March 3, 2010

IMG_9199

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.

IMG_9204

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.

IMG_9206

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

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Trevor Green
Posted in 1 Bean, Beverages, Business Meetings, Family Friendly, Western Australia | No Comments »



February 22, 2010

IMG_9299

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.

IMG_9303

IMG_9301

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

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

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



February 12, 2010

IMG_9298

145 Stirling Highway,

Nedlands WA 6009

Mon-Sat 7am-4pm

A new mecca for specialty coffee has sprung up in the plush western suburb of Nedlands, highly experienced and passionate caffeinistas Justin Kenny and Jonny Nease who already have the runs on the board from Velvet Espresso and it’s reputation for fine coffee have opened up their new venture in the Chelsea village centre in Nedlands.

Coffee lovers and members of the Perth cafe industry have been highly impressed with the nectar of the gods being produced at Elixir so I thought I had better head on down and sample their wares.

IMG_9290

Sitting on the shiny stainless counter is the only three group Synesso Hydra in WA, three Mazzers are lined up with military precision, a wall of funky wallpaper, a row of blackboards  displaying their food and coffee menus sit on the wall behind the counter, high ceilings and comfortable seating create a relaxed atmosphere to spend one’s leisure time enjoying their great fare.

Another room at the back is being fitted out for dining and will open in the near future, behind the scenes they have a shiny new roaster awaiting installation. Once up and running  they will be accessing special micro lot beans sourced from estates in noted regions to enhance their clientele’s appreciation of quality coffee from green bean to the cup.

Jonny presented me with an espresso served in a baby blue demi cup, it was a 2-bean blend of Colombian Carmen de Atrato and El Salvador Santa Sophia. My senses were hit with a zingy fruity hit of acidity displaying good body and mouthfeel leaving a lingering aftertaste, a truly enjoyable espresso experience.

IMG_9293

I followed the espresso with a flat white, the Croatian baby blue cup’s coffee to milk ratio was spot on and with dainty artwork atop silky smooth Bannister Downs milk displaying it’s natural sweetness with  the blend cutting through to give a most pleasurable java hit.

Coffee by Five Senses and supplemented by Elixir once their roaster is commissioned

With coffee craftsmen the calibre of Justin and Jonny at the helm of Elixir, Perth has a new addition to it’s top cafe list.

A must visit and well worth a huge three beanzzzzzzzzzzzz!!

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Trevor Green
Tags: , ,
Posted in 3 Beans, Beverages, Family Friendly, Western Australia | No Comments »



February 10, 2010

IMG_92883

163 Scarborough Beach Rd,

Mt Hawthorn

Open 7am-6pm 7 days

New Norcia Bakeries is a private company which operates under an agreement with the Benedictine Community of New Norcia, 133km north-east of Perth.

Located in a strip of shops in bustling and trendy Mt Hawthorn, New Norcia Bakery has a range of sourdough, yeasted breads, cakes and biscuits along with a range of cheeses, preserves, oils and condiments to tantalise the tastebuds.

The three group Synesso was getting a good workout from the busy baristas, their beans of choice are a custom blend from Five Senses.

I ordered an espresso and sat watching other diners enjoying their coffees and food, my espresso arrived in a white demi cup and saucer and looked visually appealing, temperature was perfect, I experienced an  initial hit of crisp acidity with a hint of citrus with good body that left a rich chocolately aftertaste, a most enjoyable caffeine hit.

After a breather it was time to try a flat white, it was presented in quite a large cup, the microfoam had good texture though it was a tad too hot for my liking, the natural sweetness of the milk complemented the blend giving a smooth milk chocolate taste experience. Being accustomed to having flat whites in 170ml  cups the coffee got a little lost in the larger cup but was still an enjoyable bevy.

Coffee by Five Senses

Great meals, cakes and breads, good coffee and service, check out the website

for a history of the Benedictine monks at New Norcia.

www.newnorciabaker.com.au

Well worth a little brown bean

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Trevor Green
Tags: , ,
Posted in 1 Bean, Family Friendly, Western Australia | No Comments »



January 30, 2010

Wanneroo Cultural Centre

3 Rocca Way, Wanneroo

Mon-Fri 7am-6pm

Sat/Sun 8am-5pm

IMG_9284

Cafe Elixir is a recent newcomer to the rapidly expanding area of Wanneroo and is a welcome addition for a populice starved of a decent java hit, on arrival my old work mate Stewie and his family were just finishing lunch and gave the generous portioned meals the thumbs up.

Cafe Elixir is located in the new $20m. Wanneroo Cultural Centre which houses a library, art gallery and museum, what better way to spend some time than soaking up a bit of culture and then lingering over cofee and a tasty all day breakfast or lunch.

The interior is spacious, light and bright with polished terrazo floors, comfortable seating with  a shaded alfresco area to sit and watch the world go by.

IMG_9286

They’ve got some serious hardware comprising a Synesso 3 group Sabre and Mazzer Robur electronic with Five Senses beans in the hopper.

I started prodeedings with an espresso which was served at an ideal temperature, it looked and smelt a treat having medium acidity and a hint of citrus, good body with a lovely rich crema, choc/cocoa notes and lingering aftertaste.

