Random Coffee in Greece.

I took some random shots while in Greece of coffee related places. I was just looking to contrast what we have in Australia with what the Greeks get.


Crap coffee on Olympic Airlines




Messinia Platia (Central Messinia, near Kalamata)




Athens





Athens again!!

Revisit Browns of Hampton Street.

Readers may recall that a while back I gave Browns in Hampton Street a bit of a caning. I was compelled to revisit, after what feels like about a year, and I am glad to say smiley new faces with a new and improved attitude greeted me.

I event told them so. So well done Browns Management, I’m sure MCR had little to do with the change, but for me, this little shop represents the best bet for an early coffee on Hampton Street, and some people on the other side of the counter who are happy in their own skin, makes for a more pleasurable experience.

Greek Coffee Adventures - Afros & Anixi.

Our coffee adventures in the land of Zeus and Apollo have unfortunately come to an end. I hit what seems to have been 1000 coffee houses, most of who were not worth mentioning. The thing about Greece and coffee is that they like it cold. As a consequence, you can get a pretty good frappe anywhere you go (Nescafe, whipped up in a tall glass of ice water with or without milk). More recently the Greeks introduced the Freddo (Don’t know where the name cam from), which is a shot (or two) of espresso in a tall glass with whipped up milk, and sweet sugar water hit. Its quite lovely, and no one made it better than the gals and guys at Afros in Mykonos. It’s ‘tre nice’, and I hope to find someone in Melbourne now to make it for me over summer.


Freddo @ Afros


Latte @ Afros - Mykonos

On Mykonos some establishments did a welcome latte for us, where the temp was right, crema, and even real milk was used, but most places didn’t know what we wanted and ended up using condensed milk (Nounou) when we asked for milk with our coffee. Most of the establishments used ILLY coffee, which didn’t taste as good as it does here in Oz. My conclusion, the Greeks are so slack that they rarely clean their coffee machines. Its funny, the look of disbelief is precious when you tell them you want a hot milk with your espresso. The chances of getting what you don’t want coffee wise in Greece is very high.

Bowl of Latte @ Anixi - Ornos Mykonos
On Mykonos the two hot spots for me coffee wise was Afros in the heart of Mykonos – 2 beans, (BIG Hello to Danai and Jarrod there) where we hung nearly every day and Anixi Hotel (2 Beans) @ Ornos, just up from the each near the Bakery. They make a bowl of latte that would rival any in Melbourne.



Groovin in Afros

I should also make a special mention of Ithaki Restaurant (on the beach), which was a shuffle across the warm stones from our hotel room, that made a descent Fredo or coffee for me many mornings as I sat and soaked up the beautiful Greecian mornings.


After Mykonos we headed up north to Kastoria, where there was nothing to speak of regarding good coffee except the famous Fredo. I effectively went into detox there which meant major headaches for me. When we got to the south, it was no better, with the people of Kalamata happy to make a Fredo but had little idea of what a latte should taste like or even a Macchiato. Best they could do was two shots of espresso (bitter at that) in a biggish cup.

All in all the Greek experience rocked, we had a great time and enjoyed some great cold coffees. Which brings me to the question, is it possible to compare apples with apples or coffee with coffee when you look between countries in search of that ever-perfect cup of Java? Possibly not I think, too many cultural factors to consider. Greece had its own style of coffee and as I mentioned, I doubt anyone does cold coffee better than the Greeks. Yia Sas.



Hi from Greece.

MCR Goes Regional ... Again! (Swan Hill)

Now, it's hard enough to find yourself a decent brew in town, but when it comes to finding good coffee on the road, that's a whole other story!

However, whilst on my recent trip to the Murray, I stumbled over the Allure Cafe and Wine Bar in Swan Hill, and found what is probably THE best coffee north of the divide. OK, so I didn't try all the coffee places in Swan Hill, but my tip is you're not going to find any better. I had a couple of coffees just to confirm the experience and both of them were spot on. Hot, not too milky and not too bitter. They used Griffiths blend, which I've not come across before, but found to be scrumptious. The service was also top notch and the staff were really friendly and knew what they were doing. If you're travelling to or through Swan Hill you must check this place out! It's located towards the far-end of the strip shops on the main drag of Swan Hill (147 Campbell Street).

Solid 2 beaner!