We identified the Cafe by the entry on the perspex building directory directory just inside the non-descript entrance of 19-21 Hankow Road. We went down a corridor and past the building guard (who was having a very animated conversation with what looked like a mechanic) only to find the lift was out of order. Unperturbed, we headed up to the second floor by way of the stairs behind the guard's desk. Edging round a large pile of bagged rubbish and through a fire door we found the welcoming words hung on a glass door "We really are open".
Peace Cafe occupies a single sizable room with low sofas and coffee tables in the middle and higher tables along the windows. This cafe is definitely aimed at chinese rather than western tastes with a large selection of teas containing coconut and aloe vera jelly through to desserts such as "Pastry pie w/ chocolate and beancurd" alongside your normal fare of waffles and flavoured lattes.
We tried one of the home made flower teas and coconut, honey & citrus iced tea both of which were lovely - the flower tea served on a tealight in a glass teapot. The desserts we tried were a bit more mixed. The highlight of "Bakes stones with Maple syrup and ice cream" was definitely the maple syrup and ice cream - the stones (toasted sweet sesame seed buns) just seeming dry and tasteless. The aforementioned pastry pie with chocolate and beancurd was however fantastic. What was served was a puff pastry pie filled with watery hot chocolate sauce and soft tofu. The pastry was light and the tofu added bulk and texture to the chocolate sauce which was not too sweet.
Overall, the cafe has a laid back vibe with the waiting staff playing cards with some other patrons between taking orders. read more