Aldgate Café – Aldgate, SA

6 Strathalbyn Road, Aldgate, SA, 5154

Not wanting to pass up a lovely day out and about, I also ventured down the road to grab another coffee – from what, at first glance on our drive up to Aldgate – was the busiest of the local cafes.  When I got there, I was the only other patron bar one – but had to wait 10 minutes for service.  If I had been smart I would have paid more attention before walking in, as despite its name being the “Aldgate Cafe” it is more a Pizzeria who has a coffee machine, than a café that also serves pizza.

The walls are lined with an eclectic mix of local art – there are plenty of tables and chairs, and I believe there is also an alfresco bit out the back.  But I came for the coffee, and so to the review.

Latte Quality – Passable – lots of foam, with an interesting first flavour – I think of melons….???  but a really unpleasant after taste, which left me needing another milk back beverage.

Cost – $3.50 for a regular size latte.

Coffee Supplier – Lavazza

Fair Trade – Nope

Customer Service –  – acknowledged my presence and value as a carbon based entity – but not much more;

Venue Suitable for:

• Quiet Chat,  Deep and Meaningful, and/or Study and Reflection – No, not really.

Bombora@Goolwa Beach – new website

By far the most popular café by review hits so far is Bombora Café @ Goolwa Beach.  This local hot spot recently joined the world wide web – so to check out their website, click HERE.

Bombora@Goolwa Beach, SA – 2010 Update

Goolwa Beach Carpark, Beach Rd, Goolwa Beach SA 5214

I first reviewed this place only months are moving down to the coast – and I loved it.  The location, the food, the location, the coffee, the location – and to be honest, searches on ‘Bombora@Goolwa’ direct about 50% of the traffic to this blog – so I thought it about time to go back, and have another look.  To be really, really honest – I wish I hadn’t.  The location is still fantastic, and with today’s blue sky and good off shore breeze – the place was a buzz with people and surfers (?).  And I am sure the food by Olaf is still a major attraction, but….I should never have ordered that coffee.

Latte Quality – Passable  – watery – which is a concern in a latte – as my first coffee for the traditional working week, as the song says ‘things can only get better’

Cost – $3.50 for a regular cup.

Coffee Supplier – Lavazza Coffee 

Fair Trade – No.

Venue Suitable for:

• Quiet Chat – Depends on the number of other people there – but unlikely as today’s patronage was strong – but you could always buy a coffee, and then walk the beach in quiet conversation.
• Deep and Meaningful – again, Yes – see above.
• Study and Reflection – If you can really concentrate – I managed it today, but I am sure I read the same paragraph from Smile’s Commentary at least four times.

So I wonder two things (a) were they just having a really bad coffee making day?  You know, like you would be reluctant to buy a car made on a Friday or a Monday, perhaps it could the same thing here? and (b) whether my taste in coffee has matured?  I used to think Lavazza Coffee was great, but looking back over my reviews, it has been a while since I desired a Lavazza…

Squisito italia Caffe Bar & Ristorante – Glenelg, SA

1 Moseley Square, Glenelg, SA, 5045

Located on the ground floor of the Town Hall Building, whilst also spilling out onto the boardwalk, Squisito has one of Adelaide’s most envious locales for wining, dining and lattéing (new word – go with it!).  After a morning in the car, we ended up there having heard so much about their Gluten Free Pizza – and with my mother-in-law having traveled from overseas to try one – there was no stopping us (although Glenelg parking did its best).  From what she said, Squisito make Australia’s (if not the world’s – as she did try one in Finland…) best Gluten Free Pizzas’ with a particular recommendation for the Sweet Chilli Chicken variety.  She also made particular mention of their Gluten/Dairy Free Soy Hot Chocolate.  Ambiance is wonderful, with unimpeded views of the jetty and azure blue of the gulf, and while the table service was not great – although this did improve greatly when a second hostess assumed duties (I assume from her happy attitude, that she was an owner) it is still worth a look.  But now for the all important coffee review:

Latte Quality – Bad – the coffee was burnt and basically undrinkable.  And while I was not in the mood to send it back, when the second hostess asked why the coffee wasn’t finished and was told, she happily refunded our money.

Cost – $4:00 for a regular, so a little pricey.

Coffee Supplier – Lavazza Coffee

Fair Trade – No indication in store, nor is there any mention by Lavazza on their website.

Venue Suitable for:

• Quiet Chat – During the week (not school holidays) definitely, particularly outside meal times – although lunch time today was quiet.
• Deep and Meaningful – again, Yes – see above – both inside and out – although in warmer weather the crowds, and therefore the noise levels are larger.
• Study and Reflection – no – too many noise/visual distractions – although there was wireless internet available if not there, then nearby.

