[Hong Kong, January 2024] Since opening its first cafe in Sai Ying Pun in 2018, Coffeelin has become the go-to for true Italian-style coffee in Hong Kong. Now, with the launch of its fourth venue, on historic Oil Street in the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Fortress Hill, Coffeelin brings to the city the most complete taste of Milanese coffee house culture to date. Coffeelin Fortress Hill marks the start of a year of expansion for this homegrown chain of coffee outlets, as the brand prepares for their fifth opening later this year in LHT Tower in Central.
[Hong Kong, January 2024] Since opening its first cafe in Sai Ying Pun in 2018, Coffeelin has become the go-to for true Italian-style coffee in Hong Kong. Now, with the launch of its fourth venue, on historic Oil Street in the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Fortress Hill, Coffeelin brings to the city the most complete taste of Milanese coffee house culture to date. Coffeelin Fortress Hill marks the start of a year of expansion for this homegrown chain of coffee outlets, as the brand prepares for their fifth opening later this year in LHT Tower in Central.
Inspired by the laid-back yet buzzy cafes found all over Milan, Coffeelin in Fortress Hill is the place to go for coffee aficionados and lovers of homely Italian cuisine alike. The vision of founder Lucas Sam, who fell in love with Italy’s style and design capital on his extended visits there to see friends and family, the all-day coffee lounge and bar is a refreshing alternative to the many Japanese and Australian-style cafes in the city.
“We’re selling not just any coffee, but authentic Italian coffee and espresso the way you would find at coffee bars in Italy. These are the cornerstone of every neighbourhood, run by people with a passion and dedication to quality combined with genuine hospitality. Guests can come in the morning for a coffee, in the afternoon for a little snack and a chat with the staff, and in the evening for wine,” says Lucas.
As in Milan, espresso is the speciality, though Coffeelin’s professional baristas will happily make cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos too. All coffees are made using La Storica 1991, the secret signature blend from Torrefazione Il Griso on Milan’s outskirts, voted best coffee bar in Italy in 2016 by the Bargiornale national Bar Award. Griso’s co-founder and master roaster, Antonio Biscotti, carefully selects the best beans to ensure consistency and quality; his blends have won multiple medals from the influential International Institute of Coffee Tasters.
Coffeelin’s new flagship is a welcoming haven for the area’s residents, office workers and visitors, whether for a quick pre-work espresso, a leisurely lunch or dinner, or happy hour drinks. Designed by acclaimed architect and interior designer JJ Acuna, the venue channels a mix of vintage and Memphis style among the city’s high rises. Natural light floods in through floor to ceiling windows, while textured walls and hand painted ceiling murals add warmth. Vibrantly patterned marble and travertine floor tiles and hardwood furniture nod to the comforting trattorias that are the lifeblood of Italy.
The space features an open bar area where guests can perch on stools or stand at the timber counter to enjoy a beverage, or they can settle into a prized banquette or table around the centrepiece open kitchen and watch the chefs at work. An alfresco terrace surrounded by greenery, where patrons can relax under the shade of striped parasols, is set to become one of the area’s most coveted spots.
With the benefits of a fully equipped kitchen, the new venue offers an accessible, expanded food menu from day to night. Rising star chef Umberto D’Avino, who hails from just outside of Rome, will treat diners to dishes he learned to cook from his grandmother, with occasional twists based on what he finds at Hong Kong’s bountiful markets.
Umberto explains that “Italian food is about respect for ingredients and for seasonal products, and my menu follows that. Although I don’t always follow traditional recipes,there is always respect for the ingredients and for my roots, balanced with occasional surprises to keep diners coming back for more.” He continues, “In Italy, caffes sit at the centre of communities. That is the same environment we want to convey at Coffeelin in Fortress Hill.”
Breakfast includes an irresistible take on ham and cheese toast, elevated several notches with the use of prosciutto crudo and fontina cheese, or classic rosetta roll stuffed with mortadella and truffle stracciatella. The all-day menu features sliced Roast Octopus Tentacles, Warm Potato Foam & Smoked Paprika, Cacciatora style Spring Chicken, Roast Potatoes & Watercress Salad and delectable homemade tagliolini pasta with butter and Mediterranean anchovies lifted by hints of kaffir lime.
Desserts are a must, whether it’s the luscious tiramisu infused with Griso coffee, an indulgent Neapolitan rum baba, or maritozzi, the ultimate cream bun. Aperitivo hour is an important ritual in Italy and guests can opt for a classic aperol spritz or one of the inventive cocktails on the menu. A selection of snacks will be available to accompany drinks, including zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta, and mozzarella croquettes.
As seriously as Lucas and Coffeelin takes its coffee, ensuring the highest quality drinks are served, the atmosphere is anything but serious. In the spirit of genuine Italian hospitality, all are welcome, whether solo, with friends, children, or even pets.
Coffeelin Fortress Hill is open now.
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Coffeelin Fortress Hill
Address: G/F, 228 Electric Road, Fortress Hill
Opening Hours: 8am - 6pm, Monday to Sunday including public holidays
IG: @coffeelin_hk
For more information, please reach out to Companion Communications
Alex Berry - Alex@companioncommunications.com
June Heung - June@companioncommunications.com
Dominique Backhouse - Dominique@companioncommunications.com
About Coffeelin
Launched in 2018, Coffeelin is now a go-to for Italian-style espresso and other types of coffee. It brings the warm and welcoming vibe of Milan’s beloved coffee bars to Hong Kong.
Since first opening in Sai Ying Pun, Coffeelin now has four branches on Hong Kong Island – Happy Valley, Wan Chai and Fortress Hill. It also has two branches in Guangzhou in Mainland China. Coffeelin is the exclusive Asian importer of La Storica 1991, the signature blend from Torrefazione Il Griso, voted best coffee bar in Italy.
About Lucas Sam
Hong Kong-born Lucas has lived and studied abroad, including Australia, Japan and the UK. No matter where, he’s always in search of good coffee. After working for several years overseeing sponsorship sales and marketing in Northeast Asia for legendary football club FC Barcelona, Lucas decided that he needed a change. He went on an extended trip to Italy, and it was there that he discovered his true calling. Through his brother, who was then based in Milan, Lucas became friends with Antonio and Claudia Biscotti, co-founders of Torrefazione Il Griso. Inspired by their passion and dedication to quality combined with genuine hospitality, he decided to bring their style of Italian coffee culture to Hong Kong, and in 2018, the first Coffeelin opened in Sai Ying Pun.
About Umberto D’Avino
Umberto hails from the small town of Frosinone, near the Italian capital of Rome. He learned to cook from his grandmother and knew from an early age that he wanted to be a chef. Umberto trained at ALMA, the prestigious culinary school founded by Gualtiero Marchesi, the father of new Italian cuisine. Upon graduating, he bought a one-way ticket to London and landed roles at Hotel Café Royal, Shangri-La The Shard, and Rosewood London before Hong Kong came calling. He’s excited to share his passion for Italian cuisine with a food-savvy audience in his new home city.