Vera - Restraurant Cafe & Bar.

In the heart of brighton (118 Church St, Brighton), for ambiance, class and a feeling of ‘specialness’ this place is the bomb. I did the old ‘power’ breakfast here with a client. Its next to the “Half Moon Bay” café which is not open for breaky it seems these days. But, the coffee I hear you ask. How was that? Well, it was fast out, and a touch ‘not hot enough’. The bitterness factor was low, so that’s good, and I followed (The Long Mac) with a latte which was a little weak for my liking. I didn’t get the brand of coffee (not visible) so I will have to re-view!!

The Maling Room, Revisited -Corner Maling and Canterbury Roads, Canterbury.

I wasn’t quite sporting the right look when I made the great coffee discovery at the exclusive Maling Road Canterbury precinct. Sweaty track pants, 1992 Cannes Film Festival t-shirt worn thin, hair stuck up in tufts and caffeine-deprived-circles under my eyes. The hour is well before eight on a weekday morning and the barista at The Maling Room doesn’t look particularly pleased to see me. Not the sort of customer you want to serve when you’re trying to get the impressive Synesso Cyncra coffee machine going.

I grab the papers and one of the many foodie magazines on offer, and self-consciously slink away to an outside table, trying to meld my sweaty countenance into the walls of this grand old post office. But not before I cast a quick look around – shelves full of elegant jars of pickled things, a back room with a deep couch for lounging (not in my sweaty state), a display case of interesting panini, quiche-type things and sweets. Original period detail has been retained, along with the streamlined modern touches straight out of the latest homewares catalogue. I feel a little put out by the indifferent attitude of the barista and the carefully choreographed surrounds. I make a mental note to try something else in the precinct on those other occasions when I decide to traverse the suburbs looking for a caffeine incentive to get out of bed and pound the suburban pavements.

When the coffee arrives, I note the extravagant rosetta on its creamy top – all swirls, with details so exquisite it feels anathema to ruin this beautiful piece of art by drinking it. But the aroma of the coffee makes me throw my scruples to the wind. On my first sip I feel I’ve looked across a room to discover the love of my life. I stop scanning the headlines and take a second sip. It is smooth and creamy, strong, with no bitter aftertaste, a perfect temperature. I savour every little sip, and feel a sense of loss when I realise I’ve reached the final luscious mouthful.

There’s no going back. How could I ever venture anywhere else?

I feel chuffed at my discovery but it seems I’m not the only one. After my visit, I read two articles in The Age on the café – one about it being up there as a specialist in coffee art; the other in Epicure, affirming my discovery that this café takes its coffee very seriously. A special blend is also prepared for those of us that wish to try replicating this experience at home.

Whilst the ambience of this café may be a little too Vogue for my liking, you can’t deny the perfection of the cup.

I may be wearing tracksuit pants, but I’ve died and gone to coffee heaven.

Spiri Tsintziras
MCR Special Guest Reviewer.

Au Citrone Cafe - Brighton

This place is run by what I presume is a wife/hubby team. Its at 610 Hampton Streat, near Sth Rd corner. On the surface it looks like a tea room for nana, but its actually not. I’vbe had a few business meetings there now and I have to say the service is spot on, the coffee decent and while its small, there is enough room to meet with another in relative comfort. They use Cisco coffee, which I know little about. I don’t think they are hard core baristas, but the coffee is consistent, smooth and at the acceptable temperature.
Well worth a visit. 1 bean.

No Pic, so I thought I would show you the view of the Ocean near by!!