Melbourne CBD

[Dutchie]

Re: Melbourne CBD

Ya cheers, I will report back over the next couple of weeks and see how I went........looking forward to it I must say........

[JJJ]

Re: Melbourne CBD

Great review Ristrom...........awesome...........will now also try out the ones you liked also during my lunchtimes........

No worries.

Ill be interested to see what you think of them. Hopefully you find them as impressive as I did.

Just one question, do any of them sell freshly roasted beans by any chance??

BBB, Sensory Lab, Eclipse and Switchboard definitely sell beans.

I didnt see any at the Cafenatics i went to but thats not to say they didnt have any.

[Wushoes]

Re: Melbourne CBD

I know for certain that BBB, Sensory Lab, Cafenatics (some stores only) and Eclipse sell fresh roasted beans.

As for Switchboard, I do not know.

[Dutchie]

Re: Melbourne CBD

My CBD adventure earlier in the week went well, got to visit quite a few coffee places so heres a little rundown:

* Switchboard - Love their little space, so very Melbourne. The two guys were very friendly and our coffees were excellent.
Its definitely going on my list of must visits when in the CBD.

* Brother Baba Budan - Unique space, although a little too cluttered for my liking.
The hype surrounding this place is enormous so i was expecting the world and whilst the coffee didnt exactly live up to the hype, it was lovely nonetheless.
I picked up Seven Seeds espresso blend beans whilst i was there.

* Sensory Lab - The whole baristas in white lab coats through is a little disconcerting and it certainly doesnt create a relaxing atmosphere but the coffee itself was incredible.
Id go so far as to say that it was the best latte ive ever had (sorry Maling Room, youve been usurped).
The depth of flavour, the complexity and the subtle nuances were amazing and left me eager to return.

* Cafenatics - Ended up visiting the one at 447 Collins St and whilst it wasnt a really warm space, i loved the pink La Marzocca.
My coffee was excellent, good flavour, good extraction, good temperature.
Id like to try the other sites in the city to see if they have a little more atmosphere.

* Eclipse - The lack of signage and dark lighting made it rather mysterious initially, but once we sat down at the communal bench strewn with newspapers we felt comfortable and at home.
Theyve got a wonderful space and have created a superb, chilled vibe with the moody interior, the funky lighting and the well chosen music.
The barista suited the place down to the ground, he was funky, out there and well up for a chat.
Our coffees were outstanding with my better half remarking that it was the best soy latte shed ever had (they used the Vitasoy cafe, i noticed).
The combination of an awesome space and outstanding coffee make it another must visit whenever im in the CBD, just hopefully next time i can sit down, read the papers and spend an hour or so there.

If i had to rate them, id go Sensory Lab first, a tie for second between Eclipse and Switchboard, BBB next and then Cafenatics.

Thanks to everyone who offered up some suggestions, i appreciate it.

BTW We went to the casino afterwards for some dinner and in dire need of a coffee i looked around, saw a place that i remembered seeing a decent review of, and decided to try it.
Huge mistake.
They had some quality equipment but once i saw the barista pull my shot i knew itd be undrinkable.
The extraction looked terrible and tasted worse.
It was incredibly bitter, burnt and way too hot.
One mouthful and i walked away.

Moral of the story, if youre at the casino and want a coffee, PLEASE walk across the Yarra.

Great review Ristrom...........awesome...........will now also try out the ones you liked also during my lunchtimes........

Just one question, do any of them sell freshly roasted beans by any chance??

[JJJ]

Re: Melbourne CBD

You should also give the Cafenatics in Church Lane a try too.The one you went to I think was the very first store.

I tried, believe me i tried.
I knew it was somewhat obscurely located but for the life of me i couldnt find it.

I managed to find other obscure stores (be it the well hidden Switchboard, or the signage-less Eclipse and BBB) but this one was a little too difficult.

Hopefully i can find it next time im in the CBD (which wont be far away given how much we loved it).

[Wushoes]

Re: Melbourne CBD

Not to be biased or anything but give Cafenatics at 500 Bourke St a go (NAB building at rear). 2 La Marzoccos: paddle group Mistral and paddle group FB-80, syphon and pour over bars. Impressive fitout, huge space....I just cant get over how pretty the place looks! (Im so over the recycled timber grungey look!!!!)

(full disclosure.....I am on secondment here for the next few days)

[andreasb]

Re: Melbourne CBD

My CBD adventure earlier in the week went well, got to visit quite a few coffee places so heres a little rundown:

You should also give the Cafenatics in Church Lane a try too. The one you went to I think was the very first store.

[Crisp_image]

Re: Melbourne CBD

We did 8 coffee places yesterday from Richmond, Abbotsford, Collingwood, Carlton and Nth Mel but only one in the CBD (65 DEG) so havent mentioned any others on this thread. All had quality coffee. Switchboard, Quist and one other was on the list but ran out of time.
Regards
Crisp Image

[JJJ]

Re: Melbourne CBD

My CBD adventure earlier in the week went well, got to visit quite a few coffee places so heres a little rundown:

* Switchboard - Love their little space, so very Melbourne. The two guys were very friendly and our coffees were excellent.
Its definitely going on my list of must visits when in the CBD.

