The Melbourne Coffee Review

MCR ON FACEBOOK

2008-08-28T20:52:00.003+10:00

Hey caffiends, just a heads up....Melbourne Coffee Review has an awesome presence on FACEBOOK, check it out and join the group.....

http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21716810641

Heaps of coffee, fun, coffee, competitions, coffee, opinions and oh yeah, did I mention, COFFEE?!

Go and try out all the cafes I recommend, and tell them Steve sent you, they love it!!!

Keep it up guys, life is too short to drink bad coffee , lets let the World know where the HOTSHOT cafes are, thanks to the Melbourne Coffee Review

Truffles Chocolaterie

2008-08-27T22:07:00.009+10:00

376 Bridge Rd
Richmond VIC 3121
As everyone knows, a truffle is both valuable and highly sought after, and this is an exact description of this delightful place of delicious delicacies in downtown Richmond.
Dark wood, bare brick walls, rustic charm and timeless beauty.
This little gem is both easy to find as well as quickly becoming quite iconic in inner metro Melbourne.
Chocolate: YES!
Coffee: Oh YES!!
More Chocolate: YES PLEASE, one is never enough
And of course another coffee: Then the afterglow.........
Thanks Marc, this is what the rest should aspire to, you know who you are, all you bland and generic chains and franchises, stop blushing.
Truffles is the benchmark!
Truffles is all about chocolate and coffee, just look at the meticulous detail and presentation in my pic, Kudos guys, AMAZING job!!

I believe it was some of Veneziano’s finest, Estate infact, although it may have been Bella, as my short ristretto was both complex and quite sublime, the inflection hypnotising and mesmerising......a nectar fit for the God’s........of the underworld!
A memorable stop on this caffeine fuelled journey; a strong recommendation, an experience to rival your fondest and dearest memories, a strong 2 beans for an exceptional coffee, and an overall existential experience.
I thank Marc, and especially the MCR fans for this recommendation and strongly urge you all pay Truffles of Richmond, another MCR HOTSHOT Café, a visit next opportunity.

Check them out online at:

http://www.trufflesmelbourne.com.au/

[Support MCR and delight your taste buds by joining our Home Barista Hotshot Club]

Coffee: Veneziano

Atomica Coffee

2008-08-23T19:23:00.002+10:00

268 Brunswick Street
Fitzroy VIC 3065

Here we are again fellow caffeine junkies, another café to report on to make you salivate and hopefully inspire you to head down and check it out for yourselves.
This time the caf-fiend heads out to Fitzroy, Brunswick St Infact; the cool end of Melbourne.
Out on a whim and a prayer, well actually a recommendation from one of our fans on FACEBOOK.
Check out our group and join if you haven’t already.
“Welcome,” grins Tolly, the warm and friendly owner/master roaster who is the energetic and passionate brains behind the caffeine colossus that is ATOMICA.
This place is legendary within coffee circles, amongst those in the know and Tolly, the humble and unassuming mastermind of this radioactive retro roaster knows exactly what it takes to prepare a beverage worthy and true to the long heritage of specialty and artisan coffee houses that he represents.
Atomica is a fine example of a great place to enjoy a great coffee anytime and every time. Faultless preparation, professional service, dedicated staff and above all quality product.
There are no shortcuts here.
They roast in-house, at the back of the café in-fact, and as the roaster is encased in a glass room the customers can watch the whole process, while they tuck into any one of the many fine dishes on offer and enjoy a sample of some of Melbourne’s best coffee.
I did! And it blew my mind, I can still savor the lingering and complex flavors of Tolly’s espresso send my palate into a frenzy, I can understand why he calls it ATOMICA, it was absolutely ATOMIC.
Powerful, intense, totally annihilating anything else in it’s way.
YES! It was THAT good! Go and see for yourself……
The pilgrimage of the caf-fiend continues, the quest continues to partake in the perfect Devil’s Cup.
A three bean MCR HOTSHOT café, thanks for the heads up team and keep on caffeining on!!

