Sensory Lab – CBD. 2nd Review.

Address: David Jones (street front), 297 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: (03) 9643 2222
Google map link
Date: Monday 25 October 2010
Time: 1000
Coffee Brand: St Ali

For this visit there were fewer people sitting down to enjoy their coffee, but many more take-aways being produced and shot out the window.

Two staff (both baristas) were very helpful, knowledgeable and pleasant when taking our coffee orders and guiding us towards their single origins. It added a friendly atmosphere. Out coffees arrived speedily, and all demonstrated good presentation.

Coffee: Cafe Latte S1 Blend
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 18/20

I had to check my notes of this coffee from the first review as I had a strong feeling of de ja vu. Quite correct. If all you can ask for at any place is consistency Sensory Lab seems to have it (at least as far as two paltry reviews so far is concerned) plus more. The S1 blend is perfectly suited to milky coffees with just the amount of roasted richness to balance out the milk. Malty, smooth and sweet creaminess, decent espresso richness….and balanced.

Coffee: Short Macchiato Costa Rica La Candelillia
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 18.5/20

Prompted by one of the baristas to try this single origin in a macchiato, I was very impressed. It was a great suggestion.

Plum, muted milk chocolate and earthy tones each presented themselves with every sip. I couldn’t notice any sweetness, but the notes suggested it was there. To finish off, some lingering tannins pleasantly faded over a couple of minutes.

Coffee:Espresso Burundi, Mwari

Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 18/20

The head barista warned that this coffee was highly acidic. He was absolutely correct. If you do not like a lot of zing in your espresso, perhaps steer towards a blend. As for me, I really enjoyed the point of difference that this single origin offered. It was zesty, and had a whole lot of zip & pop!

The presentation was great and the pour height was bang-on.

Coffee: Ristretto Costa Rica La Candelillia
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 18/20

Poured through the Slayer, this arrived without fanfare, although it really should of. A bright and lively coffee of light and shade. Brilliant mouthfeel and smoothness. Sweet citrus acidity was tempered and tamed by the gorgeous oily richness and even flow of palate showing some earth and dark berry. A lingering and pleasurable pocket rocket.

Service 4.5/5

Ambiance 4/5

Busy 4/5

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Dancing Goat – CBD. Overall Score 17.46

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

Dancing Goat – where mutual respect for customer and coffee coexist.

What we have noticed in our three visits at Dancing Goat is that they offer the customer good coffee, free knowledge and no judgments. They take their coffee seriously and accommodate those individuals who like to doctor their coffee. As a result, we have felt very welcomed in such a warm environment. It is  noticeable in their clientele also, as each customer seemed to know the staff by name and vice-versa.

This is the kind of place where one can learn a lot by osmosis…merely by being in the presence of the brother team behind the coffee box. It is also the kind of place you can while away the hours, witnessing the hustle and bustle of the near-by King street. In summation, you can take Dancing Goat at your own pace, drink coffee the way you like it and absorb as much coffee related information as you see fit. All in the comforts of a good tutoring team.

Score Summary.

Cafe Latte: 14.5, 17.5, 17.5

Macchiato: 17, 17.5, 18.5

Espresso: 17.5, 18, 18. 17 *

Ristretto: 17.5, 19

* Denotes we both reviewed an espresso on the third visit

Overall Mean Score: 17.46 Highly Recommended.

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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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Brother Baba Budan – CBD. Overall Score 16.83

359 Little Bourke St Melbourne, 3000
(03) 9606 0449
Google map link
Coffee Brand: Seven Seeds

Firstly the name is so fitting and so Melbourne. No other place in the world (that we’re aware of) seems to have captured coffee, its history, origins and legends quite so succinctly as Melbourne. Melbourne is a mecca for coffee and great coffee to boot. Brother Baba Budan represents where Melbourne coffee us today. It is modern and chic with a hint of the coffee houses of old – the small intimate room set up for an espresso on the run or to tuck yourself comfortably in the corner and forget about the world outside for a moment in time. Seven Seeds coffee is nothing short of amazing, the roasting techniques obviously of a high standard and consistently so. Their espresso coffee expresses power and elegance, truly showcasing the best qualities of the bean. True our relationship of the milky styles has been mixed but you cannot deny Seven Seeds quality and style. We are in two minds, should there be more places like this, or would that lessen the special place this has in this city.

Score Summary.

Cafe Latte: 14.5, 17, 17

Macchiato: 17.5, 17, 16.5

Espresso: 17.5, 16.5, 17.5, 18*

Ristretto: 15.5, 17.5

* Denotes we both reviewed an espresso each on 3rd visit.

Overall Mean Score: 16.83 Highly Recommended.

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Brother Baba Budan – CBD. 3rd Review.

359 Little Bourke St Melbourne, 3000
(03) 9606 0449
Google map link
Date: Friday 27 August
Time: 1030
Coffee Brand: Seven Seeds

Every time we visit Brother Baba Budan the place is packed. It is such a small place that having the two year-old in the pram requires the use of a shoe-horn to enter. We just couldn’t fit, even with the shoe-horn. The weather was marginal and we ended up reviewing these coffees outside (which meant them being served in take-away cups) while braving the elements. It kinda of added to the whole experience rather than took away.

Coffee: Cafe Latte
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 17/20

You could probably refer back to my last review of this coffee. This has scored exactly the same and the outcome flavour wise was similar. However I am more comfortable with the results and knowing what to expect helps. Having a preference for a milky coffee that gives some oomph is something that will generally score well as long as the other elements are balanced. What we have here is a beautifully made cafe latte. Certainly not something that will sit you on your ass but the delicacy and texture stands out. The strength sits on a knife edge for me, and I would suspect for many others, but you can’t deny the consistency and quality; so this knife edge becomes a hallmark.

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

Lovely tones of chocolate leapt from this coffee, chauffeuring the lighter creaminess in the whisp of milk. It poised at a good height and demonstrated a hefty head of crema. A well made coffee.

Coffee: Espresso – House Blend
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 17.5/20

I was quite happy with this coffee. Looking at it, it bore an oily crema which was dense and dark. It did not disappoint in the flavour department either. Smokey and with a good body, it was like a country & western singer’s voice.

Coffee: Espresso House Blend
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 18/20

The more you drink black espresso style coffee by 7 Seeds you cannot help but marvel at where Melbourne coffee is right now. This is a beautiful blend. It had a big body with sweetness and balanced tangy acidity. Smoky notes showed through on the nose and palate too. And this served in a take-away cup while standing out in the elements. Because of this I have awarded an extra point to acknowledge that a proper vessel would have shown this coffee to be quite something.

Service /5

Ambiance – Wet and windy

Busy 5/5

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