Rear 202 Carlilse St
Balaclava VIC 3183
thecaffiend would like to welcome the amazing palate of David Zimmerman to the team, what a way to kick things off:
So I woke up Saturday morning and realised how different Balaclava is today from when I was growing up. This nostalgic moment gave me a brilliant idea. Why don’t I open a new coffee shop somewhere in Carlilse street because there is without a doubt not enough coffee shops in that area (if you are slow – have a coffee you will realise I am being sarcastic). Anyway, I thought not only will I put it in a competitive area but I am going to put it somewhere that doesn’t stand out maybe I will hide it around the back of a building maybe off an alley from a carpark – BRILLIANT this idea is building amazingly … soooo excited!!!!
So I drove down to the back of the Safeway carpark and thought I would scope out a site. I walked down the little alley at the end of the carpark and my dreams were shattered – there was this cute little coffee shop tucked away with what looked like a loyal group of followers. I just had to see who it was that had stolen my brilliant idea so I walked in sat down at the coffee bar and staring me in the face was a 3 group Synesso. The weekend Barista Ben was really on his game and straight away asked what he could get me. With 3 different bean choices I thought I should start with the house blend and I ordered my skinny latte. Less than 1 minute later, Ben placed a great looking latte in front of me with a perfect tulip on top. The coffee itself was smooth and really hit the spot. I was determined to find a flaw – THIS WAS MY IDEA so I followed up the latte with a double ristretto of the guest coffee, a Costa Rican Cafetin roasted by 7 Seeds.
WOW – I don’t say this lightly but no review can do that espresso justice simply put THE BEST CUP OF COFFEE I HAVE EVER HAD!!!!!!!!!!!
I could comment on the syphon the tea choices, the organic food and the bio-degradable packaging but that espresso is all I need a huge 3 beans to the team at Monk Bodhi Dharma (http://www.monkbodhidharma.com.au/) you may have stolen my idea and destroyed my dream but at least you did it brilliantly!
Dave Zimmerman
PS: If you haven’t had that coffee yet I didn’t really want to open a coffee shop too many annoying critics out there!
Coffee: House Blend roasted by 5 Senses
Guest Coffees from multiple roasters
Wow! Will definitely have to go here. Not far from me.
Great review and blog peeps.
You know it Brother!!
Your milage may vary, mine certainly did.
Weak, warm and milky wasn’t what I expected when I asked for a strong flat white.
Maybe one bean for the decor and location, but not much else in it’s favour.
Not worth the effort of finding the place in my opinion.
My ristretto was really good, not the best I have ever had but most certainly the best on the street and probably in st kilda. they rotate their coffees and don’t have a blend which is interesting and different
I agree with Nick. Service was lacking, food came 10 minutes apart, ie i was finished as my friend was just starting theirs. Portions Way to big & my beans tasted of spice and nothing else-the bread tasted old. Took the guy 4 attempts to make my espresso????? dont ask me why cause he didnt explain, plus he had a tea towel tucked into his arse-great hygiene people. Wont be going back, and will tell everyone not to bother.
maybe my first comments were a little harsh. I should mention they did have very nice looking tea pots displayed on the wall…:-)
I have been several times recently, and it is really equal first among cafes I know and love in Melbourne.
They not only offer a great trio of beans, but have volunteered advice if the one I’ve chosen wouldn’t be great as a flat white, but better as a 3/4 latte. Now that’s customer service!
Menu and ambience are also top notch. This and Batch are now far and away the best among cafes in Balaclava, Elwood, St Kilda and most other Melbourne contenders.
Beautiful cappucinos, one of the places my friends took me to on my trip. and the food was excellent, simple but done very very well
great coffee
great atmosphere
great food
great service
will be going regularly!
Ive been going to monks for 2 weeks now to try & experience what everyone talks about, but I just dont get it. The coffee is ok, the food is just ok, the service is less than ok. The place is trying to be st ali, but fails.
Monk Bhodi Dharma is a very serious place for coffee and good coffee too. The baristas were very friendly to me and were more than happy to chat about the coffee. They have three coffees on plus filter coffee options which I never expected in the back alley of st kilda. i am not a big filter coffee person but will have to try some of their roasts.
There is good coffee and there is amazing… this falls closer to the later and inline with the high quality boutique coffee places out there. I only have one suggestion, make it hotter when I ask for it hot. All together it is a very unique space and the food is very good especially if you are vegetarian.
the best coffee in the area by a country mile. love the fact that it is hidden too so I can visit in peace!
thanks for the review, sounds very good!