[Kaohsiung 高雄] (Cafe) 兴趣xsimtree (Zhongzheng Store 中正店)－Lynda's Taiwan-logue

< Visited in Aug 2018 & May 2017 >

The name "simtree' is a play on the chinese term 兴趣 (hobby/interest), and indeed, the whole science and art behind coffee must be the hobby or interest of many people. 兴趣xsimtree is a coffee chain that brings together beans, roasting, brews, light meals, and coffee making apparatus and accessories under one roof. There are currently five outlets in Kaohsiung. By virtue of proximity to where I like to stay (Hotel dùa 住饭店), I visited this particular outlet mere minutes away on foot.

An eye-catching landmark at a road junction, despite being surrounded by taller buildings, with a contemporary facade of black and white.

The automatic front door opens out and welcomes patrons with appreciated air-conditioning in the southern heat.

Entering the lovely industrial-chic cafe, to the left lies shelves of fresh bakes, pastry chiller, a coffee bar and the order counter.

Though the cafe's specialty is coffee, their bread and pastries are pretty good, for dine-in or take-out.

⇩ Ground coffee and drip coffee sachets on sale.

⇩ A small selection of light sandwiches, salads and cakes.

⇩ A modest variety of beverages...

... or chat with a barista for a recommended hand drip brew.

⇩ To the right of the entrance, more produce on sale.

⇩ 兴趣xsimtree offers membership prices, and application is free with immediate card issuance.

Do note that ordering, payment and pick-up are on the ground floor, before you head upstairs to seats.

A spacious and cosy seating area, generally quiet if you meet fellow patrons who appreciate serene moments in a lovely cafe.

There is more merchandise on sale on the second floor, a fine assortment of coffee apparatus and kitchenware.

Light meals on two dine-in occasions...

Iced matcha latte - beverages seem to taste better with crushed ice.

Take-out on a separate trip - mentaiko and garlic bread lasted an overnight flight (still good after toasting) and drip coffee sachets to enjoy at home.

A recycling bin for the cake box. Taiwan makes an early and good effort in reducing waste and recycling, though there has been much debate over what happens to all the collected waste and recyclables, possibly the challenge for most countries devoted to this initiative.