A walk down memory lane

In my endeavours to increase my physical activity.. my physios stern advice to walk, walk and walk some more was ringing loudly in my ears and I knew if I was going to obey his orders,  Sunday (the day of rest, oh the irony!!) was a perfect day for me to begin!

I contemplated a walk around the Tan :not too keen on that Anderson St hill, maybe Princes Park: not much to look at except insanely fit people, or Albert Park Lake, too long and windy and  it just happened  to be Grand Prix weekend, so that was off the list! what a a shame.....



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Photo taking and trying to be discreet!!





So I enlisted my sister and decided on walking up and down Lygon St,  East Brunswick Precinct. Whenever I drive down that strip  I always  glance whimsically  at the cafes and  shops instead of having my eyes on the road so this would be a perfect opportunity to really see how much its changed in the 6 years since I have left and much safer for everyone!!  Plus up and back would be a decent walk and surely better sight seeing than any lake, tan or oval.

I parked at the Brunswick Rd end and  we began our journey! I wasn't ruling out a coffee stop or 2 , I think I did subconsciously  plan this all along, but I liked to tell myself it was just an afterthought!

After a few hundred metres we were starting to get parched, luckily for us we saw a mirage (pardon the pun)  actually it was  El Mirage, a cafe on my list, another lucky coincidence!

El Mirage is set a way back from the road, and if no one was sitting outside on the large decking, you could easily walk past with out noticing the non descript facade.

I had read recently that the owners were the original brains behind an old old favorite of mine up the road - Small Block! So I was guessing it was going to be pretty impressive.



Living in the 70's

The interior was slightly industrial and  slightly 70s diner. Concrete floors, curved wooden roof and a long green vinyl bench seat spanning the length of the cafe. The wall paper, also green and funky, looked like it was straight off the walls of my parents house in Heathcote in 1979, not that I was old enough to remember. The opposite side was quite open and in Small Block style the coffee machine and Barista are on complete display in the cafe, not hidden behind a counter like is usually found.

Laura and I decided that we couldn't just stop at coffee and the food looked rather tempting  (not a great start to what was meant to be a heart pumping brisk walk!). I went for a safe and healthy option and ordered fruit of the day which happened to be Pineapple and Laura ordered a home made muffin; chocolate and raspberry!(so much for cutting chocolate out of your life Laura!) 
 Our coffees arrived and mine  was a lovely and delicate, a very smooth brew, strong on the palate with only a slight bitterness but was super easy to drink. The staff were very accommodating, and didn't tell me off for my not so subtle photo taking! ( I will have to get better at this!)

After our good start to the day we continued north heading towards Albion St. I could not get over the amount this area has changed for the better, and I get slightly nostalgic and very jealous that I am not a resident of this post code any more! Although I am glad that I'm only a 20min drive away to come back and reminisce any time I like!

With our hearts pumping and arms swinging we thought it was probably time to stop again for another coffee! We decided on East Brunswick Project. I wanted to see if the coffee I declared as my best so far could live up to its reputation dining in!

As soon as you walk into the bright and airy Brunswick East Project the aroma of coffee beans is intoxicating  and overwhelming in the most magical way! We managed to get a seat overlooking the immaculate Slayer Espresso Machines . The place is packed with Sunday morning traffic, people wanting a true caffeine hit  to start the day. This is a place that has coffee  purely on its mind, they do have an array of delicious looking pastries, quiches, cakes and muffins, but the hero is here is definitely the coffee.



Patrons enjoying a Sunday coffee



I have been to a fair few cafes now,  36 and counting, plus dozens more  but not one from memory is  as busy with people  just to drink coffee... normally you would find  there is  some kind of  accompaniment of great  food to draw in  people , but that's not needed here!

 My coffee came in a green ceramic, almost square cup with no handle, it was certainly a different experience and definitely a more intimate one, I find the coffee different to the week before, but no less enjoyable. It is so easy to drink, but I take my time and enjoy each sip, a third coffee this early is definitely living on the wild side, and not sure I'm ready to do it just yet!



Couldn't resist a picture of the toilet door
handle (I have my pants up!!)  



