Paddy’s Lantern – Adelaide, SA

219 Gilbert Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000

In a quarter of the Adelaide City that many people may have never ventured through, sits this fresh new expression of the burgeoning South Australian speciality coffee scene. Opening in the first week of October 2011 Paddy’s Lantern is, according to owner, chef and barista Sam Carey – what he thinks would have happened if “Bar 9 and Coffee Branch had a baby”[1] and it finds itself nestled amongst a fairly standard Adelaideian mid 1980s row of shops – a child’s stone throw from the Dukes of Brunswick Hotel – however, make sure you are looking for it – blink and you’ll miss it.

Walking in – you just know this place is serious about the coffee – as the menu board is 90% about the beverage and 10% food – yet the food is superb!  Serving single origin 5 Senses coffee, blended on site, through a gorgeous looking Synesso machine,  a Sam made ristretto is heaven in a cup [see below.]  The interior is minimalist – having stripped back what was once perhaps a computer shop, it is now part single story – part spacious warehouse – yet will probably only seat perhaps 20 people, and is my no means clinical.  If you are cyclist, you are catered for – with three bike racks adorning the walls just inside the front door.  Together with my brother from another mother, friend and colleague we consumed three ristrettos, three lattes, and 2 Barossa Ham & French gruyere on Mylor Bakery Sourdough – in our 90 minutes of bliss, with occasional dedicated attention from Sam – who understands that customer service produces loyalty.   Parking is potentially a problem – but if you can find one nearby, they are free for 2 hours – just be persistent and the rewards of Paddy’s Lantern can be yours.  

Coffee Withdrawal

Forgive me readers for I have sinned.

It has been over two weeks since my last purchased coffee and review.

I need to get out and about – where should I go?

Who is making the best South Australian coffee at the moment?

Who has recently opened?

the pantry on egmont – Hawthorn, SA

2 Egmont Terrace, Hawthorn, SA, 5062

The Pantry On Egmont confirms what many of us coffee addicts have long suspected – that Adelaide has finally arrived on not just the national, but on the international coffee stage – because there are Baristas out there who are not just interested in their or their employers bottom line – but are passionate about the coffee they make, and want – above all else – for the coffee to be a joyful experience for the consumer – and Stef – from the Pantry is one of those guys!  (see also Daniel at Coffee By The Beans, The Coffee Barun and so I am lead to believe but have not yet tried – Espresso Royale @ Magill, and Taylor’s Blend @ Stonyfell)

Nestled comfortably between upper class old suburbia and the Belair railway line in the ever so leafy and green Hawthorn – the Pantry On Egmont – is a place that in truth, I really do not want to  review  – because it may mean that the secret becomes too common knowledge and it ruins my future experiences.  I just loved the place!  Comfortable – like sitting in your Nanna’s kitchen – complete with the old school kitchen tables and mis-matched chairs – The Pantry pulls off, what the Tango Turtle over reaches – trendy – arty – yet comfortable, welcoming and with top notch customer service.  Their food is also excellent – during my brief stay, I enjoyed (on the house) a biscuit made by the mother of one of the owners, the just prepared filling of the Rabbit Pot Pie which was the Chef’s special for Lunch with some hot turkish bread – which was do delicious, that I couldn’t help having the actual pie for Lunch (which I paid for – along with my three lattes and a ristretto) – ahh the joys of Ministry, peer to peer mentoring and student preacher mentoring at BCSA!!  Now to the review:

Latte Quality – Lattastic!! – I know I said I would never make this declaration without a few visits – but just as I mentioned in my review of Coffee By The Beans [click above] and in fairness to me (a) this is my blog, so it is my opinion we are going with; (b) I live in Goolwa, they are in Hawthorn – how often am I going to get the chance; (c) I did have a Ristretto and three lattes and (d) again, this is my blog.  Today we were drinking a Single Origin Honduras – which as a ristretto was super sweet with hints of melon and cinnamon, and as a latte was just gorgeous!!

coffee by the beans – Lockleys, SA

Shop 3, 394 Henley Beach Road, Lockleys, SA 5032

I never thought I’d say (or write) this, and I will probably never say it again, but “I want to move to Lockleys!”

