Emille Loyola-Artigas finds classical Italian coffees at Vortex Coffee, a local coffee roaster serving savoury dishes in a charming, cosy place that proves simplicity is beauty.

There is nothing more rewarding than stumbling upon a wonderful café as you leave work on a Thursday afternoon. Yet that’s exactly what happened when my friend and I decided to have an evening catch-up with bites and coffees at Vortex Coffee. Located on the ground floor of the Tornado Tower, right in the heart of West Bay, we had heard about the place for its classic coffees and brilliantly prepared breakfast. Yes, I am one of those people, I will have breakfast any time of the day.

Vortex Coffee can be easily reached from its al fresco section, as it has a separate parking area, or through the main lobby of the Tornado Tower. Spacious, bright and airy, the ambiance is conducive for an intimate tête-à-tête, and casual or business meet ups. My first thought was, I will definitely remember this place when I need to work with my laptop while I enjoy endless servings of coffee; surprisingly, even with the construction nearby, the indoor area was very quiet, literally noiseless. Meanwhile, gracefully adorned, the outdoor area is perfect for hanging out while you enjoy your hot or cold coffee.

We were comfortably seated on elegant leather chairs, next to the intricately designed book shelves. As we went through the menu, the interiors gave an ‘old school library’ feel, with a fusion of modern decks and rustic ornaments.

The menu selection is unpretentious and not excessive, that made me remember an article by a popular chef saying, a simple menu means that every dish will be impeccably palatable as you can expect it was masterfully crafted with time and devotion.

That remained true with every dish we ordered. First to come, the French toast – a gypsy brown bread toast, served sweet with a distinctive mix of milk, sugar and vanilla, and then topped with maple syrup for the perfect finish. Then I chose another breakfast item, the cheese omelette, which reminded me of my childhood. Served with toasted white bread, green vegetables and topped with basil and parmesan, this omelette is heaven on earth for cheese lovers like me. The melted cheese texture is so consistent, and you feel the flavour in every bite.

Served in freshly made ciabatta bread is a chicken avocado sandwich, which is next to arrive on our table. The essences of chicken and avocado are perfectly blended, and when complemented with some veggies and mayonnaise it is a revelation! Not surprisingly, we were told that this was also a crowd favourite and the most ordered item on the menu. It was so amazingly delicious, I had to order another to take home to my son.

Spaghetti Bolognese arrived next and, again, it reminded me of how I enjoyed having spaghetti as a favourite dish growing up. The pasta perfectly done, topped with rich Bolognese sauce with the right mix of sweetness, beef and spices. Something I often crave for my lunch break but is hard to find is rice and chicken in one meal. So, we also ordered the chicken combo, which is chicken with cream sauce served with rice and a versatile ensemble of red, yellow and green peppers. This tasted so satisfying, I would certainly go back for this dish alone.

Though we were extremely contented, my prying eyes looked at the selections of coffees being made at the counter as the aroma filled the air. We had Flat White and Caramel Macchiatto to go with our dessert, a creamy sundae with chocolate frostings topped with hazelnut. As we dug into the cream, we loved what we tasted, a dessert that isn’t overly sweet but just enough to tease the palate and complete our similarly well-concocted coffees. Just what we needed for a perfect finish.

Vortex Coffee demonstrates that beauty lies in simplicity and happiness is simple. From the ambiance and the service to the traditionally cultured coffees and flavoursome dishes, it is evident that passion is the main ingredient. It is truly worthy of another visit, once, twice, or even every day. ✤

GO: CALL 7077 0458 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR RESERVATIONS.