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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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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Espresso 3121 – Richmond. 3rd Review.

98 Balmain Street, Melbourne, 3121
(03) 9025 6720
Google map link
Date: Monday 4 October 2010
Time: 1055
Coffee Brand: Veneziano

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

Subtle strength and deceiving power. Instead of waves crashing rocky shores it rather heaved and broke quietly – playful now but giving the impression of greater power. There was good balance richness and smoothness but coming across at first as a bit unassuming and easily forgotten. It wasn’t until finishing the last drops that I thought…I could go another one of those.

Coffee: Short Macchiato Costa Rica Origin
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 17/20

I am not sure what the tasting notes were, but this time around it was creamy and sweet and there was a strong acidity …almost like an unripe strawberry. The honey tones were there as with the espresso, but less pronounced.

Coffee: Espresso Costa Rica
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 16/20

I quite enjoyed this little drop of honey in a cup and I almost expecting pooh-bear to step in and steal it from before my eyes. It was a bit woody and dry in some places, but made well. The height and pour were right on the money.

Coffee: Ristretto Costa Rica Origin
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 16.5/20

This was honey sweet and smooth with a lightness belaying the thick, deep and glistening crema. A gorgeous looking coffee with subtle aroma and perfect pour. There was some tangy sweet/sour notes and mineral salts and gentle acidity. Likable and well made. I had an espresso after, just for the hell of it, and concluded that I preferred this ristretto version.

Service 3/5

Ambiance 4/5

Busy 4/5

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Dancing Goat – CBD. 3rd Review.

4/280 King St, Melbourne VIC 3000‎
(03) 9670 4002‎
Google map link
Date: Friday 27 August 2010
Time: 1115
Coffee Brand: 7 Seeds (House Blend). Feature coffee – various sources.

This third visit was just a formality, almost unnecessary. The consistency and quality here is in no doubt.

Coffee: Cafe Latte House Blend
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 17.5/20

Funny, we hit this place straight after Brother Baba Budan and I some deja vu with this coffee. Like a Rally Car in a permanent state of a controlled crash, it danced on the slippery slope of balance. Good coffee joints pull off balance with ease, this coffee coming in with a good time and hardly a scratch. The espresso appeared at first a little under strength but ultimately showing up well partnering the delicate creamy texture beautifully.

Coffee: Macchiato House Blend
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 18.5/20

It was tiny and punchy! Just they way I like it! There was a lovely head of acidity and a cleansing chocolate and plum finish. It was wonderful.

It was the kind of coffee that has options for the customer, covering all bases from taste to personal modification. This is because was served with a small glass of water and a tiny jug of milk…just in case you like to doctor your coffee.

Coffee: Espresso El Salvador Finca La Fony

Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 18/20

This espresso was served with wonderful height and a deep dark crema. I tasted some smouldered tea leaf (think gently spiced edible potpourri) with some soft acidity. It was both delicate and driven.

Coffee: Espresso El Salvador Finca La Fony
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 17/20

Just a glance at the presentation was enough. Comfort here in that the coffee will always arrive dressed perfect – like a Dandy. Dried herb, and roasted nut balanced by a sweet hit of acidity woven through the smooth buttery body with a hint of smoky spice and a long lingering aftertaste.

Service 4/5

Ambiance 3/5

Busy 3/5

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Willim Espresso – Malvern. 3rd Review.

90 Union St, Malvern VIC 3144
(03) 9509 8506
Google map link
Date: Thursday 3 September 2010
Time: 0945
Coffee Brand: 5 Senses

It seems that Willim Espresso has been tinkering with their offerings while also abandoning the single origin option because of the lack of customer participation. What is available now, which should work well within the demographic is two blends; one for milk based coffee and one for espresso.

Coffee: Cafe Latte – Milk Blend.
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 17/20

I don’t recall the make up of this blend which is the milk based blend. Thought that I had written it somewhere but it seems no. A minor fail on my part. However the blend works well. Rich and full with dark edges, roasted backbone and creamy depth. A fairly complete cafe latte that is highly pleasing and enjoyable.

Coffee: Short Macchiato – Milk Blend.
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 15.5/20

It was first bitey, then highly acidic, then smooth. The acidic fruit flavour lingered longer and made my mouth water. A pleasant 3 sip journey.

As for presentation & extraction it was a bit lacking.

Coffee: Espresso – Espresso Blend. Ethopian Harrar, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, Costa Rica Tarrazu
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 16.5/20

So the espresso blend. Blended with a deft touch it is at once light and reasonably clean with fruity red berries and peach some light nutty roasted notes. Low to medium acidity and some darker punch through to the end. Very little bitterness. With a lot of focus on single origins, this is an easy going espresso and reasonably complex coffee that shows how good blends really can be. Thought that the pour was a little light on though.

Coffee: Espresso – Espresso Blend. Ethopian Harrar, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, Costa Rica Tarrazu
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 17/20

Red berry fruitiness was the first thing to explode onto my palate. As the acidity dropped, different fruits came to the fore, like a fruit salad with more kiwi than other fruits. There was a lovely back-palate bitterness that was more soothing than cleansing. It was slightly similar to the Nekisse (my favourite SO at the moment), which tastes like lemon and sour plumb on miracle fruit*.

*If you don’t know miracle fruit, a video on flavour tripping can be found here (video) and miracle fruit can be purchased here (link).

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

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