Melbourne Coffee Review Hotshots - Find your Local Beaner Cafe

May 2, 2010

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510 Great Northern Hwy

(opposite Houghton Winery)

Swan Valley WA

Open: 9am-5pm Wed-Sun.

The Taylor family moved to the Swan Valley in 1978 and have transformed their once home into a Gallery displaying lino cut prints, fabrics, wallpaper, greeting cards and other works of art and is a great way to spend some time browsing. The gallery is complemented with a great cafe.

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Taylors has a cosy rustic ambiance with lots of galvanised iron, old jarrah tables, shady gum trees and a collection of memorabilia from rural and mining sites which are scattered around the spacious grounds creating a very relaxed atmosphere.

The cafe has  a good selection of tasty breakfasts, lunches,tempting  cakes and desserts with  fresh fruit juices on offer.

Today we visited for lunch, on a lovely Perth Sunday we ordered the quiche, a Taylors burger and a panini of smoked chicken and tasty tomato relish. All of our meals were well presented and a pleasurable experience on the palate. My wife and son washed it down with a pub squash and I savoured a fresh grapefruit juice which complemented my panini nicely.

We followed up with flat whites and a capo, they were pleasant on the palate with the blend coming through the milk nicely.

Coffee by Dark Star boutique roasters

A great place to visit for a meal or afternoon tea set amid  a calming and  relaxed atmosphere.

No beans here but well worth dropping in for a meal when visiting the Swan Valley.

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Trevor Green
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April 30, 2010

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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………….!!

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Trevor Green
Posted in 2 Beans, Beverages, Melbourne | 1 Comment »



April 2, 2010

Rear 202 Carlilse St

Balaclava VIC 3183

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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

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Steve Agi
Posted in 3 Beans, Beverages, Melbourne | 13 Comments »



March 27, 2010

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London Court, Perth CBD

(St George’s Tce end)

London Court is an Elizabethan style arcade, the decorative Hay Street Mall entrance  clock chimes every quarter hour and is a replica of one of the dials in the clock tower that houses Big Ben in London. The St George’s Terrace end of the arcade has the iconic George and the Dragon clock facade, adorning the arcade are statues of  Sir Walter Raleigh and Dick Whitington. It takes one back to Tudor times as you amble down this quaint reminder of times gone by.

Mini Espresso is a recent addition to the thriving Perth CBD cafe scene and is the inspiration of experienced ex Boucla barista Luke Arnold.

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Mini Espresso has a cosy but uncluttered fitout with a three group Wega producing the nectar we all crave for.

The blackboard menu offers a simple but tasty sounding selection for punters looking for a lunchtime bit to eat at very reasonable prices.

Luke presented me with a fine viscous looking espresso crowned with a lovely rich crema, I was hit by an initial fruity zing and velvety  mouthfeel followed by rich chocolate/cocoa notes that lingered on the palate for ages.

On my first vist to Mini I partook in a short mach–it had ideal temperature and was adorned with a splash of finely textured milk and to my joy it produced a most pleasurable and rich caffeine hit leaving a smile on my face and a lovely reminder of the shot lingering on the palate.

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In conjunction with Eat Drink Perth–Fiori Coffee and Mini Espresso have been hosting coffee appreciation sessions offering three distinct coffees including the famous Indian Monkey Coffee, the sessions have been booked out by keen coffee enthusiasts and first timers curious to discover the world of specialty coffee.

Coffee from Kam and crew at Fiori.

Looks like Luke’s on a winner here. Gotta be worth a coupla beanzzzzzzzzz!!

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Trevor Green
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Posted in 2 Beans, Beverages, Western Australia | 1 Comment »



March 22, 2010

500 Bourke St (bottom of NAB)

Melbourne VIC 3000

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Well it was with a sense of glee and expectation that I finally made my way down to the business end of town.

The corner of Bourke and William St to the home of the latest addition to the ever growing cafenatics empire, slowly taking over the CBD and spreading the love, the caffeine fuelled love, the only way they know how!!

A picture is worth a 1000 words and the amazing sight that I beheld as I entered, spoke volumes. Go down and see for yourself, it is truly breathtaking! Expectations were high, so much to drink and so little time…..

First up an espresso, single origin I believe and it was sublime. A viscous and well balanced drop, pure nectar, it was exactly what every coffee should be and then some

Followed by a siphon prepared by G-Star, who in all honesty presented me with the best coffee I have had in a very long time, and that’s saying something……………………….I drink quite a bit of coffee around town ;) The delicate floral aroma, the citrusy flavour, the subtle nuances danced all over my tongue a dnace that I was praying would never end.

Truly something spiritual was at play, the God’s had smiled upon thecaffiend!

I finished the session with a piccolo latte that had a well defined 12 leaf tulip clearly poured into it, with beautiful colours, delicious aroma and an overall beverage as good if not better than anything I’ve had ever.

Thecaffiend was cruising on a high on his way to the promised land, pure nirvana……..

Without a doubt 3 BeanS for this joint and a big G’day to the cafenatics team, shout it out loud guys: We’re cafenatics and we’re proud!!

Do yourselves a favour and get down there, you won’t be disappointed

……..till next time, keep on Caffeining on…..

