Lawson Grove Shop

1 Lawson Grove
South Yarra VIC 3141

Well, the journey continues and it was because of this place that I was nearly late for my radio show this morning, but damn! Their coffee was sooooo good, I lost track of time.
Nestled and hidden away in a back street of South Yarra just off Caroline St, this humble and unassuming café cum local store was such a well kept secret it took the ex-pat Eric out in Washington DC, doing all the reviews for us, to send through the recommendation, and boy was it a doozy!
Homely and friendly a real ‘local’ feel, with lots of communal tables and seating space if you don’t mind sharing this joint is quite well known for it’s exquisite menu and delightful home-cooked meals, but it was the coffee that drew the CaFFiend’s attention.
I ordered an espresso a bit concerned when the barista looked only a few years older than my eldest daughter, but I thought of the old saying, do not judge a book by it’s cover and began the tasting with an open mind and a salivating mouth.
There was a distinct chocolate on the nose which prepared me for what was about to pass through my lips. A dense crema separated to reveal a thick and rich nectar that covered my tongue perfectly with a powerful start a complex middle and an exciting finish, ‘God-shot’ I thought!
Should I stay or should I go? I had to be at the studio in Box Hill 1o minutes ago for the first installment of 'The Devil's Cup', but the coffee was just so good, God what to do?
Oh to hell with it, I ordered a café latte and began to stress that I’d be late.
It arrived perfectly textured and heated, smooth as silk, the milk adequately intermingling with the espresso shot, which snuck through revealing the tell tale umber edgings of perfection.
Down it went, too fast, now I was in a hurry, didn’t even get time to enjoy this one, what’s a boy to do, it’s a dirty job but somebody’s gotta do it.......
Now I was really late but as you all know I made it on time in the end, and managed to squeeze in another review of one of Melbourne’s stellar performers, LGS, who with the THREE beans that the Caffiend awards, definitely qualify as a Melbourne Coffee Review HOTSHOT, and for all the rest check out:


http://hotshots.melbournecoffeereview.com/



Till next time, keep on caffeining on…….



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Coffee: GRAVITY





p.s. Its open 7 days!!!! WOW!!!!

Octane Espresso

5 McKillop Street
Melbourne CBD VIC 3000


After my last three attempts at Espresso satisfaction, I was really looking out for something amazing today, something intense, something totally ‘high-octane’ to kickstart the week; please gimme satisfaction!!!
As I walked past and then back into the Haunted bookshop down McKillop St, I spied, OCTANE Espresso, how promising I thought, first things first though, it was time to have a bit of a browse around the land of the occult.
Flicking through the occult literature, all I could think of was the impending espresso, sure to be much more of a spiritual experience than anything I could possibly find here, but an interesting stop on my pilgrimage anyway.
Stepping down into the Octane lounge, I was greeted by a warm and friendly barista, who was quick to make me feel welcome in amongst the regulars and the sea of faces.
“Take a seat, I’ll bring your ristretto right over,” and instantly it arrived in a warmed, thick rimmed and hand-made demitasse cup, absolutely incredible!
A thick, rich crema concealed the restricted shot of pure nectar, a true homage to the God of the underworld, much more deep and dark than anything that a mere bookshop could invoke.
I quickly went back for another drink from the Devil’s Cup; a double shot café latte please!
Perfectly textured milk, combined with 30mls of delightfully devilish espresso to produce the ultimate homage to a power that has fuelled the world since time began.
3 BIG beans and a HIGH-OCTANE rush here, team caffeine. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! For all the best that THE CAFFIEND has found in his journeys, check it out @:

http://hotshots.melbournecoffeereview.com/

Till next time, keep on caffeining on…….

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

Coffee: AMANTI/OCTANE Blend

p.s. Check out the old school turntable in the corner behind my coffee in the photo, really cool guys! Really Cool!!!!! KUDOS!!!!