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Coffee: ATOMICA

Caf-feine BAR

2008-08-17T09:07:00.002+10:00

597 Whitehorse Rd
Surrey Hills VIC 3127
Sat Nav: CHECK
Jerry Can w/spare fuel: CHECK
Snow Tires ;) CHECK
Out into the ‘burbs again, continuing my caffeine fuelled journey for the ultimate devil’s cup.
Surrey Hills, where’s that, how do you even spell it?!?!?
GOT IT!!!!
This quaint little café in a small shopping precinct was quite the standout amongst a bland and otherwise mundane looking street, quite well presented infact.
Big gold sign with CAFFEINE boldly displayed, it was an epiphany of sorts, almost a revelation of the divine to a travel weary pilgrim.
YES PLEASE!!!! The way I'm going, it will be intravenously soon!!!
The family operated cafe, with it's busy and hospitable staff were quick to take my order and bring out my very short espresso, as I wasn’t too sure they would know what a ristretto was; in fact they did, I shouldn’t be so quick to judge.
A tad over extracted, a hint of tobacco, a subtle undertone of turpeny, and that was only my daughter’s babyccino…..my espresso was fine!
A nice dense crema, a full flavor on the palate with hints of chocolate and even a sublime berry like infusion.
The Bean Alliance have done it again, Well Done, a great roast, well prepared and presented by the team @ Caf-feine.
Overall, a nice spacious café, with an exquisite little courtyard, well priced and extremely clean.
A one bean HOTSHOT cafe once again, it was well worth the $1.50 per liter for over-priced petrol, and heartwarming to see my daughter review her very first babyccino, infact the Melbourne Babyccino Review was born!

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Coffee: bean ground & drunk (the bean alliance)

7 Grams

2008-08-12T23:36:00.003+10:00

505 Church St
Richmond VIC 3121

Ok…here we go…whoever emails me, calls me or sms’ me with what 7 grams means, and why you would want to name your café, 7 grams, gets a free bag of coffee, our own exclusive signature blend designed by C4 Coffee….how good is that????
steve.agi@melbournecoffeereview.com 0432 210 963
Welcome to the world of Con, Peter and Jim, the latest stop on this caffeine fuelled journey of mine to keep you up to date with all that’s great in this fair city of ours.
For all of you who don’t know, 7 grams is the home to the current World Latte art Champion, Con, and a big congratulations to him!
This place is vibrant, friendly and passionate about everything they do, both coffee and food!
It is extremely popular as is evidenced by the flocking masses.
My perfectly extracted espresso was both short and sweet, just the way I like it, while my latte was not only perfectly presented with faultless etchings of silky smooth milk amongst the umber tones of espresso, but it was also perfect to drink out the front on this beautiful sunny winter afternoon.
This my fellow caffeine junkies is a MUST, a caffeine Mecca in downtown Melbourne, a true coffee connoisseurs destination, where coffee is king and the customer is treated like royalty by professional and friendly staff.
A stand-out café that truly epitomizes what HOTSHOTS is all about, a three beaner without a doubt and a future benchmark for all to live up to.

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Coffee: Veneziano/ Own Blend

Cafe 3FOUR2

2008-08-09T17:44:00.002+10:00

342 Flinders St
Melbourne VIC 3000
Bright Lights! BIG City!

This little café, cum Internet Mecca, is snuggly nestled down the Elizabeth end of Flinders St, and boasts free WI-Fi, free internet access to paying customers, exceptional and sumptuous fare, all modestly priced, as well as possibly the cheapest coffee in all the CBD.
Serhan, the young man full of energy and enthusiasm has a huge FACEBOOK presence and treats all of his customers like friends and family.
It was quite the experience.
I felt right at home as he brought out my espresso, to the delight of my salivating palate.
The extraction was nice and short and it seemed to adequately satisfy my yearning need for a caffeine hit.
I nestled into my couch to do some work, feeling totally comfortable to spend a couple of hours there, it really was a delightful place. The food was brilliant, I had a home made chicken pie and the coffee, satisfactory.
Look out for his insane HAPPY HOUR specials where he sells coffee for $1.50, WOW! From memory it was on Thursday mornings between 7.30 and 8.30.
A strong one bean, and a warm welcome to the MCR family.