Cockles On North – Port Elliot, SA

Corner North Terrace and The Strand, Port Elliot, SA

For those of us  fortunate enough to live on south coast – we live the secret that many Adelaidians have discovered, that this is the best part of the state – and none more so (other than where I live, but that goes without saying), than the sleepy bayside (horseshoe) hamlet (between Mon-Fri afternoon during school term) of Port Elliot.  Elliot (as it is known my locals) would have been for many – it was for me, growing up – a yearly holiday destination, whether you stayed in the caravan park, a holiday house or in one of the many blocks of Units (we generally stayed in the Dolphins) that surround the picturesque horseshoe bay.  In recent years, the main street of Elliot (phone home) – the road that comes from Victor Harbor and goes through to Goolwa via Middleton – aka North Terrace – has undergone a major face lift, and is now replete with cafés, craft shops, second hand book shops – and all those other shops which tend to congregate in Australian seaside towns – not to forget the famous Port Elliot Bakery, which can often be found with que going out the door and down the street.  Cockles, is a great café/restaurant centrally located with a great array of outdoor seating should the weather allow. Food is of standard café style – I enjoyed a rather nice Salt & Pepper Squid there once.

Latte Quality – Good – perhaps a bit on the watery side of things, but well presented with the second, in as many reviews, example of some latteart.

Cost – $3.50 for a regular;

Coffee Supplier – Lavazza Coffee

Fair Trade – No indication in store, nor is there any mention by Lavazza on their website.

Venue Suitable for:

• Quiet Chat – During the week (not school holidays) definitely.
• Deep and Meaningful – again, Yes – see above – both inside and out – and PT Elliot is a great place, if confidentiality is a must to grab a take-away coffee and walk the streets.
• Study and Reflection – I have, on a previous study retreat, spent a pleasant morning reading and drinking latte here.

BOMBORA@Goolwa Beach, SA

UPDATED – 23 OCTOBER 2010 – CLICK HERE

Adjacent the Beach Car park, Beach Road, Goolwa Beach, SA, 5214

Goolwa is getting its fair share of dangerous places to have coffee and the latest – BOMBORA@Goolwa beach – is just fantastic.  Nestled just before the steps onto the beach, this former Kiosk has been resurrected by local Goolwa identity and Restaurateur Olaf (who took the AquaCaf to great heights), opened last Monday and already has a cult following.  With unrivaled views of the ocean – and on a clear day, all the way down towards Waitpinga – this is the ultimate place to come and enjoy a coffee, some of their quality breakfast/luncheon food and just admire the beauty of God’s creation. My wife and I had lunch there today, and the food was superb (I can recommend the Salt & Pepper Squid – particularly the dipping sauce – it was divine!)

There is something spiritual (no matter your tradition) about the edges – the places where two substances meet – land and sea, land and air (cliffs – not air generally) and BOMBORA@Goolwa beach exists in that liminal space.  The only down side is that it is generally only open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday excepting in School Holidays when it will be open 7 days per week – 8am – 5pm.

Latte Quality – Lattastic!  – the best coffee I have had since moving down the coast.

Cost – $3.50 for a regular cup.

Coffee Supplier – Lavazza Coffee

Fair Trade – No indication in-store.

Venue Suitable for:

• Quiet Chat – Depends on the number of other people there – but unlikely as today’s patronage was strong – but you could always buy a coffee, and then walk the beach in quiet conversation.
• Deep and Meaningful – again, Yes – see above.
• Study and Reflection – Not really – the view and the atmosphere would preclude that.

Hector’s on the Wharf – Goolwa, SA

Main Wharf, Goowa, SA, 5214

This place is dangerous!  Situated on the Main Wharf of the Goolwa Channel, the waters (when there is some – which there is at present – no thanks to up stream) of the once Might Murray amble past on their way to sea. The Pelicans float majestically bye, as the Magpies and Seagulls hover around the cafe hoping for a morsel.  Hector’s is wonderful!  I have been here twice now, and the coffee is fantastic (generally), and the cakes are just as good.  The place service is top notch, and Hector’s is also a cafe/restaurant with a good reputation – but I am yet to sample this.

Latte Quality – Good – depends on who makes it.

Cost – $4.00 for a large mug of latte.  $3.50 for a regular cup.

Coffee Supplier – Lavazza Coffee

Fair Trade – No indication in-store.

Venue Suitable for:

• Quiet Chat – Depends on the number of other people ther – but outside would work well for this.
• Deep and Meaningful – again, Yes – see above.
• Study and Reflection – Could be done inside, if it was quiet enough, but with the gorgeous views and the great coffee – if could make the study hard work.