il Solito Posto - Georges Pl, off Collins, next to Hyatt.

Ok… true to my word I sauntered over to il Solito Posto this morning and did the coffee thing. Daryl was right when he talked about the atmosphere in this place. It was lovely and absolutely the place you want to head off to if you need to have a business meet, or even to hang by yourself. The coffee they use is Genovese, and I have to say that it was a decent coffee… and the service was good. So, I'll have to agree with Mr Cook, and grant a 2 beaner rating. However, don’t underestimate the one beaner,.. not all reviews get a bean even if they are ok. To top out at 2 or a three bean, you have to have an amazing experience between service, coffee and ambiance…

il Solito Posto

I had a breakfast meeting the other morning at il Solito Posto. This is a classy little establishment that provided excellent service, which was fast and not too pushy. The atmoshere was relaxed and easy-going and it was conducive to doing business. The baltic pine, slate floors and chunky wood tables give it a comfortable feeling that is warm and inviting -- perfect for the oncoming Melbourne winter. It reminded me a lot of the Cheers bar because of its subterranean location at Basement, 113 Collins Street (enter via Georges Parade).

And the coffee you ask? Well, they made a mean latte. The crema was smooth, coffee not bitter and the temperature was just right.

Peter thinks I have possibly been too trigger happy with the two-beaners, so I'm going to give this one a Pre-2 beaner and wait for Peter to possibly give it a posthumous award.

Highett Deli & Cafe

An unnassuming little place near the train tracks. Its a traditional deli with a coffee shop in the back. Its probably the worst kept secret re good coffee in the area. John, the chief barista and owner serves up a great brew. He makes the Lavazza sing, and virtually knows all his customers by name & coffee pref. 1 big bean.

Today Tonight!!

Here's the article Today Tonight did on coffee.

While it was fun doing the story,... I have to say, their logic sucked. They did a coffee story then used frapes, and caramel brulee as an example why coffee will make you fat!! It looked more like a Starbucks and Hudsons advert. It was a pittiful attempt at sensationalism with no correlation to what Melbourne people actually drink. They should have said, "Milkshakes will make you fat, if you eat a doghnut with them every day". Good on ya Naomi, love ya babe!!

Cafe Trubi - Lt Lonsdale and Hardware St.

I visited one of my favourite coffee places today, Trubi, at the end of Hardware Lane, crn of Little Lonsdale. As I have mentioned before, Kelly and Frank are hard-core about the quality of their coffee. They recently switched across to Café Di Manfredi, and from what I can tell the customers are loving the change. It’s like going from Target to Armani? Maybe…? they are happy, clients seem happy, and hey, by the looks of today we are heading into a very cold and wet winter. Good coffee will be very very important… These guys were a one beaner anyway, I’m tipping they will be a two in the next week or so….(due process must be followed)

The Pavilion - 540 Doncaster Rd Doncaster 3108

I decided to make my way towards eastern Melbourne and try the coffee from a café recommended by a friend. Much to his credit, he was right on the money. Beautiful place, warm service, great coffee. Nice and quiet during the day, great for having a quiet meeting.

As for the latte - smooth, crema was soft and the coffee wasn’t bitter. Must go there again when I’m in that side of town. Highly recommended, 1 bean.

Africa World, Nicholson St Footscray

Thought I would take the advice of a recent feedback post on MCR and check out Africa World on Nicholson in Footscray. They serve Abyssinia from Ethiopia. Its a smooth coffee, with a great taste. The place needs an interior designer, but the people are nice and they serve a mean coffee. 2 beans for the coffee.

Coffee Love!!

I was at one of my favourite breaky haunts (regular readers will guess). One of these cool Melbourne mornings that a prelude to a very cold winter where the real coffee will flow, making those summer juices seem like a distant memory.

What I observed next makes my point (to a degree) that coffee is a wonderful lubricant of life.

A lady walked into the coffee shop, it’s still early… she meets with her girlfriend who has been waiting patiently (coffee part drunk). After a quick hello and apology for lateness,.. she admits that the get together was to announce the entry of new beau into her life.. (I’m guessing this isn’t the first)… She eagerly orders the coffee she’s been dieing for since she woke, and proceeds to shower her friend with details of the said beau,… coffee arrives, sip, sip,… she continues to talk… she quickly dismissed previous attempts at hetro unity, with boyz who were obviously “not the one, juvenile, unsophisticated, more boys than men..etc” and quite probably were a consequence of her lack of psychographical proximity to wisdom and nirvana she clearly has attained now.

