SixFigures

August 27, 2010

HotShot Link
soto

It’s rare that a bar restaurant gets the balance between cafe and the other bit right, but it looks like SOTO has cracked the code. This is truly a stylish place, with enthusiastic staff and a bloody great coffee. I got a delightful long macchiato, served up in a beautiful class cup, the dollop of froth sitting atop the double shot perfectly, and the taste was exquisite given I have had a few by Friday avo. Contrary to public opinion, you can stuff up a great roast, but not here. The guys have done well, this is a great p;lace to just plonk and do some work, ponder life, have a business meet or even call your significant other for a random long lunch.

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend


August 2, 2010

968 Albany Highway, Victoria Park WA

Craig Muzeroll moved to Australia in 2001 from Spokane Washington to share his love of coffee in Western Australia and started the first drive-through coffee outlet in Belmont which soon grew into a chain of Muzz Buzz outlets.

After selling Muzz Buzz Craig opened Antz Inya Pantz in Victoria Park to continue with his passion for the bean, Antz Inya Pantz motto is: Everyone deserves a “good coffee day”.

antz-pix

Nestled in a cosy little shop with the roaster taking pride of place on one wall surrounded by bags of beans from exotic locations, it has a comfortable cosy ambiance that makes you want to settle into the old sofa and sip on java for the rest of the day.

With a good choice of custom-roasted blends and single origins to tempt the taste buds there is something on the menu to satisfy all tastes. Craig even adds a touch of robusta to some of his blends for a bit of grunt!

My long machiato had a rich golden crema, the flavour profile was not lost in the ideal temperatured silky smooth milk, the aftertaste lingered on my palate during my drive back to the northern suburbs.

COFFEE: Ants Inya Pantz  roasted in-house

A popular little cafe run by a passionate lover of the bean, I going to give Antz a coupla beanzzzzzzzzz!!

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend


July 28, 2010

Address: Shop 1, 385 Centre Rd Bentliegh VIC.
Bent1

bent2

My finger hovers above the keyboard,.. and the lady next to me says “..oh my god, I’m just having a moment.. this coffee is amazing!” enough said. Her little princesses proceeded to devour the baby chinos.

I agree,.. this is a great little place and has been smashing it votes wise. They are definitely a contender for the the top 100 which should be out in early November.

Behold a capable and efficient female Barista fly’s the Wega, and note that the centre of the coffee universe in Melbourne is painted on the wall.

The coffee was deep rich and flavoursome, it was delivered at the right temperature and had a lovely and after taste.

Guys, get here, check Bent Espresso out and vote for this place.

2 Big Beans.

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend


July 7, 2010

Address: 3 Cookson Street, Camberwell VIC 3124
collective
On a recomendation I made my way to Collective Espresso a new funky place across from Camberwell Station. While I think my cover may have been blown, I am comfortable in saying that this place rocks. The lads here are your consummate groovy, down to earth new generation of cafe owners.

The place has a great yet simple fitout, with one big MoFo table in the middle that kinda gets everyone eating and drinking together. The coffee was a lovely unique taste, apparently called ‘Unique Blue’ funnily enough (actually wrote unique then found out the name…). If you a heading in or out of camberwell, do not hesitate to come in. Well done guys,.. easy 2 beans. Welcome to the Family.

Coffee: Five Senses.

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend


June 22, 2010

Address: Kiosk 3, 271 Collins Street, Melbourne

calzones

My life has become a blur of cafes now with many a new and aspiring cafe owner or barista promising to blow my mind. It is rarely the case. Melbourne is inundated with cafes, but few make the cut on our list. So, it was with some skeptisism that I accepted a coffee from this place, I knew Nash from school days, it was the kind thing to do. Boy, was I in for a surprise.

Calzones+ and Nash at the wheel produces pure art in the form of my beloved long macchiatto. Delivered on the middle eastern style tray. and in a lovely ceramic cup, this was pure nectar from an unexpected source. A flavoursome, thick and rich coffee, which still lingers in my pallet. Probably the best coffee in that coffee zone between Degraves and centre way. Calzones+ is tucked in the new space at 271 Collins Foyer (back), and the guys are tripping over themselves to deliver the goods.