You definitely are an MCR HOTSHOT!!!

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Coffee: LAVAZZA

Ousia - 114 Fordham Ave, Hartwell.

2008-08-09T14:17:00.004+10:00

I have been travelling to Camberwell so my daughter can attend music lessons (My Music Tutor, amazing people!), and lucked on a little place called Ousia tucked in the back off just near the train line. The Greeks among you will know that means “the essence”. The owner, who I am guessing has Greek heritage is a woman whose passion for fine food oozes in her personality and manner. I figured that if the coffee rivalled the quality of the food at all, I was in for a treat. I am delighted to announce that I was not disappointed. I have enjoyed breakfast there three times now and the routine is the same. I go in with my son, order breaky and my long macchiato to be delivered once I have finished. We cross the road for 10-15 joyous moments playing on the equipment (including a train which rocks man), and then return just in time to sit down to my breakfast. Today (visit 3) the remembered my order, which impresses me no end, and after the heaven that was my poached eggs, avocado and spinach, served me up a long macchiato that completed the perfect breakfast. Temperature was right on, not over drawn, the dollop of milk barely noticeable and a crème was as smooth as silk. The drink was smooth, without a hint of bitterness. This place, for me does the lot just right, and is worth the effort to find. Two big beans.

Coffee: Genovese.

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BRAZIL (lifestyle coffee)

2008-07-31T22:33:00.003+10:00

111 Cecil St
South Melbourne VIC 3205

In the immortal words of Terry Gilliam, “Brazil: Is only a state of mind”
God I wished that was true as soon as I put the damned devil’s cup to my lips.

No! I lie, as soon as I saw the barista begin to make my brew, I regretted entering the place, but how could I resist , with the bait, a beautiful roaster right there in the window.

This funky little new cafe, just opened near the South Melbourne Market promised so much, looked so interesting, so inviting.
With the expectant fresh and specialty roasted coffee, I entered and was bewildered to watch the barista/owner prepare and extract my coffee.
The liquid pouring from the portafilter looked sickly and watery and did not let me down as by now I was expecting a total disaster.
Damn! Welcome to the one-sip club.
A total desecration a complete mess. I ordered a café latte for my companion, which came out way too hot, watery and lipid, big bubbled froth on top and no color, just a dull milky brown.
Needless to say, I’ve had better instant coffees back in the 80’s.
So sorry but this is anything but Brazilian lifestyle coffee, in the words of Metallica, “my lifestyle determines my deathstyle” and by the God of the bean these guys had savaged and slaughtered the delicate and sublime nectar of the Gods!

Sorry guys no beans here, just another one-sipper!

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Coffee: In house roast(BRAZIL)

Celebrate Good Times!

2008-07-29T17:26:00.003+10:00

Good news everyone!

The originator of all things evil and corrupt, the dark lord of the bean has finally decided to leave our fair shores, and good riddance!

You all know what I mean, the source of endless frustration and disappointment, STARBUCKS, has pulled the pin on most of its Australian stores. YIPPEE!!!!

Melbourne Coffee Review is proud to let you all know that it has no and has never had any affiliation with this behemoth, this pathetic excuse for a coffee chain.

Lets hope one of the local players will take the reins and do what PEET's has done so well, for so long over in the US.

It's not about bells and whistles people, its not about umbrellas and wind-breaks, its about the coffee, the passionate preperation of the devil's cup to be served to the masses, the tireless and passionate journey that coffee can take you on, make no mistake, this fraud, this charlatan has exploited the masses for long enough, GOOD RIDDANCE!

At Melbourne Coffee Review it's all about the bean the whole bean and nothing but the bean!

A Greek island frappe

2008-07-28T23:13:00.005+10:00

Okay, so today we are breaking away from the usual espresso reviews for something a little off the wall, and - frankly - surprising considering the key ingredient employed (I'll get to that).

I went on holiday to Greece recently and arrived on Santorini after a red eye flight from London. I must have looked as tired and hot as I felt, as the first thing the hotelier did as I checked in at 6.30am was make me a frappe.

