AJ's - 45 Williams St, Melbourne

so it's 9:30am, the corner of Williams st and Flinders lane. The legal end of Melbourne is far from bustling. At first glance, AJ's looked exactly as you'd expect a "cafeteria at the bottom of an office building" to look. .. one noticeable difference.

The tables and chairs at first glance look normal, however the bum size on these chairs was awesome. I am recommending them for long stints and wide loads.

But alas, one cannot award beans for wide-assed chairs alone.

The coffee was not too bad. Possibly not strong enough for my tastes. I did order a lattè (which would be a non standard reviewing coffee for me). I thought it was nice that they attempted some rosetta art though it definitely wins brownie points from me

For me, the coffee was certainly not one i would complain about. I could easily imagine getting really used to it if i worked in the building and it was my morning ritual.

Unfortunately i can't give it a bean, but i am looking for a second opinion.

guys?

Jaspers - Caffeine Dealers, 267 Brunswick St FITZROY

It's one thing to hang your shingle and get people to come try your coffee, but to me, it's a real statement to nominate yourself as a "caffeine dealer" .

If you could judge a place based on aroma alone... my goodness these guys win hands down!

Considering it was 4:45pm on a Monday afternoon,
a day of running around, projects meetings and
the general life craziness that goes with the first couple of weeks back at work for a new year...
Jaspers couldn't have delivered a better caffeine hit to pick me up and make me feel like balance in the "force" had been restored and everything in the world is good again.


let me break it down for ya:


Cafe Fit out / Vibe :
Nice enough, they went with a real "wall to wall cluttered" vibe. It had a real antique shop feel about it. most of what you can see you can buy which includes an amazing array of coffee and tea plungers, pots, glasses, mugs and saucers.
There is not a lot sitting room as most of the place is taken up by the incredible selection of coffee blends and boutique fine chocolates (they even sell "self tanning chocolate!...wtf?). After such a great coffee, these items act as "impulse shopping on steroids", unfortunately for my hip pocket, my love of dark chocolate got the better of me. I have no doubt they do a roaring trade.

They do have (limited) chairs and tables out the back in an undercover outdoor corridor type of thing...and of course the regular box seats on the footpath.


Barrister :
nothing slap dash here. She knew what she was doing, the proof was in the pudding (it was a kick ass long mach).


Coffee :
My official verdict was that it rates as one of the strongest, mild flavoured long mach's I've ever had. Temp was pretty well spot on. If i was to throw dirt on anything it might be that there was no cool Rosetta design


The Verdict:
Jaspers is the place to visit for a superb coffee drinking experience...probably 2 beans but it gets an extra half a bean for the fact that they very actively supports and promotes fairtrade certified. I think we all know that coffee tastes better with a teaspoon or two of social responsibility...

2.5 beans

Dalmatino - 280 Bay Street, Port Melb, Vic Australia.

I had an impromptu coffee with an old buddy of mine John Warkentin, a commercial photographer here in Melbourne (Hence I’m using his shots). We hit Port Melbourne Bay Street, and ended up at the groovy Dalmatino at 280 Bay Street. I have visited before for lunch but didn’t do a coffee. Well among the 3000 things wcaughtht up on I was delighted to see this new up-comer coffee brand Merlo on offering and clearly a competent barista at the helm. I talk about finding a place that has great coffee that you can do business in or a little work, well this is it. It ticked all the boxes and even had enough room for a pram if you are in the parenting zone. I don't think there was wifi on offer but all around good spot. Welcome to the 3 bean club guys!!