Time... I need some more of it!!!!

I'm running a week behind on my blog and its stressing me out! As I'm churning through the cafes this means as part of my resolution I have to document these experiences! I am loving the writing, it comes easy to me and its also very therapeutic in a funny way,  but its finding the the hours in the day to  do it... If Darby grabs a nap I jot down a few lines, if I take a break for lunch at work I write a little. When Darby goes to bed, i try and write, but I'm often too comatose myself that I cant keep my eyes open and all that comes out is blah blah blah!!!

So this week my aim will be to a)catch up b)find a little time in my day to write on this!

 So Im writing  this as a quick little blog! I don't really need to write much about this place, it is one that I have visited  earlier in the year... but gee it is worth a visit again! (my excuse now to revisit is to collect a business card!)

 The destination:  St Ali http://stali.com.au/au/in Yarra Place South Melbourne.

It was my monday morning coffee, so it is needed badly and  quickly, Darby was hyper so I wanted to get out of there soon as I could , but still have time to enjoy the experience - it was a fine line to balance!

Basically these are my messily scribbled notes I wrote whilst I was there and it doesnt need much more than that to sum up my experience

St Ali

-Darby Hyper

- Non Descript Street

- Indutsrial to the Max

- Heavenly coffee

- Strong, heady

- NO FAULTS HERE!

I might leave it at that really! That summed it up on that day perfectly! I didnt stay long, I'm sure darby was on the edge and about  to run amok any second but I managed to keep him under control (with the help of a delicious chocloate,raspberry and coconut muffin!)

Ohh and we had our first "celebrity" coffee sighting! Lisa McCune (not sure she is classed a celeb but oh well) was in St Ali ordering a coffee, went to sit down next to us on the big communal table but caught a glimpse of Darby and his cheekiness and took a more intimate solo spot in the corner, don't blame her, I do exactly the same when I'm by myself!

On Tuesday I had a trillion doctors appointments so I didnt get to go to work so I really missed my morning coffee from Eleveneses! I did however get to go to the opening morning of Wee Jeannie in my hood, Yarraville.  Wee Jeannie is brought to us by the mastermind who was behind my all time favorite Le Chien, and then Corner Shop and now this tiny cafe next to the yarraville station! Its so nice,  and different. The coffee was spot on and they had only been open for an hour or so! This will be becoming a regular again! Another great place in the West!

Until Next time xxx



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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!!!

 

Its Raining its Pouring!

Ahh well my coffee endeavours were very noble today! I visited a '3 beaner' from the coffee review and it was well worth it!
St Ali in South Melbourne is another one of these cafes that is soo hard to find, tucked down a side street alley, but is always bursting with people. Today was no exception, I managed to get myself a seat in the corner at a counter and salivated over every ones yummy looking breakfasts, mind you I had just put in an hours worth of hard core exercise at the Botanical Gardens, so I felt as though I earnt something tasty! Alas I resisted and ordered my usual coffee. Although I had to wait quite awhile for it, the coffee was faultless and it was gone in just a few sips. My guzzling of caffeine made me want to order another straight up but instead I made  my first coffee purchase for home. A bag of the House blend coffee ground for my percolator.... I cant wait to try it tomorrow morning! This resolution could turn out more expensive than I anticipated! Oh well, its all in the name of research!


Last night Melbourne saw sooo much rain, I was oblivious to most of this as I was on a date with Laura R at the movies. Before we went to the pics  we had dinner at the Corner Shop in Yarraville. I ordered a Soy  Mocha and as usual I could not fault there coffee, it was divine... I've never had a bad coffee experience here...