Last sip

The coffee snobs have disbanded. The blog will still remain in it's current state.

Go drink some coffee.

–CS

Red Door Corner Store – Melbourne

Address: 70 Mitchell Street, Northcote VIC 3070

Tel: +61 3 9489 8040

Web: http://www.reddoorcornerstore.com.au/

Beans used: The Maling Room

Food served: Yes, serving good range of breakfast and lunch items as well as sweets.

It’s places like Red Door Corner Store which reflect the true quintessential Melbourne – traditional, homely, artistic and cultural. On the corner of a roundabout intersection and a short walk away from the high street, Red Door Corner Store quietly awaits an appreciating customer. From the outside it appears to an old convenience store; a conversion which successfully retains the charm but modernises the experience. On the inside it’s a cozy and inviting café that seems more like someone’s personal living space from which they serve food and drinks. Outside on the terrace you’ll feel like you’re simply in one’s back garden, and the smiles and service that you will receive from the staff will further emphasise the whole domestic experience. The coffee is superb – smooth, strong, perfectly textured with a subtle sweet taste. A wonderfully unique place that is brilliantly presented and sure to please.

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Shoreditch Grind – London

Address: 213 Old Street, London EC1V 9NR
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7490 7490
Web: http://www.shoreditchgrind.com/
Beans used: Roasted exclusively for Shoreditch Grind and blended in-house.
Food served: Yes, selection of breakfast and lunch items as well as baked goods.

Occupying the old Roundhouse on Old Street is this unusual but fun espresso bar that also features a writing, recording and mixing room upstairs. On the outside the signage is reminiscent of old movie theatres, with the film names replaced by quirky statements. The theatrics are continued inside; there’s the wonderfully high ceiling and winding staircase that hugs the walls of the round building and some cool tunes playing in the background. But enough about the show’s superficial charm. The coffee is sound (see what we did there?) and you could happily lose yourself for a while sitting at one of the outward facing benches, watching the world pass by, wondering if you could still make it as a world famous rockstar. The service was a bit of a let down, but maybe we caught them on an off performance. Without giving too much away maybe you should just go see the show.

Thanks to Hayden for assisting with the content for this one.

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Allpress Espresso – London

Address: 58 Redchurch Street, London E2 7DP

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7749 1780

Web: http://www.allpressespresso.com

Beans used: Roasted on premises (available for purchase)

Food served: Yes, selection of sandwiches and baked goods.

Find yourself in the vicinity of Brick Lane and you’d be correct in assuming a good coffee wouldn’t be hard to find. But one in a medium sized, quiet, modern (yet cozy) setting is a little harder to stumble upon. Try the short walk over to Allpress and be greeted by great, attentive staff and an impressively neat interior that accommodates an equally impressive roaster. This is a great café – well staffed and positioned away from the craziness so you can actually enjoy a coffee in peace. The coffee is what you’d expect – good strength, well presented, slightly sweet. The best coffee houses in London may serve up a notch or two above the standard offered here but hey, we’re pretty critical after all…

Thanks to Hayden for assisting with the content for this one.

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Ozone – London

Address: 11 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4AQ

Tel: +44 (0) 207 490 1039

Web: http://www.ozonecoffee.co.uk/

Beans used: Roasted on premises (available for purchase)

Food available: Yes, selection of breakfast and lunch items and baked treats.

A short walk from what I like to call the 'Old Street Cyclists Roundabout of Death’ lies Ozone Coffee Roasters, a vibrant and energetic café and roasting house without the chaos. The exposed brick walls and raw, unpolished timber floorboards and bench tops give the place a real rustic feel. The coffee is near perfect, boasting just the right strength, texture and consistency and wonderful presentation. And, of course, it is served in a cup with a typically undersized handle to properly insert your index finger through (the only negative criticism really).

Big thanks to Robyn for telling us about the place.

Proud Mary – Melbourne

Address: 172 Oxford Street, Collingwood VIC 3066
Tel: +61 3 9417 5930
Web: N/A
Beans used: Roasted on premises (available for purchase)
Food available: Yes, selection of baked goods, gourmet brunch and light meals.

This little cafe came runner up in The Coffee Army 'LIST' for 2012 (The official blog page for Melbourne Magazine's team of fanatical coffee reviewers) so we weren't surprised when the coffee was… well pretty damn smooth and tasty. (The Six-Group Synesso machine probably has a lot to do with this!) Set in an industrial back street of Collingwood, when I sit down at one of the large wooden communal tables I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be lapping up the retro groove (the far perimeter housing a feature wall of swirls, old records and a set of decks), or relax in the cottage type visions of delicious cakes and open brickwork; but I like the contrast, the mixed vibe! The service is attentive; fast and furious – which slightly disturbs the relaxed moment of having a coffee, but they are busy! And at least you're not waiting too long for a second caffeine hit!

The coffee itself is strong, smooth and extremely flavoursome. Just seeps through the palate. And as for the service; they're onto you like a seagull grabs a chip at the beach!

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Fernandez & Wells – London

Address: 16A St. Annes Court, Soho, London, W1F 0BG

Other locations:

Somerset House – Strand, London, WC2R 1LA

Soho – 43 Lexington Street, London, W1F 9AL

Soho – 73 Beak Street, London, W1F 9SR

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7494 4242

Web: http://fernandezandwells.com/

Beans used: Own blend of Has Bean coffee beans

Food served: Yes, meat, cheese and olive platters as well as selection of sandwiches and baked goods.

With several locations around London, this review will focus on the one at St. Anne’s Court in Soho.

Sitting quietly on one of the connecting passageways that is St. Anne’s Court, exists the cute little no frills café Fernandez & Wells. Inside, the mix of timber bench seating alongside metal tables and stools reflects the no-nonsense, raw character of the place. On the weekend this establishment offers a nice breather from the craziness of Oxford Street. The coffee is not the best we’ve tried but it is good, if a bit dry. Presentation is neat, the staff are casual and all this sums up the very basic, neutral experience that you’ll find yourself in. A pleasant experience all the same.

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