I also did probably a politely incorrect thing, or just plain abnormal really   and took a picture of the Toilet door handle! Luckily it was coffee related, so that helps me justify it!!  As one friend commented, It was lucky I took the picture with my pants up!!!  



My Sunday ended with the purchase of my first gorgeous red Keep Cup - at least now I feel as though I am doing something good for the environment! Plus I liked the company's slogan - "Sometimes you have to turn left to go right" - So Melbourne.. and I of course went for the standout color: Fire engine Red!  http://www.hookturnindustries.com.au/byo-coffee-cup.html

Our Walk back to the car took us past Small Block - packed with a hungry Sunday crowd! I will come back one day soon , when I'm not buzzing on caffeine and when it is quieter!  We also ventured past a shop that wasn't open, but I ventured back to later and found this tin sign that sums me up!!!!!!!  I love it, but have no wall space for it at home, so its now taking prime position on my dresser in my lounge room!

Ahh Until next time , enjoy your coffee xxxx

PS - We walked about  3.2km all up! That's about the length of Princes Park  and oh so much more fun!

I need exercise inspiration.... mmm...served with cofffee, maybe!!

A moment on the lips, forever on the hips... every dieters mantra for long as I can remember!

 I'm not doing so well at upholding  this mantra of late, with all of these coffees at amazing places, there is generally an array of amazing food on offer that is hard to resist, especially if I have a 3 year old tugging at my leg!!

 I have found myself  consuming  a selection of  heavenly food; blissful cakes, muffins, biscuits and the odd breakfast!

Well I found a place today that mixes business with pleasure.. Have a Divine Latte and then head upstairs to a torturous spin class and work it off! mm sound tempting!!

Darby and I  tottered off to Doncaster today to $5 kids movies  and on the way stopped off in  Kew for my  coffee fix at Studio MoVida http://www.studiomovida.biz/ in Cotham Rd.  Although an exercise Studio as well as a cafe it does boast  a Top 6 Victorian  barista Champion, so  we must be on to a good thing! 

 It seems to be a bizarre combination, but I think the whole concept works here. There is no blurriness  between the cafe that makes amazing food and coffee and the exercise studio upstairs ! Even if the place is scattered with Personal Trainers, Spin  instructor's and the odd husband waiting patiently over some bacon and eggs while their wife finishes their 9am Pilate's class!

 Today I am here for the coffee, although am feeling a little on the guilty side that I'm not getting my heart rate up with some exercise and maybe even  some Spartan training (whatever that is, it sounds frightening!!!)



Great kick start to the day!



We order our drinks  from the lovely waitress and  Darby's babycino  comes first! It looks like a mini creme brulee, how cruel but oh so divine! The little ramekin with chocolate on top and smooth froth underneath is gone in a few sips, and leaves Darby with a decadent Chocolate moustache!

My coffee comes next  and looks delish, it has a generous scattering of chocolate, with a large crema which is sometimes hard to do with Soy milk. It is very strong and made with precision. I leave feeling as though I have done a Spin class. My coffee gave me the perfect balance of a caffeine 'buzz and headiness just like a real exercise class  does . Now I'm just waiting for the post coffee Endorphins to kick in!  Don't get me wrong, I'm not planning to replace exercise with coffee.. but sometimes its a great substitute!!





After our movie adventure to see Tangled we head to Brunswick to meet Laura,  she is going to an organic grocery and Darby and I are starving! We need some protein! We decide on  A Minor Place in Albion St,  http://www.aminorplace.com.au/ , we tried to get in last week, but it was too busy! I cant believe I  once lived around the corner... it would have been an old shack back then! It still is really a shack, but it is sooo popular with the locals!  Today we were lucky and managed to get a booth!  The coffee came quickly and was really good, although when the food arrived I started pigging in, and my coffee went cold and I always forget food alters your palate and it tasted differently!  A lesson to remember next time. The food was simple but very tasty! Darby and I lapped up our eggs and bacon! Although I ate the majority of it!



It was a rather quick visit! I wanted to get home so I could do a few laps of the oval!! 'A moment on your lips ' was still ringing in my ear and I needed some exercise inspiration........

