Bonker's

ok... its a kids play centre. We were at Bonkers for my daughters 2nd Birthday on the weeked. They offered coffee, it was morning and well... a few people asked whether I was doing a review... ok..this is a kids play centre,.. I can't be too hard on them.. but honestly they did a descent brew.. the service was great.. I see a few sessions of Xenia playing, and me reading the paper, sipping on a latte this winter... come on the cold weather...!! I'll bean them then.

BTW... I need any NZ readers of MCR to nominate ay worthy coffee hangs in Aukland. I'll be there next week... where do I go??? do they drink coffee there? hehe... kidding.

Brunetti's 194 -204 Faraday St Carlton. VIC Australia

A buddy of mine recently had an entrepreneurial coup. I cornered him to get the first hand story as I have a chronic case of the entrepreneurial spirit. We met at Brunettis.

Now, I had seen the old city square one which was nice, but this is a bohemiath of a coffee place. It’s a sea of sweets and cakes and what I can only describe as a cavern of espresso.

The place is filled with the aroma of fresh coffee, there is a hum of people talking and sharing a cup of Joe. As for the quality, it was good. For my humble self it rates as a major two beaner.

If this was the sweet and cake review, it would be a five bun special.

I decent bean.

Kamel - 19 Victoria Ave, Albert Park, VIC Australia.

It’s a rare occasion that gastronomical exultancy appears back to back.

I won’t harp on the seafood bisque at Windows (restaurant). I’m right, but the next morning over brunch with friends recently returned form Europe resulted in us going to Kamel. Strange name I thought, but wow! This place rocked in every respect.

Breakfast was exquisite, the service was second to none and the coffee rocked. Kamel’s coffee offered a nice smooth taste, no bitterness and served at the right temperature. The collection of tastes included (not me) a double espresso with a slice of lemon (so Glenn). Welcome to the three bean fold.

Cnf (Callis & Forest) 572 Chappel Street Prahran VIC Australia

This is my second visit to CNF. I need to ask “Is there a war going on between this place and Cafe e Cucina?”

CNF is authentically Italian, does great coffee and from what I can tell good food based on peoples willingness to populate the place at all hours of the day. The decor inside is like stepping back in time, maybe as far as the 30’s. The coffee? Always immaculately presented (coffee art rates high with me), but no unnecessary ostentatiousness. The venue is excellent for a kick back, watch the world go by type of session, and I get that the management are kewl for that to happen. I had no visability of a brand. No wifi, and would be tight for a baby stroller, unless you were sitting outside.

Overall, a solid 2 beaner.

Arrivederci Aroma, 408 Queen Street, Melbourne.

I've been to this place a couple of times and I've really tried to like it -- it's a nice setting and cosy atmosphere and its location is convenient. The coffee is acceptable (Mocarema blend), although often its too cold, and the older guy who I think is the owner, is accommodating and takes pride in his work. However, he too infrequently makes the coffee and more often than not the other barrista(s) are uninterested and uninspiring. Where is the love? This place definitely has great potential, but unfortunately for the moment, no beans.

Terrace Deli - 459 Lt Collins Street. Melbourne VIC Australia

I did some work at the Terrace Deli, at 459 Lt Collins Street. This used to be a daggy coffee shop and sandwich bar that has had a great face-lift. I have been passing by for a while. I ventured in with my new LG notebook,.. which I'm loving by the way. I did the long macciatto here, which was acceptable, aside from the fact that it did not come out with what I consider the essential glass of water. Nevertheless, it was decent, and the work environment here is great. There's some very academic discussion happening at the moment from senior government workers near by. Sounds interesting, but of limited value from what I can ascertain (hey, they just mentioned money!!$$)...

Ok, what about wifi (cause I got it on this LG Monster)... I'm only picking up a nearby business that has it locked up. So no hotspot to jump onto.

The coffee is Vittoria, which is what I use at home generally, but slightly bitter here... The service was good-enough, and the place certainly handle the occasional baby stroller.

Definitely a 1 beaner... but I'll be reviewing again.