Special Thanks!

This morning I had an excellent coffee experience. At home.

My machine is playing up and I have not been able to get anything from it for awhile. But my wonderful wife, not only cleansed my machine so that it works again but she also bought me some pre ground coffee so I don't have to hand grind it first thing in the morning.

Isn't she wonderful!

Thank you baby. Your the best!

To add to the sweetness last night our friend Bobbi-Leigh bought us some double walled coffee cups as a belated housewarming gift. So it was super special!

And here's a picture...




- Shot on location.

Added Ink!

Finally i get a good cup of coffee!
After a long time between fixes I had a chance to stop by a new caffeine den that has opened at the Albion shops. It's called Sweet Delicious Espresso and it has a unique Tattoo parlor feel about it. With some fairly rad art on the wall.
But of course it all boils down to the coffee...
The lovely lady behind the machine seemed to now what she was doing even if she gave me the wrong change to start with. I can see that this could be a great place to stop for a hit more often if only my train would be just that few moments earlier every day. But no, I only just make it in time as it is.
The coffee was by Vivo? I think. I was in a bit of a rush but that sounds right. It was quite bold and had a nice fruity taste. I really liked it.
So if your into sailor tattoos and some seriously good coffee then get to Albion and get drinkin.






- Shot on location.

Added 14/8/10

I went back today and the coffee was just as good as the first visit.
They have great looking food too guys! Get into it.

vivocoffee.com.au
I think it is a Merlo coffee.

Italian style

One of the perks of my current job us the random occasion that I get to go to the bank. This is fun because I get to leave work and also I can drive past a great bakery with really nice coffee and Italian Canolli!

The first visit set it aside from most other cafes I have been to in Bris. When I entered the sound of Italian words stirred my hope even higher than my need for a good coffee. The gent behind the machine was spouting so words of wisdom, or just a basic cooking hint, but to me it tasted like true espresso.
When I ordered my double espresso he imediatly corrected me, as Italians can do so innocently with "doppio!"! My hopes hit the roof!

The bakery is filled with decadent looking sweet treats and I cound not resist a chocolate Canolli roll to compliment my caffine injection.

The coffee, I'm happy to relay was everything I expected it to be and just a little more. The rich but smooth velvet taste was exactly what the doctor ordered. Delicious. The canolli roll was just heaven.

So I suggest that if the are ever between New Market rd and Ashgrove that you explore this little italian breath of fresh air.

As a habit I like to return to a shop and see if the coffee is consistant. I am happy to report that even though the coffee was made by a lady this time it was equally as tasty. And so was the roll!

Alberto's Shot

Tuesday. I'm sitting with my wife and new 1 day old baby at the hospital having just made my second cup of revolting hospial instant. God only knows what they offer. Caterers "floor" blend is my best guess.

In comes Grandma and Grandad. They sit and revel in the glow that is our pride and joy for a few hours and then offer to take Dad "hey that's me!" out for lunch.
Far be it for me to say no.

We head out in search of a coffee place that John drove past at some stage and thought would be a good place to try. He has a keen eye for coffee now.

It's called Alberto's Shot and it's on the corner of Cordeau & Montague St in West End.
There are heaps of people there even though it is a Tuesday afternoon and it is located in a most residential part of West End. That is a good sign I feel.

The staff are young, funky and very friendly. The coffee is Segafreddo Zanetti. I know this is a stronger blend so I brace myself for that and to my surprise it is a great pour. No not really a surprise. They have a beautiful La Mazzocco machine and the driver looks very capable. The coffee was very pleasant and so was the foccacia I had. Even if the cheese was not melted through.

I would recommend that the seek this one out for a relaxing cup of exceptional coffee. Obviously made with passion.

Well done guys.


- Shot on location. Stefan

Prenatal caffine

So I'm an 9 3/4 hours into the birth of our first child and the need for caffine has never been greater. There is really only one option for my fix and that is the Mater Fig Tree cafe. Aka the caf.

It looks like a nice cup.




The taste is quite strong but I really need it today. Perhaps that is why they use the blend they do. Hmm?

I need sleep but I can not see it coming to me any time soon.

I will keep you up to date as I am sure there will be more coffee had today.

So very excited!!!
- Shot on location. Stefan

Location:SE Freeway on ramp,Woolloongabba,Australia

Melbourne!!

I had run out of Jasper Coffee.
For a week now I have been drinking stale coffee and instant at work. I was in coffee hell.

Then a shining light come into my life. My father in law offered to cover the postage of an order from Jasper.
Woo hoo!

A few days later comes a gift. So wonderous it was like a vision. A care package from my Jasper family. Full of glorious coffee and a few extra goodies thrown in for good measure. They are too good to me. And such a great price too. I miss you too guys.

It made me miss Melbourne even more. It is the reason I am so passionate about coffee. The reason I am so picky now.
Jasper Coffee, 267 Brunswick st Fitzroy. If you are ever in Melbourne I highly recommend that you pop in and see the crew for a fabulous, smooth and very tasty short black. Now I don't care if you love a latte or a flat white. This coffee deserves to be tasted! Add a sugar if you like but it is so lovingly well made that you should savour it's essence.

While your there ask for some advice for the right beans to take home and try out on your [insert caffine maker style here]. If you just guess, you will get a great coffee but it might not be exactly to your specific taste. So ask for some guidance.

Say hi for me when your there.

