One of the latest definitions of the pursuit of happiness: finding the perfect cup of boba milk tea, so beautifully crafted that it's a work of art in itself. From its signature rounded cup and majestic logo of a stag, to the marbled pattern from housemade pearls, The Alley is a popular destination for social media purposes, and--surprisingly or unsurprisingly--the drinks taste as good as they look.
The Alley's pearls are trademarked as deerioca, made in-house from scratch. I don't know if I would say it's so good as to be endearing (pun intended), but it does have a nice chewy and soft texture that I've noticed is only achieved with the freshest pearls. The portion of pearls is also quite generous, so you have to strategic in order to make sure that you don't run out of tea before you finish all the pearls.
I first tried the brown sugar deerioca matcha latte (HK $32). Although I had braced myself for a super sweet drink, I loved how I could enjoy the deliciousness (and snatch my much-liked Instagram shot) of a brown sugar milk tea without getting hyperglycemia. The boba was mildly sweet, lightly caramelized and not overwhelming; accordingly, I could enjoy the fine matcha and smooth milk for an all-around excellent drink. Despite the pre-fixed sugar and ice, I found all the proportions quite on-point.
The next time, I decided to splurge and try the white velvet deerioca tea latte (HK $36), an extravagant combination featuring brown sugar boba, a black tea latte base, a thick layer of cheese foam, topped off with a sprinkle of cocoa powder. There is a lot going on in this drink, with three distinct layers that can be sipped independently (boba, tea, and foam through the open lid). It's rather creamy and indulgent, and personally I like my cheese foam a bit more savory and the tea stronger, but it was nonetheless a satisfying drink.
The verdict? Very good. Not perfect, mainly for the somewhat high pricetag and somewhat weaker tea for my tastes, but overall exceeded expectations. Service is friendly and the space is aesthetic and modern with shades of grey, ideal for framing their ideal-looking drinks. read more