19 – 21 Leveson St, North Melbourne 3051
23 October 2009 @ 2.30pm. Coffee Brand – Di Bella
Served with a full head of crema, this espresso delivered on all fronts. It offered a soft and wine-like flavour, gesturing towards current or raisin. My mouth salivated after each sip due to the acidity’s quick departure. On the whole it was a very satisfying coffee.
Coffee – Doppio Ristretto Score 16/20 By SamWThis coffee shared all of the aforementioned characteristics but in a more compact and concentrated manner. Kind of like a Mini with a V6 engine.
It was well crafted, delivered with speed and perfectly extracted. These guys are doing it right, time and time again.
Coffee – Cafe Latte Score 16/20 By SimonLIt is hard to fault the barista skill at this place. Presentation is generally spot on. Care and love seems to leap out of every coffee. This cafe latte looked the part. The strength was at the lowest tolerance level for me, but I think that is in part due to the delicate nature of the roast. It was served at the perfect temperature which allowed immediate consumption. Flavours of mild sweet caramel, and fresh walnut combined with a beautiful creamy milk texture. and a slightly dusty dry finish.
Coffee - Short Macchiato Score 16/20 By SimonLServed in the traditional manner, this coffee was let down a little in its presentation by too much milk that left an even colour rather than a stain or “mark” which is becoming an ever increasing and disturbing trend in Melbourne. When the milk has been used in a heavy-handed way the flavour tends to be diluted making the coffee softer and less bitter.
However this macchiato still held up. Mild and smooth there were some sweet/sour fruity flavours, wood and dusty nuttiness. Bitterness was tempered but the overall texture and taste was lovely.
Service 5/5 Ambiance 4/5 Busy 3/5
Thank you. I am not the only one who noticed that there seems to be a proliferation of over milked macchiati in Melbourne (alliteration not intended).
Another good review.
Thanks Grant. We may need to start a “Save The Macchiato” movement.
Thanks for a great blog on Melbourne’s coffee scene. As a devout latte drinker and ex Melbournian it is great to get a report of the current state of the caffe latte in some well known and new coffee haunts. I have a blog on my own caffe latte experiences both weird and wonderful on blogspot which may be of interest. I like to record, label and illustrate many of the bad or unusual lattes I have experienced over the years both in and outside Melbourne. Keep up your important work!
caffelattedeb