* Brother Baba Budan - Unique space, although a little too cluttered for my liking.
The hype surrounding this place is enormous so i was expecting the world and whilst the coffee didnt exactly live up to the hype, it was lovely nonetheless.
I picked up Seven Seeds espresso blend beans whilst i was there.

* Sensory Lab - The whole baristas in white lab coats through is a little disconcerting and it certainly doesnt create a relaxing atmosphere but the coffee itself was incredible.
Id go so far as to say that it was the best latte ive ever had (sorry Maling Room, youve been usurped).
The depth of flavour, the complexity and the subtle nuances were amazing and left me eager to return.

* Cafenatics - Ended up visiting the one at 447 Collins St and whilst it wasnt a really warm space, i loved the pink La Marzocca.
My coffee was excellent, good flavour, good extraction, good temperature.
Id like to try the other sites in the city to see if they have a little more atmosphere.

* Eclipse - The lack of signage and dark lighting made it rather mysterious initially, but once we sat down at the communal bench strewn with newspapers we felt comfortable and at home.
Theyve got a wonderful space and have created a superb, chilled vibe with the moody interior, the funky lighting and the well chosen music.
The barista suited the place down to the ground, he was funky, out there and well up for a chat.
Our coffees were outstanding with my better half remarking that it was the best soy latte shed ever had (they used the Vitasoy cafe, i noticed).
The combination of an awesome space and outstanding coffee make it another must visit whenever im in the CBD, just hopefully next time i can sit down, read the papers and spend an hour or so there.

If i had to rate them, id go Sensory Lab first, a tie for second between Eclipse and Switchboard, BBB next and then Cafenatics.

Thanks to everyone who offered up some suggestions, i appreciate it.

BTW We went to the casino afterwards for some dinner and in dire need of a coffee i looked around, saw a place that i remembered seeing a decent review of, and decided to try it.
Huge mistake.
They had some quality equipment but once i saw the barista pull my shot i knew itd be undrinkable.
The extraction looked terrible and tasted worse.
It was incredibly bitter, burnt and way too hot.
One mouthful and i walked away.

Moral of the story, if youre at the casino and want a coffee, PLEASE walk across the Yarra.

[Crisp_image]

Re: Melbourne CBD

Unmentioned spot is 65 Degrees 309 Exhibition st. It is the boys from 7 grams Richmond in their new venture. Had a chat today with them and they opened about 2 weeks ago. Still finishing off their shop. Nice guys and they worked well behind the machine but I guess you would expect that from a world barista champ (2008).
Coffee really good. worth a visit.

[kbc]

Re: Melbourne CBD

I have had some great espresso from Coffee HQ - Flinders St and S. Cross stations.

[JJJ]

Re: Melbourne CBD

Give Eclipse a go for sure.

Ah, i got my hands on some of their house blend (created by Veneziano) last week and it was delightful.
If their barista skills are as good as their choice of beans ill be in for a treat next week.

Ill add it to my list and make sure i give them a try, thanks.

[andreasb]

Re: Melbourne CBD

Give Eclipse a go for sure. Flinders lane side of the Intercontinental, they have great baristas passionate about coffee.

Plus Will who won the recent latte comp, and Remi who came second I think in the coffee cocktail comp.

[JJJ]

Re: Melbourne CBD

I wouldnt bother with DegravesSmiley

Why is that? People seem to be torn on DE with some adoring it and others scathing in their criticism.

Youd be better off to find the Guavabean hole in the wall (owned by the OP, E-Gene), a good Cafenatics or Switchboard.

Thanks, mate.
Ive heard good things about Cafenatics although with so many sites bobbing up in the CBD i was worried about whether the quality would be able to be maintained.

Is Switchboard the tiny place in the Manchester Unity building?

The only Guava Bean ive seen is the one at Southland, not sure if its related to those in the CBD, but ill definitely write it down and attempt to give it a try.

As for parking, the best and cheapest car park for mine is under the city square/Westin which is accessed from Flinders Lane. Its parking meter rates!

Ah, excellent.
How long can one park there? Im going to need to park for about 3 hours.
If worse comes to worse i suppose i could always park in the casino (think they charge $6 for up to 6 hours) and foot it into the CBD (assuming its within walking distance, of course).

[TC]

Re: Melbourne CBD

I despise the CBD (so much so that ive deliberately avoided it for a decade) but ive got to venture in next Monday so im going to try to make the most of it and sample some quality coffee.

So far my list of must visits includes BBB and Sensory Lab, with Degraves Espresso also a likely prospect.
Any other standouts?

Now to continue my search for a CBD car park that isnt going to cost me $30-40 for a couple of hours.  

I wouldnt bother with Degraves  [smiley=thumbdown.gif]

Youd be better off to find the Guavabean hole in the wall (owned by the OP, E-Gene), a good Cafenatics or Switchboard.

As for parking, the best and cheapest car park for mine is under the city square/Westin which is accessed from Flinders Lane. Its parking meter rates!

Enjoy

2mcm