Cafe Ginkgo

• Cappuccino
• Latte
• Sun-dried Tomato Quiche with Tomato, avocado and Mozarella Salad and Tomato and Feta Salad

11/20

Ginkgo Gardens

Ravenscourt Avenue

W6 0SL

Phone +44 (0) 20 8563 7112

Website

The Roastery

• French toast with Bacon and Banana
• Smoked Salmon Scrambled Eggs with Doorstop Toast
• Flat White
• Cappuccino

14/20

789 Wandsworth Rd
Lambeth

SW8 3JQ
Phone +44 (0) 20 7498 5630

Ginger & White

• Goats Cheese and Caramelised Onion Quiche
• Flat White

12/20

4a-5a Perrins Court

London

NW3 1QS

Phone +44 (0) 20 7431 9098

Website

Coffee@Brick Lane

Taste

I was going to order a coffee, but after several bad experiences, I've learned to stick to Hot Chocolate (£1.79 for small). Plus, the hot chocolate was actually cheaper than a coffee, so it was a no brainer really. And the drink? Nice and frothy, not too sweet, like warm frothy chocolate milk.

Rating - 7.5

Look

Very grunge and definitely a student joint. There are a few tables with mis-matched chairs, so big old couches at the back, cubes, stool, you name it, it was there. The other adjective that comes to mind is dark. So dark.

Rating - 2

C-factor

It's cheap as it's a student hangout. With every purchase you get to go on the internet for 1 hour.

Rating - 1.5

Swiss Points - 11

Available At

154 Brick Lane
Spitalfields
London
E1 6RU
Phone+44 (0) 20 7247 6735

Nescafe Café Menu Coffee

Taste

Nestle has launched a few flavours from their Café Menu range. I tried the:

• mocha macadamia - tastes very strange, and too watery. I couldn’t taste macadamia at all, and the coffee wasn’t good
• hazelnut latte - I was surprised, but this one is quite nice, with some froth around the top, and a sweet caramel flavour
• cinnamon latte - a real hint of cinnamon, but probably a bit sweet for me
• vanilla latte - tastes very similar to the hazelnut latte if you ask me…
• cappuccino - yuck, tastes like instant coffee, with a sprinkle of chocolate
• latte - is quite sweet

Rating - 5.5

Look

It’s very easy to use, just cut the packet, mix with water and stir. The result looks almost like a real coffee.

Rating - 2.5

C-factor

This comes in packet of 10s for $3.99 on special.

Rating - 1

Swiss Points - 9

Ingredients

mocha

sugar, milk solids, vegetable oil, soluble coffee (12%), maltodextrin, cocoa (3%), flavours, stabilisers, salt, anti-caking agent

Available At

Supermarkets everywhere

Café Deluca

Taste

I’ve walked pass many times and the place always looked pretty bare, so I presume that they must make good coffee. I had a skim cappuccino ($2.50), and while it was good, I found it pulled just a little long. I’m a fan of their Espresso de Manfredi beans, developed as part of the Piazza d’Oro empire , but here it hasn’t been executed that well.

Rating - 5.5

Look

It’s a very basic shopfront in the lobby of an office block. The counter has a display of some cakes and stuff, but the main trade is definitely coffee. There are a few sparse tables scattered around. It’s not too noisy but can get a little cold as it is exposed to the elements.

They have very cute coffee cups too, and their coffee do look pretty.

Rating - 2

C-factor

About on par with this side of the city.

Rating - 1

Swiss Points - 8.5

Available At

Foyer Masu Group Building
225 Clarence St
Sydney
NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9262 3933

Snappa Head Caffe Bar

Taste

We ordered our coffees to be personally delivered to the office. I ordered a cappuccino but ended up getting a latte. Never mind, the latte was smooth and milky, made with Vittoria beans.

Rating - 7

Look

Not much to it, the standard takeaway cup. The café downstairs is quite inviting though, and not too expensive for a meal. Plus, you have to give it points for the name!

Rating - 2

C-factor

$3.50 for a large coffee, very good actually!

