Oldie but Goodie is a monthly column where we feature noteworthy restaurants, cafes or bars that have been open at least six months and are worth a try.
Cute coffee shops have become a staple crop of Shenzhen’s food and beverage scene, although the drinks don’t always live up to the décor.
Enter Blend, which proves that coffee drinkers can enjoy flavorful offerings in fashion-forward settings without the sticker shock of some stops.
Over 40 Edison bulbs suspended from the ceiling give the space a pretty, if inefficient, glow. Besides a few windowed alcoves, a narrow wooden staircase gives access to a more spacious, balcony-type setting.
Blend’s brief coffee menu keeps things simple while covering the basics. An espresso or Americano costs just RMB18. Lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites are priced at RMB26. Notably, no regular-sized coffee drinks are over RMB30.
Other beverages include a variety of teas at RMB18 a glass, as well as fresh mixed juices in the RMB29-35 range. Non-caffeine addicts can also sample interesting flavors such as a jasmine tea-infused pear drink (RMB22) that’s refreshingly light on the palate.
In addition, Blend offers a food menu with a heavy focus on brunch dishes, like Eggs Benedict (RMB45) or an English breakfast (RMB48).
During our visits, service proved friendly and prompt, even during the café’s busy afternoon hours.
Coffee experts may be left yearning for Yirgacheffe roasts or beloved Blue Mountain blends, but the rest of us will probably exit Blend re-energized and happy.
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