We are talking a 4am start ladies and gents,..this is serious mum. I dragged myself out of bed, just before 4, and after a beautiful moment when I went to kiss Xenia (yes, I kissed Vance too, but he was in Ben 10 dream world) before I left, her arm reached out to automatically wrap itself around me and whisper ‘drive carefully daddy!’. My beautiful child. I was on the rd with traveller by 4.15am. and took a parting shot off the new phone.
Onwards over the Bolty (eery place Melbourne in the twilight zone between 3-5am I think!
Anyway, the k’s ticked away, I enjoyed constant connection to the internet and listened to digi radio all the way,.. and after a short breakfast in Benalla, I trundled into Albury.
I wasn’t sure what to expect. Coffee Mamma is an unassuming place, but as you get closer there is a sense that this is the eye of the coffee tornado in regional NSW/VIC. I ordered my long Macc, sorely required by now and immediately we hit the first hurdle. This ongoing issue of is the Long Macchiatto a long black with a dollop or a double shot with a dollop? Will the real Long Macchiatto please step forward.
I am a fan of the latter and only ad a bit of water to lengthen the journey so to speak. It’s not their fault, and my sense is that NSW it’s a long black approach and VIC a long macc (If I have lost you, sorry!). The nose was great, but back it went, which is a great test for customer service. If the staff/owner gets in a huff/snooty/short (or charges you for 2) then I have an issue. But no, the lady was perfectly delightful, confirmed what I was after and re-produced the coffee.
What arrived was a flavoursome, long Macchiatto, just as I like it, it was made meticulously and the chattery vibe of the place added to the experience. Surprisingly they only have a house blend for the cafe, but sell a single origin direct for home use (yes, I’ll be taking some home).
The strong latte arrives as a follow up,… its earthy, strong and creamy and flavoursome again. Is a gteat follow up to the Macc and I am in the zone baby!! If you are driving through on the holidays, stop here, mention MCR and grab a coffee for the rd.
