Caffé Doc
That morning out to savour a good coffee will either be a fulfilling taste and aroma sensation or.. something a heck of a lot less.Trying to make sense of a cup of dark swill seated on a plastic chair breathing in car exhaust just does not do it for me. I need the full Monty, aromatic fully extracted Ethiopian right cup size and correct temperature. Pretentious ...perhaps, but its what I like and look for when searching for a great cup of coffee !
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Le Petit Bistro
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Mastrantonio Rosebank Mall
Restaurant Mastrantonio ( Now Mastro )
Address ; The Mall Rosebank
Greeting; Friendly greeting by staff.
Ambience; One of the older coffee establishments in Rosebank with a busy passing trade..
Décor; Corporate Italian with recognizable décor
Menu ; Impressive with large variety of cakes
Food quality; Can't comment, I had fridge cheese cake which was disappointing, not fresh.
Coffee; Gabbiano
Origin; Unknown
Espresso machine Gaggio
http://www.gaggia.com/index_en.html
Grinder; Unknown
Cappuccino;
Size We didn’t ask for a small size but the large size was just the start of the bad news Heat We had asked for the coffee not to be too hot and yet we got scalding hot !I suppose in an attempt to appease us we were served a small jug of cold milk as well ! When I asked for a smaller cup at the correct temperature the waiter was quite willing to help but only when I pointed out the size cup I wanted on top of the Espresso machine did he realise that they in fact had the size I wanted !
Extraction; No body and lacked flavour
Milk;
Swirl/Decant ; Decanted cold foam from large jug and scalding hot milk from another !
Temperature; Really bad
Biscotti;None
A place I would give a wide berth until they got the milk under control .
PJ
Bean rating ( Maximum 5 Beans )
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Munch
Restaurant: Munch (13:30 )
http://www.munchcafe.co.za/Address: Garden Shop Cnr Jan Smuts Avenue and Bolton Road, Parktown North
Greeting: Very friendly greeting by staff even with a full house for lunch.
Ambience: A favourite with young families with children as they have free reign in the playing area while the older folk enjoy the quiet garden.
Décor: White and blue clean and cool
Menu: Small always fresh and frequently changed
Food: quality Fresh and well presented .Try the Chicken and Halloumi salad or Baked Potato and Salmon
Coffee: Tasa D'Ora La Regina dei Caffe
http://www.tazzadorocoffeeshop.com/
Origin: South American Blend
Espresso machine: Nuova Simonelli
http://www.nuovasimonelliusa.com/Grinder: Unknown
Cappuccino
Size: We didn’t have to ask for the right size cup as the 160ml size is standard for
Munch. Bravo !
Heat: Just perfect
Extraction: Full bodied and great aroma
Milk
Swirl/Decant: Swirl and pour !
Temperature: Good
Consistency: Good
Biscotti: Yes made by the owners
A quiet and pleasant place to pass away the day .
Bean Rating :(Maximum 5 Beans)
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Doppio Zero
Restaurant: Doppio Zero (8:00 Sunday morning)
Address: The Zone Rosebank
Greeting: Very quiet Sunday morning so we settled in by our selves
Ambience : Spanish music in background with few customers as we are early Sunday visitors . Best option was outside in warm morning sun.
Décor: Austere but modern
Menu: Large and impressive
Food quality: One of the best small breakfasts in Johannesburg
Coffee: Danesi http://www.danesi-caffe.com
Origin: Central and South American Blend
Espresso machine: Unknown
Grinder: Unknown
Cappuccino
Size: Had to ask for their “ Petite “ 150ml size . The usual size is 200-250 ml (Too large !)
Heat: Just perfect
Extraction: Full bodied and great aroma
Milk:
Swirl/Decant: Decanted foam from large jug !
Temperature: Good
Consistency: Good
Biscotti: Small rich biscuit ...tasty
Bean Rating:(Maximum 5 Beans)

All in all a good experience
PJ
Tasha's Melrose Arch
Restaurant : Tasha's Melrose Arch ( Friday 12:00 am )
http://www.tashas.co.za/Address: Melrose Arch
Greeting: Very friendly greeting by owner notwithstanding the pressure of the lunchtime rush
Ambience : The wonderful noisy clammer of the mainly 20 -30 something s enjoying the start of another weekend.
Décor: All Tasha's have a theme and Melrose has the spoons !
Menu: Large and impressive
Food quality: This branch is no different to all other Tasha's restaurants and the food is fresh different and tasty. I had the Salmon Tatare which was a treat and very popular if the number of plates that kept passing my table was anything to go by.
Coffee: Danesi
Origin: Central and South American Blend
Espresso machine: Unknown
Grinder: Unknown
Cappuccino:
Size: Would be good if all restaurants asked what size you wanted and don't presume you wanted a great bowl. Got the right size when I asked . How about asking whether the customer wants Fat free, 2% or Full cream milk as well?
Heat: Just perfect
Extraction:Full bodied and great aroma
Milk:
Swirl/Decant:Unknown
Temperature: Good
Consistency: Good
Biscotti: None
Happy days good food,coffee and friends.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Tasha's Rosebank
Restaurant: Tasha's Rosebank
Address: The Zone Rosebank
Greeting:Warm and inviting by staff and owners
Ambience : Restfully elegant with tasteful light background music
Décor: Modern New York wonderful bar and beautiful wood
Menu: Satisfying diversity to appease any palate.
Food: What Tasha's is known for.
Coffee: Lavazza Aroma (40% Robusta 60 % Arabica )
Origin: Blend of any of 50 countries
Espresso machine: Mazzocco
Grinder: Mazzocco
Cappuccino
Size: Had to ask for their “ Petite “ 150ml size . The usual size is 200-250 ml (Too large !)
Heat: On the cool side which is contrary to what I usually find.
Extraction: Under-extracted with loss of the body
Milk
Swirl/Decant: Decanted foam from large jug
Temperature: Good
Consistency: Good
Biscotti:None