Until next time xxx



It must have been a sign!!!




My Morning didn't start very well, a Road Rage incident (I was the victim and also the one at fault but seriously it was only a small indiscretion!) and also  a separate incident   with a cyclist that I wont even mention , gave me the strange feeling that maybe today wasn't the best day for  me to  venture too far from home in the car!



Darby and his photographic skills at work!
Me with my yummy soy cappuccino!



This was then reinforced after my teary parallel park and Darby reassuring me that coffee would fix everything mum. To top it off  the  Chairs at Three Bags Full  in Abbotsford  http://www.threebagsfullcafe.com/  were big Road  signs  (mine was 10km although I think it was once 100 - is it telling me to slow down or speed up!!!).... mmm a sign maybe my traffic skills need some further training. 

This may well always have been the case with my sister often white knuckled and fearful when she is in the car with me, and my driving often getting me in trouble with my ex partner .... Touch wood I have never had an accident , so with a good reputation.. I should be holding my head high, but today nothing was going my way so I just needed a coffee to fix everything!

 

 

The first thing I notice about Three Bags Full are the upside down  coffee cups shedding light over the coffee machine! Very Nifty,  What a great way to use coffee cups besides putting coffee in them!  I want some , I'm sure they would be eassyyy to make!!

My Chair-- giving me a sign!!

The cafe is a massive converted hat factory, with hard  grey  concrete floors and walls , super high ceiling and big marble tables  which gives the place a slightly industrial feel, although it still maintains its warmth with a  panelled wooden coffee area and fresh native flowers at some of the tables.  There is a large communal bench where people are enjoying breakfast and catching up on the daily news. I order my coffee and it comes very quickly along with Darby's babycino . My coffee was strong and creamy, and had a richness and restraint that made it so lovely and calming to drink, each sip and I relaxed some more and then it was gone before I knew it, then I had to show some restraint not  to order another one! They had many styles of coffee on offer here, from their old school, Single origin to Syphon Filter and Clover styles, next time I will stay longer and try some more.
I will make a note for myself to  dress up a little more than an old jumper and jeans that I am wearing, today the place is filled with young 20 something glamour girls having business meetings (they must occupy the many fashion houses scattered throughout the backs streets of Abbotsford) .

As we leave Darby is most impressed with the funky Street Sign tables (I must admit  my mind was ticking over  how i could get my Dad to make some for us, surely not that hard either!!)





Just realised all of my other information was wiped clean! Not having a good Blog day Grrrr... or the energy to write what I had here again!!!

It was cup of truth time!

After a very much needed yet quite painful  physio session on my back,  007 (my nickname for my physio named Roger Moore) sent me on my way! Prescription: I need to walk more! Sounds so easy in theory.... but actually taking  a log book in next week to show him my weekly walking is quite scary and not as achievable as I think! It  would require  a) some  serious increase in physical activity, or b) some serious fibbing! So it was fitting after my appointment that I started my challenge with  a visit to the Cup of Truth http://cupoftruth.com.au/! A good sign perhaps that I would make good on my promise to my phys!

I made my way (walking) to the C.O.T in Campbell arcade, linking Flinders St to Degraves St .. and underground I might add. From what I have heard, C.O.T has legendary coffee status for the best coffee in Melbourne. That's saying alot for a tiny hole in the wall. I knew I was on to a good thing when busy morning commuters coming my way held their plain white cups with  smirks of happiness on their faces! They know they are onto a good thing... and I highly doubt its a secret to anyone! 

The single origin on today was a Colombian " El  Jordan" .. cant wait to taste it! The coffee gurus are super chirpy so early in the morning and make my coffee very fast whilst checking out the local talent walking by!! Multitasking by a man.. that's unheard of! I pay for my coffee in the cup of truth... (you are meant to work out your own change) but the lovely girl sorts out my $1.20 and I'm on my way!

The coffee is lovely and smooth, with a hint of chocolate on top, It really is top notch magic!  Makes me wish I got off at Flinders St everyday or this could be part of my new walking regime!  I ponder this while I walk to my train and guzzle my coffee, before I know it I'm at work for another day, another dollar! Ah life's good!

