Cafe e Cucina - 581 Chappel Street, South Yarra. VIC Australia.

I happened upon, what has to be, the most authentic Italian Coffee shop in Melbourne today. Café e Cucina in Prahran.

I was looking for a place to have a breakfast meeting/coffee with a buddy of mine. I passed outside this place and, not having been there before, it seemed less than inviting. It had shades down, which made it very dark inside (which indeed it was).

Coincidently, one of the Italian waiters came out and I asked if they made breakfast. He responded in the affirmative in a broad Italian accent, and I thought to myself, “this I gotta see”… So, in I went.

Well well well,.. these guys were the real deal. The coffee was exceptional, as was a breakfast to die for. I ordered the obligatory Long macchiato, and there was not a hint of bitterness, the temp was right on, and it was served with the essential glass of water. The guys engaged their clientele with morning banter, laughs and wishes of a great day. It was a joy to behold.

This was, like a ‘best kept secret’. I am astounded that I hadn’t been here before… shame on me, and congrats to the boys at Café e Cucina, 3 beans (only the second ever awarded by us).

McCafe - Nepean Highway (Near Southland) - Melbourne VIC.

Twaz a cold and gloomy Melbourne morning. Xenia and I were tasked with a McBreakfast recently, to celebrate the whole Ronald McDonald house thing, which I am lead to believe is one of the better charities around. We of course had to get daddy a coffee, and I recalled having been earbashed by a hard-core MCR reader (you know who you are) about the not so bad coffee coming from McCafe’s these days, so I did my duty.

Look, for a fast coffee made by kids, I say its ok… would I have it again? Yes, is it a great coffee…MMmmm its ok… considering the source, I say well done to McDonalds for doing as good a job as I fear we will get.

Russian - T4, Grnd Floor, 480 Collins Street Melb.

Russian is a new coffee hang in the heart of the financial district of Melbourne. It looks groovy, and the dude serving the coffee loved coffee and music from what I could tell. He was happy to talk, and proud that it was Lavazza they were serving. The place does good java but it’s not cozy. Possibly ok for a meet and a feed, but I’ll have to make my way there a few more times before I allocate a bean.

MCR hits Sydney Town

Ok, it finally happened,… I hit big old Sydney town and checked out the coffee… places noted:

The Coffee Club
Kings Wharf (Last Place) – cant find the name someone help!!
Bluestone Cafe

I have to confess, my impression of Sydney’s ability to produce a quality coffee has been adjusted in no uncertain terms.

In the CBD, and Manly for that matter, you get good coffee as a rule. Businesses in the CBD look like they are definitely taking their coffee seriously. I noticed (dare I say) a greater array of boutique blends, exceptional passion of baristas in producing the Java, good style and design in general of the establishments in terms of creating an atmosphere for business people to enjoy.

My favourite was Bluestone Café but how much coffee can I drink in two days.

I liked the Coffee Club brand but the place had something of a ‘diner’ feel. The coffee was very strong, but some of us like that.

I would say that ‘at a glance’ the Sydney coffee scene is giving Melbourne something to think about.

My pick of the trip was Bluestone, 28-34 O’Connell Street. They are a di Manfredi house (how much courage do you want from me???) 2 beans…

Sydney, I’ll be back!!

City Blend - 365 Lt Collins Street, Melb Australia.

Occasionally I’ll be told in no uncertain terms of some awesome place that does a good coffee and that the barista rocks, and that of course I am obliged to check out. That was Wednesday this week. I had some time, so after checking my PO Box I glud down to City Blend at 365 Lt Collins Street. Sean Connery, as the original James Bond would have done coffee here. (I wrote that in my notes and for the life of me don’t know why, but hey, who am I do doubt my own first impressions).

This place had the three main areas, including the outside coffee hang for the smokers among you. The Barista is a dreadlocked dude, who seems to be confidant in his abilities. They serve Coffico, and I have to say my Long Macchiato was well over the line of acceptability. No bitterness, great cremaaaaa, hot enough but not burning, and they served a glass of water, which is always good. Of note was the café art, better than your average in town. No wifi, and great for family and business meets; 1 good bean for now. Worth a try.