Another sip of the coffee, girlfriend probes with interest for more details…. I lose focus now, and realise that the elation she feels now may be offset in 3 or 6 months with sorrow and dismay at how this Beau was not the one after all, and that, alone, she will sip her coffee to rationalise the incident away. That’s cool, that’s life, but what she didn’t know was that she was coffeeing with three friends, her girlfriend, and her coffee… both listened to her with pathos, as did I… bad, aren’t I?

Pete

Fat Arnie's in Flinders Lane, (near Degraves)

Had a quick latte at fat Arnie’s,… seems to be a very inviting place,… but I was afraid they were more into the food than the coffee. It was a welcome surprise to get greeted at the door, and then blown away with the coffee. I didn’t catch the brand, but will do next time. The wild man who was making the coffees seems to be some far out dude, who may have smokes too many tea leaves in his time, but he kicks ass as the Barista.

I’ll be back!!! 2 Beaner, for sure!!!

Small Poppies - 165 Nicholson St Footscray.

Yes, I'm out of the CBD at the moment. I have found myself in what may as well be another country. Footscray is an amazing spot, not the groovua Collins Street, not even the funky back streets, but amongst a range of gastronomic offerings I found the Small Poppies Cafe & Bar. Loved the ambiance, and I'm tipping this place rocks after hours, not that I'll know any time soon. The coffee is ordinary, however it's 'Fair Trade' and I guess for that, they are to be commended. The service, was poor but the ambiance was kewl; I miss the city!!

Pi Cafe, Wellington Rd Mulgrave. (Near Springvale Rd)

I’m doing a bit of consulting at a client in Mulgrave at the moment. Until recently, the only option for a ‘latte’ of any description was McCafe on the cnr Springy Rd and Wellington (not an option). After a few months I’ve been summoned back for more work, and behold… a new establishment!! Woohoo… I had my first meet at 10am. Ok,.. the coffee didn’t blow my sox off, but the place was great. My Greek heritage and the fact that I am a wannabe mathematician means that I love the name, Pi Café. The staff was very attentive, and there was a good mix of tables to site and talk/eat or a lounge to kick back on. They serve Griffiths… I am new to this coffee, and the Jury is out. There are at the first entrance of ComPark Circuit on Wellington Rd, near Springvale Rd. 1 Bean, for effort and location.

Bakehouse Cafe - Toorak Rd

I ventured into South Yarra this morning, and popped into the Bakehouse Cafe for my morning brew. It's located on the city-side of Chapel St.

Unike many surrounding venues, there's nothing pretentious about this place ... just plain, old fashioned good service (quick and friendly). The coffee was good too - hot and strong, just how I like my latte. A solid one-beaner here.

Moylans - 384 Flinders Street

Every Wednesday I meet with the X2O guys from 6.30am, to about 8.30 at Moylans. I’ve raved about Helena’s coffee abilities before, but she’s on holiday now, and while the replacement tries hard its not the same. Now that those cracking cold mornings are here, Moylans is, for me, one of the warmest, inviting, and uniquely Melbournian places to have those early morning meetings. The coffee they use is MIO,… a few other places serve it up, but what I’ve noticed is that it’s a coffee that should not be left to a dispassionate barista. I reiterate Moylans as a solid 2 beaner, with Helena at the helm…. Come home soon!!!

Federal Cafe Palace - Melb GPO

I enjoyed a few coffee’s last week at the Federal Coffee Palace, in the old, new GPO. What a great atmosphere! The smoke from the blaze certainly didn’t make its way into the flavour of the coffee. The Vespa’s parked out on the footpath, traffic marching by in the slow CBD rate added to a great experience. Clearly these people care about the brew they are offering,… they seem to do a great trade, and as far as appeal goes, its lovely. The coffee is this side of ok, I’ll go back for more. Very very smoker friendly! 1 bean






The Melbourne Vespa!

Café Sienna -- Shop 2, 402 Chapel Street, South Yarra

I decided to revisit a café that a used to love a few years ago, only to leave in disappointment.

I ordered a mocha, took a sip and was not impressed at all. Whilst it didn’t taste awful, it didn’t have the sweet taste I was searching for. The crema was far from commendable also. What a letdown!

Aside from the coffee, the place still looks great and contains a winning formula for atmosphere. However, I wouldn’t make it a place to conduct a meeting. Too informal and the fact that there is always a crowd in there makes it quite loud.

No bean.

Steve Papa