Until next time

xxx

PS - Just saw the Cup of Truth barista on a Metro Ad... watch out for it! The one where he said his dad calls him a barrister!

Big call, but I'm going to make it!!

So today I made a big call, announcing the best coffee I have had so far on my coffee adventure! And who would have thought it would be from  a takeaway!!! I'm sure I will have plenty more that rock my socks off, but I cant wait to write about this one, but  first things first.

My Weekend began with an early morning Darby drop off and so a  child free visit to a local cafe - Social Roasting Company http://socialroasting.com.au/about-us.html in Flemington, only a hop, skip and jump away from home. I have ventured here in the past  and I drive past frequently but its always such a hard place to park. 

 I sat at the large communal table and ordered my coffee as I tapped my feet to the almost tribal  sounds of Paul Simon's "Graceland" (this album always reminds me of my youth!). My coffee arrived from the gorgeous teal  coffee machine like magic and I was instantly impressed by the generous sprinkling of Chocolate on top! mmm

I first noticed the nuttiness of the Soy milk followed by the strong flavour of the coffee and even some orange and citrus undertones that made it so bittersweet and oh so good. The cafe has a nice and casual feel to it, I like the big Racecourse Road street sign at the back of the cafe.. like its stating its address.. The inviting menu is scrawled across a massive blackboard wall and the food on show leans mainly towards organic breakfasts with all the usual trimmings. I didn't eat today, but will next time!

What I love about this  innovative place is firstly they are not for profit  and secondly they  take their coffee making very seriously and roast all of their ethically sourced beans on site ... They also used recycled furniture  with a 50's retro type twist and more importantly lean towards employing people who have been out of work for a long time! What a cool concept that I hope catches on!!!

 I feel absolutely virtuous walking out of here enhancing my social conscience through drinking coffee their fabulous coffee !!!I like!!!!  

Next up, I picked a slightly hungover Laura  from home and head over to Brunswick to get some brunch. I want to go to the Minor Place http://www.aminorplace.com.au/Site/a_minor_place.html in Albion St as I had just been reading about their owners in the Broadsheet. Annoyingly all of their tables were full (damn damn, It must be good!) and with Laura wanting to eat NOW, we decided not to wait and head to Sydney Road. (note to self: I will come back on a week day)

 We easily got a table at the Flour Mill http://www.flourmill.net.au/. Breakfast here was very tasty.. and I would come back again too even if its only to taste the gorgeous artisan bread mmmm and the yummy cakes, slices and hot cross buns  they bake on site!! Mouthwatering!

Afterwards I was still yearning to have another coffee and I couldn't waste the opportunity while I was in Brunswick! Laura made it clear I had to get a takeaway and I needed to make a decision and not drive around with no purpose which I so often can do ! So I settled on the Brunswick East Project http://padrecoffee.com.au/ in Lygon St and drove their pronto!

With a time limit ticking, I knew I had to be quick. The Brunswick East Project  had a wonderful friendly and community vibe, people walked in and knew the staff (brought back my guilt factor of not having been to Le Chien for quite awhile!) It is a long and narrow cafe with what looked like a tasting room in the middle leading down to a tables and chairs at the end. I didn't venture down there, so I will have to next time. They use Padre blend coffee which is roasted on premises here. They have almost  30 different single origin blends.. I would have loved to have tasted "Daddy's little girl" - I wonder what the inspiration was for that.. or what it tastes like!

I ordered my coffee from a very friendly waitress, the friendliness  transcend  to the baristas, two guys working so well together.  I loved how they serve their coffees in handcrafted ceramic cups too, very eclectic and different. The barista was so friendly asking what I was doing for the weekend, I was taken aback by the genuine care the staff had for their customers... and it didn't feel fake at all!! My coffee didn't take long, too soon really as it meant I had to leave! I will be coming back here on the weekend, booking a date with myself  and sitting down to savour a coffee!! And as for the actual coffee... That was my big call - it was nothing short of amazing! I loved every last drop!! It was perfect, 10/10 .. I cant explain it much better than that!!   

