Thanks guys, sitting in LaVeen now as I write / drink, and watching a six group synesso at work... Doing a little bit of a coffee crawl this arvo as I make my way walking and public transport to Bunnings at Subiaco to buy som PVC fittings for my bean cooler. Going to have to stop soon as the caffeine overload will keep me up all night on the way back home. Started off at Bench, just round the corner from the hotel. Think it was a yirg I tried there and was pleasantly surprised how good it was. Acidic but still smooth if that makes any sense. The barista seemed passionate about coffee as I watched one of there staff bring trained how to do a pour over. Next was standing room only - a short walk down hay st mall. Lots of 5 senses bags on the bench, and as the name suggests its a funky little place with no chairs. Cant remember what I had - was ok but perhaps not so much to my taste. Knowledgable barista who mentioned they are getting some new beans, road freighted from the roaster to ensure quality by stopping the bags popping. Next was Small Print, a few blocks away, down towards the water. Tucked away one level down, amongst a bunch of restaurants at the base of a collection of office blocks. A bit hard to find for an out of towner like me, but a great feel to the place, and I was pleased to see the roaster parked behind glass in view from the tables. I tried a coffee here called something like La providence, which I think was a South American bean - roasted on site. Absolutely stunning! It was the nicest espresso I've tried from any cafe for quite a while. My only gripe was the poor girl serving couldn't pronounce the name of the bean - in any case the barista came over and helped out. I'll be back again when next in Perth. I would have gone to Essence of coffee as well, but I don't think it was walking distance from the hotel. Lastly went to LaVeen. Bit of a hipster feel to this place but still with friendly knowledgable staff. Tried a LaFinca something (sorry for be so non specific), that apparently the world barista champ won with. A smooth, quite delicate taste with some fruit notes. Nice, but again not really to my taste. One last thing about pricing - an espresso ranged from $3 to $4.70 (wtf??) I nearly walked out when quoted 4.70. Funnily enough the cheapest was also the best.. Have coffee prices gone up so much since I left Aust? Anyway, that's it for now - got to rush to Bunnings then back to the hotel in time for work..