CAFENATICS 1

387 Flinders Lane
Melbourne CBD VIC 3000

Well by now you all know that I am Melbourne’s very own CAFFIEND, always out and about, hunting that elusive caffeine hit, the ultimate God Shot; and in the words of the Stones, “ I can’t get no, satisfaction!”
Well I can and I have, many times, but it was just such a cool quote I wanted to throw it in there anyway.
Well today the caffiend bumped heads with another Melbourne icon, the CAFENATIC!
Heard of him? NO? Well he is a curious species, one of a kind; truly I have met no one else like him throughout my pilgrimage on this caffeine fuelled journey, luckily I was granted the honor of meeting Joseph Haddad, the barista’s barista today.
CAFENATIC: A curious play on words, conjuring images of coffee, caffeine, addicts, fanatics and frantic: HEY! THAT SOUNDS LIKE ME!!!!
As I entered this modest and unassuming café I was greeted by a buzzing and enthusiastic crowd, happy smiling faces, pleasant staff, a delicious array of food and above all a shiny white La Marzocca that just meant that I was in for a great afternoon, or so I hoped!!!
Mark the young maestro on the machine extracted me a ristretto that almost made me shed tears of joy, what a crema, what an aroma, what a drop…he effortlessly followed this up with a café latte that apart from being an aesthetic joy with it’s perfectly poured rosetta was both perfect on the palate and on the nose, turning milk into silk he managed to blend 30mls of espresso perfectly to create a harmony that satisfied the caffiend completely!
Its official I’m a convert, a born again CAFENATIC!!!

Yes team caffeine it was that good, and the best part is there’s three more of them around the CBD I will get to try, CAN’T WAIT!!
Hey it’s a tuff job, but somebody’s gotta do it!!!

3 BIG beans to the CAFENATICS, MCRs NEWEST ‘HOTSHOT’ café!! Welcome to the team …..

http://hotshots.melbournecoffeereview.com/

Till next time, keep on caffeining on…….

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

Coffee: Veneziano

Climpson & Sons, 67 Broadway Market, London E8 4PH

After receiving a tip from one of our London readers, I visited Climpson & Sons on Saturday during a trip to Broadway Market and have to say it's one of the best coffees I've had in London.

The queue was out the door and the wait was 15 minutes for this coffee, but the two (Australian) baristas took their time at a small machine to prepare each order individually, keeping the focus on quality.

The coffee tasted remarkably like Monmouth Coffee - quite acidic and full bodied. Climpson & Sons operates in partnership with Burgil Coffee, using beans from Peru but roasting the beans locally. The milk was prepared beautifully, at the right temperature and like liquid velvet.

The food in store was fantastic too - brilliant breakfast and light lunch options like smoked salmon on rye toast with wasabe mayonnaise, roasted peppers and coriander.

Perfect coffee and great service and food to go with it. Absolutely worth 3 beans!

The Brunswick East Project

438 Lygon Street
Brunswick East VIC 3057

God! What a day…..truly diabolical, nothing a drink from the Devil’s Cup wouldn’t fix, I hoped!!
This recommendation better be worth it as I was driving all the way out to Brunswick on a whim and a prayer, well not really, on a tip from one of our loyal and highly-caffeinated team of cafenatics…
What is this enigma all about? What is this PADRE coffee, this Brunswick East Project I keep hearing about? What The hell, I NEED A COFFEE, this better be good!!!
Upon entering all I could see was SYNESSO, all I could think was Espresso, I was salivating like Pavlov’s dog at the sound of a bell…HIT ME James!!!!
Boy did he HIT me! In the words of BATMAN, "KAPOW! BAM! BIFF!!" KNOCKOUT..I was down for the count team caffeine, throw in the towel......
What a God-shot, pure bliss, the day began to look up already….without revealing my glee or identity, of course as this would compromise the review, I asked for a piccolo café latte….
The milk became silk, the water turned to wine, well dense crema covering 20mls of pure nectar, what a miracle worker , what a coffee, what a fool I have been for taking so long to get out there.
Guys, seriously, this place is AMAZING, roasting their own PADRE blend in-store they cup every Saturday morning @ 10, beginning this week, they train, they teach, they talk, they rokk!!! HARD CORE COFFEE! Just the way I like it, make no mistake this is a MUST, go down and say G’day to James and Marinus, don’t forget to tell them the CAFFIEND sent you!!!!

Looking back the day NOW seems ok, it wasn’t that bad after all, thanks PADREs ;o)

A HUGE 3 BEANS here and a HOTSHOT invitation to my PADRES out @ Brunswick East Project, you are now qualified, if you wish to accept the honor of being recognized as an MCR “HOTSHOT” café.

