The Other side of the River

My first day off without a car proved quite successful and my pedometer had never seen so many steps before (well apart from dancing at the George Michael concert - enough said!)  I thought it may combust....  

I made my way over to uncharted coffee territory  " the other side of the river": South Yarra.  I  was meeting bride to be Catherine,  Nicole and baby Kailani for a catchup, and whilst I was here I thought it would be only sensible to knock some places off my list as I'm not a South Yarra frequent flyer !

I had three cafes  to choose from - all I had heard good things, and they all rated equally in the Melbourne Coffee Review  (2 beans).
So first toss of the coin  was Outpost cafe which was easy to find, a short walk from the SY station. The cafe had a very fresh French provincial kind of  feel, as though  you were in somebodies first class kitchen watching them busily prepare food for the day. The other side was taken up with all things coffee, a glorious looking coffee machine... and St Ali beans hard at work being ground and made into coffee. In the corner was a syphon coffee maker, I am eager to try a syhponed coffee but a little scared as well.... This blog is really going to take me out of my comfort zone!!!

The aromas from the coffee (and the kitchen) were amazing and had Darby and I salivating!

Outpost Cafe

My coffee was of the highest standards, I have to confess I have a soft spot for St Ali beans, they really are amazing! Although I must admit even though my coffee looks like a work of art , I do whimsically wish that there would be the slight taste of chocolate on top. These days most cafes serving cappucinos do the swirl with the cocoa so you cannot taste it.. call me old fashioned (or perhaps even daggy) but I like my cappuccinos with a bit more on top!
 

Looks Yummy huh??

This sign was speaking to me!!!

After my lovely catch up with the girls I made my way  up to Darling St - for a Coffee Darling! So very posh!! The sign out the front had me instantly and I somehow felt very poignant, that somehow what I am doing is much much bigger than just tasting coffee , something of a bigger power that I couldn't describe was at play. I couldn't put my finger on it, but it really shook me up! So after I wiped a few embarrassing tears  away   I made my way into the very chic cafe. It was very minimalistic but still had a warm feel to it. As I had read, the coffee was ordered and within an instant it was ready and in my hand!

 I had never been a fan of Genovese beans, but after this coffee I will take it back, its all in the hands of the coffee maker as to what he does with his beans. The first smell and sip I wasn't too convinced, but after that it turned into a very very enjoyable coffee, just what I needed after my emotional moment! Ahh

My South Yarra trip was very successful , next time I will come and try Crue Coffee Lounge and will also be very tempted to go back to the other two!



Lamington and Choc Chip
The other 2 were long gone



Darby and I enjoyed the rest of the day wandering around the city and trying on lipstick and shopping for girly things, this is a luxury I dont get anymore and Darby seemed more than happy to be my little shopping buddy for the day! So as a reward we went to Little Cupcakes http://littlecupcakes.com.au/  in Degraves St! We got 4  cupcakes - and they were delicious, just the perfect bite size. We had a Lamington, Choc Chip, Red Velvet and White Chocolate and Raspberry - 2 were gone within seconds of leaving the shop and we savoured the other 2 for later!

Phew what a busy coffee and cake day with my little man - we were both exhasuted, although he had the luxury of being pushed around in the pram and had a little nap on the way home!  No rest for the wicked!!!