172 Oxford Street (corner Stanley Street) Collingwood, Vic 3066.
28 January 2010 @ 10am. Coffee Brand 5 Senses + In House Roasts.
The immediate reaction when entering this place is its friendly, warm and welcoming atmosphere and staff. The cafe is nestled inside the old CUB brewery buildings and the interior decor is stylish wood and exposed brick. The huge Synesso 6 group machine dominates the service counter and is like something out of Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Nolan Hirte, formally of Liar, Liar of Hawthorn, continues his relationship with 5 Senses coffee (a WA brand that has just set up roasting facilities in Melbourne) using the Hot Pants blend as the house roast that we became familiar with at Liar, Liar. A small roaster is kept in the main cafe area which Nolan uses for small batches of origin beans that are on offer regularly.
Score 17/20
By SimonL
Pour size, cup temperature and presentation were all spot on. A lovely thick crema coated the surface with delicate wood spice and molasses aromas. The taste was smooth, fresh and light with gentle fruity acidity, a mid palate sweet nut character and mild yet lingering bitterness. An espresso that won’t scare you off yet is interesting enough for the connoisseur. Excellent.
Coffee – Short Macchiato. 5 Senses Hot PantsScore 18/20
By SamW
Please note: this is a Macchiato.
True to style 4.5/5. Presentation 4.5/5. Taste 9/10.
No review necessary, due to it being almost perfect.
Coffee – Cafe Latte. 5 Senses Hot PantsScore 18/20 By SimonL
The 5 Senses Hot Pants blend matches as well with milk like Pinot Noir does with Duck. In fact I would be willing to say that it is one of the best blends for milky coffees I have come across. Dark beige in colour, perfect sized head that was tightly packed and smooth looking. The flavour was at once rich and creamy and full showing toffee, roasted nut, subtle nutmeg complexities and very fresh. The flavours carried through to mid and back palate without tapering off leaving lingering and fine tea like tannin.
Coffee – Ristretto. Ethiopian SidamoScore 18/20 By SamW
This coffee arrived with two things rarely seen in Melbourne cafes. 1. A hot cup, immediately served by the barista after it was extracted. 2. An explanation of why this roast lends itself so well to a ristretto style coffee, in a non-wank-know-it-all manner.
The roast itself bore so many fruits it would have put a Carmen Miranda hat to shame. To my palette there was plum, raisin, peach and other sweet, fleshy fruits. It was a spectacular roast and was produced with excellence.
Service 4/5Ambiance 4/5 Busy 4/5
