Dead Man Espresso

This morning we ventured out to Dead Man Espresso, a cafe somewhat away from the heart of South Melbourne, but certainly worth the walk.

The story of this cafe is interesting - pick up a takeaway coffee and you can read about it on the side of the cup. In a nutshell, it celebrates the history of South Melbourne, or should we say 'Canvas Town' which is what this area used to be called in the 1850s gold rush era. A region of dreamers, crooks, lost souls and settlers. The folks at Dead Man Espresso say are proud of their plot of land - and so they should be.

Coffee was excellent, even better than St Ali's in our humble opinion. We decided to be healthier than usual this morning so we ordered a dead man bircher (perhaps not quite a healthy name!) and some lemon crepes. Bircher was a smaller serve than other cafes, but plenty enough, though it was a bit dry. The lemon crepes were light, tangy and delicious! Perfect for a Sunday morning.

We were so impressed with the coffee that we ordered a second, in a takeaway, and were pleasantly surprised with the Canvas Town story.

The wood-inspired fit-out is funky, warm and welcoming. As we left, we passed the quickly building crowd of hungry South Melburnites, coming to possibly their Sunday favourite, the dead man espresso.

dead man espresso
35 market street
south melbourne

St Ali

St Ali is an institution in South Melbourne, if you haven't been here you've missed out. It's hidden away in a graffitied lane-way between York and Coventry in a converted warehouse. Here hides a graffiti and industrial chic cafe. If you've been to the Auction Room in North Melbourne it is somewhat alike less the greenery.

On a previous occasion we have had the corn fritters they're not as good as Balderdash. All other selections are at a very tasty standard.

Take away
Ordinary

Chez Dré

This morning we were back in South Melbourne after a busy weekend celebrating Chinese New Year with our families.

Coffee was back on the menu, in fact I don't know how I survived yesterday without it. It was a struggle.



Chez Dré
Patisserie and Boulangerie
rear of 285-287 Coventry Street
South Melbourne
Ph. 9690 2688

Balderdash

It's not a South Melbourne cafe but Balderdash in Port Melbourne is worth a mention and held in high regard.

Its on the same street as another cafe called My Sister Says, but takes the corner real estate and is a little bit bigger. The similarities do not end there where they hold similar styles of fit out and decoration with old type writers and a donkey sculpture to ne a couple of things of interest.

With breakfast served at 7am to 3pm we were still in time for a bite. But with Chinese New Year dinner the previous night and another dinner tonight, it would have behaved us to show some self restraint and control. Still there were a few tempters on the menu and we selected the corn fritters and bircher muesli. The corn fritters were really well done they weren't wet or soggy which can e sometimes and came with a good serve of pesto, sweet chutney on a plate dressed with balsamic glazing and rocket. While the bircher muesli was a large serve with I think what was rhubarb and some berries. I like the bircher at Snow Pony much better as it comes nice an chilled and better suits a summer day.

I had an iced coffee with ice cream which I rate as one of the better ones I've had in a long time. And the soy lattes looked quite good. No one offered me any to try and there were no complaints.

A good little spot in Port Melbourne away from the main thoroughfare and is worth another a visit. For those living in the area it would be a great local for that morning cuppa before heading to work.

Balderdash
295 Bay Street
Port Melbourne 3207
Ph 9077 3814

Cottle on Coventry

Well after a disappointing coffee at Selection Cafe, I thought that I would try a place Jo and I had already been to the other week - but not yet reviewed.

Unfortunately again I had to get take away as I had an early morning meeting to get to. And Jo was Not around.

The first time we visited Cottle on Coventry it seemed as though it was under new management as the cashier had no idea how to take cash and use the register. They also mentioned that we were their first sit down customers. Was it for the day or the first under new management. Anyhow, the excited guy who served out drinks made it a big deal. That time the coffee was quality and the aroma of coffee and teas in the shop probably helped with the experience ad enjoyment.

This time it wasn't so great, it was a different barista, an older guy, and the soy latte was too milky and so diluting the coffee.

So overall based on those two experiences it isn't the best coffee in the immediate area as there are plenty of much better options.

Also the coffee paraphernalia, though different, isn't as extensive as Dimatinnas. It offers more packed and grounded coffee beans, teas, jams and chutneys. So it's one of those places that looks like a quality speciality food shops. It'd be good if they had a wide selection of cheeses like Jones the Grocer or Simon Johnson.

Well, Cottle on Coventry aren't in the bad books however there is much room for improvement especially for a place that sells the goods. I'll give it another try.

Cafe Sweethearts

I'm in before 730 today, Jo is in Sydney, I slept at 1am. Why am I here so early? I guess to try another joint for a morning pick me up before I head to work.

