Dead man Espresso and Leroy - an awesome sunday in the sun!



My Dead Man espresso with
 the sunday sun streaming in

I woke up this morning with the realisation I was having a whole day to myself (wow) and the weather was being extra kind by offering me a mid 20s autumn day! First off I needed to get a coffee! I wanted to try somewhere new, but I wanted to stay local! Tricky you may ask as I have already saturated the area with my coffee tripping! My handy MCR app came out and I found a place in Port Melbourne that was only a 5 minute drive over the Westgate bridge! I dared to face the bridge on a Sunday morning.. hoping for non of the usual peak hour chaos or roadworks! Thank goodness, my trip over the bridge only took a couple of minutes and I was in Port Melbourne. I was heading towards the Salford Lads club ( no I don't think its a guys only cafe?!!?)  tucked in the back of an industrial estate. I was a little worried when I arrived and there was not another soul to be seen! Eeeekk The App did say it was open on Sundays so I made my way over to the cafe, only to find a big bolt and lock over the front door! Damn! Well least I know where it is  for next time. I liked the look of the pale pink coffee machine, so look forward to see what kind of magic it can produce!  Where to now!?!?!?  

Coffee being made at Dead man Espresso



I decided on another newbie, Dead Man Espresso, in South Melbourne. When I arrive there it doesn't look too open either ! Oh oh... was I going to have one of those days!  To my relief it was open!!It was just rather quiet, it hadn't yet succumbed to the craziness that is Sunday breakfast time at cafes, which was quite refreshing to see! I sat in a corner with the warm morning sun streaming through the window and I ordered my coffee pronto, while I  perused the menu. Everything looked so tasty! I couldn't resist ordering, I deep down wanted to order the fresh scones with Jam and cream but I opted for  saintly and ordered the fruit salad with tapioca and coconut tuile... I was a little unsure about the tapioca as I haven't really experienced it at all... to my surprise it worked really well with the fresh fruit, adding a different texture and sensation in my mouth!

My coffee had fruity undertones as well, and was very easy to drink! I hesitated ordering another, but didn't want to limit any coffee I had later in the day! Will be back here to try more from there menu, and I hope (not for their sake, but mine) that it is as calming and relaxing as it was! A nice change for an urban cafe!

Later in the day I caught up with Elisha and we decided to hit St Kilda for our catch up.  I've  never been  much of a fan, always thought it was too cool for school , but must admit when I am there, I do get that touristy vibe and it is quite relaxing! The people spotting is fun too! We lazily walked up and down Acland Street, before deciding upon Leroy Espresso (funny its also on my list too!! What a surprise!) 



Leroy has a very funky 70's decor, with Vinyl Orange booth seats, one that we managed to snag! Loads of Posters covered the walls of bands and events coming soon. It also had a decent menu, the kind of place you would go if you are ridiculously hungover! I opted for  Poached eggs with mushroom.... it was good! The coffee was good.. not the best I have had, but definitely  hit the spot...

After lunch , we headed back down Acland street to treat ourselves to some ice cream at Trampoline  http://www.trampolinegelato.com.au/  on this lovely warm day! All in all a pretty nice day off, spent drinking superb coffee and great company!

Until next time xx



My coffee at Leroy (Thanks Elisha!)

The Hangover!

Good or Evil??? I'm still to decide!!

Firstly today Ill be talking about another drink starting with the letter C... this drink too has many wonderful qualities like its friend coffee . It helps to make you feel relaxed, confident and happy, it is used to toast the big celebrations in life and is generally  loved by everyone! But today I am seeing the Ugly side of that drink! Now to clarify,  I'm talking about Champagne and too much of it!
Today is probably  not the ideal day for me to write. My head is fuzzy, like its stuffed with cotton wool, my tummy is rumbling, I'm hungry but I'm not, I close my eyes and see stars and also a vision of myself dancing some Zumba moves in front of lots of people!!ugghh and I'm slowly going downhill .... the evil evil culprit of alcohol, now I wonder why I don't drink!!!  It was however  all in the name of a good cause to celebrate Catherine and Dave's wedding. It was an amazing celebration and the most fun I have had in a long time, I  was completely honoured to be there to share the joy and love, but the aftermath is never ever pretty! Suffice to say there will not be much coffee drunk today! Hangovers and caffeine don't mix for me! 



Gingerlee Soy Cappuccino



 Having said that though, when I felt less fuzzy and dehydrated and more spritely or maybe still a little tipsy this morning I did have a Soy mocha with my hangover cure (Eggs and Bacon at Le Chien).

The cure has not worked its magic and its a slow and steady decline!

Oh well Ill have to perk up now as I am taking Elisha out on an excursion to a coffee place I haven't tried and then I can't say no to coffee! Suck it up Jane..... Here goes.....



Elisha and I head over to our old stomping ground of Brunswick! So much has changed  in the years since I moved to the West. I always get reminiscent having spent 4 years living there in my twenty somethings! Ahh the memories! I do romantically wish I lived their now, the shops are better, there are dozens more cafes and the coffee and availability of good coffee in Brunswick has more than tripled.. Brunswick  covers at least 10% of my Melbourne Coffee Review List.



Passionfruit Cheesecake with Lemon Curd



Today we pulled over to a place on Lygon St  - Gingerlee.  Elisha and I had actually been there 2 years ago and I remembered it well.  We sat outside overlooking busy Lygon St and ordered our coffees. Mine was delicious!  Could not fault it, the only thing maybe was that the cup was a tad under full  but nothing too major there! I also had a wonderful little passion fruit cheesecake with lemon curd.... was the perfect  size so I didnt feel too guilty scoffing it down!

Ill be back to Brunswick...  very soon I hope , they know how to nail a good coffee, just hurry up car so I can get over there again!   

Until next time xxxx



Elisha and her Skinny latte

The Finished cheesecake