Queen of the Dessert: Queen's Cafe Opens New Bakery Section
Queen's Cafe in Sanlitun Village South has finally launched its bakery and coffee shop, Queen's Konditorei, which complements the adjoining Queen's restaurant. Although the sister restaurant next door serves up Russian fare, the coffee shop offers a wide selection of Western baked goods with a Hong Kong-style twist.
Cakes represent the US, Italy, Germany and France, with selection ranging from cheesecake and tiramisu to Black Forest gateau and mille crêpes. Other baked treats on offer reflect British and Cantonese influences: scones, cocktail buns, cream butter buns, chicken pies and Queen’s renowned egg tarts (RMB 5), all at reasonable prices.
Moreover, the eye-catching chimney cake (RMB 8) is brioche-like bread with a small “chimney” on top – owner Stanley claims this is a revival of an old-school recipe, and Queen’s Café is the only place in town to get it.
A signature product at Queen's Hong Kong store, the blueberry cheesecake (RMB 35), lives up to its name: it’s topped with both fresh blueberries and blueberry jam, and features bits of blueberry buried inside. I loved the black Oreo bottom, not only because it offers a sharp contrast with the snow-white icing sugar dusted on the surface, but also as the sweetness and crispness matched the body of the cake. This main body of baked cheesecake is dense and modestly sweet, which seems to be a characteristic of the cakes at Queen’s.
For those with a sweet tooth who'd like to enjoy both frozen and baked cheesecakes, try the double cheesecake (RMB 35). Foamy and fluffy, the upper cheesecake mousse surpasses the lower half in terms of flavor and texture – eaten alone, the bottom half is a little bit floury.
The afternoon tea set (daily 2.30-5.30pm, RMB 140) for two comes with tea or coffee, finger sandwiches and a selection of pastries. For those who’d like to try something savory, the less pricey burger set (e.g. RMB 60 for a blue cheeseburger with coffee or tea; available daily 2.30-5pm) is a great deal.
Queen's Cafe/Queen's Konditorei Daily 12am-11pm. 3/F, S9, Sanlitun Village South（close to Karaiya Spice House）, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District. (6416 1928, info@queenscafe.com) http://www.queenscafe.com/ 皇后饭店/皇后饼店 朝阳区三里屯路19号, 三里屯Village南区3层(近辣屋)