My favourites are:
Blend One - Rich, smooth and creamy
Sulawesi - strong and smooth
Jamacian Blue Mountain (if you can afford it) - very smooth and velverty. One of the worlds best.
If they have a Cuban instore, get some!

Not to say that Jasper is the only good coffee. Oh contraire.

Check out these pearls:
The Lab @ David Jones in Little Bourke St.
These guys are using a Slayer machine which is a sight to see and also have syphon coffee and a slow drip coffee that takes hours to pour.

Proud Mary in Collingwood off Oxford St.
Similar to The Lab buy in a more welcoming atmosphere. They joined two machines together to make a six group. Just because they can!

Rosamond off from Smith St. (I'll let you find this one) Tiny place, great coffee and good, simple food.

The affore mentioned Pellegrino's on Upper Bourke St. Traditional.

Try Brother Bubba Budan on Little Bourke St in the city. I think. I found it hard to find at first due to the lack of signs so just look for the chairs hanging from the ceiling.

There are more to rant about but I will save that for later entries.

- Shot on location. Stefan

Coffee Club

I'm at The Coffee Club again. I hope that this experience is better that some of the others I have had. I'm on Park rd so the standard should be higher right? You'd think.

Although my fear rises when Jules ordered her Flat White she was asked "in a cup or a mug?" mug? Are you serious?!

The gods are smiling again. This is quite a good cup. It is restoring my faith in the good people who named the joint.

Good pour. Nice crema. Smooth soft taste.

Phew!



- Shot on location. Stefan

Flaming on!

So, as quickly as the gods smile on me for loving coffee, they then smite me for drinking instant.
I left home this morning without my morning bliss in a cup, because I had made myself late by pressing snooze one too many times. Never a good call. (missing the coffee that is)
Only to get to work, the place they keep the emergency coffee substitute (instant), only to be told that the kettle had spouted flames this morning when it was turned on. FLAMES?! What would I do? Brain is already starting to pulse...

And so i turn to Freedom furniture cafe. Hmm. My expectations where very low. Vittoria coffee at $3.40 a cup.

Cardboard cups should not get that hot right?

It did save my life. Would I rush back for another cup? Not in a hurry. If I was shopping at Freedom and needed a fix I would defiantly give them a second chance. Apparently, the flat white my boss had was quite nice. The flavour was good. Not smooth and creamy like it like but it was not burnt like the hot cup implied it's contents to be.

My best Vittoria experience has been at Pelegrinos in Melbourne. But the guy there has been making coffee on the same machine, the same way, every day all day for over thirty years! That's a long reminiscence to go into at another time.

I should not complain as my boss shouted me the coffee and had no naked flames to deal with. Just a minor cardboard scolding.


- tasted on location. Stefan

Location:McDonald Rd,Windsor,Australia

Cafe2U

Yesterday, when I got off the train at Albion Station I had a coffee van directly in front if me. To be honest I was torn, firstly I thought the gods must be smiling on me with this beautiful gift of coffee right there when I needed it but I was also torn as to what the quality of it would be. What do I do? (oh and I was also running a bit behind to get to work)
So, I did what any coffee lover would do. I gave it a shot. Pun intended.
I paid my $3 and was very surprised. Pleasantly.
It was almost one of the best I have had yet. Almost. I know, what are the odds? Some random coffee van at Albion Station!

The older guy running the van, Ron I think, was personable and had a good idea as to what he was doing with the van mounted machine. Goes to show it does not take much room to a good coffee.

The flavour was smooth and creamy and the aroma was sweet. Even though I was almost powerwalking to work I tried with all of my might to savor the flavour as much as I could. Very nice way to start the day. Thanks Ron!

I guess if that is the sole thing you do for 12hrs a day you would hope he was bloody brilliant at it. I know I would be.

There are franchises available for anyone wishing to kick there real job to the curb and invest onto a start-up van.
Visit www.cafe2u.com.au


So I guess what I am saying is that if you see a coffee van somewhere don't palm it of as a dud until you have tried it. You just never know...

- shot on location. Stefan

Home coffee

I have been often asked about what I do for coffee at home. I have two options open to me at home and they are my Breville 800 Cafe series machine and "the Otto".
I like the ease and convenience of the Breville and for my morning fix before work it is 'good enough'. But if I am feeling in more of a challenging mood I can attempt the Otto.

Breville, although it is a thermoblock*, yields a good flavour because I use freshly ground coffee in it. Unfortunately, I have to grind by hand at the moment but I am hoping to get a good burr grinder soon and it will be Much easier from then on.
I have worked out the quirks of my machine and I can manage a decent cup from it. Not as good a coffee as I can get from my father-in-laws Rancillio Miss Silvia! But that's another story.

Unlike the Breville, the Otto needs to have the right conditions to yield a brilliant cup. I am yet to master the device but it is a challenge I will not back down from. It is a beautiful stainless steel stovetop machine, made with precision and I know it can do better then what I have managed so far. Don't get me wrong I have made several drinkable cups from it but I know it can do much better. The problem is the grind I think and once I get a decent grinder to use I will sort it once and for all.

So that's my home coffee experience in a nutshell. I have not had instant coffee in my house for over six years and I am happier for it.

If it's a coffee you need then I say take the time and make it a good one. If not, have tea.

The 800 & hand grinder



The Otto




*Thermoblock verses Boiler.
Too much info needed to explain this here but if you want more information about this I am happy to tell you in further blog entries.