With coffee houses galore — each with its own signature dessert and coffee variants — it could be quite a task to pick the perfect spot. At times, the desserts are enticing and the coffee average, and vice versa.
But with Heyla Café open at the new Khayat Center (next to Big Chefs) on Prince Sultan Street in Jeddah, you’ll find a good balance of both — refreshing coffee plus delectable desserts to satiate your sweet tooth. The menu may be a bit restricted but it is safe to say almost every dessert is a must-try — we have already picked our favorites.
While the exterior looks more grandiose and formal, once you walk in you will instantly pick up on the casual and fun vibe the place has. Whether it is the colorful couches, cushions, tables or walls, the interior is oozing with vibrancy and is refreshing to the eye. A great setting if you want to hang out for a couple of hours with friends for multiple coffee rounds.
It is only one floor for now — which is spacious and caters to a large number — but the good news is the second one should be up and running soon.
The first thing we tried was the scented rose cake because the presentation was simply the epitome of perfection on a plate — a scrumptious slice of cake served on a bed of fresh rose petals. For those who have not tried fragrant rosy desserts, a rose cake is essentially pound cake with a mild blend of vanilla, rose petals and a tinge of saffron. It is also one that a lot of confectioners do not get right. The ratio of all the ingredients is tricky yet crucial. The flavor has to be subtle. If the floral ratio is even slightly off, it can be very overpowering and leave a taste you cannot rid your tongue (and throat) of for a few hours — like you accidentally swallowed perfume.
But we have to say the bakers at Heyla know what they’re doing. When you dig into the vanilla sponge (though it looks dense), it instantly melts in your mouth like mousse. The texture is almost like an aerated baked cheesecake and the subtle undertone of rosiness, which comes up as pops of flavor, will be a delight for your palate. And of course the refreshing fragrance of the rose petals will make your gastronomical experience all the merrier!
Our second choice was the date cake — there were two options, bundt and one topped with a thick mouthwatering layer of caramel. In a country where dates are in abundance and almost revered, you would expect every bakery and café round the block to nail the recipe…but that wasn’t the case. While the thick caramel layer on its own was divine, the sponge itself was rather dry and crumbly, which was surprising because the texture of dates always provides that much needed stickiness and depth to any dessert recipe they’re used in. In fact, you could barely taste the flavor of dates. The bundt date cake on the contrary was a lot better. The flavor came out well, the texture was sticky — exactly how it should be — and every bite was scrumptious and left a mark.
Last but certainly not the least was the delectable pistachio kharabeesh — a hands down crowd pleaser. It is everything you are probably looking for in a dessert. Every bite will take your palate on a rollercoaster ride — you will taste cream and a layer of crushed green pistachios, and then cream followed by pistachios again. It melts in your mouth, and the key ingredients complement each other well. It was definitely well-balanced — sweet enough to be a dessert but not nauseatingly sugary which is perfect. If you’re a fan of kunaafa, then this will be next on your list of favorites.
Your dessert may fulfill your sugar cravings, but you also need the perfect cup of coffee or tea to wash it all down — or maybe a few cups! The perfectly brewed Arabian coffee or tea at Heyla cannot be missed. It’s served in a pot which guarantees to keep your drink hot till you’re done with the last and final cup.
All in all, the ambiance and aura of the coffee shop is on point, the staff is welcoming and amiable, the music is never too obnoxiously loud, prices are not over the top and the overall vibe of the place is great.
However, the menu is a little restricted and you don’t get too many dessert options but whatever they are offering, will leave your taste buds satisfied. We also wish they had a menu in English because not everyone understands Arabic in the multi-cultural city that is Jeddah.
Heyla Café is a must-try for dessert aficionados and coffee buffs!
• life.style@arabnews.com
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