On Sunday before my road trip to Bendigo, Darby and I stopped into The Premises http://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/food-and-drink/article/premises-opens-kensington in Kensington for a cup of Joe to get us (well me) through the Drive! They use Seven seeds beans here and the Coffee as always is  spot on! Thought Id better capture my deliriously happy self!! hehe! The Premises will be a ring in  for the 2012 Melbourne Coffee Review book for sure..

And I better note now I have only 68 coffees/cafes to experience !!! Yay... My goal is in sight! 285 days left in the year, and Im not much of a mathematic, but I'm guessing I still need to do around 2 new places a week! I'm managing to get to  around 3 at the moment soooo I'm very much on track! Yay!! That little buffer may just help me when lifes challenges get in the way!!  
I hope its not like kilos coming off on the scales... fast and easy at the start and then slowing down towards the end!! Ill try and plough through those plateaus that I am bound to have with lots of energy and I have heaps of that from all the caffeine Im consuming!!!
Until Next time xx

To Market to Market

By the end of the week  I had that urge to write about coffee again  and  I'm feeling  eager and excited,  I was nearing the 30 cafe mark!! All these mini milestones somehow feel like monumental achievement's to me in the very negative world we live in! 
 As most people know I love love love to have a party so in my mind I am already organising my  number 100 event for the end of the year (I'm guessing Mid December, although with the way I am going it might be a shared celebration with my birthday!) ... I'm already thinking about where Ill have it and who will come and what I will wear etc etc etc !  I will have open invites so keep that in mind...and happy to take any ideas as to how I should mark this event ! I probably shouldn't get too far ahead of my self...still 70 places to go!!!

On Wednesday I went back to Eclipse...After my disastrous takeaway Piccolo incident.. I wanted to have one sitting down (alot less chance of spillage). This was a much more pleasant coffee experience, The coffee was lovely and strong and still had that lovely caramel coloured crema of the day before. I ordered the coffee of the day, a single origin Guatemalan... mmm I loved it! Made up for Tuesday! Yum.. this is the way Ill be doing Piccolos from now on!

On Thursday I went to visit a friend in Caulfield.... on the way we stopped at Prahran market to get them some flowers and some cakes (I was sure there was a cake shop there but I must have imagined it in a past life). Whilst we were there I couldn't resist getting a takeaway coffee  from Market Lane. Darby and I had already made a fated visit once before and this time it was open Yay!! Success already! 

 The cafe was open and breezy and not packed out like I thought it would be, it had such an appealing feel to it, from the friendly wait staff, to the Dark coloured timber coffee bench.To the coffee paraphernalia for sale at the side,  and a very practical table with takeaway lids, little wooden spoons and organic cane sugar to make life easier when you are on the move and in a hurry !
I  had such high expectations of the coffee, I was so excited to take my first sip. To be honest I was left a little underwhelmed. I'm not sure whether it was the big dollop of cane sugar Darby stirred in, but something was amiss and not quite right. I'm not great at writing the negatives and I personally hate doing it! But I'm being honest about this one ..  I loved the feel of the place, so I was so disappointed my coffee didn't live up to these expectations. I will be going back to try another time,  sitting down, and tasting thoughtfully  and not in the whirlwind rush that  we were in.

I would also like to go to a cupping session that they run everyday at 10am to taste the other blends they have on offer here! 

Ill be back ... watch this space on Market Lane

Until next time xx

PS - A quick Shout out to my Blog Soul mate - Pink Leopard ... Miss T and I started Blogs at  around the same time this year when we both felt like doing something a little different (although  for me, I have found out I'm not the only one doing a blog - d'oh!) anyway  her culinary genius, enthusiasm  and photos to match are ammazzingg and she is even flirting with soy milk in her coffee too...

Check it out   http://pinkleopard71.blogspot.com/

Miss Clumsy!