Out came an icy, sweet, blended coffee which quickly became my regular coffee for the entire ten day holiday. It was delicious and when I asked to see the coffee they used to make it, out came the trusty super size tin of Nescafe. It's just 1-2 teaspoons of instant coffee, sugar to taste, half a cup of milk and ice. Blend until smooth.

For the record, MCR NEVER advocates the use of instant coffee. It's the post-mix equivalent of Coca Cola and defies this site's raison d'etre. Any jars found in the pantries of MCR members will be confiscated and destroyed without notice. Unless, of course, it's the height of summer on a Greek island beach (or Elwood beach) and an icy coffee is the only thing that will do.

MCR RSS (Syndication)

2008-07-28T10:28:00.002+10:00

If you don't know what the title means, please ignore this post. For all you technical people out there, we have changes our RSS to feedburner. Please change your settings when convenient (http://feeds.feedburner.com/melbournecoffeereview).

KENT ST

2008-07-27T21:07:00.002+10:00

201 Smith St
Fitzroy VIC 3065
BOOM SHANKA!
“Tim’s Mum’s SOUP”, what the hell, I thought?!?!
Gotta try this one, as I strolled down the funky end of Smith St.
As I entered, all I could think of was olde English row home, students, hippies, punks, you get the picture.
Very 80’s, very relaxed, very cool!
My order of a ristretto was no problem for the cool barista, respect!
Out it came, promptly, along with a latte for my bro, which looked incredible, dense, with well textured milk, subtlety etched with umber tones of the rising 30mls of espresso.
Jaspers do an amazing roast, flat out, and it was quite clear that the union between bean, man and machine was working well here, they worked in harmonious unison to prepare and serve the devils cup as it should be, aromatic, acidic, intense and viscous, a journey in the words of St. Bruno of C4 fame!
Then it happened! I went to the little boy’s room, way upstairs and on the wall….on the wall….well a picture tells a thousand words!
A quote from the iconic 80’s show, “the Young Ones”
And my favorite quote ever, care of Neil!
Thank you Tim, thank you Tim’s mum for a delicious bowl of Soup, thank you Kent St for being another hotshot coffee spot in Melbourne!
2 beans!
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Coffee: Jaspers

SHUGA café bar lounge

2008-07-21T22:08:00.005+10:00

Shop 502 Mill Park plaza
520 Plenty Road
MILL PARK VIC 3082
A spoonful of SHUGA helps the medicine go down!
Originally when I heard of this place I figured it was in Middle Park and I thought gee that’s ok, not too far, but Mill Park, Oh my God!!
Let’s hope it was gonna be worth the drive, with petrol at $1.70.
On with the GPS again to make this long and arduous trek out to Mill Park.
Visually quite impressive, big, clean and well appointed. Family friendly, extensive menu, and reasonably priced. The staff were courteous and attentive, service was paramount.
I ordered my espresso, after my delicious meal, and was quite expectant as nothing really completes a meal for me like a well extracted and delicately prepared nectar of the Gods.
It arrived promptly, thank the Gods of the underworld, as I was starting to get all fidgety and anxious……I wonder, do you think I might be addicted to caffeine???
;)
Anyway, the wafting aroma permeated my nostrils, preparing my taste buds for the coming pleasure. They were in an absolute frenzy and were well pleased, the interaction of flavours was complex yet delicate, a subtle coating of the tongue, the dense caramelly crema was both sweet and rich, concealing 30mls of intense, syrupy and fruity bliss.
A fine after dinner aperitif, preparing the palate to enjoy the broad and deliciously exciting cakes and desserts on the menu.
One can never have too much of a good thing, and this is definitely the case when it comes to this little gem, to the locals congratulations, to those looking for somewhere new to try give this place a go, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
A solid one bean and well worth the trek for the overall dining experience as well as a damn good coffee, ok where to next…….
p.s. Just a side note, they sell an amazing chocolate, ARTISTA, WOW!!!! The kids absolutely loved it, apparently it’s authentic Italian artisan chocolate, even though I’m not a huge hot choc fan, this stuff was really good! REALLY!
Check it out: http://www.artistachocolate.com/

