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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Final Step – South Yarra. 1st Review

1C Murphy St, South Yarra VIC 3141
0414 503 248
Google map link
Date: Saturday 18 September 2010
Time: 0945
Coffee Brand: 7 Seeds

Sitting on the edge of an area saturated with cafes, Final Step, after only one visit is a place worth seeking out. There is friendly warmth, a simple and small interior, milk crates for outside tables with footstools as seat. You have to love the unpretentious rustic simplicity. A single blend plus single origin was on offer both by 7 Seeds.

Coffee: Doppio Ristretto Costa Rican Sin Limites Honey Processed
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 19/20

How do you put something so exquisite into words? All sorts of metaphors, adjectives and analogies are swirling around in my head. Perhaps the best way is to put it simply. This was a coffee highlight of the year for me, a ristretto of majesty. First of all it was the first time I (and Sam) had come across a honey processed coffee, of which I had only read about. This was perfectly roasted and I suspect and the peak of its resting period. The extraction was nigh on perfect with pure crema. It was sweet, delicate with a full mouth feel and power, decadent oily richness, tangy citrus acidity woven through the coffee, smooth body and…………….lingering finish. The class of 7 Seeds as roasters and the skill of this Final Step barista are clearly evident here. A dynamite coffee.

Honey processed coffee. 7 Seeds link http://brotherbababudan.com.au/coffee/costa-rican-sin-limites-honey

and also this great article on Different Processing Methods

Coffee: Espresso Costa Rican Sin Limites Honey Processed
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 17.5/20

As an espresso the Costa Rican Sin Limites offered the same amount of sweetness with a rich lemon-like tang. The bitterness was more pronounced but still a very well-crafted coffee.

Coffee: Cafe Latte 7 Seeds Blend
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 15/20

Call me old fashioned, and I can hear the industry grumblings before I even type this, but I do prefer cafe lattes with more obvious espresso character. For the punter who does like their cafe latte a little more toned down this would be perfect.

7 Seeds is a supreme roaster and their black coffees are brilliant. What is undoubted is the barista skill here and the quality of the coffee itself. Full marks for the presentation and true to style. This coffee was enjoyable, the milk texture was fantastic but the espresso component a little lost. While understanding that a cafe latte is essentially awash with milk some more prominent espresso part for me without falling into the strong category is preferable.

Coffee: Short Macchiato Costa Rican Sin Limites Honey Processed
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 17/20

This was quite a sweet single origin that hung wonderfully in the tiny dollop of milk that the barista gave. The creaminess extended beyond milky characteristics and finished off with a cleansing bitterness.

Service 4/5

Ambiance 3/5

Busy 2/5

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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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