307 Racecourse Rd
Flemington VIC 3031
It was inevitable that the CaFFiend would eventually make his way out to ‘the kitchen.’ The latest cafe cum social project of the former head of OCTANE Espresso, Gabe Davidson has taken it upon himself to not only serve some of the finest ethically sourced and hand roasted coffee in town, but to help his fellow man in the process.
Friendly smiles and warm greetings all around were the order of the day, I felt right at home, like a regular, even though it was my first time there. I ordered an espresso and was pleased when it arrived, perfectly extracted with a thick dense crema, hints of chocolate wafting through the air, really preparing the palate for what was destined to follow. A thick and rich, viscous brew that coated the tongue, a complex interaction of flavours and nuances that delicately created a frenzy of action on my taste buds.
I was content at this stage, really appreciating the effort the barista had put into presenting a Devil’s Cup to the CaFFiend that was one of the finest around town, as good as any I had had anywhere.
My chaser arrived promptly, a delicate and well textured cafe latte adorned with a fern leaf that was evidence of the skill of the barista and the passion that was present in extracting and presenting a beverage that was first class, world class. The 3 T’s were all spot on: Temperature, Texture and Taste were all Terrific, a well rounded and velvety smooth beverage that was definitely up there with the CaFFiend’s best anywhere, a 3 BEAN coffee destination with a social conscience too boot! Well done guys, so much more than just your average coffee shop, a social enterprise infact not just providing a much needed caffeine hit for the CaFFiend but also employment opportunities for those in need. Big KUDOS to you!!!
Go down and check ‘em out, tell ‘em the CaFFiend sent you and keep on caffeining on!!!
Coffee: Social Roasting
Steve Agi
Posted in 3 Beans, Beverages, Business Meetings, Family Friendly, Melbourne | No Comments »
Hi! Peter Christo here, founder of MCR. I just wanted to do this special announcment myself, as I think its a big deal for Coffee Lovers, Melbourne and also aspiring entrepreneurs out there!
As you know MCR is currently developing the MCR Cafe Guide for Melbourne 2010. I am delighted to announce that Crivelli Fine Coffee has come on board as Major Sponsor and will be awarding the ‘Cafe of the Year 2010′ award to the best cafe at the launch event scheduled to be held in November.
Also, as part of the release of the guide, MCR is sponsoring Pitch Club Melbourne being held on Thursday this week! We have just secured a special deal for our subscribers to attend Pitch Club at just $50. If you love coffee and have a great business idea to boot, you can’t miss this night! To grab a ticket, click here and remember to put the code in MCR09.
Join us on this exciting night and journey, and I look forward to seeing you at Pitch Club or certainly at the launch event in November.
Peter Christo
Founder and Director MCR.
www.melbournecoffeereview.com
Peter Christo
Posted in Announcement | No Comments »
Location: Azabu Juban, Tokyo, Japan
What a brilliant city. As I continue to explore this monster, the great places that I had envisioned were found, mostly through sheer luck!
Abazu Juban, a great little spot right next to the Roppongi area. A little more quiet , and a little more hidden then some other spots in popular Tokyo, and some wonderful cafe’s and restaurants to satisfy the soul.
‘Eat more greens’ was a cool little place, right in the heart of Abazu Juban. Nice looking food, and a really good cup of the stuff I was after. My order was a cafe latte, and my girlfriends an iced cafe latte. What the?
Never the less, when they arrived I wasn’t disappointed. My latte was well presented, and had a wonderful aroma that put a smile on my dile. The coffee had an interesting taste. light but full of flavor. Most definitely the first taste other than a basic espresso blend. It came to an end far to quick, but I resisted from a second as 580 Yen a pop (7.50 AUD) is a little excessive for me. A huge fan of this place, and sitting here was a relaxed and satisfying feeling. no doubt one of Tokyo’s best, and a pleasing change from a franchise cafe experience. well done Eat more greens, a MCR international gem!
Rating: 2 Beans
Coffee: Doughnut Plant New York City (Organic Blend)
jamesclarke
Tags: Azabu Juban, James Clarke, Japan
Posted in 2 Beans, Beverages | No Comments »
114 Berkeley St
Carlton VIC 3053
Sometimes less is more, so I believe that the less I say about Mark Dundon’s latest venture, will speak volumes.
For all those on a caffeine fueled journey to the land of espresso nirvana, this is truly THE stop. Believe the hype, it is nothing short of amazing.
Think Cup of Excellence, think CLOVER, think cool, hip and funky: Everything the CaFFiend is not!
The CaFFiend was humbled, it was really THAT good!Go down and see it all for yourself, I felt like a kid in a candy store.
Honestly….would I lie to you??? 
Three MASSIVE BEANS for the team at Se7en SEEDS and a welcome addition to Melbourne’s coffee royalty.
This one is a must. Go down and check it out and keep on caffeining on………………………The CaFFiend!!!
Coffee: 7 SEEDS
Steve Agi
Posted in 3 Beans, Beverages, Business Meetings, Family Friendly, Melbourne | 1 Comment »
Ginza Tokyo Japan
This place can only be described as a rich man’s wonderland. A place for cash splurgers to do what they do best. Tiffany & Co. Gucci, Blvgari, Prada, all some what out of my humble price range. Something I could afford however, was staring me right in the face, and could make me a very happy man.
