Archive for category cafe
Crossing the latte line to a twin that no doctor should separate
Posted by tzuyen in Uncategorized, cafe on November 18, 2009
I was made note by one of the doctors that I have crossed the latte line while driving to Hamilton (not Island) – the place I will work for the next 9 weeks. On my few days break, I have returned to Melbourne to pick up my coffee machine. The first stop was Seven Seeds before I even got home. It wasn’t the caffeine I swear. It’s the smell and vibe and tingling when I see smooth and silky milk mixed with crema.
Today I went to Proud Mary, owned (as far as I know) by Nolan who used to be the ex-owner of Liar Liar. The most impressive thing is the metallic grey-blue, custom built, 6 group Synesso based on the Hydra model. This is a conjoined twin that no doctor should try and separate. Together with the deep baby blue cups, it’s a sight worth a detour. The blue beast even has foot pedal switch for steam. Around the bar, th whole set up included a syphon area and a Clover machine. It wasn’t so busy this afternoon and the coffee was great. I wonder when the place becomes packed will Nolan and his team be able serve all the different methods of brewing consistently. Lucky for them that there are not so many seats. Grab them while you can.
Open 7-4 weekdays and 8-4 weekends. 172 Oxford st, Collingwood
Auction Room
I immediately felt the presence of St Ali or Brother Baba Budan when I walked into the Auction Room. Warehouse, industrial and humour in the decor. Unpolished wood, raw brick walls contrast with a small front section with freshly painted wood. For 3 pm on a Saturday this was not busy. This is how I like my cafes
My flat white was 7/10. Good flavour but foam was a little thick in texture and also amount. The long macchiato was nice. The menu looked playful and pushing the envelope for a cafe. We missed the breakfast menu by minus 15 minutes (assuming they ran out of food by 2:45pm). The lunch and dinner menu was very attractive and I am definitely returning for an AM treat. Dinner with a few friends would be great too.
I had the fig tart with caramalized red onions and peppered ricotta with walnut, radicchio and balsamic dressing. Absolutely delicious. The charred flavour was so good with the sweetness and acid from the onions. My friends had a chorizo soup in apple cider and parsly; tahini yogurt soup. The desserts were made on-site and we shared a pistachio, fig pudding.
I could sit there for a long time…