Espresso and Matcha's Eleventh Anniversary

 Dear Readers, 

As another year has rolled by, I find myself reflecting not only on my own journey with this blog, but on the shifting food landscape that surrounds us all. Eleven years ago, dining out did not require too much afterthought, it was something many of us could indulge in regularly without much hesitation. Today, against the backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis, the very notion of “value” has become increasingly subjective, fraught, and hotly debated.

Restaurants and cafés are caught in a difficult bind. With rising rents, ingredient costs climbing to unprecedented levels, and staff shortages biting harder than ever, operators are forced to raise prices or cut corners, neither of which endears them to a tightening customer base. At the same time, consumers — myself included — are weighing each meal out against mounting financial pressures. What once passed as a casual weekly habit is now a carefully considered decision.

The result is a mismatch of expectations. Diners, understandably, want generous portions, impeccable quality, and attentive service — but at yesterday’s prices. Operators, equally understandably, cannot sustain the same output without charging more, compromising on sourcing, or reducing staff hours. In this climate, the very definition of “value” has fractured: for some, it lies in abundant quantity; for others, in quality ingredients or artistry; for others still, in the ambience and sense of occasion.

What has become clear over the past year is just how fragile the balance is between hospitality providers and their patrons. I have seen stalwarts close their doors after decades, unable to keep pace with escalating costs. I have also seen newer ventures struggle to find footing, not for lack of talent or creativity, but because fewer of us are able — or willing — to take a risk on the unknown.

Against this backdrop, my role as a diner and critic has also shifted. Where once I might have been more casual in my judgments, I now find myself deeply attuned to the economic pressures on both sides of the table. A twenty-dollar bowl of noodles is not just noodles anymore — it is a calculation of rent, wages, produce, and the collective willingness of diners to shoulder the burden. Whether that feels “worth it” is no longer a simple question of taste.

Eleven years on, Espresso & Matcha remains my attempt to navigate these complexities with honesty. To celebrate the good, critique the disappointing, and above all, to bear witness to a dining culture that continues to evolve under pressure. It is not an easy time to run a restaurant, nor an easy time to be a consumer. But perhaps that makes the meals we do share — whether lavish or modest — all the more meaningful.

Here’s to another year of tasting, questioning, and reflecting.

As always, thanks for reading. If you want to contact me, feel free to send me a message to my insta Espresso_and_Matcha or email me at EspressoAndMatcha@gmail.com

-Hsiao Fu