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!

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