Rating - 1

Swiss Points - 10

Available At

Shop 4, 31 Market Street or 111-113 York Street
Sydney, 2000
Phone (02) 9261 0961

1919 bristot Cafe Coffee

Taste

I had another cappuccino ($3.00) which was excellent. The crema on top was nice and frothy and with just the right sprinkling of cocoa on top. This was certainly the best coffee around this part of town. As for consistency though, well, I’ve been here twice and the quality has been great.

I also talked to the owner, who informed me that they actually name this after the beans, caffe bristot, they use, and they have shops at a few places around the city, so I will definitely be on the lookout for their other outlets.

Rating - 7.5

Look

It’s another coffee place that does coffee and snacks only, not full meal, but it’s much more out of the way. Situated in the lobby of the Sun Building, with only a few comfy lounge chairs and table. It’s actually much quieter than a coffee shop and more pleasant!

Rating - 2.5

C-factor

Yup, Martin Place standard prices, but at least their coffee is worth it!

Rating - 1

Swiss Points - 11

Available At

135 Philip St
Sydney
NSW 2000

Panzerotti Cafe

Taste

I was taken here by the recruiters, and got my usual cappuccino. It was decorated with lots of cocoa on top. In terms of the coffee itself, not too bad, but not too much coffee taste. They use Schibello beans.

Rating - 6.5

Look

It’s definitely a funky spot, with those cubes for you to sit at. The furniture is spread everywhere and it doesn’t really match. It’s actually quite noisy with a lot of people milling about. They have these really funky cups they serve the coffee in, a bit more interesting than the normal stuff. In keeping with the casual theme, there are no

Rating - 2.5

C-factor

$3 for eat in.

Rating - 0.5

Swiss Points - 9.5

Available At

corner Margaret & York Sts
Sydney
NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9290 1119

Macro Cafe

Taste

One thing I have come across, is that these specialty and organic blends do taste somewhat different. The Macro blend uses an organic house blend created by one of Sydney's most respected roasting coffee maestros, Tony Papas at Allpress.

Never mind that, the cappuccino ($3) and latte ($3) were extra smooth and not too hot either!

Rating - 7.5

Look

Well, keeping with the "organic" theme, our cups are biodegradable, our milk was organic and biodynamic, our coffee wsa fair-trade, so this is the least guilty you can feel about drinking coffee. The café is light and airy, with lots of organic information for you to read. There are lots of attractive cakes and muffins on display should you desire to indulge.

Rating - 2.5

C-factor

Not bad – and you can always watch out for specials, like the buy one get one free or coffee and cake promotions they have.

Rating - 1

Swiss Points - 11

Available At

Macro Cafes
Website

Cafe Kouzina

Taste

I had a cappuccino ($3.50) which was not too bad. It seems lately I’ve actually been getting decent coffees. This one was smooth and not burnt, with a very frothy crema. It was a bit hotter than I like though.

Rating - 6.5

Look

This café is right on the Australia Square courtyard, so you get the hustle and bustle of the fountain and Ryans, as well as traffic noise, so if it's a quiet conversation you want, it's not the best place, but if you want to be seen, then it's the place to go. You can also eat inside by the heater if you so choose to fight with the music.

Rating - 1

C-factor

$3.50 for the coffees, Martin Place prices afterall...

Rating - 0

Swiss Points - 7.5

Available At

Shop 16, Australia Square
264 George Street
Sydney
NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9247 5698

Mayan Coffee Cappuccino

Taste

There was a stall set up selling Mayan Coffee and Chocolate products. We had the "organic", which is a mild blend. This is how it’s described:

The warmest of all of the seven coffee-growing regions, San Marcos also has the highest rainfall, the most intense rainy season, and the earliest flowering.

It's supposed to taste smooth and creamy. It smelt great in the packet, but I'm afraid the taste was a bit ruined with the making. It could be the inexperienced skills of the "barista"... the result would still be described as smooth and creamy, but it was pulled just a touch too long.

Rating - 6.5

Look

Extremely pretty as it was made by the hippies who run this market stall. They made one side of it chocolate and the other side cinnamon. This made it a bit too sweet but certainly looked beautiful. Their staff is also very hippy like, and I can’t pass up on the chance to taste chocolate any day!