I followed up the spro with a flat white which was a tad hot for my liking, the blend cut through the silky textured milk giving a smooth choc/caramel taste experience.

Coffee by Five Senses

A welcome addition for this mega growth district serving good food and coffee, keep up the good work,  gotta be a worth  one bean!!

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Trevor Green
Tags:
Posted in 1 Bean, Family Friendly, Western Australia | No Comments »



December 19, 2009

IMG_9254

Located at Northbridge Plaza

Cnr Lake and James St,

Northbridge, Perth WA

Northbridge has another debutante cafe added to its ranks, nestled in the corner of the new Piazza and surrounded by lush lawns and a huge outdoor video screen.

Cnr is run by ex West Perth bean-counter Lu Yao.

The decor is appealing with concrete floors adorned with geometric artwork, in one corner is a large red fire hose reel, the tables and chairs in this section are in matching fire-engine red, front of shop has stylish and very comfortable Spanish tables and chairs with cube seating in the alfresco area.

An overhead projector will be used for entertainment and visual effects and the side wall has some funky pieces of artwork.

A  glass display cabinet showcases their inviting range of cakes, panninis and foccacias.

The breakfast and lunch menu has some tempting dishes on offer, one that caught my eye was the mega-breakfast aptly named “cnr sink”, it literally had everything in it but the kitchen sink!

IMG_9255

The business end of cnr has a three group Synesso with   a mighty Mazzer doing the grinding of the Brazil Blue blend.

Perth has the well-earned nickname “Syn City” due to the growing number of Synesso machines pumping out the nectar of the gods in this fine city.

I have found the coffee consistently good over my threee visits, the espresso was most enjoyable having good body, rich choc/cocoa notes and a lingering clean rich aftertaste.

The latte and flat white that I enjoyed on separate occasions cut through the milk nicely, they were well presented at a good temperature and left me with a smile on my face.

There seems to be a good consistency with their coffee and with the decor and friendly service creating a relaxing way to spend some time over good coffee and food.

Coffee by Five Senses–Brazil Blue blend

Another great little addition to the ever-blossoming Perth coffee scene and I’ve got to award them a bean, keep up the good work cnr.

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Trevor Green
Tags: , ,
Posted in 1 Bean, Family Friendly, Western Australia | 1 Comment »



December 11, 2009

shopfront-from-streeet

32 Market Street,

Fremantle

After hearing so many good reports about Hush I journeyed down to our port city  with my dear old mum in tow for a spot of lunch.

We ordered a foccacia filled with tender chicken strips, semi-dried tomatoes, brie and an avocado dressing, they were delicious and luckily I had to finish off mum’s for her.

The blackboard menu had some interesting offerings including all day breakfast and could be easily read without having to leave our table.

shop

The decor was relaxing with timber floors and comfortable seating. Synesso is the caffeine extractor of choice with Mazzer grinders, one of the Mazzers holds their single origin bean which changes weekly offering their clientele taste experiences from all corners of the globe.

My espresso arrived in an ACF demi cup temperature perfect and looked amazing, it had a crisp acidity, good body, smooth and rich, a total treat to my taste buds leaving a delightful and lingering aftertaste.

After we enjoyed our foccacias my flat white was delivered by one of the friendly staff, it had   silky smooth milk and was  adorned with a  dainty rosetta. Temperature spot-on with the blend cutting through the milk leaving a pleasant choc/cocoa mouthfeel that lasted for ages. These guys really care about their coffee and its shows in the cup.

Coffee by Five Senses

mark-5-senses

(Mark Chandler, WA Barista Champion 2 years in a row standing at counter)

Fremantle has finally got a cafe serving great coffee at a consistent standard and has lived up to all of the good things I have heard from other worshippiers of the humble bean.

Keep up the good work Daniel, Michael and team — well worth a couple of beanzzzzzzzzzzz

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Trevor Green
Tags: , , ,
Posted in 2 Beans, Family Friendly, Western Australia | 1 Comment »



November 21, 2009

IMG_90371

914 Hay Street, Perth

(in front of 78 Records)

With effervescent  Aaron Pyne at the helm (I first met Aaron at Zecca) Cafe Vinyl is located at the front of iconic Perth music outlet 78 Records, this little caffeine outlet has been busy from day one with a constant stream of regulars coming in for their daily fix.

The counter front is adorned with old vinyl records in keeping with the venue, at one end is  a glass cabinet displaying some tasty morsels, at the other end a three group Synesso and Mazzer grinders are the tools of trade with a custom three bean blend in the hopper.

IMG_90392

I ordered the customary espresso and wan’t disappointed, temperature was spot on with a slightly citrus acidity and then lovely rich choc/cocoa notes and a lingering aftertaste, I could tell this was going to go well in milk.

Sitting under the umbrellas watching the world go by my flat white arrived with a rosetta, smooth silky milk, good temperature and as expected the blend cut through the milk to give a most enjoyable taste experience and an aftertaste that pleasingly hung around the ages.

Coffee: Custom blend from Five Senses

Great location, great coffee and friendly service, well worth a couple of beans!

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Trevor Green
Tags: , , ,
Posted in 2 Beans, Western Australia | No Comments »



« Older Entries