85? Cafe and Bakery

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zovall_IHB

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It looks like their grand opening is this Friday. I've never had it but friends of mine rave about this place in Taiwan. Attached is an opening day flyer/coupon that I got from a buddy.
 
the best (and cheapest) coffee shop in town...
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Went by there tonight to see if they were open yet (Friday 9/26, as mentioned above), but seeing as it was past 9:30 PM they let me in, proceeded to give me a bag and tongs, and said anything that was left in the bakery cases was up for grabs since they were going to throw it out at the end of the night. (Apparently, they have been practicing their baking techniques over the last few days before opening up this Friday.)



The selection was pretty much picked over, but I got a couple of almond coffee cake rings (the people at work are going to love me in the morning), a thick flaky pastry with a melted slice of American cheese and herbs on top (that helped bring my tastebuds back to normal after having the spicy BB Wings over at BBQ Chicken), and a small herb and cheese pastry that served as an appetizer while waiting for my chicken across the way. The bread that I ate tonight was very delicious. I'm sure the coffee cake will be great as well. I asked about the desserts in the refrigerated case, and they said "sorry - not available until Friday". So much for having a free dessert tonight.



I may have to go Friday night after dinner and see how 85C stacks up against Layer Cake Bakery in Woodbridge. At this rate, I won't be losing weight anytime soon. Definitely not making the Mr. Yuk face here!
 
<a href="http://fastfood.freedomblogging.com/2008/09/25/sneak-peek-asian-cafe-giant-set-to-open-friday-in-new-irvine-mall/">Fast Food Maven</a> review on 85C.
 
Went there today (soft opening) and tried several of their breads and a couple teas. Pretty good. I'm curious about their sandwiches and salads but they didn't have any out when I went.
 
last time i was in taiwan i really enjoyed 85C. we would take a walk to the nearest 85C every morning. i really hope this place turns out well and they have some of the same menu offerings as in taiwan. although the ingredients might be hard to come by i imagine. i would get the coffee milk tea with black sugar. i hope they have that...
 
My wife and I were right near the new plaza on Sunday afternoon, so we tried to check it out. The place was totally mobbed. Not a single parking spot open! Also, the way you have to go in from Alton instead of Jamboree, you are forced to drive past the market, which took forever. Really bad parking lot design.



Anyway, as we slowly drove around, on our way back out, we saw the line of about 50+ people leading to the door of 85?. Some of the places looked good, but I think we'll give it a couple of weeks for the crowds to die down a bit.



David
 
My wife has become totally obsessed with this place. We went Friday night with our daughter after dinner at BCD. Then on Saturday night took all the in-laws there. Went again at 9am Sunday morning for breakfast, on our way to Carlsbad. Took a break on Monday, but then my wife stopped there again on her way to work this morning, and dropped by my office to leave me some hot dog and pizza buns for lunch. I told her she is going to have to get a part time job there if she plans on keeping this habit up.



I will admit it is damn good, though.
 
[quote author="CK" date=1222861362]My wife has become totally obsessed with this place. We went Friday night with our daughter after dinner at BCD. Then on Saturday night took all the in-laws there. Went again at 9am Sunday morning for breakfast, on our way to Carlsbad. Took a break on Monday, but then my wife stopped there again on her way to work this morning, and dropped by my office to leave me some hot dog and pizza buns for lunch. I told her she is going to have to get a part time job there if she plans on keeping this habit up.



I will admit it is damn good, though.</blockquote>


Were you at the Premium Outlets at Carlsbad on Sunday?
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1222861733][quote author="CK" date=1222861362]My wife has become totally obsessed with this place. We went Friday night with our daughter after dinner at BCD. Then on Saturday night took all the in-laws there. Went again at 9am Sunday morning for breakfast, on our way to Carlsbad. Took a break on Monday, but then my wife stopped there again on her way to work this morning, and dropped by my office to leave me some hot dog and pizza buns for lunch. I told her she is going to have to get a part time job there if she plans on keeping this habit up.



I will admit it is damn good, though.</blockquote>


Were you at the Premium Outlets at Carlsbad on Sunday?</blockquote>


Since I'm not good enough for the golf courses there, the only two reasons to go to Carlsbad are Legoland and the outlets. And our 3 month pass to Legoland expired in August. We came home with bags from Polo, Tommy, Gap, Banana, and Sketchers (flip flops on clearance for CK). We walked into Coach and Donney Burke, but after about 30 seconds in each turned and walked out. It's no LV or Gucci, you know.
 