Rating - 2.5

C-factor

To buy the coffee beans, it’s $13.00/250g or $45.00/1kg, so $3.20 for this special organic brand is quite ok considering we were in Newcastle afterall…

Rating - 1

Swiss Points - 10

Available At

Honeysuckle Market
McDonalds Road
Pokolbin
NSW 2131
Phone (02) 4998 6800
Website

Broun Espresso Bar

Taste

This is a new chain of Espresso Bar that has just started out in Australia, but I have no idea where the other chains are. My Cappuccino ($3) was very middle of the road. It wasn't bad, no not at all in any sense of the word. The temperature was not too hot and the coffee was pretty smooth. Somehow there is still something missing, maybe it's the blend of coffee they use, which they don’t seem to advertise.

On the next occasion, we tried the caramel cheesecake ($4.50), which was surprisingly very good. Not as good as the home-made variety, but it certainly tasted great. Not too sweet, nice texture, the biscuit crust was nice too. I paired it with a moccacchino ($3.50), which was not as good as a cap, but I blame myself for ordering that! The hit of chocolate was way too sweet instead of being subtle.

The third try was latte ($3), which again, was very middle of the road, but not burnt or anything.

Rating - 6

Look

I was really surprised when I walked into the space, the shop was full of Asian baristas! I know this is multi-cultural Sydney, but one thing that I haven’t seen before is an Asian barista!

The shop itself is spacious, with a front counter displaying all manners of cakes. There is a distinct lack of mags, so I guess they don’t really want you to linger. It’s not really an eating place, more a coffee and accompaniment place.

Rating - 1.5

C-factor

Average Town Hall end of town prices, certainly cheaper than Martin Place.

Rating - 1

Swiss Points -8.5

Available At

Shop 1/215-217 Clarence St
Sydney
NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9262 6063

Australian Regional Food Store & Cafe Coffee

Taste

I didn’t feel like eating anything heavy after too much wine and taste testing, but I was extremely tired from a restless night, so I really needed a coffee. The latte ($3.80) was terrible, it was very bitter and watery, and not complex at all. The cappuccino ($3.50) was pulled for a shorter time, but was also sweetened with cocoa, so it wasn’t bitter, but alas, it was still watery.

Rating - 5

Look

The shop is quite inviting, looking out to the stream and bush outside. Inside are some comfy chairs and magazines. We needed them too as it took over 10 minutes to make 2 coffees, even though we were the only customers. At least we could also look at the produce and books on display, as well as taste test some offerings.

Rating - 1.5

C-factor

I couldn’t believe they were charging $3.80 for a coffee, that’s getting on par with hotel prices! Lucky we had a buy one get one free voucher, but still, that’s nearly $2 for some mediocre coffees.

Rating - 0

Swiss Points - 6.5

Available At

McDonalds Road
Pokolbin
NSW 2131
Phone (02) 4998 6800

Bliss Coffee Roasters Cappuccino

Taste

They are special bean roasters. Our cappuccino ($3.50) was absolutely wonderful. It was pulled just right, has an excellent crema, and was not bitter or overpowering.

Rating - 8

Look

The shop is very inviting. The décor is themed towards coffee, including the coffee clock which I have seen a couple of times at other places. The back wall displays coffee and tea products you can buy, while the front glass counter of cakes and pastries distracts from their gigantic shiny coffee machine. You can also buy the beans whole or grounded at the shop, or order online.

And the coffee itself? They did a lovely coffee art leave :)

Rating - 2.5

C-factor

$3.50 is around average price around the Hunter and the CBD. It’s expensive but it’s good coffee…

Rating - 1

Swiss Points - 11.5

Available At

Hunter Valley Garden Village
Broke Rd
Pokolbin
NSW 2131
Phone (02) 4998 6700
Website

Maisys Cafe

Taste

After our dinner at Totoya, we stopped here for dessert since the gelato shop was already closed. I sampled the iced coffee ($4.50), which is served with a dash of cream. It wasn't too icy and wasn't sweetened so you can mix it with the cream. The coffee itself is slightly bitter and watery. The problem was that the place was freezing that I didn't feel like drinking anything cold at all.