I’m going out on a limb here folks – and I am asking you to join me here – because I am declaring that my ristretto, latte and chat with Daniel and Richard at coffee by the beans yesterday provided me the best coffee experience I have had – anywhere – period.  And while coffee by the beans is in a strange place – just off Henley Beach Road, facing Rowells Road so you can’t actually see it if you are coming down Henley Beach Road from the city – it is so worthy of the search and discovery.

Situated in a fairly tired looking group of shops, coffee by the beans is a funky yet classy, aesthetically pleasing yet conformable espresso bar (not café – as for these guys, it is coffee first – so there is no food menu to speak of, other than a few HUGE muffins and cookies in jars on the counter) whose singular desire is that YOU the customer will have a great coffee experience and come back – even my nearly three year old son who was with me, enjoyed the experience – and kept reminding me half the way home that ‘the man from the shop brought Daddies coffee and put it in the car’ – those who have toddlers know that getting everyone and everything back to the car in one trip can be an adventure in itself.

They also service Saeco and Delonghi coffee machines – but not my Sunbeam Café Series – I asked.

Latte Quality – Lattastic!! – I know I said I would never make this declaration without a few visits – but in fairness to me (a) this is my blog, so it is my opinion we are going with; (b) I live in Goolwa, they are in Lockleys – how often am I going to get the chance; (c) I did have a Ristretto and a latte and (d) this is my blog.  Daniel prepared for me a single origin costa rican – which was truly a wonderful coffee

Cost – $3.50 for a regular drink in, which is average – $3.00 for a Ristretto. $4.00 for a take away latte.

Coffee Supplier – coffee by the beans – sourced and roasted off site – you can also purchase their beans for your own home usage.

Fair Trade – No indication in store – No indication on their website.

Customer Service –   –  freaking awesome – I’m going to nominate them all for Australian of the Year – I would keep coming back, even if they switched to International Rust and an ern (not really, but you get the drift) – if it weren’t for their calling into the coffee industry, they should be teacher customer service…

As an aside to this, often when I am out and about drinking coffee and let slip that I also review coffee (after I have paid and received my beverage – always – no cash for comments scandal here, let me tell you) I get asked where else I have been and I say a few places and generally the person asking will say something negative towards the other place and their coffee or service or both – not here – I mentioned in particular my other out of the way coffee place – The Coffee Barun – and the guys had nothing but good things to say about them and their coffee – that is class.  That alone encourages me to encourage you to check out coffee by the beans.  I also said that I was a Christian Minister and they didn’t freak out – always a positive sign 😉

Special Notes – While not providing anything for them, the place – by its design and its staff – is kid friendly.

Venue Suitable for:

• Quiet Chat,  Deep and Meaningful, and/or Study and Reflection – Absolutely – I was there at around 2pm and for the most part, my little dude and I were the only two there – Daniel and Richard indicated that their busiest times of the day are the ‘on the way to work caffeine fix’ and ‘the after school crowd’ – so if you can avoid those times it is the perfect place – also if you need some quiet prayer space, there is quite an impressive Anglican Church across the road. There is plenty of seating inside, in a variety of forms and two tables outside should you enjoy the sun….

The Top 5 – August 2011 Update

With a quick click HERE, you can find out why the following locations are in the MAKECOFFEENOTWAR Top 5 for August 2011.

1. The Two Bees Café – Victor Harbor, SA
2. Sazo’n Espresso Bar – Mount Barker, SA
3. The Coffee Barun – Sefton Park, SA
4. La Terre Café and Jardinage – Willunga, SA
5. AquaCaf – Goolwa, SA:

BeanScene vs. Crema

For me and mine, BeanScene is the way to go as it is nicer looking publication with a greater depth of information on coffee and associated paraphernalia.  If I had to use a coffee metaphor, I would say that BeanScene is a full, robust single origin coffee with a depth of flavour that is enhanced with each sip, and with a lingering aftertaste that beckons you to return, while Crema is a good quality swiss water decaf.