 From  my debacle on the way home from Bendigo I knew it was better for me to play it safe! I wasn't built for detective work, and who thought finding coffee shops would actually involve alot of this highly honed skill! But I was exhausted and Darby was awake so I decided I was up for a lighter challenge! Find a cafe in Brunswick.. there are 10 or so I could pick from  and then  just have a coffee and get myself home! I settled on the closest one to where I was, Miss Marmalade on Union St. The cafe is actually in the middle of suburbia as well with no other retailer in site.  The cafe is very inviting and Darby and I manage to snag a seat at a big vacant communal table overlooking the kitchen. The coffee blend they use here is 5 Senses, which I have had a couple of times and have thoroughly enjoyed. The coffee was strong  and rich with a nut flavour coming through. I needed that coffee so much that it was gone before I knew it!  Darby also enjoyed his babycino which accompanied the largest marshmallow I have seen.. I later found out they have a back room with toys and open space for littlies.. that would explain all the prams going out the back! Definitely a kid friendly venue! Ill be back here again!(and its easy to find!)

I have always been known for my clumsiness, falling over, tripping up, forgetting things, walking into glass doors and probably the best is my messiness with food... which has now translated into my coffee drinking!! On Tuesday I was glad to be back at  work, when I am back I feel normal and definitely not as exhausted. Janine and I decide to head to Eclipse for our morning coffee . In my mind I wanted a Piccolo latte, something strong to kick start the morning. So I order it without hesitation until I see the waitress grab the littlest of takeaway cups, it looked so tiny lined up against the 'normal" sized ones.  Waiting for my order I still contemplate changing, surely that wouldn't be too hard, or hopefully they have a lid, I'm sweating now on the thought of having a lidless coffee, not for the sake of the coffee getting cold, but of my coffee handling skills.. I could see the end result!

My Piccolo arrives looking all gorgeous and caramel coloured (no lid.. yikes) Oh well I will take the risk and drink it as fast as I can!

What a mistake!!!

Walking through the Rialto building and a slight moment of distraction  and I tipped the coffee slightly towards me enough for the coffee to roll down my arm, leg, ankles and feet! Precious Piccolo wasted on my body! It left about two big sips left! It was gorgeous.. but lesson learnt- order a Piccolo TA and suffer the consequences! I was going to need another coffee though to get me through the day! So I was relieved to see I had scheduled a meeting at the other end of town at Parliament. This meant I could visit one of my harder to reach  destinations! Yay!! I had 2 or 3 quality places close by I could chose from! It would be a coin toss to decide!

1) Toby Espresso Bar...

2) Liaison - (real location of the mystery cafe!)

When I arrived at my meeting and went to do the courtesy thing and offer my colleague a coffee I reached into my bag fondling to find my ginormous Red Croc purse...it couldnt be missed! But it wasn't there!! My deliriously clumsy self left it next to my computer!!! Talk about a) embarrassing and b) so disappointing! 

Although the walk back to work did me good... arrgghhh

My best coffees of  this week has still got to be Elevenses http://www.elevenses.net.au/  It can do no wrong in my eyes!! I am soo glad it is so close to work! They launched their Buffalo Soldier sandwich this week - it looks delish but I'm such a wuss and wont try it! Ill come for breaky and try the Tiger Toast! Vegemite and Swiss Cheese! Much more up my alley and I'm sure its as good as it sounds! The coffee keeps getting better and better here  - Love it, Love it!! Love the place, Love the people and I will try a Lux Bite macaroon on a Friday!! !!
Until Next time

xx xx

What a week its been

This past week I had lost the writing vibe... oh no!! Its only a temporary glitch, but writing about coffee had been the last thing on my mind. The joy that is my daily dose seems frivolous in the midst of tragedy unfolding around the world and closer to home. Maybe though this is the time to be enjoying the things  that bring  joy to my life, you just never know how quickly worlds  are going to be turned upside down.  This week I am praying for peace for people suffering and hope for those whose lives will never be the same.  So my thoughts for the day are: Savour the people in your life, enjoy the the things no matter how big ... or little that make you happy. Live every day like its your last, laugh a gallon ,  enjoy enjoy enjoy  whatever tickles your fancy!!!! 