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Coffee: DUCALE

Kerferd Rd DELI

2008-07-17T22:24:00.004+10:00

381 Montague St
Albert Park VIC 3206

Gentlemen START YOUR ENGINES!!!
Albert Park, bayside, GRAND PRIX, sun, beach, coffee, Lamborghini…Goddammit! Life is GOOD!
A stone’s throw from the legendary F1 GrandPrix track, this homely, neighborhood café, cum secondhand bookshop is quite unique as well as legendary amongst the local folk.
Boasting their master barista, ISSY from the city of KAFFA in Ethiopia, the home of qahwa, the birthplace of the devil’s cup!
He is in fact a walking long Machiatto, you can’t miss him, pop in and say g’day, he’s always up for a chat about his favorite activity, coffee…..he really is passionate about his country’s biggest export.
This is my second bayside Lamborghini experience, and I think that I can safely say, I’m a fan.
My espresso came out in an elegantly branded cup, well presented, well extracted, well received.
It was quite delicate, with a lovely floral aroma, quite complex and sublime, the acidity just enough to tantalize my taste buds.
The whole place is friendly, warm and well presented, not too pricey although the menu is up there with the best that inner-bayside has to offer
It is the place to be seen, to do some site-seeing and to see what all the fuss about this new player in the Australian coffee Market, Tonino Lamborghini, is all about.
A solid one bean, a memorable experience……I’ll definitely be stopping in again, next lap around Albert Park.

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Coffee: Tonino Lamborghini

Brother Baba Budan. 359 Little Bourke.

2008-07-16T15:21:00.008+10:00

For those of you who love St Ali, you're going to love this place. I don't know what the arrangement is, but here is cozy little place rocks. I have been a few times now, not really believing what I was seeing.... awesome quality long Macchiatto and some of the smoothest lattes in the city of Melbourne. Visit this place. The service is full on professional (don't be intimidated, they know what they are doing). Smokers down the back and the main papers are there for review. certainly a great pre work drop in if you are near by. Three beans easy!

AUCTION ROOMS

2008-07-08T23:08:00.003+10:00

103-107 Errol Street
North Melbourne VIC 3051

One latte, one latte, one latte, do I hear two, will you give me two shortblacks with that latte?
What about a cappuccino and a latte, come on ladies and gentlemen, don’t let this one slip through your fingers….it’s the one that caffeine fuelled dreams are made of…..
Going, going, going……
GONE!
I bet this place has seen a fair bit of that, a fair share of its own action over the years.
Full of character and huge open spaces, this former auction room, cum café in fashionable Errol St, is quite the local landmark.
Tall ceilings, huge open spaces, warm and friendly service, family friendly as well as perfect for that business meeting or an afternoon chinwag.
The centerpiece being the amazing roaster right there in the middle of the café where Andrew delivers his own specialty roast, both unique as well as exceptional.
As I took a seat @ the bar the barista proceeded to delicately extract 30mls of pure nectar to present me with my espresso, which was a sensory delight, unadulterated bliss.
No milk necessary here to camouflage imperfections, it was perfect!
After cleansing the palate with some complimentary water, I proceeded to sample a well presented and quite attractive looking double-shot flat white.
The milk was both well textured and velvety smooth, as well as perfect temperature, obviously quite the maestro at espresso preparation and presentation.
Overall a memorable experience and a definite 2 strong beans.
Make sure if you’re out that way to stop in and sample some of their devilishly good nectar, and if you’re not in the area, make your way down, places like this are truly worth the drive.
Well done!

