by cafedave on August 25, 2010
Golden Cobra coffee (Timothy Dalton blend decaf). 31 Oxford St, Surry Hills. How many times have I walked past here and not noticed it?!
Walk in past the licenced bar and coffee machine and your seating choice is green vinyl clad booths – if you prefer, there are a couple of ordinary tables at the front of the cafe.
There’s a big collection of vinyl records on display, and an old record player is playing the kind of tracks that wouldn’t be out of place in the film "High Fidelity".
Coffee is promptly made, and – though there’s no decaf grinder in sight – the beans appear to be ground on site at some stage. It’s a fresh tasting, smooth cup with a complex aftertaste: straw and caramel.
The meals are really well made too: from the specials board was this burger with fries ($15).
A really relaxed place to spend time. Highly recommended. Unsurprised to find that this cafe is the work of (former “Well Connected” owner Jack Sheen).
by cafedave on June 4, 2010
Five senses coffee (their own blend). 83 Foveaux St, Surry Hills. It’s been over two years since I last reviewed this place, and so when I received a couple of emails from the cafe about the changes that had taken place there, I felt I had to return to see what had happened. Inside, the place looks much as I remember it, but their menu has improved, and their coffee – wow!
A set of shelves behind the coffee-making area of the cafe show off a rich variety of tools for brewing coffee, and a blackboard leaning against the coffee machine talks about the single origin of the day: clearly they are serious about every aspect of their coffee making.
The decaf is really great: it’s sweet, with a hint of vanilla. Certainly holds its head high in Surry Hills, if not in Sydney.
The food menu is creative, too: there’s a $25 breakfast tasting plate (for two people) that I’m hoping to try someday (let me know if you’d like to come with me), but on this particular day, I try the scrambled egg muffin with basil and parmesan: some great flavours, and a level of creativity above the basic bacon-and-egg roll that is more common on a breakfast menu.
If you find yourself at Central station with some time to spare, make the journey up here: you won’t be disappointed.
by cafedave on June 1, 2010
Little Marionnette coffee. 547 Bourke St, Surry Hills. This unassuming place looks far better on the inside, but perhaps this is the point. A hub for the nearby community, you’ll see people gathered on the milk crates and outside steps, and people coming and going – dropping in for a coffee, or for a bite to eat.
The food is all provided by Black Star Pastry, and is at their usual high standard. I can personally vouch for the lamb shank pie ($7) with side salad (+$3).
They take their coffee seriously too – with Lee at the helm (Remy is short for Jeremy, and he is absent on the day I visit), it’s a case of simple, elegant coffee served hot (perhaps a little too hot), and the decaf is ground to order.
by cafedave on May 21, 2010
Caffe Di Gabrielle. Shop 13, 425 Bourke St, Surry Hills. Lots of natural light from the giant glass walls: outdoor seating is on stools, with plenty of space heaters if you need them. A mixed crowd of well-to-do inner city dwellers sample coffees and pastries (the chocolate brownies seem especially popular). The pastries, which look really impressive, appear to be made on site.
Decaf is ground to order. Sweet, slightly earthy decaf latte. If you’re in the neighbourhood, drop in.
by cafedave on May 10, 2010
Número Uno coffee. 44 Holt St, Surry Hills. Mid-way down a narrow street, with car parking on the street in front, this is a tricky cafe to photograph. Clever use of space inside, with a galley-style kitchen, a mirror on the back wall to make the indoor space seem larger, and strategically positioned menus and crockery, this place is a little larger than a whole in the wall, but seems a lot larger.
Decaf is retrieved from a cupboard, it’s sealed in a takeaway container, having been ground a long while ago (presumably). The coffee for that is fine: it’s milky, well enough made, but – as you’d expect – lacks body.
Friendly staff, though, and a good stop to pause if you’re travelling through Surry Hills.
by cafedave on January 23, 2010
Aroma coffee. 1/47 Cooper St, Surry Hills. 9699 3193.
High ceiling with a glass wall at the frot makes this a well lit space, with searing for 31 indoor and out including a big table that seats 8. There’s an emphasis on sandwich making ok the menu, but the small kitchen at the back has a few other offerings too.
When I visit, the air conditioning seems to be outclassed by the heat and humidity of the day. Food service is on the slow side.
Coffee is bulk ground, and there’s no decaf grinder in sight, but in spite of this it’s a milky, slightly sweet coffee with – unsurprisingly – not a lot of nuance. The bacon and egg roll, though, is really good: crisp bacon with runny eggs.
by cafedave on November 25, 2009
Calima Colombian coffee. 114 Devonshire St, Surry Hills. Outdoor seating is the only option here. A table off to the side provides a choice of newspapers to read, but it’s too far out of eyeline on approach, especially with the waiting customers queueing in front of it.
The menu is clearly presented, and it’s easy to tell how to order: a staff member at the counter is ready to record the details.
Pre-ground decaf – first sip is a little odd, but settles down to be drinkable.
by cafedave on November 15, 2009
Grinders coffee. 483 Riley St, Surry Hills. The cafe overlooks the furniture store; lots of natural light, and a series of furniture choices for the eat-in crowd. This is the real strength here: it’s a space with a lot of visual interest – you’ll want to spend some time here looking around if you can. Should you not find the furniture to your interest, there’s plenty of choices of things to read!
Old decaf, ground days ago lacks nuance, but still manages to taste okay. Hot, too watery, but not as bad as it might be: it’s certainly drinkable.
by cafedave on November 12, 2009
Toby’s estate coffee. 424 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills. This little cafe has a slight disadvantage in location: away from the city, and with its street frontage largely hidden from the sight of pedestrians until they’re in front of the cafe. There’s lots to like about it, though: from the varied menus (at the moment, any place that does a breakfast wrap, let alone a selection of them, has my enthusiasm) to the varied seating options.
No decaf grinder, but a slightly thin, well-prepared cup. The coffee is sufficiently well executed to make it worth a return trip.
by cafedave on November 9, 2009
Toby’s Estate Organic coffee. Despite its unassuming street frontage, inside is plenty of seating, a large range of organic groceries, and even a water feature! If you’re looking for an organic salad, there’s a good range of tasty-looking salads to be had here too.
Coffee is good: a standard Toby’s cup, made to a better-than-average standard.
