Sydney Cafe Crawl

[Framey]

In about 4hrs Im catching a train to Sydney. The official reason is to track down ties and shirts for my upcoming wedding, but I thought Id drink a lot of coffee whilst Im in town. First stop Campos, then Tobys (never been there) and then Luxe in the Strand Arcade. Ill probably drop by Single Origin on the way back to Central Station. Im hoping the caffeine will keep me going, because the 3hrs sleep wont  



Stephen

[clarexican]

Re: Sydney Cafe Crawl

Hello

Since you are going to be close anyway, why dont you go to Allpress espresso too?

They roast their own coffee as well, and they used to be my choice

They are on Epsom Rd Roseberry. Second block down from the intersection with Botany st on the left hand side. If they have any Sour cherry sourdough.... you should gtake that home , and at least get one of their cookies with pistachio ... to have with the coffee..

But they close at 3pm sharp...


Clarexican

[Framey]

Re: Sydney Cafe Crawl

I found out about that 3pm closing time last time I tried to go to Allpress

First stop Campos. Moderately busy but my flat white came out with a nice rosetta. The coffee was only very good, by that I mean I had super high expectations and Im not sure If those elevated expectations were meetable... The first time I went to Campos I thought the coffee was otherworldly, this time it was just very good. Just to make sure I had an espresso, a cappa and a piccolo
Then on to Tobys Estate (Cathederal st), as luck would have it they were roasting when I got there. I ordered a couple of coffees and straight up to chat to the roaster guy. I think his name was Gary...? Then again I remember everyones name as Gary ??? He was really good to talk to. All sorts of green bean and roasting talk. He introduced me to Toby, who seemed friendly enough. The other thing that I liked was instead of saying;
"OK just put the heat gun down and back away you weirdo"
when I mentioned home roasting the roaster seamed genuinely interested and encouraging. The coffee was better than average. I had a piccolo, flat white and a shot of the SO for the day which was something Mexican... Curse my poor memory.
A short walk into town and on to Luxe in the Strand Arcade. Small place, friendly barista, but not Alex Kum who Id heard was half the reason to go to Luxe. A piccolo and a flat white later I can recommend Luxe as a place for well made solid (milk) coffee but not outstanding, just good.
Last stop, Single Origin. It was easy to find due to the smell of second crack wafting down the laneway. It was getting late, and for those of you playing at home, Id had 9 coffees in about 3 hours all on a 12 inch chicken Subway. Super enthusiastic crew at SO. The guy roasting was a fairly excitable sort of fellow who might have been high on his own supply, caffeine that is, but I digress. I wish I had a better memory for names, but one of the 3 guys behind the coffee machine insisted I try a double ristretto poured using their bottomless portafilters. It was very good, some sweetness and fruit evident. Single Origin was a bit of a paradise for the average CoffeeSnob, they were roasting, they had 2 Mini E grinders for separate coffees, bottomless portafilters and lots of enthusiasm. My award for best rosetta for the day went to the piccolo for road I had at Single Origin.
A short walk to Central Station and back home to Newcastle where I made a couple of coffees (13 for the day). How were they? Almost as good as the best (home ground advantage) and better than the least of the coffee Id consumed that day. Maybe Ill have to do it all again, just to be sure.

[Andy]

Re: Sydney Cafe Crawl

Wow Gary, that was a lot of coffee in an arvo. ;D

Great write-up though, its a little like a "walking tour" of Sydney coffee... maybe we can print it on the back of little maps for the non-locals and directions to your place for a good coffee at the end.

I did a tour of Geelongs great coffee spots... I left home, drove around in circles for an hour, found nothing interesting and came back home to make a real coffee.

I expect its even worse for some people in country areas... Just finding an espresso machine is hard someplaces.

Im hoping to be in Sydney in July, Ill print your walking tour and take it with me!

[clarexican]

Re: Sydney Cafe Crawl

hmm, never been to single origin might have to go give them a try!

[mycle]

Re: Sydney Cafe Crawl

Single Origin are great. Its the best coffee Ive had in Sydney. Gavin (the roaster) is a pretty excitable chap especially when he finds out youre a home roaster - he started on a popper. The baristas are also coffee geeks as well so its a great place to go for those of us who care about their coffee. Their ristrettos are awesome and the foods pretty good too.

mycle.

[clarexican]

Re: Sydney Cafe Crawl

So (lol) would you be willing to share the address of SO?
Prety please with a cherry on top?

[mycle]

Re: Sydney Cafe Crawl

So (lol) would you be willing to share the address of SO?
Prety please with a cherry on top?

of course: http://www.singleorigin.com.au/



mycle

[clarexican]

Re: Sydney Cafe Crawl

Coolio

its nice and close too!

clarexican