On the plus side for each of them, is their web presence – with Crema coming out on top here.  Crema puts forward a very professional looking website, with easy to navigate menu bars all situated within an attractive theme. Their site is also the genesis of the Best Cafes website, which allows you to review your favourite place and let everyone know where the best beans are to be found  – this is not to be confused with the Best Aussie Coffee website which is the same, but is more user friendly – both have a free iphone app for those who of that cult. BeanScene Magazine website looks like a blogspot or wordpress blog – but contains plenty of good information and links, just lacks the style of Crema. Interestingly enough though, BeanScene has a Facebook page with a dedicated following, while Crema seems to be mysteriously absent from the social networking phenomena.

Magazine Winner = BeanScene Magazine

Website Winner = Crema

Sazo’n Espresso – Mount Barker, SA

Shop 1/24 Gawler Street, Mount Barker, SA, 5251

If this place had been open when I lived in the Mount, I would….well, at least my wife would have known where I was when I was not home.  This is the sort of place that every town needs – and I hope upon hope that they open a second one in Goolwa quick smart.  But before the review, let’s back up a bit.

A while back I asked my reader (you know who you are) if they knew of some places that I really needed to check out – and among the many suggestions (well, four of them) was a place called ‘My Cafe’ in Mount Barker, and after many searches, I had – much like my search for Nessie and the Abominable Snowman – given up.  However today was nice – it was one of the days, despite the nip in the air, the sun was shining and the green of the Adelaide Hills was glorious, and seeing as though I had to be in Mount Barker so my wife could be checked up on (she is nearly 38 weeks pregnant) I thought I would search one last time for the mysterious ‘My Cafe.’  Well, to cut a long story short – as I was trawling down Gawler Street, I saw those two little words that send a shiver of excitement through the cafinatious gland of any coffee snob – “Espresso Bar”  – and there it was, like an appearance of an oasis [not the band – heaven forbid – not the band] – Sazo’n.

Words cannot do this place justice – you MUST go there and check it out – from the funky design of the interior, to the cool(ish) music that sets the vibe,  the many comfortable outdoor seating opportunities, to the friendly, courteous and knowledgeable  staff (my wife commented on their customer service – which is a HUGE thing people – it is one of our biggest peeves) this place has it all – and I haven’t even mentioned the Coffee yet.  Yes – they do, do coffee!!

Latte Quality – Lattastic! – Now I know that I have said before that I wouldn’t rush in to making such a bold assessment – but in fairness to me (and this is my blog after all) after my first Sazo’n experience, I did give them a couple of hours grace and then returned to try again – and it was just as good, if not better!!

Cost – $4.00 – which is above average for a regular size – but between you and me, I think it is worth it!!

Coffee Supplier – Veneziano Caffe – which is a new one to me, but is brilliant.  You can buy the beans at Sazo’n or order them online.

Fair Trade – Probably not – at least there was no mention in store, but Veneziano do do a “Pure™ ‘Fairtrade Organic” – I’ll let you know what it is like!

Special Notes – They do a full breakfast and lunch menu is the Mexican style – and they are also conscious of people’s food intolerances and allergies – so KC was glad when the waitress took the time to come around the counter and explain to her which of the yummy looking sweet food was gluten free!  The Portuguese Tart that I had was great!

Venue Suitable for:

• Quiet Chat, Deep and Meaningful, Study – there is the potential for all three uses – however when KC went in there she said the music was a bit ‘doof, doof’ in persuasion which kind of makes studying difficult, and would knock any sort of D&M on the head – but when I went back, the music was more acoustic guitar based, which I could study too – and when the weather allows, you can always sit outside.