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Coffee: Own Blend ( In house roasting)

Merino Club CAFE

2008-07-03T21:34:00.004+10:00

131 Chapel Street
Windsor VIC 3181

Well some of you may say I’m a sucker for punishment, but after my initial contact with RUBIA @ Chappelli’s a few weeks ago, I thought I’d give these new kids on the block, the benefit of the doubt and give them another go.
This time at the trendy Merino club down at the Windsor end of Chapel St.
Boy was I glad I did!
Not only was the place an aesthetic gem, with funky décor, an eclectic menu, exquisite furniture and a young and vibrant crew on hand and ready to serve, but it seemed that they were a bit more into the whole coffee thing, even bringing me a complimentary glass of water as soon as I sat down.
Now that’s attention to detail, and some good old fashioned service.
Damn! They even knew what a ristretto was. KUDOS!!!
It was actually well presented, short, dark and syrupy. Just the way it should be.
The aroma was intense, the flavor complex, the experience sublime
I followed it up, just to make sure with a long machiato, and boy was it good. I really enjoyed it and savored the entire experience, the floral aroma, the sweet, piquant waltz it danced on my tantalized taste buds.
BRAVO! Gotta give you guys a bean, maybe even two and welcome you to the ranks of the Melbourne Coffee Review.
Isn’t it amazing just what a difference there can be between cafes using the same coffee!

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Coffee: RUBIA

Embassy @ 97

2008-06-25T19:42:00.006+10:00

97 Fitzroy Street
ST KILDA VIC 3182

Well….this one was a recommendation from J/B, and thank you!
And I do mean THANK YOU! A really big one.
Yes I popped out there, but I actually ordered an espresso first, God I hate the term ‘short-black’, instead of the recommended flat white.
Admittedly, it is hard to find fault with a shot of espresso. If it is precisely extracted, it is pure bliss. This one did not disappoint, it arrived with a glossy crema, notes of butter and caramel, and an elegant balance of acidity and sweetness.
Complex, sublime, pure sensory bliss.
I thought I’d try the recommended flat white as a chaser, and was quite glad I did, when I was presented with a well textured, creamy and artfully etched beverage, which interacted brilliantly with the espresso's crema to create a fusion of umber tones and the pure white, velvety smooth and glossy milk.
The caffeine hit was smooth, clean and bright, the mouthfeel delicate and silky, the overall experience incredible, totally satisfying and well rounded.
A solid one bean and a great place to meet inside or in their courtyard for a business meeting or a quick bite with the family.
P.S. Make sure you try the fresh muffins, they ROCK!

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Coffee: Espresso Syndicate

C15 Espresso

2008-06-23T19:33:00.007+10:00

15 Riseley Street, Applecross
Perth Western Australia.
(08) 9316 4242
“Where coffee and conversation collide.”

First time reviewer, long time drinker….. After living in Melbourne for the past 2 years and standing in front of an espresso machine of some description for the past 7 years, a day cannot pass me by without a good cup of coffee. I find myself wandering the streets of Applecross with an impressive headache praying to all the coffee gods to please present me with someone capable of kick starting my day.
I decide to try my luck at an old favourite on a very decent sized corner block café that I always remember as a beautiful spot to catch the warm WA sun and stretch out breakfast into lunch. To my initial disappointment I find my old café transformed into a new and unfamiliar one.

I order and pay for my flat white at the counter and the friendly young lady at the counter gives me my number and I find my spot to nestle and wait for my coffee.

Straight up, it must be said that Perth has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to the art of making a beautiful cup off coffee. I realised this a long time ago and have since ventured to Melbourne to spoil my taste buds.

However, the milk was textured well and while it was a little hotter than I would have liked it was smooth and satisfied the ache in my forehead. The barista is obviously a coffee drinker and understands the importance of consistency in his coffee making as I find him and him alone behind the machine on both my visits to his café. Kudos to him for taking his stand on his stage and ensuring my hearts desire in my otherwise disappointing and heart breaking search around the ‘burbs of Perth.

C15 is open 7am ‘till late 7 days a week.

They offer a full breakfast and lunch menu and a display fridge boasting anything to soothe a sweet or savory tooth. They also offer the C15 coffee beans to take home in 250g bags, however if I still lived in Perth, I would take advantage of this neat café at all times of day.

I grant C15 my first bean, and welcome them to the Melbourne Coffee Review.

(With this post, MCR would like to welcome Jaye Raykos as our guest reviewer out west on board, welcome to the team Jaye!)

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Coffee: Own Blend C15

Espresso Elements - 305 Hampton Street, Hampton VIC.

