Espresso 3121 – Richmond. Overall Score 15.71

98 Balmain Street, Melbourne, 3121
(03) 9025 6720
Google map link
Coffee Brand: Veneziano

This is a good little cafe that chugs out good coffee. It fits nicely into the Cremorne/Richmond chic scene, and appears to service the area well. On our last visit we noticed that they had implemented a twitter direct message ordering service. This sits well with the flat-screen television that screens tweets. In fact,  the best way to keep up to date with Espresso3121 is through their twitter account as they advertise both their food daily and coffee when it changes. There seems to be only one or two baristas behind the box and their single origin coffee changes regularly.

Over our three visits the service has been consistent, as has the coffee which is a stronger and robust, if not edgy, blend. It certainly falls on the darker roasted side which suits milky coffees, and the espresso versions being a full throttle kick in the backside. Single Origins, when available, come across as more gentle, sweeter, cleaner and smooth proving that 3121 is a certainly cut above the norm.

Score Summary.

Cafe Latte: 15.5, 14, 16

Macchiato: 15.5, 16.5, 17

Espresso: 14.5, 16.5, 16

Ristretto: 15.5, 15, 16.5

Overall Mean Score: 15.71 Recommended

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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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Espresso 3121 – Richmond. 2nd Review.

98 Balmain Street, Melbourne, 3121
(03) 9025 6720
Google map link
Date: Friday 30 July 2010
Time: 0930
Coffee Brand: Veneziano

This place seemed a whole lot more focused this time. There were more people (suits presumably from local businesses) ordering coffee and creating a conga-like line from the door to the register. The staff seemed to be concentrating more and coffees were being churned out. Ordering coffee is a bit awkward when busy, but the staff tend to find you with your brew. A big flat-screen TV has been added on the back wall which is linked up to twitter, so you can tweet your presence and experience.

Coffee: Cafe Latte House Blend
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 14/20

Initially this came across with rich creamy richness showing chocolate and anise. Good strength too and it will please many. It finished a bit rough around the edges like someone had put sandpaper in the grinder. There is 5% Robusta of Indian origin in this blend and I’m not sure what the point of it is. I’m assuming that it has been added to provide extra strength but the Veneziano blend is a fairly dark roast anyway, and all the Robusta seems to do is take away the pleasing aspects of the coffee.

Coffee: Short Macchiato El Salvador Single Origin
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 16.5/20

I enjoyed the flavour of this coffee. It had a well-rounded and full body, with a heavy honey finish. It was very smooth and well-balanced. The only criticism is the amount of milk that was added. There was too much of it, and it washed out a lot of the delicate flavours in this single origin.

Presentation-wise, the crema was very thick and syrup-like; the pride of this macchiato.

Coffee: Espresso El Salvador Single Origin
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 16.5/20

This was lovely. Simple but lovely. The coffee was correct size of pour with a lovely bright and deep crema. Light and buttery in the mouth with sweet honey notes wrapped around gentle acidity and a subtle lingering bitterness that was in no way harsh. Pooh bear would have loved this coffee.

Coffee: Ristretto El Salvador Single Origin
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 15/20

Following up from the macchiato, I expected a little more form this espresso. The crema was a bit too thin, the residue a bit too dry, and the flavours a bit washed out…like a mini vuvuzela at the FIFA World Cup. It was still a recommended coffee, but I just thought it would be better.

Service 3/5

Ambiance 3/5

Busy 4/5

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Espresso 3121 – Richmond. 1st Review.

98 Balmain Street, Melbourne, 3121
(03) 9025 6720
Google map link
Date: Thursday 13/5/10
Time: 1015
Coffee Brand: Veneziano

This place can be a bit tricky to find (their address is behind another address), and it can be a bit difficult to find car parks nearby. However, what awaits you is a wonderfully open space that is neither cluttered nor noticeably sparse. Seated at tables toward the back of the room make you feel like you are behind the scenes, as you’re behind the baristas and service bench. It’s a nice feeling.

On our visit here the staff were pleasant, albeit not overly knowledgeable about their coffee brand (Veneziano), the blend composite (it’s stated on the wall) or single origins. This was speedily remedied with a nice smile and by the waitress asking the barista.

NOTE: The feature coffee (a single origin) was unavailable by the time we arrived at this place. All coffees were made with the House blend (Veneziano) made up from Arabica from PNG, Brazil, Colombia and Robusta from India.

Coffee: Cafe Latte
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 15.5/20

Flirting with the dark side…literally, this came on strong – like Casanova after a month of abstinence.  This blend, in my opinion, works best with milky coffees, in particular cafe latte, flat white etc. There is a hint of old world about it and the addition of 5% Robusta (India) in the blend was interesting. I’m not sure what the robusta was meant to add in terms of flavour/complexity but I’m assuming its there to add strength.

This coffee was rich and strong and it did balance out well with the milk with was well textured. It was reasonably smooth with an underlying creaminess. Overall quite a nice coffee although a bit on the strong side.

Coffee: Short Macchiato
Reviewed by:
Score: 15.5/20

Sometimes a coffee is just a coffee. It tastes like coffee, looks like coffee and barks like a coffee. There was a hit of bitterness that wasn’t quite tempered by the milk. Smokey tannins and char were also a bit too pronounced.

Overall it was a nice coffee that i’d recommend to my mum.

Coffee: Espresso
Reviewed by:
Score: 14.5/20

If the cafe latte was like Casanova after a months abstinence, imagine the mayhem after a year….

A bit over the top, this was like an unsealed road, or one in bad need of repair. Some smooth patches were interrupted by rough, hard edges. Burnt toast, molasses and an underlying teeth-gritting bitterness. I don’t mind bitterness in coffee but in small doses balanced by some clean acidity and smooth body. This coffee scored well in presentation and true to style but fell short in flavour.

Coffee: Ristretto
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 15.5/20

This ristretto was slightly less bitter than the macchiato. Some initial acidity set the stage for some smokey tones, and a gentle whip of bitterness. A moderately well-executed ristretto with a nice head of crema .

Service 3/5

Ambiance4 /5

Busy 2/5

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