I entered Le cafe Doutor Ginza, with no real expectations, and was plesently surprised when I saw what the very capable Japanese barista could do. This young man was in complete control, and after waiting in a long line, I was delighted to be handed a well presented cup, with a solid attempt at some latte art. I sat and enjoyed a well balanced, sweet but suttle coffee, in a cute little garden on the corner of Ginza’s main intersection. Nothing stood out about the blend its self, no real complexity. How ever it was the smooth and strong espresso which has been the void in my life for the past week, and gee it felt good to have it back. After discussing with the staff at the counter in my very poor language skills, I gathered that it was doutor’s house blend.
My satisfaction and the atmosphere in this place is worth awarding a solid 1 bean, to a cafe with huge potential.
Corporate travellers, A must stop.
Coffee: Doutor’s house blend
jamesclarke
Tags: corporate travellers, James Clarke, Japan
Posted in 1 Bean, Beverages | No Comments »
147 union st
Windsor VIC 3181
It was where I spent the formative years, the good old days, when it was all about BMX, cricket and footy cards. This was a step back in time for the CaFFiend, to my old stomping grounds; Windsor, the Bronx!
Coffee wasn’t even on the radar growing up in this neighborhood in the 70’s, I even remember this place when it used to be a servo, a LUBRITORIUM?!?!
So you can imagine my surprise when I find out it’s a cool and hip café, purported to serve some of Lucifer’s finest nectar around town. I was quick to head down to see what all the commotion was about.
It’s got the look, it’s got the vibe, it’s got that certain je ne sais quoi, but has it got the beans??? Is it the real deal?
I order a double RIZZ and bam, KAPOW, biff: I feel like I’ve been hit be a ten tonne semi, what a drop, the CaFFiend is smiling like a Cheshire cat.
Chasing it with my customary café latte, I am impressed at the friendliness of the staff, the decent menu, the décor, in fact the whole place is just A1.
My latte arrives promptly without too much fanfare, a good looking offering, umber edging, aromatic and velvety. Bliss on the palate, a well rounded and decent drop, worthy of two BEANS from the lips of the CaFFiend and a solid recommendation to team caffeine that tyranny is da bomb!
Check it out and keep on caffeining on!
Coffee: Own Blend
Steve Agi
Posted in 2 Beans, Beverages, Business Meetings, Family Friendly, Melbourne | 2 Comments »
close to exit 3 Roppongi Station, Roppongi Japan
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is James Clarke. I am the marketing and admin manager for MCR. I’m a young Y gen coffee fanatic, and have began reviewing to share my passion as many others do, who are involved in the company. Debut: Japan
As I arrived late last night into Tokyo Japan, After an unbelievable day of travel, the first thing my body was craving this morning was a satisfying pour of espresso to kick off my day. MY GOD was it hard to find. Apart from the hustle and bustle of navigating my way around one of the worlds largest cities, My efforts for a quality cup of coffee seems rather short chnged after I finally found a place. The culpret, Tully’s Coffee…
My experience was that of a Starbucks, or Gloria jeans franchise. A “cafe” with no real atmosphere, and coffee with no real complexity. The coffee was seved hot, which was a good start as this is a real pleaser for me, but lacked any depth or flavour. I looked around as people swarmed the venue ordering drink after drink, shortly realising the majority were iced coffee’s or dessert type beverages. Obviously painting a clear picture. This was by no means an espresso bar, likes the ones we are privillaged to have in the hidden lanes of Melbourne. never the less, i’m sure many coffee lovers have experienced this at one stage or another. The feeling has left me wanting more, and over the next 10 days of my trip I will cull my way through Japans cafe’s to find a means to an end, and the perfect devils cup..
No beans Mr Tully
Coffee: Tully’s ‘Espresso Roast’
jamesclarke
Tags: James Clarke, Japan, No beans
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
3/100 Commercial rd
Teneriffe , Brisbane 4006
The CaFFiend is pleased to present first time reviewers Colin & Kym from up north, letting is know all about what’s hot and what’s not in sunny Queensland, keep on caffeining on guys:
This boutique coffee roastery is situated on one of the busier roads in Teneriffe. Rumours of their quality coffee had reached our ears before it had touched our lips. After a short drive we found the shop, a rather small one that didn’t bound out to invite you in. Inside the fit out is a combination of an older style building with ornate cornices combining a cleverly economical funky fit out that suits the area well. They also offer a selection of food.
Now the most important aspect…. The coffee.
The coffee was an in-house blend called ‘Krank’. The former owner of the café on-sold the business but kept the roasting side, and continues to roast this delicious blend for them. ‘Medium-dark roast, rich and smooth with a lingering chocolate aftertaste’ is the blurb.
Coffee’s ordered were short black, cafe latte, decaf latte and a cappuccino.
The short black sure packed a punch, but after talking to David the Barista, we learnt they used a triple shot basket and double ristretto bases on the coffees, punch explained.
We also learnt that the beans are best 6-10 days post roast, day 7 on the day we were there.
The Shot – Rich dark crema looked very inviting.
Aroma – Dark chocolate with a slightly smokey after scent.
Milk – The only way we described this was ‘liquid marshmallow’, delicious.
Taste – Well balanced full bodied coffee that was enjoyable to drink.
LaMarzocco GB/5 + Mazzer Robur + VERY knowledgeable barista = great coffee.
Given the number of clients that came through the door the service was not as fast as expected, but the wait was explained after watching David the Barista fill a triple shot basket with painstaking care, ensuring each coffee was the best he could make it.
If Caffeine Espresso was closer to our part of town it would soon become a regular stop for us.
Barista Dave made this a two bean experience for us.
Coffee: KRANK
Steve Agi
Posted in 2 Beans, Beverages, Brisbane, Family Friendly | No Comments »
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