 This blog even though about my "Great Coffee Journey"  is also beginning to heal the wound   that a year of pain and change has brought to my life. Day by Day, coffee shop by coffee shop I am slowly feeling as though I am being sewn up again. At times the thread comes loose and I start to unravel a little, but I feel a sense that I am coming back together (hopefully as a better person, albeit a more coffee knowledgeable one!)  Who knew coffee was such a potent drug for life change?!?! (Ill keep it as my little secret, if you will?!)

On to the  coffee run down for the last week ! Ill try and keep it short, but I'm covering alot of ground! ....

I have had an up and down week of coffee tasting - my coffee tasting is definitely in sync with whats going on around me!!

I finished last week on a high going to Broadsheet cafe. http://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/food-and-drink/article/broadsheet-cafe-coffee-operator-schedule

The cafe was organised through Broadsheet paper  and had some of their favorite roasters and cafes churning out the coffee, the scrummy food was from Earl canteen and the delectable macaroons and sweets from Lux Bite ... yummy!!! Janine and I caught the train up on Friday lunch time of a glorious Autumn Day! I had desperately wanted to get there when it opened and as it only had 11 days  (chances in my book was I would never get there)! But alas I saw Proud Mary on the schedule and I just had to go!

I loved my coffee even though it was made as a latte... and a dash of choc put on top when they realised Id ordered a cap! Id forgive them....
I'm loving these collaborative approaches to coffee - sharing the love between all the best coffee places in Melbourne has gotta be a good thing! (They would make nice babies he he!) 

There is a harmonious sense of community between them all... Yay!!!

We couldn't snag our self a seat.. they were packed.... would have been great as they were using their signatory blue coffee cups.. and I am yet to sip a coffee out of one! Hopefully we see the Broadsheet cafe brought back to life in the coming months! (please!!)

Di Bella coffee

On Saturday morning I felt a little rusty.....  The culprit was only 2 bubbles and 3 G&T's the night  - god I am soft!! I needed coffee to be able to face the long drive up to Bendigo!  I hit Di Bella Roasting house in North Melbourne with Laura . I think I will set a pattern in place that I come here when I am hungover!

It took alot of will for me to not order eggs & bacon  and maybe even a hash brown!! mmm  alas I shared a boringly healthy fruit salad... actually it was quite nice and probably did help me out more than the Eggs and bacon would have.

The coffee was good, but really I should stick to good old H20 when I'm feeling under the weather.  I needed the caffeine purely to for my drive to Bendigo (3 Panadols and a coffee and I was laughing)

I was so excited to see Darby, although pretty excited to now be ordering some long overdue bacon and eggs. When it came I was sure the bacon on the plate could serve a small army... or at least do a good job at clotting some major arteries! I may have been feeling self indulgent but eating all of this would take it to a new undiscovered level. Luckily  I felt saintly and left alot on my plate.  Siesta time .. after all i had deserved it!

Next day I was in serious need of a coffee fix. In Bendigo I have a place I always frequent, I think when I am there I feel a sense of familiarity like I am back in Melbourne, seems strange when I am actually on a getaway from Melbourne. Anyway I made a deal with Darby that I would take him to the movies but coffee first was mandatory! The coffee did help me get through a torturous 90 minutes of Mickey and Minnie Mouse..(whats with Mickeys voice??) Bless Darbs .. he loved it!

On the way home to Melbourne on Monday, I thought I may tackle the very random cafe in Glenroy (certainly not the cafe capital of Melbourne). The map had me following all of these back streets - ironic that the cafe is called Liaison. If I was have a secret Liaison this would be a place where no one would find you!! I entered the street the cafe was supposed to be on , full of  old 60's suburban house and old ladies sweeping their driveways. I came to the "cafe" address only to find a red brick house with no sign of a cafe inside. I wasn't sure I wanted to continue my secret Liaison by knocking on the door, but from my guess I wasn't going to find them churning out Soy lattes and long blacks ahhhh

My map reading was either really off the radar, or the application has made an error!!

I googled Liaison cafe and the address and found a cafe with same name and address located in the top end of the city. damn damn damn!! MCR have made a mistake, so I hope no one makes the same trip that I did to find out!

