Sweet Mama's - Bourke Street Melb, Australia

Had a café at Sweet Mama’s Café today. Its on Bourke at the bottom of the Commbank, across from Targe(t). Inside it’s a nook… with a galaxy of food,.. but the coffee, what about the coffee…?? My Long Mac took no time to come out and was served at a suitable temperature, and it looked ok… (no coffee art to speak of). Truth is that the coffee lacked creaminess, was slightly bitter and was a tad watery. They use Coffex which is not at the top of my list of premium coffees. Sweet Mama’s does a loud street music thing oo which was a little off putting. Its not the place to do some work, nor to get into any significant negotiation. Ok for a hook up with an old friend.. probably in summer rather than the pits of winter!! No beans...

Silo - 36 Giles Street, Kingston ACT Australia.

[Review by Mr Bruce Reid in the Nations Capital (Thanks Bruce)]


Hi Peter,

I'm a caffeine addict from Melbourne who's up in Canberra for a few days. Found a gem of a cafe in Kingston called 'Silo'. Great setting and atmosphere, they offer an in house bakery & Cheese Room with delectable breads & tarts, they do breakfast & lunch or just chill out and read the many papers ect and the most consistent & excellent brew I've come across in a long time. Temperature and flavour spot on as was the service - WOW.

I love a weak flat white(I can down 3 of these at a sitting!) because I chase the bitter free yummy taste that short tap time allows. Consistency IS the key to a Barista worth his/her salt, hard to find but when you do it's heaven. 'Silo' is a hard act to beat, my wfw was superb & my Dad's Cappuccino was equally appreciated. So if you're in Canberra, see if you agree.

Black Gold Promotion Goes Live

Some of you may recall seeing the blurb on the Black Gold movie and that MCR along with Somage got behind it. Here's a copy of the poster we produced 1000 of for distribution around town. If you want one, let us know and we'll get one out to you asap.

Make sure you catch the movie at the Melbourne Film Festival.

Pete

About Thyme - Mosman Sydney NSW.

Well, MCR has gone to new techo hights. Now I'm reviewing coffee via skype and web cams. Here's my legendary frind Maria at the new groovy coffee shop "About Thyme". Her and partners opinion:"Nick said it's allright. I had peppermint tea and that was nice..."

apparently "allright..means bloody good...".. he's a person with high standards so I'd give it a go...

Pete

Cafe Icoco - 143 Victoria Ave, Albert Park VIC (Aust)

I checked out a little gem of a place called Icoco. They roast their own on the premises and the two kiwi’s that run the place seem to take their coffee very seriously indeed. I was greeted with a smile and the arrival of my long macchiato was accompanied with a cool glass of water. I found it perfect of temperature and without a hint of bitterness. I tried to savour it, but discussion and the fact that it was past 9am and I hadn’t had my first meant that it was effectively inhaled. Icoco will become known as one of the coffee meccas of Melbourne. Three mega beans.