Check it out:
http://hotshots.melbournecoffeereview.com/

Till next time, keep on caffeining on…….

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

Coffee: PADRE

Liar Liar

90 Kinkora Rd
Hawthorn VIC 3122

Have I been lied to? Many times, no doubt, but when it comes to this place, I think not, let’s see…...

"No one can understand the truth until he drinks of coffee's frothy goodness." Sheik Abd-al-Kadir

And the goodness is truly on display here.

Walking in, I sense that good things are about to happen.There are three single origins listed and five single origin clovers. Asia? Africa? South America? Spare yourself the coin and travel with your taste buds.
Keeping things simple, I opt for my standard double shot cafe latte. It comes out perfect; the temperature, the texture, the taste. Things are looking up and I decide to go back for more.
Let's get insane! 'Double Ristretto, please'. The shot is pulled and, recognising me as someone who takes an interest in coffee, the barista offers a single origin for me...'Ethiopian Harare' he says, personally delivering it to my table. Before I even pick it up, the nose hits me. The dense and thick, golden crema is wafting aromas at me and I'm practically in sensory overload. Taking a sip, the flavours live up to the nose. There isn't really a back palate or a front palate, just a wall of flavour. BAMM!!
The mouth feel is rich and velvety. Simply brilliant!When somewhere is this good, it isn't hard to go back for more. Whilst I am more of an espresso man, I wanted to 'do the clover thing', so I popped back in and tried a couple. First up is a Sumatran. It is a little watery and the flavours thin, just what I feared most, but still interesting.
Delicate nose, grassy on the back palate.
I decide to try again. Balinese this time and it is a different world. The mouth feel is good, it isn't as dense as an espresso but I still get that lovely feeling of 'weight'.
Hell yeah! If you are going clovering, give this one a try. All in all an incredible experience a notable 3 bean café!!
With his first guest review please Welcome: Cameron McKenzie to the team, a real coffeeholic if I’ve ever met one: this guy is insane!!
Till next time, keep on caffeining on……. The Caffiend!

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Coffee: 5 SENSES

Primary Cafe

404 Royal Parade
Parkville VIC 3052

As I entered this newly opened and well fitted out café, the expectation was high, given the heavy reputation that this place had amongst coffee geeks, like me.
The décor was modern and ambient, the atmosphere, warm and friendly, the staff happy and obliging.
A delicious menu, reasonably priced and variant enough to satisfy the most demanding appetite.
But hey, I was here for the coffee….as I had heard sooooo much about this place.
I ordered a ristretto and was presented with 15mls of pure bliss….long on the palate, fruity and complex such an intense experience with a BIG finish, INCREDIBLE.
I followed it up with a double shot café latte, which was presented with a double Rosetta to not only enhance the overall effect and complement the sensory experience, but to also showcase the skill and expertise of Erin, the barista/owner of this amazing café.
Incredibly after at least a dozen coffees this day, this one still managed to impress and satiate my intense yearning for caffeine nirvana.
THANK YOU!

Truly a 3 beaner, once again, you turned the day around after so much mediocrity and blandness it is always exciting to sample the Devil’s Cup as it should be prepared, a true maestro…..
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED team caffeine, go down and say G’day, they will blow your mind!!!

A 3 bean MCR ‘HOTSHOT’ café!! Welcome to the team …..

http://hotshots.melbournecoffeereview.com/

Till next time, keep on caffeining on…….

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

Coffee: VENEZIANO

Atomica Coffee

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

7 Grams

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.

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

Coffee: Veneziano/ Own Blend

Brother Baba Budan. 359 Little Bourke.

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!

Espresso Elements - 305 Hampton Street, Hampton VIC.

(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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C4 Coffee

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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First Pour

First Pour
26 Bond Street
Abbotsford VIC 3067

Well let me just say, it was both an honor and an absolute pleasure to trek down to Abbotsford, and meet the great David Makin.
As a confirmed caffeine addict and café junky it was quite exciting.
First Pour is home to probably some of the best Baristas this country has to offer, with not only David, but also Luca and David Seng doing their thing behind the amazing Yellow La Marzocca.
How can I dare to review their coffee?
What adjectives can one use to describe such an experience?
Another latte, why not, the last 3 were great, bring it on, Davo!!!
No seriously guys, if you haven’t make sure you do! If you have, I’m sure you’ll agree!!
I spent most of the day with David learning about what it takes to be the best, and at Makin’ espresso which operates out of the Veneziano warehouse; David does his best to teach us poor humans the fine art of being a true Barista, a maestro!
Without doubt a three beaner and a MUST for all seriously looking for that amazing Coffee experience!