I went on a weekday after the lunch crowd and tried the coffee and strawberry cream cake. Pretty good in my book. Lighter on the sugar than typical American cakes but still tasty--they even gave 15% off my cake but not the coffee. Not sure how long this discount thing lasts. It is a different style than <a href="http://www.layercakebakery.com/">Layer Cake Bakery</a> but if I had to choose between the two--my vote is for Layer Cake.



I also wanted to try that <a href="http://www.myguppyteahouse.com/">Guppy Tea House</a> but that place was still packed in the afternoon. Has anyone tried it yet? Looks interesting.
 
[quote author="CK" date=1222863162][quote author="bkshopr" date=1222861733][quote author="CK" date=1222861362]My wife has become totally obsessed with this place. We went Friday night with our daughter after dinner at BCD. Then on Saturday night took all the in-laws there. Went again at 9am Sunday morning for breakfast, on our way to Carlsbad. Took a break on Monday, but then my wife stopped there again on her way to work this morning, and dropped by my office to leave me some hot dog and pizza buns for lunch. I told her she is going to have to get a part time job there if she plans on keeping this habit up.



I will admit it is damn good, though.</blockquote>


Were you at the Premium Outlets at Carlsbad on Sunday?</blockquote>


Since I'm not good enough for the golf courses there, the only two reasons to go to Carlsbad are Legoland and the outlets. And our 3 month pass to Legoland expired in August. We came home with bags from Polo, Tommy, Gap, Banana, and Sketchers (flip flops on clearance for CK). We walked into Coach and Donney Burke, but after about 30 seconds in each turned and walked out. It's no LV or Gucci, you know.</blockquote>


Carlsbad Outlets are struggling for several reasons. The distance from LA to Carlsbad is almost the same from LA to Cabazon so most Asians shop at Cabazon and it has more stores. Traffic is much lighter heading east on 10 vs south bound on 5. I don't golf but many clients love the Aviara course.
 
Oh, the Carlsbad Outlets. I have fond memories. There was a winery / restaurant that was pretty decent. I haven't been back in years. I can't fit any more Le Crueset into my kitchen. :(
 
Diamond Plaza could shame most of TIC'c retail centers. The traffic on this blog is the proof that specialty restaurants not meeting the financial requirements of TIC can also be successful traffic generator for an active retail center. Look at Orchard and Woodbury center. The actual centers are more dead than the thread about the centers.



There must be a lot of Asian bloggers here or white guys with Asian GF or wife or adventurous non-Asian folks who are tired of the same typical chain restaurants wanting to try something culturally different. The demand is high for specialty restaurants and retails.



One teeny tiny Asian dragon lady all by herself created this center brought more to Irvine than the entire TIC's retail division full of MBA's from pedigree schools.



I am proud to see the energy of all the posters embracing the cultural diversities in Irvine. The retail underdogs of the non TIC retail centers are the most talked about centers on this blog despite of their bad traffic flow and poorly conceived design. Just imagine what the success would have been if all facets were executed perfectly.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1222867561]Diamond Plaza could shame most of TIC'c retail centers. The traffic on this blog is the proof that specialty restaurants not meeting the financial requirements of TIC can also be successful traffic generator for an active retail center. Look at Orchard and Woodbury center. The actual centers are more dead than the thread about the centers.



There must be a lot of Asian bloggers here or white guys with Asian GF or wife or adventurous non-Asian folks who are tired of the same typical chain restaurants wanting to try something culturally different. The demand is high for specialty restaurants and retails.



One teeny tiny Asian dragon lady all by herself created this center brought more to Irvine than the entire TIC's retail division full of MBA's from pedigree schools.



I am proud to see the energy of all the posters embracing the cultural diversities in Irvine. The retail underdogs of the non TIC retail centers are the most talked about centers on this blog despite of their bad traffic flow and poorly conceived design. Just imagine what the success would have been if all facets were executed perfectly.</blockquote>


Around ten years ago, I spoke to a real estate agent who was trying to find a location for a Chinese restaurant client in Irvine and she claimed TIC didn't like "ethnic" establishments and was limiting them to just a few TIC properties so it was very difficult for a Chinese restaurant to get in. I wonder if this was true then and if it is true now.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1222865425][quote author="CK" date=1222863162][quote author="bkshopr" date=1222861733][quote author="CK" date=1222861362]My wife has become totally obsessed with this place. We went Friday night with our daughter after dinner at BCD. Then on Saturday night took all the in-laws there. Went again at 9am Sunday morning for breakfast, on our way to Carlsbad. Took a break on Monday, but then my wife stopped there again on her way to work this morning, and dropped by my office to leave me some hot dog and pizza buns for lunch. I told her she is going to have to get a part time job there if she plans on keeping this habit up.



