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