Cafe Sweethearts is an interesting and brave choice this morning it looks cafeteria like with ordinary chairs and stark lighting. While the birds are tweeting away outside and still waking up, this cafe is well under way and already busy churning out coffees and breaky.

The coffee is as good as Giddy Up to taste, the milk isn't done as creamy as other places resulting in a more milky and diluted taste in comparison to other places - Giddy up / Dimatinnas / Freestyle.

It's good to be able to compare a few coffees now, but hard to remember them all they have been of a pretty high standard. Especially in comparison to the mediocre stuff that is served up in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, where good soy lattes are few and far between.

Cafe Sweethearts is one of those that gets my thumbs up, and belongs in the company of those surrounding quality cafes. Again, in comparison this cafe is the most and certainly unassuming but delivers the goods. Never judge a coffee by its .... shop design?

Cafe Sweethearts ranks close to Cottle on Coventry for me, although the latter roast their own coffee beans and do make a fine cup.

Cafe Sweethearts
263 Coventry St.
South Melbourne
03 9690 6752

Giddyup

Besides the highly fluorescent aqua Tait Timber and Hardware, the Giddy Up dark blue wall is another stand out colored building along Coventry St. South Melbourne traditional white or grey colors. Oh there is a maroon colored building too that I've just noticed.

The interior needs some character to match the baristas and staff, it is currently a little plain and boring. They have added a pot plant in a copper pot since we were there last. So perhaps it is a process of collecting and finding suitable things and being part of the fun of seeing how the character develops. Tables and benches have been suspended and are made of solid looking varnished wood. While the stools are milk crates with plywood cleverly double head bolted together.

Coffee is probably one of the best in South Melbourne so far. Even Lego man enjoyed it. Although we were pushed for time, we couldn't go past their mini BLT. The good thing about its size is that we could eat it quickly, and although it had a deliciously sweet bun (and you know it's bad), it doesn't really worry you. Come on, it's mini. How much hurt can this baby BLT really do? And more importantly, it's yum.

Yeeeha!

Selection Cafe

It was a rat race morning today, needed to be in at work at 8am, so there was no time for a sit down coffee and breakfast bite.

Jo was absent from today's excursion for a south melbourne soy latte, and so far this was the morning to miss.

The best takeaway option along the way to work, besides stopping off at Caffinetics in Equitable Place in the City, is right at the tram stop. Here lies Selection Cafe.

Dressed in dark colors of a chic urbanite with black chairs hung from the ceiling and, uniquely, a chained up coffee machine attached to the wall. This should conjure up images and thoughts of a S&M or a stolen coffee machine or an out of business or something criminal that should be behind bars. It's safe to say that the coffee wasn't punishable by law, though it would be by a court of coffee drinkers.

First it started by being far too hot, I had to wait ten minutes before drinking which mad matters worse, and I suppose has led to a more harsh review. Also, too bitter to the taste and the type of soy milk they used in combination leaves that lingering coating over your tongue. In fact, and disgustingly, my tongue is still coated in 9 hour old milk now - gross even by my high standards of cleanliness.

Give it a skip unless you like your coffee extra hot and a bitter taste. Nothing against the barista personally he was friendly enough, just punishing his skills and choice of beans, but I won't be drink a soy latte from there again. No matter how much of a hurry i may be in. Maybe I'll pick up a bottled water - nah there is a 7 Eleven next door.

Selection Cafe
210 Clarendon St.
South Melbourne
03 9696 6701

Clarendon Fish and Chipper

After a long slog with selecting colours, finishes and appliances for our home a dirty greasy burger with the lot was what we were after. South Melbourne fish and chip shop was closed and we had recently been to Hunky Dory.

Clarendon Fish and Chipper looked like the only option. The ubiquitous take away shop bought and run by an Asian mom and dad, where nothing has changed since they probably bought it - maybe the menu signage above the commercial sized range hood but that's all.

While, a suspiciously unfinished meal of dumplings sat on a table by the wall and going cold, a girl at the front of the queue asked 'can I have some dumplings'. The response was that it wasn't on the menu and the meal behind here was a staff persons snack.
They did look delicious though, very plumb and juicy. Since when did an Australian fish and chip shop not sell dumplings even those dodgy steamed or fried dimmies? Appalling and shocking. Clearly this mom and dad demand a high standard for their dumplings and will serve no less.

Anyway, the burger. It was a particularly long and stressful day - our minds were fried. We needed comfort food. A burger with the lot was the order. But, it didn't really have the lot, there wasn't any pineapple, bacon or beet root. At $8.50 should you expect all that? These staples to a burger with the lot were additional options at $0.50 each. The taste wasn't plain but it wasn't greasy either, and strangely besides the bun it tasted kind of healthy.

It isn't anywhere near the quality or taste of an Andrew's Burgers in Albert Park / Port Melbourne. And the craving still lingers and we wander off in the night dissatisfied like a night with a cheap hooker.

Dimatinna Coffee

"Now roasting" is what attracted us to this cafe. It is a quiet and typical looking cafe from the outside, a little older - established, dark brown timber windows and similar color awnings. But we were in for a treat once inside.

Inside Dimatinna's and around the corner from the main bench is a cafe aficionado's toy store. Lined up on the wall is a whole bunch of coffee machines, accessories and instruments that is sure to make a home barista out of anyone.

It was timely for us as today we are doing house color and appliance selection for the house we are building. We no longer will have to buy a $4000 Miele coffee machine, but should have a wider selection with expert advice to choose an appropriate and suitable machine.

As expected the coffee was of a high standard. It was a little different to what we are used to, the taste was faintly bitter, with a pleasing nutty after taste. The soy milk wasn't the best and the froth wasn't as smooth as it should have been - the brand of soy wasn't displayed.

To accompany our coffees this morning we shared a salmon, cream cheese bagel with dill and capers. something heavy to fill us up for a long morning for our color appointments.

A good start to the morning.

Dimattina Coffee
174 Clarendon Street
South Melbourne
Tel 9929 7444
Open 7am - 4pm Mon-Fri
8am - 3pm Sat

Patto's Cafe

With its old world charm, Patto's is unassuming, unpretentious and serves up an honest cup.

Tucked away among the food stalls of the South Melbourne markets, you almost can miss it, but it would be a real shame if you did.

Patto's cafe is also a baked potato shop. Though we didn't try the spuds (we will on the weekend), the coffee was second to none. Don't forget to stop by next time you're at the market to say hello to the Patto's chaps.

Peko Peko

I still have the taste in my mouth. Earl grey panna cotta as smooth as silk, with a superb taste your buds are not used to. The best!

And then there was the wasabi mayo prawns, mayo scallops and katsu curry. Too busy eating to write a review. No wonder Peko Peko can be fully booked on a Thursday.

Decked out with simple furniture and some comfortable looking benches, its real charm in my mind is the quirky Asianized phrases like: today is like tomorrow, tomorrow is like yesterday. But more so to its playfulness are the toys and decorations on the coffee grinder.

Located in a row of a few shops and a milk bar cafe in a quiet residential street and behind some office buildings. You would be wrong in thinking that this joint would offer your typical take away or office lunch bites.
Well, that is what I thought when working in a nearby office block six years ago.

A good rediscovery!

Caffe Panette

I don't think I would describe this place as charming, but with corner block real-estate across from the South Melbourne markets and clean bright red umbrellas outside it does draw a large crowd on weekends. With some previous poor reviews we entered Panette with hesitation and low expectations.

The inside of the cafe with plain wooden tables & chairs, standard light fixtures and chill out music, it almost seems as though you've entered a cafe without much of an identity and certainly different to the arguably French-looking exterior.

The barista and wait staff were friendly and later told us that Panette means small bread in Italian. But, we tried the bircher muesli which was purple in color, so must have been made with a berry yoghurt - a first for us, we are new to eating heathy foods you see.

As for the soy latte it didn't offend and was surprisingly ok. Still, I wouldn't call the coffee aficionados, but for those wanting a quick break a stone's throw away from the South Melbourne market, it will do just fine.

We will brave the masses and try it out again and see how it fares on the weekend.

Caffe Panette
Cnr Coventry & Cecil Streets
03 9690 2803

Freestyle espresso

Freezing this morning we wandered out to Union St and hidden away is a little cafe called Freestyle Espresso.

There's nothing better than a good coffee on a cold morning, and we're glad we came here.

Coffee was smooth, perfect temperature and a delight to drink. We had a bacon and egg muffin, not great to look at and certainly not as perfected as the mini rolls at Giddyup and Cumulus, but it did the job.

Off to work we go, hope summer finally comes.

freestyle espresso
6 union street
south melbourne
03 9696 4396

Introduction

Rightio, well I'm house sitting for my sister for the next month while the lucky girl is overseas on holidays in South America.

Although she will already know most of the places that we are going to review and rate, she has asked for a comprehensive catalog of South Melbourne cafes - and sometimes a review of a local restaurant from time to time.

Over the next few weeks Jo and I will venture off to a new cafe every morning; although I already suspect that we will return to those cafes which have pleased us with a special morning brew.

Together we will pen a short review, post a few happy snaps and individually score our coffee experience.

Andy and Jo