/ Reviews / Cafe
Simple and Effective Lunchtime Relief
by Tom Lee
on Friday, May 21, 2010 12:00 AM
Sometimes, it's just the innocuous neighborhood diner that saves you from starvation; one of those little places that deserves recognition for its services to humanity but barely registers on the general consciousness. Situated next to a local tea shop, Affini Thé captures the essence of what hungry lunchtime workers on a schedule want: grub to chow down on that will quell the grumbling rumbles, served in a simple, friendly environment.
The owner is always seen bustling about his enterprise, checking everything is running smoothly and often attending to you himself. A red and white canopy overhangs a homely gathering of potted plants, lending the restaurant a French street café atmosphere and engendering that relaxed approach so important to a harried eater just looking for a brief respite. Though bare bones, the menu is effective, and growing with each new day of business that comes through the door. Originally, it started with just a choice of two salads and two sandwiches, with a few fruit juices, water, coffee and tea. Since those nascent days, they've added hamburgers, spaghetti and a breakfast menu for the early birds, with croissants and baguettes all freshly baked.
Homemade is the by-word for the cute little place, with most items made-to-order, including the juicy beef patties. If you partake of the daily set lunches for RMB45 (served from 12noon to 2pm), there's a choice of vegetable soup or salad for a starter, both of which feature straightforward greens. This is followed by a sandwich, a pizza or a bowl of pasta, and accompanied by a soft drink of juice, tea or coffee. A yoghurt dessert, concocted in-house, rounds out the stomach-sating meal. Often, the actual dishes featured will change daily, though satisfying spaghetti bolognaise makes a regular appearance.
You have to be flexible with this place. Affini Thé is still only in the soft opening phase and many items are in short supply. Nevertheless, it does encourage patrons to head in on a whim and just nab a portion of whatever's available. It never strays far from standard European fare, whether it's goat's cheese salad or a salami baguette. Everything is good food for filling the gap, though it's not a place that demands you make an expedition to find it. If you're in the area, pop in to enjoy the cozy charm and the smiling, bilingual service.
The Bottom Line: No flourishes, no excitement - just a nice lunchtime stop off.