2008-06-22T18:23:00.012+10:00

(probably best read as Bogart in Casablanca) Melbourne winter 2008 is shaping up to be a cold one. Like Bogart in Casablanca I walked into this place on a very grey and cold day. I said nothing, hell what is there to say? I need a hot cuppa joe and fast! The fog was lifting from the morning but not for me. Not yet at least. This week had been a busy one, and I was not feeling that adventurous regarding testing new places, but after my standard haunt was close in Church street Brighton, I was now entering in the what I hoped was, the new coffee gem for Bayside.

The pretty gal behind the counter offered a smile and a greeting. I guessed the same one offered to everyone else that came in. I ordered my long macchiato, and I sat against the window and waited patiently.

It arrived,.. well hell, this was a coffee. Firstly let me say that few have the courage to try latte art on a LM but they did and they succeeded. First the nose. It was a strong aroma while not being overpowering. Then the first sip. Temperature perfect and a smooth crema that was perfect in every way. This has to be a discovery. Right on the train line and easy access to both business folk and mums with kids.

Three beans and if I could give more I would.

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Caffe' Corso

2008-06-17T14:19:00.003+10:00

Crown Entertainment Complex
Level 1, West End 8 Whiteman St
Southbank, VIC 3006
I’m gonna try something new, something totally unheard of, I might even get my ass kicked for this, but I must be true, I must keep it real.
So here goes…..
Instead of a one, two or three bean rating, recently the places I’ve been to have been so under-par that I’ve decided to introduce a rating system from the other end of the spectrum, a one sip, two sip or three sip.
What does all this gibberish mean, you’re probably asking yourself?
Well I’ve been to a few places recently that have really failed to do justice to the devil’s cup, that have really let me down.
So welcome to my first one sip review, which means that the coffee was so bad, that I could only have one sip.
Sorry! But I was actually so excited to sample this new trendy café at Crown that I was quite geared up and expectant, energized!
Sadly, I was disappointed, yet again, but so badly this time that I decided that coffee this bad deserved to be rated, just as coffee really good was, and so the 1,2,3 sips was born!
Seriously though, my latte was lipid and lifeless, burnt and tobaccoy, probably the worst I’ve had in a very long time, nevertheless I made the most of it though and grabbed a delicious chocolate Milkshake and a slice of tiramisu (can’t get enough coffee) and enjoyed the ambience, the impeccable service and exquisite menu of this great looking and well located new addition to the Crown café scene.
Coffee: CoffeX

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Chappelli's Cafe

2008-06-01T00:17:00.004+10:00

571 Chapel St
South Yarra VIC 3141
Hands up who used to go to Chaser’s in the 70’s and 80’s, come on, you know you did!
And it wasn’t the perfect end to that perfect disco bunny night without a walk down Chapel St, to Spaghetti Graffiti. Open all hours and welcoming to night clubbers, texta in hand ready to leave that coy comment while enjoying a traditional bowl of pasta.
Well, long gone are those days…this place has now re-invented itself as a flash café/restaurant open 24/7, to once again cater to the clubbers of the area, and kudos to them!
Boasting a great corner spot, well furnished and open spaces, modern and funky, the menu and ambience is great for whatever your reason to visit.
I was there for a business meeting, but a family would fit in just as well.
I ordered a long Machiatto, rather than the customary espresso as I wasn’t too sure of the brand of coffee as I’d never seen or had it anywhere before.
Sadly I was quite disappointed. Not only did it smell burnt and rancid, but it tasted turpeny, almost quite ashy.
As my client began to sip his latte I could not help to notice the grimace as the milk touched his lips, the face never lies.
He confirmed my suspicions, too hot, too bitter, too bad!
Sadly no beans guys, not sure if it was the bean, the roast, the barista or the machine, but somewhere along the line the nectar of the God’s has been corrupted, a sacrilege, a blasphemy, the unpardonable sin!