Coffee: Veneziano

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Steve Agi
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March 6, 2010

81-83 Church St

Hawthorn Vic 3122

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Well, well, well, what a way to kick off a long weekend…..to be treated to some quality caffeination at the hands of the one and only David Makin, who was making a guest appearance for one day only, at the newly opened and much discussed CoffeeHit!

Greeted by Dave’s smiling face(excuse the photo, I never claimed to be a photographer), I was treated to the art of the barista being put on display at its finest, the guy was poetry in motion, a pleasure to watch!

The man was a gun, in total control of not only his equipment but of the entire cafe, it was running like a well oiled piece of machinery. But this is all about the coffee, not the barista, it was just so exciting to watch though……

Dave presented me with an espresso that he effortlessly squeezed in between the multitude of orders. A dense crema, thick and rich, aromatic on the nose with delicate inflection and color excited the senses and prepared the palate for what was sure to be an orgasmic experience. A complex drop, with delicate berries, a hint of chocolate and a strong finish that lingered and left me wanting more.

The Devils Cup is alive and well in the burbs, Hawthorn are blessed to have access to such a divine drop, this was evident by all the smiling faces, lots of mums, dads and babyccinos……

“A take away cafe latte, please Dave,” I begged as I was now in a rush to host my radio show, The Devils Cup. Always keen to oblige, he prepared 8oz’s of perfectly textured milk combined with 30mls of delicate espresso which kept me fuelled all the way to radio station 3WBC…..The rest as they say, is history!

thecaffiend humbly awards 3 BIG Beans to the crew @ CoffeeHit with the mighty Makin at the helm. Do yourself a favour and head on down to check ‘em out, you won’t be disappointed I guarantee you that, if you are, I’ll personally pay for the coffee ;)

Till next time, keep on Caffeining on………………………………thecaffiend.

Coffee: Veneziano

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Steve Agi
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March 3, 2010

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100 St George’s Tce, Perth

Mon-Tues 7am-5pm

Wed-Sat 7am-midnight

A totally new and exciting concept to Perth, Greenhouse is located at the St George’s Terrace entrance to swish new Enex100 retail complex.

Greenhouse was brought to fruition by Joost Bakker who initially built the concept in Federation Sqaure,  Melbourne for a three month season, the Perth Greenhouse will be a permanent fixture on the landscape and has been a hot topic of conversation around our fine city.

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Check out the website to see how it was constructed in only six weeks, view the time-lapse photography detailing the construction and the use of re-cycled materials wherever possible.

www.greenhouseperth.com

By now every media outlet in Perth has covered Greenhouse concentrating mainly on the food, decor and accentuating the environmental friendliness of the place.

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I have passed by several times hoping to try their coffee but Greenhouse has been bursting at the seams with people lined up waiting to get in, today we finally managed to score a table and  ordered our coffees–a short mach and a flat white, an attentive waitress kept our water glasses topped up while we waited twenty minutes for our coffees to arrive.

My short mach was temperature perfect, nice crema, medium body with rich choc/cocoa notes and a lingering aftertaste.

The flat white looked the goods, crowned with smooth microfoam, a caramel coloured crema circling the rim on the cup, the blend cut through the milk producing a smooth creamy chocolate taste experience, a couple of good but not great coffees.

Coffee by Fiori, Osborne Park

Perth has embraced this totally innovative new addition to our cafe culture with gusto.

Three beans for the innovative design and decor, one bean for the coffee

For a food perspective check out:–

www.bowlofhoney.com/fine-dining/greenhouse-perth

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Trevor Green
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February 22, 2010

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Mayfair Lane, West Perth

(behind the Commonwealth Bank)

Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-3pm

Hidden away off Mayfair Lane in a heritage-listed old stable with rough-hewn and caulked timber floors, rustic brickwork,  stainless steel benches with two very shiny three group Wega espresso machines. A large communal table is the centrepiece of the inside area, adorning the walls of this area are some striking photographic artwork which the artists have for sale. The umbrella-shaded alfresco area has a long shelf with stools running down the side  creating a pleasant setting for a lunchtime break.

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Coffee is the focus with Garrett (he also runs Blink in Fremantle) with whom I had a lengthy discussion about coffee, he has a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry, a sign on the wall tells customers they are welcome to bring their lunches to enjoy with his coffee, a small selection of biscuits and slices are the only food on offer. Coffee is served in takeaway cups, an honour system exists whereby if you have the correct change you just drop it in the chute located in the countertop. I love the layout whereby clients can interact with the barista and share the coffeemaking process instead of standing in front of a counter.

There was a steady flow of eager clients calling in for their daily nectar of the gods so I joined them and ordered a flat white. My flatty was an ideal temperature capped with silky smooth microfoam and a lovely golden brown rim of crema, the blend cut through the milk giving a most pleasurable taste experience and a lingering choc/caramel aftertaste.

Two very well dressed business executives arrived and decided they would have traditional short machs today. I watched as they savoured the viscous liquid in the cups and departed with a huge smile on their faces.

Coffee by Crema Roasters, Kalamunda

I love the rustic ambiance and relaxed style Garrett has created and the passion he displays for what he is doing, sure to be a popular destination! Worth  a couple of beanz

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Trevor Green
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Posted in 2 Beans, Beverages, Business Meetings, Family Friendly, Western Australia | 5 Comments »



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