Ah, Hazel - Who would've thought that the campus' closest bubble tea shop (excluding the one in the basement of MUSC) would also eventually become my favourite new study spot?
Expanding on my previous post, Hazel Tea & Dessert is a bubble tea and snack shop with a sleek, serene design in full compliance with accessibility standards. Along with spacious, orderly bathrooms, an abundance of seating and outlets (offered both in USB and plug forms), and a stable, password-secured Wi-Fi connection, the independent establishment has also advanced its decor by adding a 1960s-esque light-up sign, a black grid-like structure upon which the sign rests, and two framed specimens containing 2D floral elements.
The overall hip-ness of the interior was immediately amplified.
Expanding on my previous post, Hazel Tea & Dessert is a bubble tea and snack shop with a sleek, serene design in full compliance with accessibility standards. Along with spacious, orderly bathrooms, an abundance of seating and outlets (offered both in USB and plug forms), and a stable, password-secured Wi-Fi connection, the independent establishment has also advanced its decor by adding a 1960s-esque light-up sign, a black grid-like structure upon which the sign rests, and two framed specimens containing 2D floral elements.
The overall hip-ness of the interior was immediately amplified.
As a result of one of my regular Monday afternoon meetings falling through, I had taken advantage of the opportunity to re-visit. This time around, I invited a fellow Marauder to accompany me for some much-needed catch-up time.
I arrived first, and took to trying out the fifth most popular beverage on the menu: Mango Yogurt Smoothie. While the milk teas and flavoured green teas are crafted from milk powder and flavour syrups, I was informed that the yogurt smoothies were a blend of ice, fruit juice, and a Yakult-like substance. The concept seemed more reassuring - and worthier in terms of economic value - than the other standard drinks.
The cafe was definitely busier in comparison to the beginning of the academic year, which can only mean that its popularity has risen via word-of-mouth over the past few weeks.
The cafe was definitely busier in comparison to the beginning of the academic year, which can only mean that its popularity has risen via word-of-mouth over the past few weeks.
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The setting up of my workstation commenced simultaneously with the roar of the blender in the open kitchen. Having just laid out my clipboard and several packages of notes, my drink order was called out.
Spotted on the countertop was a tall, vividly yellow slush lined with a bottom layer of lychee jelly. Its taste proved to be as profound as its appearance, consisting of a refreshing fruity blend whose flavour was undeterred by the heavy amount of ice contained within. Rather than being overly sweet, the drink tasted strongly of yogurt, much to my delight.
Spotted on the countertop was a tall, vividly yellow slush lined with a bottom layer of lychee jelly. Its taste proved to be as profound as its appearance, consisting of a refreshing fruity blend whose flavour was undeterred by the heavy amount of ice contained within. Rather than being overly sweet, the drink tasted strongly of yogurt, much to my delight.
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As the contents of the cup were gradually drained, a cloying, captivating aura gently filled the dining area. It later occurred to me that the two other girls in the immediate vicinity had each ordered a dazzling waffle creation to munch on. I gulped, hoping that my friend would later wish to execute the same action.
She arrived just in time to catch me slurping the last drop of my five-dollar smoothie. After ordering a Assam Milk Tea with tapioca for herself, I brought forth my suggestion to share one of Hazel's glamourous-looking Buttermilk Waffles, to which she willingly nodded in agreement.
"A Brownie Thing" and "Ferrero Rocher" were deemed too sugary for our taste buds, and "Strawberry Lover" too basic. "Very Matcha" seemed to be the most fitting option with its included toppings of red bean, cheesecake bites, and green tea ice cream. Additional toppings could also be chosen, though only the three aforementioned elements were included in the extravagant base price of $8.75.
"A Brownie Thing" and "Ferrero Rocher" were deemed too sugary for our taste buds, and "Strawberry Lover" too basic. "Very Matcha" seemed to be the most fitting option with its included toppings of red bean, cheesecake bites, and green tea ice cream. Additional toppings could also be chosen, though only the three aforementioned elements were included in the extravagant base price of $8.75.
Around 4pm, a bespectacled girl had entered the kitchen premises to start part-time work. I suppose the owner/manager/operator had identified a higher volume of traffic in the later hours of the day.
She punched in our waffle order, slided a number sign to us, and later delivered the chocolate syrup-covered creation to our table. The aroma was far less intense than that of the other customers'; the result was also less crispy than I had pictured - possibly an indication that the newcomer had not provided enough time for the waffle to cook uniformly.
She punched in our waffle order, slided a number sign to us, and later delivered the chocolate syrup-covered creation to our table. The aroma was far less intense than that of the other customers'; the result was also less crispy than I had pictured - possibly an indication that the newcomer had not provided enough time for the waffle to cook uniformly.
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We had a brief discussion over its name: for a "Very Matcha" waffle, the only hint of green tea seemed to lie in the single scoop of green tea ice cream. Admittedly, we could have also done without the heavy streaking of chocolate syrup, which had overpowered the meager amounts of matcha in its entirety. White icing sugar could have, ideally, also been converted to a gentle dusting of matcha powder for added grassiness. The sweetened red bean paste had likely emerged from a non-perishable canned source, so there wasn't really anything worth commenting in that regard. Cheesecake pieces were an expected and much appreciated touch, even though they tasted less cheesy and more cake-y.
Nonetheless, we enjoyed the dessert to a great degree of satisfaction. While not particularly crispy, it was tasty.
When taking price into consideration, however, it's unlikely that I will attempt their Buttermilk Waffles a second time should I not be sharing the sugar-high with at least one other person.
Nonetheless, we enjoyed the dessert to a great degree of satisfaction. While not particularly crispy, it was tasty.
When taking price into consideration, however, it's unlikely that I will attempt their Buttermilk Waffles a second time should I not be sharing the sugar-high with at least one other person.
At this point, I should also add that Hazel eagerly offers stamp cards to customers. Similar to establishments of a similar nature, one drink can be redeemed (free of charge) for every ten drink purchases. Unfortunately, the tally does not apply to waffles.
With that said, Hazel is easily one of my top spots to accomplish assignments effectively (and engage in GOT7-related activities with a peace of mind). Its casual, comfortable atmosphere, mellow music, and clean tables render it lightyears more superior than dingy campus libraries. My one suggestion: to turn down the A/C, specifically for my preferred corner table.
With that said, Hazel is easily one of my top spots to accomplish assignments effectively (and engage in GOT7-related activities with a peace of mind). Its casual, comfortable atmosphere, mellow music, and clean tables render it lightyears more superior than dingy campus libraries. My one suggestion: to turn down the A/C, specifically for my preferred corner table.
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