I have to also mention, those booths in the back make great meeting spots, but please don’t tell anyone.

Enjoy! 2 rocking beans!!

Nash is now our first professional recipient of the MCR Golden Group Handle Award.
nash

COFFEE: MAP
Check out this cafe on our HotShot List and Vote in the top 100

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend


June 1, 2010

dimattina-logo

3/19 Collingwood Street,

Osborne Park WA

Hidden away in the industrial hub of Osborne Park is this oasis for great coffee and tasty snacks.

The cafe and showroom display an alluring range of shiny stainless steel big boys toys and coffee paraphernalia and is the front for Dimattina Coffee’s WA roastery and HQ.

Since discovering this little gem last year a Saturday morning visit has become a regular habit for me as I drop in for a caffeine fix between jobs.

Perth’s best kept secret is out–great espresso in Ozzy park–yesss!!!

The coffees are produced with care on the shiny La Marzocco, the blend is always tasty and goes well in milk, also on offer is  a choice of single origins changing on a weekly basis to give coffee lovers new taste experiences from around the globe.

A tasty looking range of cakes and slices call out to me from the display cabinet trying to make me break my resolve and misbehave!

Coffee by Dimattina (of course!)

When visiting Osborne Park a coffee break at Dimattina is a must, got to award them a huge couple of beanz here!!

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend


May 23, 2010

IMG_9518

16a Cloisers Arcade, 865 Hay St, Perth

Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm

Snugly located in busy Cloisters Arcade, recently opened Lowdown is another quality addition to the ever-growing Perth café scene.

At the helm of this cosy space are Sarah, Claire, Mark and Adam Lowes making this a true family business where they  display their love for good  food, coffee and hospitality.

A Fetco CBS 2021 coffee brewer (similar to a Clover) was acquired making Lowdown the first café in Perth serving this style of coffee. It’s great to see some diversity appearing in our fine city.

IMG_9517

The display of flat breads laden with tempting delicacies looked very inviting along with the cakes and slices which are made on the premises, I’ve made a mental note to return for lunch in the near future.

On my first visit my priority was  to road test the Fetco and ordered a long black PNG Kimel PB, I experienced a lovely smooth clean  mouthfeel with  a creamy  body and highlighted  the characteristics of the Peaberry nicely, a great coffee to sit and ponder the problems of the world. I would love to try a lighter roasted COE bean on the Fetco sometime!

Today I  ordered a Lowdown house blend espresso consisting of Mexican, El Salvador and Kenyan beans which produced a medium-bodied espresso with punch which left a lively and lingering aftertaste, I could tell this would go well in milk.

A flat white was next on the agenda, it arrived at an ideal temperature and texture adorned with a dainty rosetta. The blend cut through the milk producing a most pleasurable taste experience that lingered on the palate.

Coffee by Fiori artisan roasters

Great coffee, great food, friendly service from a passionate coffee and food focused team, well worth a coupla of beanzzzz………..!!

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend


April 30, 2010

IMG_9356

12 Campbell Arcade,

Degraves Street, Melbourne

(located in subway to Flinders Street Station)

Mon-Thurs 7am-6pm

Friday 7am-4pm

I had the pleasure of visiting COT on a couple of occasions during my recent caffeine fueled visit to Melbourne.

Hidden away in Campbell Arcade this miniscule espresso bar with a two group Synesso with  Five Senses blend in grinder one is producing some pretty amazing espresso to tantalise the taste buds of the bustling steam of commuters going to and from Flinders Street Station.

On my first visit Courtney produced a brilliant short mach for me from grinder two, it had a familiar taste profile with ripe berry notes, I enquired as to it’s origin and was informed that it was the Ristretto Blend from artisan Perth roaster Emanuele Muratore whose espresso bar I attend regularly “small world eh?”

Both of my visits were a totally enjoyable taste exprience, if you are in the area seek out this little gem, you will not be disappointed!

Small in stature but huge on quality, two well earned beanz here………….!!

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend