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
Monday, 16 January 2012
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.
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.
Sunday, 15 January 2012
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
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
Friday, 13 January 2012
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.
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.
Thursday, 12 January 2012
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!
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!
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
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
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
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)