Special thanks to Barista Haus for extending this food review invitation.
Update: This business has ceased its operations.
Barista Haus is a new café at Ropewalk Piazza, just several shops away from Snapdot Cafe. Open for just over a month, Barista Haus is a collaborative effort by 10 young entrepreneurs of various expertise: barista, chef, interior design, graphic design and photography.
This modestly sized café has a handful of coffee tables on one side. As the shop lacks space for a proper kitchen, the staff has to improvise whatever limited space available at the drinks bar-cum-kitchen.
A unique aspect of Barista Haus is the opportunity for customers to get hands-on experience with latte art. There is an instructional video to demonstrate the steps. The barista also provides guidance and rehearsals before the actual attempt. There is no pressure; just enjoy the fun!
Of course, customers who prefer to keep their hands clean can also leave coffee-brewing to the professionals. For this cup of Cappuccino (RM8.00), the milky consistency matches with pleasant bitterness of espresso. To the barista, the intricate latte art is just child’s play, of course.
Besides coffee, another specialty here at Barista Haus is the waffle menu. One of the more popular ones is Caramel Banana Waffle With Ice Cream (RM14.90). Similar to Belgian waffles, the light batter provides delectable crispiness that I find quite pleasing.
The waffle topped with two scoops of vanilla ice cream, blueberry, Oreo cookie and an assortment of nuts. Caramel drizzle provides some sweetness, although I think ice cream does most of the heavy lifting. Reasonably dense and creamy, I enjoy the ice cream very much. Finally, there are two halves of a banana on the side.
Customers who prefer a fruitier waffle can try the Mixed Fruits Waffle With Ice Cream (RM17.90). In this case, the waffle batter has been infused with some matcha (green tea powder), resulting in greenish hue. The aroma of matcha is quite mild; perhaps this is an area for improvement.
Meanwhile, the waffle is neatly topped with slices of strawberry, kiwi and banana. Like the previous waffle, mixed nuts and ice cream are also included. This waffle is drizzled with chocolate sauce in lieu of caramel.
As for something closer to a proper meal, Spaghetti Aglio Olio (RM9.90) is a sound choice. Pasta is cooked al dente – just the perfect firmness that I expect. Seasoned with onions, black olives, chili flakes and fried garlic, the plate of spaghetti provides moderate cooling effect in the mouth. The overall flavor is quite balanced.
For non-caffeinated drink, Blue Lagoon Lemonade (RM13.00) is an ideal remedy to quench thirst. This soda drink is mixed with Blue Curaçao liqueur and syrup, resulting in tangy sweetness which I find quite refreshing.
Apple Kiwi (RM13.50) is a smoothie blended from ice, resulting in slushy consistency with mild but respectable sense of fruity sourness.
Barista Haus’ cakes are sourced from a reputable home-based bakery, which is also responsible to supplying gourmet cakes several other eateries including Sri Sawadee. Cake is best enjoyed with a pot of tea. Sourced from Harney & Sons, English tea is supplied by a distributor whose own pastry shop is literally several doors away.
Name: Barista Haus
Address: 148, Jalan Pintal Tali, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-251-9773
Business hours: 1:00pm-12:00am (Monday-Thursday), 12:00pm-12:00am (Friday-Sunday)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Baristahaus148
Coordinates: 5.41543 N, 100.33231 E
Directions: Traveling along the one-way Rope Walk (Jalan Pintal Tali), look out for Le Dream Boutique Hotel on the left. Right after the junction with Jalan Cheong Fatt Tze, there is a row of identical shops on the right. Barista Haus is one of the intermediate shops on this row. Street parking is available along Rope Walk and Jalan Cheong Fatt Tze. There is also a private car park at the beginning of Jalan Cheong Fatt Tze.