319 Doncaster Rd

Balwyn North   VIC  

Clearly there is so much going on around town that I really need to travel beyond the CBD to discover hidden gems of caffeine nirvana, enough of the GPS jokes, the CaFFiend is out of his element and looking to get stuck into some mighty fine suburban coffee.

What better place to start then the renowned and iconic Caffe ROMEO in Balwyn. Master roaster and self confessed coffee aficionado, Stefano Romeo is quite the sight for sore eyes. His reputation around these parts precedes him, so I was keen to partake of the Devil’s Cup as prepared by one of the dark master’s most faithful servants.

Entering this bustling café I was amazed at just how popular it was, packed to the rafters, in fact, with plenty of smiling faces. Just what I like to see, happy staff, happy customers!

I ordered a ristretto and was relieved that the young barista confidently ground the coffee, loaded the basket and pulled a restricted extraction that was absolutely divine. It was more like a shot of chocolate with a caramel crema than a bitter, burnt and overextracted mess that you get so often. It was just perfect. I followed it up with a café latte, keen to go back for more, God I had to get my monies worth after such a hike!

Let me just say at this point expectations were high, but I had to be still my beating heart, as I was all giddy with excitement. Out came a fine example of a beverage that was a worthy oblation to the dark lord of the Java bean! A coffee that was a perfect union of espresso and silky smooth milk that was pure bliss on the palate, an orgy of the senses!

To my new dear friend Stefano I say congratulations on impressing the hell out of the CaFFiend, two thumbs up and three beans for your café, out in Balwyn.

If you live out that way, lucky YOU, if you don’t jump in the car and head down, you won’t be sorry!

Tell them the CaFFiend sent you ………….. till next time, keep on caffeining on!

Coffee: Caffe ROMEO