Maybe we should introduce "the Golden Bean award"...??

NEWS FLASH! David Makin and Erin Sampson of former Coffee HQ fame, have JUST opened a brand New café called: PRIMARY @ 399 Royal Pde, PARKVILLE: Can’t wait to head out there for that review!!

Coffee: Veneziano.

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Switch Board Cafe - Mechantile Building Foyer, off Collins Street.

Occasionally I discover a real gem, and this is certainly one of them. Switchboard café goes where no one would have thought a café was possible, which tells me these guys are using their bean. These innovative entrepreneurs have wedged themselves a café in what was probably a store room and a shop window. Effectively a nook. I love it. This place has class and the guys are passionate about delivering you your custom made brew for the morning. The end product was as expected delivered in a unique old style orange glass, and the long macchiato was as smooth as silk. No bitterness and I could have sat on it for hours. Good work guys, welcome to the three bean club.






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St ALI Roasters

12-18 Yarra Place
South Melbourne VIC 3205


Bow down and worship, the GOD OF THE Bean is alive and well in South Melbourne.
You haven’t had a coffee, until you’ve had one at St. ALI’s.
Must be a 4 beaner, an existential experience, truly, these guys do everything right! RESPECT!

Coffee: St ALI Roasters

Support MCR and delight your taste buds by having our special roasted blend delivered to your door! Become Part of the MCR Family]

FIGJAM cafe

FIGJAM café
128 Koornang Road
Carnegie VIC 3163

Out to the burbs, following the lead of our fearless MCR leader, I clicked on the Sat Nav and made my way out to Carnegie, where apparently the coffee is pretty good. (See comments of my “Guinness Book of Records Post.” On MCR)
A fashionable and stylish little café, was nestled away within a busy shopping strip, which was murder trying to find parking, nevertheless we persisted and were greeted by friendly and warm owners, Sam and Helen.
Who really did go out of their way to make sure all their customers were being attended too.
The menu was decent, with the trademark homemade figjam available in a variety of dishes, and worth a try too, for it was absolutely delicious, as was the coffee, apparently.
My espresso came out perfect, well extracted, not too long, a dense nutmeg crema with aroma permeating the air and wafting into my expectant nostrils.
The flavours rich and complex, a sublime experience. To re-enforce the recommendation I asked the talented barista to make me a double shot latte, out of his amazing looking La Mazzorca espresso machine, and once again he was firing with all cylinders with a perfect temperature, well textured, velvety experience that was quite Orgasmic…coincidently that was also the AMANTI blend that they were using!!!
Excellent recommendation!! Thank You, worth the trip, and apart from the amazing coffee, which by the way you were right, AMANTI is quite AWESOME, they do a killer fresh juice, try the apple with a dash of ginger, it is to die for!!!
Has got to be a 3 beaner guys, sex was never as orgasmic as this!!

Coffee: AMANTI

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

Flat White, Berwick St Soho, London

Flat White is run by a bunch of Kiwis in the heart of Soho. I made my third visit today for a take-away flat white and have to say I've been impressed every time.

They use the Monmouth Coffee espresso blend (see previous post of the Monmouth Coffee store in Covent Garden), though the taste is remarkably different to that produced in the flagship Monmouth Coffee store. The difference, I learned today, is due to the use of a triple basket instead of a double basket - the water is filtered through a greater volume of ground coffee, producing a lovely acidic, lemony taste.

The barista also gently tipped the heated milk back and forth between two small jugs, presumably to thicken the foam and remove any unwanted bubbles. I've not seen this technique (nor care) before to get the milk so creamy. The latte art was equally impressive.

What I really love about this place is that it reminds me of my coffee runs on the way to work in Melbourne. They take your name, scrawl it onto the cup, and as someone with an Australian name I appreciate I don't have to respond to "Carly" when it's ready - these people know how to spell my name!

