Sonido! – Fitzroy. 1st Review

69 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065
03 94956636
Google map link
Date: Friday 5 November 2010
Time: 10am
Coffee Brand: Coffee Supreme

You can almost imagine yourself being in an Columbian cafe. This is a little piece of Latin America tucked away in an unassuming part of Gertrude St. Situated on the western side of Brunswick St, this delightful little cafe has rough, rustic hand made wooden furniture and paraphaelia scattered seemingly random around. In fact they are strategically placed to make best use of the small space and provide an authentic look and atmosphere. The kids sized chairs and table on the curbside are both cute and practical.

Coffee: Cafe Latte House Blend
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 15/20

There was plenty to like about this coffee, its rich flavour, earthy nutty character and smooth creaminess. It was well presented and the temperature was fine too. Couldn’t help feeling though that the espresso and milk fought each other a little for attention; I was tasting the coffee in its parts rather than a whole. Wondering if it is the type of milk not melding so well. But overall this was pretty pleasant.

Coffee: Short Macchiato House Blend
Reviewed by:
Score: 14/20

This was a great looking macchiato. The stain of the milk was both stormy and clear. It just looked so good on the small saucer with a little wooden spoon.

The coffee itself had strong charry characteristics that permeated the rest of the drink. It bordered on the side of ‘too present’, but was moderately easy to drink.

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

This single origin was very light, smooth and discrete. The acidity was almost secret in its presence, but lingered for some time. Behind all this was a very gently chocolate tone.

Pour and height were bang on.

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

I found a little more interest in this ristretto than SamW found in his espresso. Again presentation and pour were on target, the crema deep….right to the bottom, as it should be. This was smooth with reasonable strength and a nice rich oily mouth feel. Gentle acidity played along cheerfully freshening up the coffee. The finish came up a little raw.

Service 3/5

Ambiance 4/5

Busy 3/5

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Three Bags Full – Abbotsford. Overall Score 17.00

Corner of Nicholson and Mollison Streets, Abbotsford 3067
(03) 9421 2732
Google map link
Coffee Brand 5 Senses

It’s hard to not like this place, and why would one even try. Knowledge and pride permeate through the staff in a manner that is suggestive as opposed to directive. In our experiences, the suggestions have been good ones. This is because Three Bags Full staff know the most extensive details of roasting procedures, farm lots and regions, then couple it with good coffee making skills.

What’s more is that often the floor staff, baristas and owners gently nudge you towards trying blends in various methods (espresso, clever coffee dripper or clover). They also run blends through different methods on different days. So if you’re not wholly on board the filter-movement, you can still get a good and varied selection of espresso coffee, as it changes quite regularly.

It is important to be mindful that Three Bags Full is a very busy venue. On weekends there is almost always a wait for a table…..and then there are weekdays which are constant. But the staff are accommodating and they know the turn-over of their clientele so can give a good estimate of wait-time.

To conclude, yes it’s busy. Yes you may have to wait for a table (and sometimes food)…but think of it this way: If you buy a Ferrari from Italy it takes some time before you get it. Quality is ensured! With some super-cars you want to look under the hood before you drive it home…well, if we were mechanics we’d say Three Bags Full is a smooth moving piece of cafe machinery.

Score Summary.

Cafe Latte: 16, 18, 15.5

Macchiato: 17, 17, 18.5

Espresso: 16.5, 17, 17.5

Ristretto: 17.5, 16, 17.5

Overall Mean Score: 17.00. Highly Recommended.

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Proud Mary – Collingwood. Overall Score 17.46

172 Oxford Street (corner Stanley Street) Collingwood, Vic 3066.
(03) 9836 9889
Google map link
Coffee Brand 5 Senses + In House Roasts.

This is the first cafe to break the overall median score of 17.

Question: Was the coffee really that good?

Answer: Hell, yes.

There is something inherently right about this place. It has a warm and inviting atmosphere, knowledgeable, approachable and friendly staff, plenty of different coffee options, plus experience, innovation and an owner willing to gently yet strongly educate. Such has been our experience here.

There are at least two blends on the menu that change regularly and several single origins are available, some as espresso and some as filter – (cold drip and syphon).

One key factor that makes this place work well is that Proud Mary hasn’t forgotten to offer choice, service and hospitality. By no means should one believe that this place is perfect, because they do have their off-days (see our second review where the only thing faster than the coffee arriving was the paint drying). However, on that particular occasion they could not have been any busier. Every table was full inside and out and there were people queuing up at the door. To be able to still produce good quality coffee shows the capability of the staff and systems.

So try this place at a less busy time and don’t be afraid to badger the baristas, or even Nolan himself…our experience has been that they are ever willing to share knowledge.

Score Summary.

Cafe Latte: 18, 15.5, 19

Macchiato: 18, 15.5, 18.5

Espresso: 17, 17, 17.5

Ristretto: 18, 16.5, 19

Overall Mean Score: 17.46. Highly Recommended.

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Proud Mary – Collingwood. 3rd Review.

172 Oxford Street (corner Stanley Street) Collingwood, Vic 3066.

March 2010 @ 11am. Coffee Brand 5 Senses + In House Roasts.

