Melbourne Trip

psaigh

Hey guys, I'm heading across to my old home state victoria for some business but i'll be taking a half day to go check out the espresso hot spots.  I only have half a day and will be limited to public transport but here's a list of my current places to see (this'll prob be the order i visit in to save time)

Maling room, cantebury
Wall two 80 - Baclava
Batch Espresso - Baclava
St Ali -Sth Melb.
Pellegrini's -City
the European restuarant -City

My question is are there any great cafe's/espresso bar's i've missed out on.  I know this thread risks being yet another "best coffee in melbourne" but that's not what i'm looking for.  Great coffee yes, but moreso some innovative places that do what they do well.

thanks.

askthecoffeeguy

check out 7 grams and veneziano coffee both located in richmond

lars

Hi PS - wouldn't bother with Pellegrini's if I were you - reckon its reputation is way out-of-date. If you do go there tho, make sure you let us know what you think! Lars

psaigh

yeah, pelle's is at the bottom of my list.  I'm only going there if i can squeeze in time, and even then mainly to see the atmosphere, not so much about the coffee.  I've heard it's gone down hill. Thanks AtCG, of course, can't beleive i forgot those two! where's your cafe located?  is it near the city?

askthecoffeeguy

yep - I'm at Melbourne Uni, in Carlton, just up Swanston Street, around 2k from the cbd. my joint is called castro's kiosk, and we serve single origin new guinea 'wild' okapa coffee - which is high altitude, shade grown! feel free to drop in and say gidday - the coffee is good, and you can give me some feedback on my new compak k10 silencio grinder (as used in the world barista championships) - which is supposed to be the bomb! - but I am yet to use it as it's uni holidays this week! but I'm back on board next week give me a call on 03) 9347-1355 when you're in the area and we can grab a coffee at my joint! best to let me know when you're coming, though, as I'm not always on the premises cheers, pat

psaigh

Cool will do, just a quick question, is the kiosk closer to Swanstan St, or Royal pde (/Elizabeth  St)? Thanks

askthecoffeeguy

Stay on the Swanston Street tram and get off at the melbourne uni depot, keep walking up Swanston Street for about 60m, until you get to The Potter Cafe, take the lane that runs alongside the Potter and head into the Uni campus, wave to the Potter Cafe as you walk on by, and where the lane comes out you will find Castro's! You can't miss us b/c we're the ones who are busy, with the outdoor timber tables and large umbrellas. See you in the minestrone! Cheers, Pat

psaigh

hehe, love the description ;D

askthecoffeeguy

I can't help but put the elbow in a bit with my neighbours... Thet're actually quite good at what they do, and are definitely a cut above the usually rabble on campus, but they've been quite petty in hassling shared suppliers to sell to them exclusively, which is not only illegal, but also absurd, given how much spare cash they seem to be throwing around their numerous stores Cheers, Pat

psaigh

Hey all, thought i'd give a breif rap up of what went down in melb.  First off, sorry Pat that I missed you, didn't realise that you didn't work wednesdays.  I still popped up for a coffee which was great (love the tiny teady, very cute!) and i must say that your staff have to be some of the friendliest in Victoria! I won't spill my thoughts on every cafe i ventured into (between 7am and 1pm i think i counted 22 espresso's, 1 cap and two piccolo's!  soo sick by the end) but there were a few i feel need mentioning.  First off, hats off to Andy at the Malling room.  Exciting coffee, awesome decor and it's refreshing to speak with someone that is so humble for how good they are at what they do. Wall two 80 and batch were both disappointing (with batch being a little better) but gattaca just accros the road was stella.  Very rich espresso, full of flavour.  St ali's (as always) was also superb. A quick comment on pelligrini's.  I really was not expecting much, especially on the coffee front, but the espresso i got was honestly in the bottom five coffee's i've ever had...EVER!  The place was absolutely packed but i have no idea what all those people were doing there, certainly not enjoying good coffee that's for sure.  Such a shame. An absolute knock out was Brother Baba Budan (356 Ltl Burke st - Near the Gpo on Elizabeth).  I visited this place at Andy's (Malling room) recommendation and in a word, WOW!  Tripple group Synesso, two Roburs and fantastic coffee to boot.  I would definately put the espresso i had from here in my top ten ever, and i'd happily travel 800kms (and put up with my wifes nagging for doing so) just to have another coffee.  If you haven't been i definately recommend it! I must say though, commenting on coffee in general in Melb.  You all seem to be on top of your game.  I've never seen so many Linea's (or equivalant) at so many cafe's and while not every coffee was a stand out, you could easily spot those (cafe's) that took espresso seriousely and those that didn't.  And of those that did, they were all pretty consistant in producing a drinkable cup of jo. Now i just need to find another excuse to go back

askthecoffeeguy

man you crammed all that coffee in in one day!  during my whirlwind tour of sydney I maxed out on 4 espressos in one day! sorry I missed you at the cafe - i study on wednesdays - just finishing off the last subject of my arts degree glad to hear that you enjoyed the coffee at my joint I worry about quality control sometimes when i'm not there even though my staff are great glad to hear that you enjoyed your melbourne coffee experience - likewise i was blown away by what i experienced in sydney recently - especially single origin - which i thought was a cut above the rest cheers, pat

DoubleRistretto

A quick comment on pelligrini's.

psaigh

Yeah it is vittoria, made through a very beat up feama (looked like a two group from behind) by a very grumpy old man who looked at me like i was lost or something.

donnas650

I am heading over to Melbourne in just over a week and will be checking out some of the places mentioned above, esp The Maling Room, St Ali, 7 Grams, Brother Baba Budan and Gattica.  It should be awesome.   We will get over there sometime Wed and be leaving on Sunday, so should def get to check some places out.  I will also go past Pushka, as I find it to be a cool little place.  This time I am going with my girlfriend, so I would like to show her this joint. I used to live in Upwey.  Anyone know of any cool cafes in that area?  I think I will be able to average two-three cafes a day over there, so should be able to get out to at least 10-12.  

psaigh

I'm sure pat will have a few suggestions but i'd definately ask andy at the malling room. he was heaps helpful with me

coffeedrinker

Cant locate Pellegrines. Degraves is still doing well. Worth a try if you can get a seat.