Willim Espresso – Malvern. 2nd Review.

90 Union St, Malvern VIC 3144
(03) 9509 8506
Google map link
Date: Thursday 15 July 2010
Time: 0900
Coffee Brand: 5 Senses

Coffee: Cafe Latte – Milk Blend.
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 15.5/20

There wasn’t much colour difference between this and GD’s ‘strong’ cafe latte. A rich tan hue that suggested what was to come. The taste wasn’t as overpowering as I expected but it would have been a little too strong for some. However it was lovely in spite of that, the espresso backed up well by a creamy backbone. There was sweetness and depth and a touch of chocolate, and smooth throughout. A good finish too, the flavour driving true and long. Overall a very nice coffee and suited to my palate, but judging it on its true to style though meant it was a little too strong for a standard cafe latte.

Coffee: Short Macchiato – Milk Blend.
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 16.5/20

I couldn’t say there was much wrong with this coffee. It was creamy, deep and smooth like melted chocolate. The milk was a bit too heavy, and the draw was a bit light…so too much of one thing and not enough of another…like an elephant on stilts.

Coffee: Espresso – Espresso Blend.
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 15/20

A coffee of two halves. The pour size was about right with a deep oily crema and rich colour. Initially the coffee was smooth and sweet with some lemony acidity and honey notes but finishing a little rough around the edges with some faint harsh bitterness. A bit over extracted perhaps. Still a pleasant coffee that will satisfy plenty of folk.

Coffee: Ristretto – Espresso Blend
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 15.5/20

This coffee was deft and light on the palate with a good oily residue. It was rough around the edges with some harsh bitterness popping through. Contrary to the macchiato there was no creaminess. This blend is suitable as an all-rounder, but seemed a bit bare on its own.

Service 3/5

Ambiance 3/5

Busy 3/5

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Penny Farthing Espresso – Northcote. 1st Review.

206 High St, Northcote VIC 3070
(03) 9482 2246
Google map link
Date:
SimonL – Monday 28/6
SamW – Thursday 1/7
Time:
SimonL 1000
SamW 1100
Coffee Brand: 5 Senses

This first visit was an unexpected pleasure. Simply because we had no preconceived idea, just vague recommendation from someone at sometime. The coffee turned out to be very good.

First of all SimonL couldn’t find the place; another “hide the coffee joint” exercise. I wandered up the street, down the street before asking another retailer of the loction. “It’s the place with the window that looks like it has been smashed.” She said. “Ahhh.” I answered reddening slightly. “I’m parked directly across the road from it!”

Penny Farthing Espresso was found hiding in plain sight, on the main street, but with zero signage. It is the one that looks like the front window has been smashed and it still wasn’t until entering the place that it was confirmed that this was the right place. However, there is something satisfying about finding places like these, especially when the experience turns out to be fantastic. As the name suggests there is a bicycle at the front, which looks like a Penny Farthing, but is more like something out of a Tim Burton movie. It works too, apparently.

5 Senses coffee is the coffee supplier, there is the required Synesso espresso machine at the front, the space is sparse yet warm and comfortable with a simple wooden tables including a large communal one.

Coffee: Cafe Latte House Blend PNG Nambayufa, Brazil Montalegre, Bali Kintamani
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 18/20

This had everything. Bells, whistles and a small kitchen sink. I was sucked into a black hole of decadence…..willingly. The balance of milk vs espresso was fantastic, melding together harmoniously. It had a velvety, creamy texture, a beautiful integrated espresso component that flirted with being on the strong side, yet pulling it off perfectly without deviating from the straight and narrow. Knife edge you might say. Great stuff.

Coffee: Short Macchiato PNG Nambayufa, Brazil Montalegre, Bali Kintamani
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 16/20

This coffee was a nice introduction of things to come. Similar to a film preview that shows you some good parts but leaves you wanting to see the whole thing. Such was my macchiato which was served with a lovely piece of art, but still demonstrating some good milk vs. espresso storminess.

Each sip provided a big chocolate hit with surrounding aniseed tones. The crema offered some cedar wood tannins that were a bit heavy, but overall well rounded.

Coffee: Espresso Ethiopian Harar
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 17/20

I had to dig furtively to find the espresso underneath the creme, and I loved doing so. Deftly pacing around my palate was some palm sugar sweetness like a soft footed teddy bear. Deep forest berries followed which left a wonderful aftertaste. This was a great coffee but was not quite outstanding.

Coffee: Ristretto Ethiopian Harar
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 18/20

Easily the best Ethiopian Harar I’ve had. It was very good in its presentation and flavour. Balance being the key here – espresso temperature, warm cup, fresh floral aroma; a rich, oily, sweet, gently acidic fruity body of red plum, earth and raisin building in power to a plateau of flavour sensation that refused to leave.

Service 3/5

Ambiance 3/5

Busy 3/5

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Studio Movida – Kew. Overall Score 16.50

138 Cotham Rd, Kew VIC 3101
(03) 9817 4954
Google map link
Coffee Brand: Veneziano. Feature Coffees (Single Origins) roasted at The Maling Room, Canterbury.

Amongst the much talked about, written about and intense scrutiny of some of the elite cafes in Melbourne, there is another “tier” of coffee venues in Melbourne. They tend to plod along doing good coffee and providing understated knowledge with finesse. Sadly, these coffee places can often get missed or overlooked. We would put Studio Movida in this category. Understand that it is a fitness/dance studio with an attached cafe. Our information is that it had some initial years of difficulty; the coffee inconsistent and of an average quality. A binding, inflexible contract with a particular coffee brand was not the least of the problems.

Our experience starts with the ‘rebirth’ of Studio Movida. This is a quality cafe in its own right and a quality coffee venue in its own right. The close and collaborative relationship with Veneziano seems to be paying dividends. This is due to the flexibility of being able to source specialist beans from other providers, which has lifted this place to an above average coffee joint. Simplicity (again) is the key, working within the boundaries of the business and clientele. It’s not cutting edge here but they take their coffee seriously.

Nice people, nice place, nice coffee.

Score Summary.

Cafe Latte: 16.5, 17, 17

Macchiato: 16, 17, 16.5

Espresso: 16.5, 16, 17

Ristretto: 16.5, 15, 17

Overall Mean Score: 16.50 Highly Recommended.

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