I digress. Flat White has that casual cafe feel about it that we love. There are all day breakfast items which don't involve sausages, black pudding and beans (we had the waffles with honeycomb butter - delish - and the bagels with ricotta sounded yummy), and good, wholesome meals that don't come pre-packed alongside the promotional Christmas CDs. And the service is friendly.

Ah, if only there was a Flat White on every corner. "Respect" to the owners and staff - thanks for a perfect coffee every time. I'll be coming back.

Mailing Room Cafe Visit 3, Canterbury

I had an opportunity for some time out on Friday so I dropped into the infamous Mailing Room Café. I can’t say I was sceptical, both the reviews have been done by people I have the highest regard for, but I was delighted across the board. I was greeted with a friendly smile and having asked, was told that I could use a power plug for my computer. I have mentioned before that while wifi access is welcome, give me easy access to a power point these days. My muffin came out post haste, but I waited a wile for the brew. Long enough to only conclude that this was a quality thing and it would take time. I didn’t get an impression of disorganisation; to the contrary, these people were efficient and happy to be there.
My long macchiato arrives soon after and I was delighted with all the key points. Hardly any bitterness, the creama smooth and thick and just the right temperature. The weather was cool, grey and drizzly, I could have curled up there all day, but I had to keep moving.
Certainly it’s a three beaner, no doubt.

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A moment in time at AIX Cafe - Centre Way, Melb CBD.

I use AIX so much, the owner Gianni wants to charge me rent. He is a funny guy, who loves to communicate his distaste for my 'lay back' attitude. I get much joy from his banter and his lovely wife Mary. Their cafe was voted one of the best in the world recently by a tourist mag. I tend to agree. Gianni's coffee is one of the jewels in my life (2nd to my kids and wife). I don't even order it any more.. I simply plonk down and wait for that steamy long Mac. I welcome them to the three bean club. Its about time. They earned it!!

Here's a moment in time, Friday the 12th Oct 2007.



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Torch Cafe - 178 Swan St. Richmond

Again I say, acknowledge your customers! Torch is becoming a regular hang due to our new business Pitch Club. Monday avo, around 3pm I am greeted with a big smile and a “Hi!!”… its like a shot in the arm regardless of how your day is progressing. The people there are authentically groovy and kind. I assure you, they don’t know me, ther modus operandi is what it is. Have fun, good food and a damn fine coffee. For me, this late in the day is mocca time. It arrives in a groovy bowl and with a rubber thingy around it. An important feature if you are all thumbs or drool on your fingers. I sipped my beverage, and pondered who the hell that artist was, who I knew I knew, but could not recall! The barista lass puts me out of my misery! Good ol Jeff Buckley! I’ve done coffee here several times, and I have no hesitation in welcoming these guys to the three bean club.

Monmouth Coffee, Monmouth St Soho and Borough Markets, London

Ask any coffee lover in London where to find a good espresso, and the top of the list will probably be Monmouth. When I moved to London, I was caffeine-deprived for 3 months until I made a weekend shopping trip to the Borough Markets shortly before Christmas 2005 (needless to say, I'd excluded a few bad lattes at the chains from my coffee count). If any of you Melburnians make the trip to London, it should be your first stop after Heathrow.

There are two Monmouth stores in London: Soho (Monmouth St, WC2, and Borough Markets, SE1). Both sell the beans, provide seating to enjoy the coffee in the store, and a few chocolates and savoury pastries for a light lunch.

The barista at Soho (a Sydney-sider coincidentally - us Aussies are taking over the world) explained there are two key things which make Monmouth as legendary as it is: the quality of the beans and the milk.

They have chosen to use organic full cream Jersey milk (much to the disappointment of my friend, who asked for a skim latte, and for myself as a soy drinker - there was no chance). Some purists would argue that full cream milk masks the taste of the coffee, however it adds a distinctive creaminess to their lattes and cappucinos.

The espresso blend uses beans from South/Central America (Brazil, Columbia, Guatemala) for a full body, and India for sweetness. Monmouth also operates directly with co-ops to provide a good deal for farmers in the regions (similar to Fairtrade).

The espresso has a pleasant aftertaste, and for any similarly coffee-deprived souls in London, if you're making the trek to either store I'd recommend getting both an espresso and a latte - take the time to savour the pride that goes into making this cup, because as we know it's hard to come by a coffee this good anywhere within the M25.

Has to be a 3 beaner.