where the Georgians and their teachers often go to. Back in the early nineties, the bakery owner was already selling his pies at RM1.80, which was considered rather expensive in a small town like Taiping. Speaking as an innocent little girl, I did not know that brother was saving every penny he got just to get me a pie. I was not trying to be exaggerative but I could still remember vividly the taste of that pie until now. It's still fresh in my mind. Today, twenty years later, the price has gone up almost double. Now we  have grown up and can easily afford the pies anytime we want. Sometimes, I just can't stop thinking whether I would do the same if I were him? Ha...

Victoria Crest Chicken, Mushroom and Leek Pie, specially dedicated to Kelvin, my Koh Koh...

Before baking...

This is how the pie looks when it is cooked.

The portobello mushroom soup encased in the pie was very flavourful but a bit too watery. 

The pastry was of course very crispy and fragrant with a strong buttery aroma.

Autumn Stroll in Hong Kong - Kam Fung Restaurant

I boarded the tram to Wan Chai again on the fourth day. While the others were still sound asleep, I left the hotel quietly and headed to Kam Fung for an early breakfast again. This coffee shop is well known among Hongkies who enjoy dropping by for a cup of milk tea and their delicious chicken pie.

Kam Fung Restaurant
金鳳茶餐廳 

The famous Kam Fung Kai Pai (Chicken Pies)

Egg Tarts

Polo Buns and Char Siew Buns

Ham and Egg buns

Kam Fung menu

My morning naughty treat - Chicken Pie and Milk Tea

Kam Fung Chicken Pie 金鳳雞批 @ HK$ 7.50

Each flavourful pie is filled with chicken, ham and rich white sauce.

Kam Fung's milk tea is said to be the best in Wan Chai district.

Kam Fung Restaurant

金鳳茶餐廳 
G/F, Spring Garden Mansion, 

41 Spring Garden Lane, 

Wan Chai

Hong Kong

Tel: (852) 2572 0526

Homemade Hong Kong style chicken pie (港式鸡批)

Pam's latest creation of the month --- Homemade Hong Kong style Chicken Pie!

Hong Kong style chicken pie (港式鸡批)

A huge and crispy pie, filled generously with barbecued chicken meat and onions.

If t were to set up a stall and sell this chicken pie, how much do you think it worth?

Wash down the pie with a cup of black and bold UCC coffee

Last but not least, a slice of Almond biscotti (RT bakery) to round off the meal...

A tribute to Starbucks Coffee

We care, we share, cause we have an afternoon to spare.

We sit, we eat, cause we love a pie with meat.

Today, today and today,

It's just another Starbucks Day.

Brew of the day @ RM7.50

The Anniversary Blend

Caffe Latte @ RM10.90

Kapitan Chicken Pie @ RM7.50

A lovely curry infused chicken chunks encased in flaky puff pastry.

The Eighth Wonder - ME!

My job as a public school teacher requires me to wake up as early as six in the morning every day. Getting myself dressed, packing my briefcase, crawling along the congested road (there are five schools along the main road), clocking in before 7.20 a.m. ...... who says life is not just about work?

I wake up at the usual time of 5.30 a.m., while majority of my colleagues are still asleep. Why do I need to get up half an hour early since sleeping is such a precious commodity for working adults? That's because I always find myself being negatively charged if I go to school in an empty stomach. I pity my students who frequently get scoldings from me as my temper flares easily whenever hunger strikes. Hence, getting up early for a nutritious breakfast is the only solution to the crisis. Haha...

For a person who enjoys life, making breakfast can be a very time consuming activity. Not to worry about me, being well trained, I am able to create wonders in just half an hour, without doubt. Please take a look...

Tesco French Roast Ground Coffee @ RM9.90

Freshly brewed Tesco French Roast in a French Press

Tesco French Roast Espresso brewed in Moka pot

Black Pepper Chicken Pie @ RM1.90 each

These energy provider mini pies are perfect for breakfast

 

This heavenly pie deserves more filling...

Pam's healthy homemade breakfast: 

Crispy Wholemeal Butter Roll and Moist Scrambled Egg

Continental style breakfast is my all time favourite.  *wink

***I think I'd make a good mother... hoh? 

Illy Espresso and Victoria Crest Chicken & Mushroom Pie

Illy, a renowned coffee brand in Italy, is perhaps the most prestigious of all in its own region. Illy produces a single blend of 100% Arabica coffee beans from nine growing regions, meticulously selected from different origins and varieties to create the distinctive, perfect coffee taste. 

Illy Espresso - Dark Roast

 Illy dark roast espresso comes with a stronger, more robust flavour.

 So fine and exquisite.

The premium type of coffee fits for the premium coffee people.

Victoria Crest, a local company specialises in the production of British-style foods i.e. sausages and meat pies, uses only quality spices and ingredients in their food products. Made from original recipes based on traditional methods and flavours, the chicken and mushroom pie has a unique flavour, with a slight influence of the local taste and spices.

Victoria Crest Chicken Mushroom & Leek Pie

Before

and after

Succulent chicken in a creamy portobello mushroom and leek sauce, encased in buttery puff pastry.

Are you expecting me?

Thursday, commonly denoted as a non-tuition day, has lately been declared "Pam's Starbucks Day". Everyone is expecting me... Yes, everyone including the well-trained coffee barista, his gracious assistant, and all coffee enthusiasts who recognise their fellow comrades by the contentment in their eyes. If you happen to be one of them, please meet me here. We shall talk, over cups of nice brew, till we see our destiny fulfilled, with precious drops of coffee... See you at Starbucks, my friend.

Coffee by the Press @ RM15.80

Choice of beans: French Roast

Beauty captured in a split second

Kapitan Chicken Curry Pie @ RM7.50

The flavour experience far outweighs the flakiness of the pastry

Almond Biscotti (complimentary)

My Date with the Teacher's Daughter

My 'daughter' came back from her first semester at a highly reputable college. I am obliged to her for her gracious invitation in asking me out for hiking last Tuesday, and I truly enjoyed her company. Today, she joined me for afternoon tea at our usual meeting place and we shared not only the laughs and warm moments together, but also everything we ordered at the cafe. A heart-to-heart chat between 'mother' and 'daughter', we cherished every second of it, wishing that time would stop right in its track, so that we could spend more quality time together.

Yin, I wonder when we shall meet again... but I'll always be looking forward to yumcha-ing with you again, and again... till you finally get fed up going out with your 'stepmother', haha...

Thank you for your company, Yin.

Coffee by the Press - 4oz @ RM15.80

Choice of beans: Italian Roast (extra bold)

Beauty captured in a split second

Heavy body with an intense, smoky flavour. This is a very dark roast, although not as dark as French Roast, which is extremely dark. The ebony-coloured oily beans possess a sharp flavour of dark roasted nuts, a tangy acidity and medium body.

Kapitan Chicken Curry Pie @ RM7.50

Looks a little less tempting

A round meat pie, filled with wonderful combination of chicken and potatoes cooked in thick, creamy and flavourful curry, encased in a buttery pie and baked till golden brown.

Do you find it attractive? Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti

(comes complimentary with coffee by the press)