The Melbourne Coffee Review

Brunetti's City Square

So today I finally chose to do a review on Brunetti’s in the city square. Everyone raves about this place, and it seems to be the default place to film for any of Melbourne’s ‘noreality’ lifestyle shows. So I gave it a crack. The result,…? an efficient people machine that results in a good coffee… a very groovy ambiance and place to hang,… it has however nothing on Melbourne’s back streets and atmosphere. It’s great for the tourists that don’t want to work too hard to see the heart of Melbourne. The staff was nice enough… the coffee was acceptable for a 1 bean. I don’t know what all the whoo haa is about. Oh yes.. the cakes…mmmm.. bloody excellent.

MCR in the press

MCR got a bit of press in the Australian IT Alive section today. Our 1 little Podcast seemed to go down very well with the local press. If your really interested in Podcasting, feel free to visit Tony Goodson, the man to whom I owe much in this arena! Thanks also to all those who emailed feedback on the article.

Peter

Richmond Hill Cafe & Larder - 48 - 50 Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC Aust.

What took us so long? The Fam and I hit the Richmond Hill Cafe & Larder again, to reconfirm my rave about it, back in February. Man, it was better than I remembered. The service was exceptional; these people take pride in what they do. The food was to die for, and yes we went the melted cheese option, I'm only human. The coffee, well... lets just stop here. I drink coffee all the time, and in most places I frequent, the coffee ranges from ok upward. This place, does a damn descent coffee, and what's amazing, is that they do everything there excellently. The coffee was right (got the order right), fast, and presented excellently.

When they were taking the very empty breakfast plates away, I was asked if everything was in order.. joking, I said, the food was not up to scratch.. "I'll let the chef know" "No. no,.. kidding.. look at the plates.. they are empty.. you may not need to wash them!!" You get the picture. The Richmond Hill Cafe & Larder contributed significantly to improving my post uni blues (just finished MEI)I'm still a little dumbfounded its actually over. Nothing a few more cafe lattes won't fix.

My first 3 beaner.. Congrats Guys!!!

Windows - Old Rockmans Regency

It’s been a bitter cold week, but I got loured to the corner of Exhibition and Lonsdale, to what was some groovy new coffee place for me to review. Well, looks like what was the old coffee bit of the old Rockmans Regency, is now the groovewa Café Di Manfredi Windows café. Well, my opinion of CDM is always glowing, but I am thinking that they may have sold out on this one. Granted it’s an ok place, but, the talent behind the bar was barely passable. They are hotel staff,… my god they are used to filtered coffee pouring into small cups at breakfast for business, not delighting the coffee pallet of the Melbourne coffee aficionados!! Sorry,… no bean.

Dundas & Faussett - Vic Ave Albert Park

Apparently this place has new owners. We are doing breaky here with friends. The coffee vote around the table indicated "average" at best. These people are too busy being hip and posh to make a descent coffee. No beaner.

Cafe BonBon - Centre Way - Melbourne

Café BonBon is quite possibly the smallest buat of a café in Melbourne. Based in the middle of Centre Way, up from Degraves, this little gem of a place needs to be experienced. The kitchen is tucked under the stairs, and if you plan on sitting in the back, you’ll virtually step over the till. Regardless, they make a decent coffee, and if I’m not mistaken, its an all lady affair operations wise. The service was great, the staff very friendly and courteous… definitely a solid 1 beaner.

Postal Hall - Crn Lt Collins & Russel Melbourne Australia

Today I wandered up Russel to find some place new. I had just feasted in the food arcade on the corner of Swanson and Bourke, so Paul and I were looking for a new place to fulfil the coffee pangs. We found “Postal Hall” on the corner of Little Collins & Russel. The face at the front trying to entice people in was a blast from the past. Simon (I assume an owner) used to manage the Limmerick Arms in South Melbourne during my Bachelor days, so I had enjoyed a few beers with him on the other side of the bar both before and after closing in the late 90’s. BUT, can he make a coffee?? They use Genovese,.. so chances were good. Thankfully what emerged was a delightful brew, made with passion and flair, both of us were happy. It’s definitely a one beaner at the moment, but we’ll be visiting again.