Café wasn’t founded for typical reasons, like earning a living or fulfilling some impossible dream. No, this tiny shop was opened ‘wanpiao’ (玩票) – just for fun. That explains why it’s situated in the middle of nowhere (don’t be surprised if you encounter blowing tumbleweed on your way in). It took us nearly two hours to locate the place, which has conveniently hidden itself in a random industrial park called Dongfanghong Printery, boasting an easy-to-miss entrance on Gongye Dadao.
Kar-Wah Cheung is the man behind the cafe. A professional photographer and director from Hong Kong, he converted a rented industrial space into a joint art studio and coffeehouse. Originally intended for models and other staff to relax and grab a drink, the venue now offers lunch, afternoon tea and private catering orders at night.
“I just opened it for fun,” shrugs Cheung, adding that the restaurant doesn’t even have a fixed menu. Diners order according to characters scribbled on three large blackboards accentuating the front wall. Items change on a daily basis since Cheung and his chef, Ah Sze, buy only the freshest, most in-season fruits and vegetables every morning at a nearby market.
Another manifestation of the owner’s nonchalant attitude, cuisine at Q Café follows no specific theme or regional influence. You could grab a bite of Shanghai braised pork with brown sauce on Monday before enjoying a mouthful of creamy Singaporean laksa two days later. The rotating menu and bold fusion of opposing culinary styles ensure guests never grow tired of stopping by.
The fillet pork chop salad (RMB42) is, according to Cheung, a signature Japanese dish. Although deep-fried, the crunchy pork offers a rich, juicy center without leaving greasy residue. Balanced with chopped cabbage dressed in light mayonnaise or green veggies in vinegar (your choice), the salad is anticlimactic at best. The snow beef hamburger (RMB42), in contrast, draws upon authentic American tradition. Slightly pan-fried, the beef is placed between fluffy buns handmade by a local cha caan teng. Served with a side salad featuring organic vegetables shipped all the way from Kunming, the platter promises pesticide-free indulgence.
A must-try, the French roast ham and cheese sandwich (RMB34) spoils with three kinds of cheese – cheddar, Parmesan and mozzarella – drizzled on top of bread-cradled slabs of sweet French ham. Ah Sze adds a small amount of cream into the cheeses, creating a silk-like texture. 
To sweep away lunch-induced fatigue, take a sip of fresh pear juice (RMB25), made from a Shandong variety of pear (吉吉 梨) planted in an orchard in Haizhu District owned by Cheung’s friend. The chilled nectar is just sweet enough to carry you through one last conversation with a fellow customer, because if you’re like us, you might not bother coming back.
Price: Approx. RMB70
Who’s going: Artists prone to reflection
Good for: Printery pit stop, a surprise every visit
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