Until Next time xx

Stepping outside my comfort zone! (and forgetting my limits!!)



Elegant Soy Cappuccino

 





Darby's wonderful photography...

me sipping my first Piccolo latte

After my first night riding solo, I was so excited to pick up Darby from his dads and tackle another  Thursday together...Firstly we both needed food and of course I needed a coffee. On a wet and muggy Melbourne morning I wanted to venture close to home. My decision making is poor at the best of times and without coffee helping my brain it is near impossible. I gave Darby three choices - Seddon, Yarraville or North Melbourne. He chose the latter so we headed to Auction Rooms http://www.auctionroomscafe.com.au/ in Errol Street



I have been here before, quite a number of times, discovering it (and becoming quite excited) when Darby was just a baby and have always been a fan of the coffee and the food!

Its normally noisy and crowded on the weekend with urbanites trying to get a latte and something a little bit different for brunch.. Today we are easily  able to get a prime table overlooking the street and with a good view of the rest of rustic looking cafe. The old Auction rooms have been stripped out and it is a light and breezy building with hardwood floors and exposed brick walls. 



Darby contemplating his first ever
hot chocolate!
Quite an upgrade from a babycino!



Our waiter is cheeky and fun with Darby, letting him order his own drink! His first Hot Chocolate (didn't go so well, as he only drank a quarter!)  I order my usual and it comes pronto, made with precision by a Ned Kelly type barista. They use their own beans here under the name of Small Batch http://www.smallbatch.com.au/blog/.  We order some sourdough toast, it is also  simple with Vegemite but no less delicious with that gorgeous sour taste to the crusty bread.



Piccolo Latte

My coffee had delightful  chocolate undertones and was a single origin Ethiopian (from memory), it was first rate so I decided it was now or never to try something a little different! I summoned the waitress over asked with hesitation for a Piccolo Latte (soy) ... I was hoping when she went back to tell Ned to make it he wouldn't smirk at me either... but alas neither did and my little Piccolo arrived exceptionally fast and looking soo splendid. I almost clapped my hands in delight (or maybe I did.. how embarrassing ) .  After all my research I'm happy to report it is a mini latte,  it looked and tasted strong but in a  more subtle way, not like a Macchiato, which I find too in my face.

 I sipped it for ages, immersing myself in the taste , texture, extensive crema and everything about it whilst  Darby enjoyed taking some photos of me in coffee heaven!

Stepping outside my comfort zone had never been soo good! ( I will be ordering Piccolos more often now!)

I was on a coffee high (and it was all before 10am!!)







Piccolo Soy Latte, next to a regular Latte glass

 After my coffee filled morning I needed to go home and sit! Although sitting still is a little hard after demolishing two coffees in a row!  It was probably the last thing I could do! After a few buzzing hours at home cleaning and cooking my mum arrived and it was coffee time again! This time we went across to Salford Lads Club, the cafe I tried to get to on Sunday but was closed. Luckily today it was open. It really does stick out amongst the rest of the Industrial area. Lucky we had our Lad with us today in Darby....


Out the front!





 Inside the former workshop , with brick floors and high ceilings , and not many boys in site. It seemed to be a very girly cafe with fresh pink flowers on all the tables and quirky vintage pictures on the wall. I feel under dressed in my sweat top, this place needs me in my  bold red lipstick, hair coiffed back and something a little more glamorous on! Ill remember that for next time! 



Girly sign adds some oestrogen!



 We grab a booth and settle in for our coffees. They use Coffee Supreme beans ( a favorite of mine for a long time) and my coffee is strong and and caramelly. The also serve the coffees with cute little collectable spoons! So lady like! I'm glad I live so close by, I will visit here again! The food looked great too, so maybe a lunch or breakfast try out.

I was feeling very heady when we left.. 3 coffees for the day and I knew I had reached well over my maximum! My head was thumping (and not in a good way!), I was shaky and I needed to eat otherwise I was going to pass out! And as for sleeping that night?!? I can just say I tossed and turned for quite some time! I should have known better! tut tut tut!

Until Next time xx

My coffee

Darbs and I

Drinking up