I will admit it is damn good, though.</blockquote>


Were you at the Premium Outlets at Carlsbad on Sunday?</blockquote>


Since I'm not good enough for the golf courses there, the only two reasons to go to Carlsbad are Legoland and the outlets. And our 3 month pass to Legoland expired in August. We came home with bags from Polo, Tommy, Gap, Banana, and Sketchers (flip flops on clearance for CK). We walked into Coach and Donney Burke, but after about 30 seconds in each turned and walked out. It's no LV or Gucci, you know.</blockquote>


Carlsbad Outlets are struggling for several reasons. The distance from LA to Carlsbad is almost the same from LA to Cabazon so most Asians shop at Cabazon and it has more stores. Traffic is much lighter heading east on 10 vs south bound on 5. I don't golf but many clients love the Aviara course.</blockquote>


That?s a terrific course.

The Four Season?s is very nice, affordable, and makes for an enjoyable getaway.
 
[quote author="High Gravity" date=1222904316][quote author="bkshopr" date=1222867561]Diamond Plaza could shame most of TIC'c retail centers. The traffic on this blog is the proof that specialty restaurants not meeting the financial requirements of TIC can also be successful traffic generator for an active retail center. Look at Orchard and Woodbury center. The actual centers are more dead than the thread about the centers.



There must be a lot of Asian bloggers here or white guys with Asian GF or wife or adventurous non-Asian folks who are tired of the same typical chain restaurants wanting to try something culturally different. The demand is high for specialty restaurants and retails.



One teeny tiny Asian dragon lady all by herself created this center brought more to Irvine than the entire TIC's retail division full of MBA's from pedigree schools.



I am proud to see the energy of all the posters embracing the cultural diversities in Irvine. The retail underdogs of the non TIC retail centers are the most talked about centers on this blog despite of their bad traffic flow and poorly conceived design. Just imagine what the success would have been if all facets were executed perfectly.</blockquote>


Around ten years ago, I spoke to a real estate agent who was trying to find a location for a Chinese restaurant client in Irvine and she claimed TIC didn't like "ethnic" establishments and was limiting them to just a few TIC properties so it was very difficult for a Chinese restaurant to get in. I wonder if this was true then and if it is true now.</blockquote>


TIC Retail requires the tenant to submit a financial portfolio and most Chinese restaurateurs cook their book so from a forensic audit stand point most Chinese restaurants are financial losers, potential delinquent tenants, and a bad influence on immediate adjacent retailer. The potential aftermath of a restaurant going BK could impact the brand perception of a TIC retail center. This is the reason why there only corporate managed chain restaurants and retails at all TIC Retail centers.



TIC corporate culture would not change unless they are dealing with extreme vacancy.



TIC should be thankful for the other retail centers taking in the Mom and pop, cultural resturants and retails. Asian population soared in Irvine because of them. School scores and performance peaked partly due to Asians. Asians buying new homes contributed to TIC's wealth. Asians rarely cause problem and many are law abiding citizens. Other than their driving habits they are ideal citizens.



Other logistics made it difficult for the early Chinese restaurant pioneers. Chefs were hard to find and the far distance from their homes were discouraging. Owners rented cheap apartments (dormitories) for the staff and provided additional benefits like higher salaries and an extra day off. Most of the Chinese restaurants in Irvine are satellite chains so the owners could draw and shift manpower from the mother restaurants to Irvine. Recent success of Rowland Height also attracted many to take residency there thus lessen the driving distance to Irvine.
 
There are 2 Ranch 99's, 1 Zion, 1 H-mart, and couple Persian markets that I can think of in Irvine. TIC has done a good job in spreading them apart across the city. I'd like to see more diverse stores coming in, like Famima and Fresh & Easy.



If Irvine had refused to let ethnic stores open, I think they'd simply have opened in Tustin along Irvine's border. IMO Tustin missed out on some opportunities here. They could've revived a few of their dead shopping plazas with stores like Shun Fat Supermarket and popular Dim Sum restaurants (NBC, Ocean Star, Empress Harbor, Sea Harbor, etc).
 
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