Proud Mary have shown us what they are truly capable of storming home in this third review sweeping all before it like Kiwi in the 1983 Melbourne Cup. The only thing different is that Proud Mary hasn’t come from nowhere. Years of experience in running cafes and producing top-notch coffee has culminated in this remarkable place. Two coffees achieved 19/20 scores on this visit alone.

Coffee – Espresso. Costa Rican Terrazu Estate

Score 17.5/20

By SamW

Highly concentrated syrup swirled in the warmed espresso cup, providing rich chocolate ganache flavours. The acidity was much more present than the bitterness, and the taste became sweeter as the flavour lingered. Aficionados of all things chocolate would bathe themselves in such a coffee.

Coffee – Short Macchiato. Costa Rican Terrazu Estate
Score 18.5/20

By SamW

Building on the espresso review, this coffee had more refined flavours of chocolate. As the protagonist from the popular Cathy Cartoon (Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate—AACK), this macchiato would have suited her to a tee. Perhaps it was the milk that helped shuffle the flavour through, because it was brilliant and super delicious. Silky, smooth, chocolate….milky, creamy, chocolate…it was a truly favourable coffee.

Furthermore, this coffee was served with speed and deliberation which assuaged my concerns from last visit (when the timing was poor).

Coffee – Cafe Latte. House Blend No. 2 Moka Java.

Score 19/20

By SimonL

Quite simply, this was an amazing cafe latte. The roast was in the darker flavoured spectrum and while it flirted with the strong side, it was balanced – albeit on a knife edge. The milk, an Oscar contender for best supporting role, sat just under the beautiful rich, caramel, chocolate and spiced nut espresso providing a sweet, deliciously  smooth, creamy flavour. There was strength, balance and texture, and no playing hide and seek with the espresso. Yum factor…….stratospheric.

Coffee – Ristretto.

Score 19/20

By SimonL

There was just not enough of this coffee. My palate pleaded for more, but like .05 Blood Alcohol I was mindful of my caffeine intake with a planned syphon on the horizon (just for the pleasure of it).

This was a benchmark ristretto:

Pour – spot on

Cup temperature – hot side of warm but comfortable to hold

Crema – infinite

Taste – gorgeous

Seriously rich and oily, this looked like a Rotorua mud pool just taking a rest – dark and swirly. Pushing the crema aside with the spoon it seemed to reach right to the bottom of the cup. The aroma was fresh showing high fruity peach and raisin that translated to the palate with a base of honey and earth. In the middle was a delectable smoothness, low acidity and a cleansing and refreshing hop-like bitterness that lingered with intent.

Service 4/5

Ambiance 5/5

Busy 2/5

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Three Bags Full – Abbotsford. 2nd Review

Corner of Nicholson and Mollison Streets, Abbotsford.

7 March 2010 @ 0930am. Coffee Brand 5 Senses

We thought by getting here at this time we would beat the breakfast rush. We were lucky to get a seat. The place was a heaving sea of bodies and our expectations of quality lowered somewhat. However, Three Bags Full pulled it off, providing coffees (and meals) of a high standard. The service was slow, but that is to be expected, and they are to be commended for keeping up with the play.

Coffee – Espresso. Zambia Zambica

Score 17/20

By SimonL

Grown at 1300m asl, this coffee was light and fresh yet quite strong in flavour. Bright lemon/lime fruits and high acidity dominated, with a smooth middle and a mule like espresso kick at the end, finishing with little to no bitterness.  I liked the way it transformed through the palate as well as the power and drive for its lightness of body.

Coffee - Short Macchiato. Zambia Zambica

Score 17/20

By SamW

As I was informed in an understated manner, this roast was selected for me by the barista. It did indeed suit a shorter and bolder style of coffee. Every now and again it’s nice to be directed (but not forced) towards new roasts based upon coffee style.

The acidity was as high as it was strong, like a stoned weight-lifter. Brawny flavours of juicy, jungle fruits made me feel like I was drinking the liquid equivalent of sucking a mango pip.

Coffee – Cafe Latte. Autumn Espresso

Score 18/20

By SimonL

This coffee had strength without overpowering, and an evenness of flavour throughout the mouth. The milk texture was dense and creamy looking. With a rich and smooth backbone this coffee wasn’t overtly sweet and it was topped by malty, nutmeg, powdery cocoa and caramel characters. The espresso swept over the milk which provided a strong supporting role without taking away from the lead. My wife, joining us for a Sunday breakfast, had two Cafe Lattes and commented on their high yum factor and consistency across both.

A lovely coffee with desired strength and good balance.

Coffee - Doppio Ristretto. Autumn Espresso

Score 16/20

By SamW

This pocket-rocket bombed flavour all over my mouth. Sharing the characteristics of a volcano, the eruption of acidic tones was like a white wash of ash. The chocolate finish was the cleansing rain after Krakatoa blows its top. Despite the poorly drawn analogies this blend was quite balanced, and due to its short stature, it really packed the junk in the trunk!

Unfortunately the crema was thin on top, but redemption came in the form of a heated cup.

Service 3/5

Ambiance 4/5

Busy 5/5

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