In the FoodEEs series, El Estoque staff members take on different food establishments, reviewing the menu items based on taste, price and authenticity.
With a cozy cottagecore-inspired interior incorporating hanging greenery, LEGO plants and superhero poster-covered walls, coffee shop Bitter + Sweet is home to an eclectic mix of decor and entertainment, including arcade machines and a large fish tank. The aroma of coffee permeates the air, creating a warm and engaging experience. The cafe specializes in coffee and tea and prepares them in front of customers.
Matcha Rose Latte ($6.00)
The Matcha Rose Latte is a hot, layered matcha and rose drink topped with creamy foam. The foam, which adds a soft, plush texture, is infused with rose in the drink’s latte art, which makes it all the more appealing. Its floral sweetness complements the rich and fragrant high-quality matcha, ensuring each sip of the latte feels smooth and silky.
The placement of the art is an intentional design that carefully balances flavors; the matcha and rose are evenly distributed, allowing both flavors to shine. For its average price, the Matcha Rose Latte comes in a good size and exceeds expectations, delivering a cohesive drink with layered flavors and a polished texture.
RATING: 5/5
Mocha ($6.00)
The Mocha is a traditional coffee and chocolate-infused drink infused with creamy foam. Like the Matcha Rose Latte, the latte art is eye-catching, and the rich chocolate almost oozes out of the cup, contributing to its appealing presentation. The chocolate feels delicate on the tongue, and when paired with the cream, the drink melts in your mouth. However, this experience is temporary, as the drink needs a little more cream to not be overpowered by the chocolate. The Mocha isn’t too sweet or rich, and slight hints of coffee prevent it from becoming a hot chocolate. However, the drink is incredibly dense and quickly fills up one’s appetite.
RATING: 4/5
Prosciutto and Fig Panini ($10.25)
The Prosciutto and Fig Panini at Bitter + Sweet consists of two pieces of toasted bread filled with prosciutto, fig jam and brie, a combination that may work well on a charcuterie board but doesn’t mesh well in this sandwich. The sharp cheese and savory prosciutto add an influx of salt that the sweet jam fails to counter, resulting in an overall mess of flavors. Individually, each piece of the panini stands out, but together, the flavors overpower one another.
The ingredients were unbalanced in some parts of the panini, resulting in inconsistent, disorienting tastes in each bite. Where the fig jam was spread on the thickest, the bite consisted only of strong, honey flavors. In the next bite, where several slices of prosciutto were added, its salty, earthy flavors overwhelm the other ingredients, resulting in a complete imbalance of flavors.
The salad that comes with the sandwich seems hastily assembled and is notably bland. While the mesclun lettuce and spring mix salad greens add an interesting pop of green and purple onto the plate, they lack any distinct flavor or contrast in texture. The little vinaigrette drizzled on top is tangy but unable to elevate them beyond plain greens.
RATING: 2.5/5
Tiramisu ($7.25)
With layers of ladyfingers, mascarpone, coffee, marsala wine and cocoa powder on top, Bitter + Sweet’s Tiramisu definitely hits the mark. The ladyfinger layers are infused with coffee, and the soft and creamy mascarpone closes the gaps in the sponge. The tiramisu may not be as soft as traditional ones, but Bitter + Sweet’s take is respectable in its own way. The less airy mascarpone creates a firm structure that helps each layer’s flavor stand out: the ladyfingers are pillowy, and the mascarpone is just the right amount of sweetness.
However, the marsala wine is a little overpowering, resulting in slightly alcoholic bites. The cocoa powder, while slightly dry, complements the moistness of the coffee infused in the layers. While the gold-dusted coffee bean garnish isn’t edible, the piece of chocolate added on top of the tiramisu is a rich, dark chocolate, furthering the chocolate flavor in an otherwise coffee-heavy dessert.
RATING: 4.5/5
With its natural and snug ambience, Bitter + Sweet revamps what a traditional coffee shop looks like by incorporating personal art and style into the environment. For coffee and matcha enthusiasts, the cafe is a must-try. Although some menu items feature unexpected pairings that may not always work, the large majority are reasonably priced for their quality, and the fast service times ensure customer satisfaction.
OVERALL RATING: 4.5/5
OVERALL PRICE: $$/$$$
