Keffa Han – Port Melbourne. Overall Score 16.04

Address‎: 816 Lorimer St, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207
Phone: 03 9077 4384 ‎
Google map link
Coffee Brand: Coffee Snobs

You can’t help but relax and enjoy yourself when you come to Keffa Han. The owner and barista Claude has an infectious smile and personality…….and passion. What’s more he is down to earth and willing to impart some coffee knowledge in a friendly way. Having a great deal of experience running his own cafes he understands what the customer wants and provides a down to earth honesty with what is delivered. The brand of coffee is on the darker side and the style could be described as old world meets new world and Claude manages to extract the very best from this particular brand.  We look forward to what he does next with interest and anticipation.

Score Summary.

Cafe Latte: 15, 15.5, 16

Macchiato: 16.5, 16.5, 16.5

Espresso: 16, 16.5, 16.5

Ristretto: 15.5, 16, 16

Overall Mean Score: 16.04 Highly Recommended.

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Keffa Han – Port Melbourne. 3rd Review.

Address‎: 816 Lorimer St, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207
Phone: 03 9077 4384 ‎
Google map link
Date: Monday 15 November 2010
Time: 0930
Coffee Brand: Coffee Snobs

Coffee: Cafe Latte
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 16/20

Dark coloured and foreboding I was slightly intimidated by the look. My apprehension was appeased as, while it sat on the strong side of balanced, it didn’t attack as expected. There was plenty of rich dark choclate, roasted nut and smooth creamy richness, and a slight powdery finish on the end. It didn’t go too over the top but I’d put it in the lower end of the strong cafe latte scale.

Coffee: Short Macchiato
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 16.5/20

The flavour profile of previous visits (chocolate and dried fruits) were as well pronounced as before. The bitterness was cleansing but not too heavy.

It sat in front of me looking pretty and poised.

Coffee: Espresso
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 16.5/20

If this coffee were a cloud, it would be dark and rolling. It was a very strong caffeine hit that made me stand up to attention. Dark and deathly chocolate swirled around my mouth, finishing in earthy tones. I was quite highly charged for some time afterwards.

Coffee: Ristretto
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 16/20

The super concentrated version of the aforementioned. Extraction seemed spot on, the coffee thick, rich and smooth with plenty of dark character and strength and follow through. Pretty straightforward but wickedly decadent.

Service 4/5

Ambiance 3/5

Busy 3/5

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A Minor Place – Brunswick. 2nd Review.

103 Albion St, Brunswick VIC 3056
(03) 9384 3131
Google map link
Date:
SimonL Monday 8 November 2010
SamW Saturday 13 November
Time:
SimonL 10:00 am
SamW 11:30am
Coffee Brand: Atomica

Coffee: Cafe Latte
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 14.5/20

This time around, while there were some similarity to the first visit, the coffee appeared a little short of the mark. Initially it had likeable richness and creamy smoothness which then faded to a flat finish. I’d probably question whether it was a bit over extracted as the aftertaste was slightly dry and bitter.

Coffee: Short Macchiato
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 14.5/20

Strong and somewhat unbalanced, the estranged chocolate flavour was quite heavy with it’s bitter counterpart. Some underlying charcoal dried my mouth out, but the milk softened the stronger elements of the espresso.

As far as presentation there was no faulting this coffee.

Coffee: Espresso
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 15/20

The extraction  seemed better here, a reasonable deep crema was evident. The flavour was as expected for this quite dark roast; rich, toasty and mildly syrupy. Some rough edges came into play at the end as did a charry burnt note.

Coffee: Ristretto
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 12.5/20

There were some typical and pleasant characteristics of the Atomica dark roast, and it was well-presented. The cup was heated and the crema was thick. On the other hand this coffee was a bit more stressed out than the macchiato, and appeared highly-strung.

Service 3/5
Ambiance 3/5
Busy 3/5

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Pennyfarthing Espresso – Northcote. Overall Score 17.16

206 High St, Northcote VIC 3070
(03) 9482 2246
Google map link
Coffee Brand: 5 Senses

This cafe is a quiet achiever because it is not flashy, nor over-the-top, nor in your face. Instead it has understated class, great service and above all, it has consistency. The crew at Penny Farthing have showcased some wonderful coffee over our three visits, most notably an Australian coffee. They are not afraid to get out of their comfort zone, and their direction is clear and quite polished. Each coffee is served with tasting notes, and is served by barista or floor staff. Everyone here seems to be on the same level.

In closing, this cafe is something of a hidden gem, although the locals fill it out quite consistently. So if you live in or around Northcote, we highly recommend you make it your local. Even if you don’t live around that area, it is definitely worth the jaunt.

Score Summary.

Cafe Latte: 18, 17, 18.5

Macchiato: 16, 16.5, 17.5

Espresso: 17, 14, 18.5

Ristretto: 18, 16.5, 18.5

Overall Mean Score: 17.16 Highly Recommended.

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Pennyfarthing Espresso – Northcote. 3rd Review.

206 High St, Northcote VIC 3070
(03) 9482 2246
Google map link
Date: Monday 8 November.
Time: SimonL 10:30am. SamW 12 midday.
Coffee Brand: 5 Senses

Coffee: Cafe Latte House Blend
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 18.5/20

This has quality written all over it, the kind of coffee you travel for. The kind of coffee that blows the cobwebs away and gives you confidence to face the day. A coffee for the soul. No arguments with its presentation, this had rich, smooth and deep flavours. Chocolate, high grade cocoa and sweet creaminess. The espresso sat high and proud without being overdone in the slightest, the coffee balanced and flavoursome.

Coffee: Short Macchiato Lake Toba region – Lintong, Indonesia

Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 17.5/20

Is it better to be an iron fist in a velvet glove or a velvet fist in and iron glove? The difference only matters when the gloves are off. In this case, the Lintong in macchiato form was certainly an iron fist in a velvet glove. There was a lovely mid-strength body with an accompanied acidity that was equal in strength and measure. Perfectly tempered by the milk, I was quietly impressed with this coffee.

Coffee: Espresso Lake Toba Region – Lintong, Indonesia
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 18.5/20

Incredibly smooth and oily with a crema a ristretto would be proud of. Dusty earth, potpouri and melted chocolate laced with orange rind. Good acidity matching the body with ease creating a well rounded and balanced coffee. Mouth-watering and tangy on the finish. Extraction and presentation obviously spot on.

I called for another one….

Coffee: Ristretto Costa Rican Sin Limites Feugo
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 18.5/20

There was a lovely lemon-like sweetness that stretched for some time, but without any of the sourness. The acidity was very delicate, and I thought I sensed some muted chocolate tones (light milk). The tasting notes stated that there was cherry and wine tones, but I didn’t get any of that.

It was quite a well-made coffee from a cafe that has demonstrated good consistency.

Service 4/5

Ambiance 4/5

Busy 3/5

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