1 Lawson Grove
South Yarra VIC 3141
Well, the journey continues and it was because of this place that I was nearly late for my radio show this morning, but damn! Their coffee was sooooo good, I lost track of time.
Nestled and hidden away in a back street of South Yarra just off Caroline St, this humble and unassuming café cum local store was such a well kept secret it took the ex-pat Eric out in Washington DC, doing all the reviews for us, to send through the recommendation, and boy was it a doozy!
Homely and friendly a real ‘local’ feel, with lots of communal tables and seating space if you don’t mind sharing this joint is quite well known for it’s exquisite menu and delightful home-cooked meals, but it was the coffee that drew the CaFFiend’s attention.
I ordered an espresso a bit concerned when the barista looked only a few years older than my eldest daughter, but I thought of the old saying, do not judge a book by it’s cover and began the tasting with an open mind and a salivating mouth.
There was a distinct chocolate on the nose which prepared me for what was about to pass through my lips. A dense crema separated to reveal a thick and rich nectar that covered my tongue perfectly with a powerful start a complex middle and an exciting finish, ‘God-shot’ I thought!
Should I stay or should I go? I had to be at the studio in Box Hill 1o minutes ago for the first installment of ‘The Devil’s Cup’, but the coffee was just so good, God what to do?
Oh to hell with it, I ordered a café latte and began to stress that I’d be late.
It arrived perfectly textured and heated, smooth as silk, the milk adequately intermingling with the espresso shot, which snuck through revealing the tell tale umber edgings of perfection.
Down it went, too fast, now I was in a hurry, didn’t even get time to enjoy this one, what’s a boy to do, it’s a dirty job but somebody’s gotta do it…….
Now I was really late but as you all know I made it on time in the end, and managed to squeeze in another review of one of Melbourne’s stellar performers, LGS, who with the THREE beans that the Caffiend awards, definitely qualify as a Melbourne Coffee Review HOTSHOT, and for all the rest check out:
http://hotshots.melbournecoffeereview.com/
Till next time, keep on caffeining on…….
[Support MCR and delight your taste buds by joining our Home Barista Hotshot Club]
Coffee: GRAVITY
p.s. Its open 7 days!!!! WOW!!!!
SO glad you visited this place Steve. I miss this little nook in Sth Yarra so badly and I am glad to see they served you a three beaner. Just remember folks, Don’t try to park in Lawson grove – but definitely make the visit here.
Eric tiemly advice bro about the parking, you should have told ne beforehand though bro, would have saved me $113
All good, it was worth it to enjoy the Devil’s Cup!!!
Love this place too…. right around the corner from me, but I never get to go enough.
I paid the “Lawson Grove Shop” a visit today, and ordered myself a skinny takeaway latte’, sadly however my latte’ failed to meet the three bean rating given by the reviewer Steve Agi, the coffee smelt burnt, tasted rancid, was way too hot, & very watery. One sip was enough for me to decide this and unfortunately the nearest bin enjoyed the rest of my coffee.
In my opinion I think if a cafe is going to be awarded the highest 3 bean rating it needs to stand out a deliver a coffee worthy of a 3 bean rating. cafe’s awarded the 3 beans need to be consistent and not just serve the killer 3 bean coffee on the day the reviewer is there. sorry for the harsh words but it’s 0 beans for me, As said by reviewers “Life’s to short for bad coffee” until next time: Sip & ; Enjoy
I paid the “Lawson Grove Shop” a visit today, and ordered myself a skinny takeaway latte’, sadly however my latte’ failed to meet the three bean rating given by the reviewer Steve Agi, the coffee smelt burnt, tasted rancid, was way too hot, & very watery. One sip was enough for me to decide this and unfortunately the nearest bin enjoyed the rest of my coffee.
In my opinion I think if a cafe is going to be awarded the highest 3 bean rating it needs to stand out and deliver a coffee worthy of a 3 bean rating. cafe’s awarded the 3 beans need to be consistent and not just serve the killer 3 bean coffee on the day the reviewer is there. sorry for the harsh words but it’s 0 beans for me, As said by reviewers “Life’s to short for bad coffee” until next time: Sip & ; Enjoy
Hi, thanks for the comments, although I am a tad surprised……been there a few times and ALWAYS A1, nevertheless……..gimme a call 0432210963 and let’s meet there for a cuppa, maybe it’s high time for a re-review.
I agree with your comments about consitency and what it takes to be a 3 bean cafe, so am keen to head back and give it another run, I really appreciate your feedback too.
Keep on caffeining on, The CaFFiend!!!
Well Steve, that is an excellent idea a re-review should decide if “Lawson Grove Shop” is up to the 3 bean standard since your last visit in November 2008, as you initially did the first review and I think that you are the most knowledgeable person who can differentiate between a killer brew or a one-sip-disaster!!!, So a re-review it is.
Well I am a little surprised that we are judging coffee now in the “skinny” category. What a farce…The consistency of any skinny milk is relevant to the amount of water added, processes in filtration etc. I am sure this must be a joke as we have not become “that” bad have we……
Hi, not sure where ‘skinny’ pops up in this review, but that said, skinny and all modified milk plays a significant part in coffee these days as more and more people opt for the healthier alternative. We definately are not ‘that’ bad, whatever ‘that’ means……
Sorry Steve not referring to your review, am referring to the complaint made. On the subject of skinny there are over 12 odd different skinny milks available all with different fat contents additives thinners etc. There is little consistency in normal milk but a good barista will know if it is “thin” or “thick” due to grass feeding chaff feeding etc. Skinny is a mine field for consistency. Now to retain my stance on “skinny” judging, how many micro managed levels can a coffee be judged in. How about Milk Or No Milk. Sub categories are too vague. Yes they are a part of the healthier lifestyle and that’s great….. I have never seen a diet desert section judged for the good food guide for good reason.
I used to go to the Lawson Grove shop when I was a kid. Was run by an older lady who kept half a dozen loaves of bread, some milk ciggies and a couple of cans or baked beans. It felt like a basement, dark and damp.
I have been going to the new Café since before the boys took over from the previous owner (details a bit foggy in my mind here).
It has been a fantastic few years of friendly chats in a quiet locale with a local feel but alas, I fear it has turned… jumped the shark (to mix a metaphor).
On the weekend my breakfast companion who always likes her eggs well done – not runny, was bluntly told, “this is the last time we can do the eggs this way!”
It was a grumpy reproach that made us both take another look around us;
Huge turnover of diners, many larger groups noisily chatting and the food standard has dropped of late. Another dear friend has said that she’ll not be going again, “the food lately has been been giving me a funny tummy” says she.
I’m disappointed but can understand if they are trying to become more commercially successful. However it is off my list of cosy hidden breakfast haunts with friendly service, great food and coffee.
The search begins again.
I wouldn’t bother with Lawson Grove. I went there the other day and even though I told them I was pregnant they blatantly refused to cook my eggs hard.
Even after they were served & I asked them to re-cook they refused. The only option was to receive my money back. However, the guest that I was with had to pay in full.
What’s more – If you order “extra” bacon make sure you ask for 2 X serves as you only get 1 round cut of bacon. If you ask me – there’s not much bang for your buck given a serve of bacon is $4.50!!!
I have to say, it’s the second instance of pregnant women being dissed by cafes I have heard of in the last week. Not happy!