Rating - 5

Look

Maisys is a 24 hour cafe, so at times when other shops are closed, you'll find it packed with people on a late night food haunt. It's a split level fitout, with seating downstairs, a kitchen upstairs, and an alcove on the split in between. We sat in the alcove as the downstairs and outside tables were all full. As mentioned before, they had the air-con on full blast, and when we asked the waiter to turn it down, he said he didn't have the remote. What a stupid answer. Someone must be able to turn that thing on and off, I don't believe they get the air-con run all the time right? (or maybe they do since the place is never closed). There are only about 6 or so tables in the alcove. It's a much more secluded spot. One advantage of sitting there is you get to watch the kitchen send down all their food via a dumb waiter. It seemed a bit dangerous sitting where we were, as they pull and lower this thing at lightning speed.

We didn't order any desserts but apparently they are the highlight of the whole menu. They certainly looked appealing. The rest of the menu is supposed to be pretty bad. I don't think I need to come back to find out.

Rating - 1.5

C-factor

The prices are quite expensive for coffee. For other food the portions are supposed to be very small for what you pay.

Rating - 0

Swiss Points - 6.5

Available At

Shop 1,164 Military Rd
Neutral Bay
NSW 2089
Phone (02) 9908 4030

Serigo Espresso Coffee

Taste

My cappuccino ($3.50)is a bit more bitter than I am used to, but it's definitely strong! They use LavAzza beans which explains their bitterness. The cap was served in the proper cup with a heavy hand with the cocoa powder. The coffee wasn't too hot. Since this is now my new local I am getting used to the taste.

Yes I am usually a cappuccino drinker but I also tried the iced frappe ($4), which surprisingly was a shot of coffee, milk and ice, with no sugar. I actually quite like it, even if it does taste like drinking cold coffee...

Rating - 6.5

Look

Yet another cafe situated in the plaza of an officer tower. This one is actually quite big inside, with booths and a large selection of reading material. They have outside seating, which is only great if you don't want to talk, as the construction site across the road as well as the traffic makes conversation virtually impossible.

Rating - 1.5

C-factor

It's pricey, especially the frappe, which is served in a very small glass.

Rating - 0

Swiss Points - 8

Available At

101 York Street
Sydney
NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9279 3050

Bar Biscotti Coffee

Taste

They have committed the ultimate sin, inconsistency. We ordered 2 cappuccinos, and even when made by the same person (the girl), one was much better than the other! The one that was well made was not too hot and was smooth, the other one, hot and bitter! They use Caffe Molinari beans which I quite like. I've had coffees made by the guy there before, and he is quite good, so, I might give this place another shot, as long as the girl is not making the coffees.

Rating - 5

Look

Another one of those to fit the mould of the typical cafe. White tables and chairs, with a modern fitout. They have displays of cakes and biscuits, lots of newspapers and magazines, and Al-fresco dining.

Rating - 2

C-factor

The prices sure beats the city. $2.50 for a small sized coffee is pretty good. Just make sure you get served by the guy.

Rating - 1.5

Swiss Points - 8.5

Available At

24 George Street
North Strathfield
NSW
Phone (02) 9746 7333
Website

Chrysler Coffee

Taste

I've only ever been to the branch of this chain that's in Martin Place. I always thought their coffee is pretty average. It's usually not bitter but I always found it's a bit watery. I would put it as slightly above average. They have their own blend of Columbian and Brazilian Arabicas bean. One good thing though is that I find they are usually pretty consistent.

Rating - 6.5

Look

Chrysler is all dark chrome and moody. I really like their staff uniform and their lettering. Their coffees? They don't do latte art but it's quite nice. The chain at Martin Place has mostly outdoor seating (but undercover) which can get quite cold on a windy day.

Rating - 2.5

C-factor

The standard price around this side of the city. $3.30 for a standard sized coffee.

Rating - 0.5

Swiss Points - 9.5

Available At

60 Martin Place
Sydney
NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9232 2355
Website

Bond Cafe Coffee

Taste

I have been going here for awhile since it's my development coach's favourite hangout. They use Allpress beans which is not quite as bitter as Segafredo, but the quality of their coffee is quite varied. The cappuccino is usually served hot and in the right hand, is smooth and creamy, but in the wrong hand...And we all know that consistency is very important for this product.

Rating - 7.5

Look

I've described the look of this place before...

Rating - 1.5

C-factor

$3.50 for standard sit-down and $3 for take-away. Ok for the city.

Rating - 0.5

Swiss Points - 9.5

Available At

111 Phillip St
Sydney
NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9223 9332
Website