Coffee: Rubia

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The Continental Deli

2008-05-29T20:54:00.003+10:00

51 Station St
Sandringham VIC 3191

Thought I’d take advantage of the beautiful weather this afternoon and took the family for a drive bayside, down to Sandringham. Sun, sand and coffee, what could be better on a 19o autumn day in Melbourne?
Like a veritable oasis in a desert, there it was, directly across the train station, The Continental Deli, with its eye catching and distinctive Tonino Lamborghini paraphernalia adorning the sidewalk of this suburban shopping strip.
What? Where? When? How???
How did this slip through the radar? A Lamborghini café in Melbourne and I didn’t know? IMPOSSIBLE! I was flabbergasted, luckily Barbara the owner informed me it was the flagship store and had only been there for a couple of days…PHEW!!!! I could breathe again….
The kids loved the place, it was well lit and spacious catering for all tastes and needs both trendy and a cool place to meet as well as family orientated and kiddy friendly.
The menu inviting, diverse and well priced.
The coffee was well presented in distinctive and stylish Lamborghini crockery which aesthetically complemented the amazing taste and aroma of my ristretto. Sweet, aromatic and a dense caramel flavor, it was idyllic to sip as I watched the mad world rushing about to and fro, coming and going.
Gentlemen, start your engines! Lamborghini Caffe is in town, to stay, I hope! A strong two beaner.

Coffee: Tonino Lamborghini

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C4 Coffee

2008-05-21T18:24:00.012+10:00

2a Bond Street
Mordialloc 3195
A4 amazing!
B4 Beautiful!
C4 Coffee!
D4 Delightful!.....I’m sure you get the picture.
What a discovery! I love nothing better than driving around looking for cafes and drinking coffees, because you come across places like this.
Bruno out at C4 is a one man show. He runs the specialty roasting business and out of the same warehouse sells his coffee, discretely and confidently.
I recommend this place to everyone, both to buy beans as well as to have an amazing cup of coffee.
It’s not really a café, as such, more of a warehouse, but he does have an espresso machine, which if you ask nicely he’ll let you use and make your own, if you dare.
As well as a bar where you can sit and sip the devil’s cup as it was meant to be drunk, in true Italian Espresso Bar style.
The coffee presented is second to none, and believe me, I’ve had my fair share of coffees around Melbourne and what Bruno is doing out there is absolutely amazing, quite innovative and groundbreaking.
In fact by his own admission he’s breaking all the rules and turning convention on its head, and it shows, it comes across in every sip, every delicious mouthful of the coffee he prepares and serves, while he tells you another story about his coffee roasting techniques and just what is wrong with the coffee being served to the masses around Melbourne.
“Remember if coffee isn't a memorable experience, it's not worth the journey.”
And you know what, he’s right!
C4 Coffee is what all coffee should be, it is E4 Excellent
He’s there 5 days a week from 8ish until 2, any other time by appointment, closed on weekends.
3 Beans without a doubt!

Coffee: Own Blend C4

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Numero UNO

2008-05-07T20:55:00.011+10:00

UN Caffe Bar

368 Little Collins St

Melbourne CBD 3000

This hip and trendy little gem was quite the discovery as I was aimlessly meandering through the streets of Melbourne in search of a caffeine hit! So many cafes, so little quality!
It must have been the bright red that got me, STOP!
I have always been a sucker for a latte in red.
The menu was funky and fresh, the staff hip and friendly, the coffee was illy.
To me those four little words say so much; the final word in coffee!
The single blend, quality guaranteed, famous, recognizable and consistent right around the globe.
Un Caffe is a franchise with two in the CBD and a few in Adelaide, heavily illy branded and recognizable by its distinctive red décor.
George, the owner and barista presented my espresso in a warm demitasse cup, and as I peered inside the luminous reflective glow was reminiscent of Ayers Rock at dusk, quite the sight.
The complex flavors blended perfectly on the palate, as it circled my mouth for hours, truly illy has proved once again that it is Numero UNO, and judging by the flocking crowds who seemed to be enjoying Un Caffé’s coffee and sumptuous fare from its exquisite menu, I think this is one of Melbourne’s best kept secrets.
If you’re in the area make sure you stop in, a solid ONE bean, Keep it up!

Coffee: illy

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