Coffee Cantata - Bondi Junction's south end and Queen Street, Woollahra

COFFEE CANTATA

Coffee Cantata is all about giving bouquets (1 for bad to 5 for brilliant) to cafes that come up with a cup of coffee that's worth going back for. Forty years of globe trotting on at least one cup of coffee a day represents a minimum intake of 14,600 cups (horrors). A lifetime of perfect on the palate notes, enhanced by the settings and surrounds I have chosen to enjoy this endearing and enduring stimulant.

With a background in travel - over a ten year period I was Sales and Marketing Manager for three Corporate Travel Agencies, and a degree in Nutrition, I am well qualified to comment on where to find a good cup of coffee in your travels
I'm not a coffee purist, nor do I claim to be a beans and blends expert, but I do recognise a good cup of coffee when I taste one.
By choice I drink cafe espresso or long black in Europe, Soy Cappuccino (without chocolate on top) in Australia, and a 'normal' Cappuccino in the countries that aren't yet into Soy Milk - from recent experience, Croatia, Spain, and Singapore.
Not many of the 14,600 cups have registered on my required level of perfection scale, but some have come really close. In some places the cafes have been more enticing than the products they serve. To score both is a bonus. In Prague there are Cafes whose surrounds are so elegant that you would excuse an inferior blend. In Paris the passing parade counters some of the lesser and most expensive cups of coffee I've experienced
As my contribution to the pleasures of the palate I intend to run Coffee Cantata as an 'open ended' blog. Coffee enthusiasts will be able to tap into my sources and resources, and hopefully add their own. This is the start of a world Coffee Cantata movement.

For the month of March 2012 this writer's outright favourite coffee was enjoyed at Latticini, cnr Darling Street and Hancock Lane, Rozelle. (see Coffee Cantata - Enmore, Glebe,Rozelle)

Weekly Update: Friday 16 March - not a cup of coffee this week that teased my palate enough to give an enthusiastic report on. I've been 'doing' the rounds of the recently opened, seriously on-trend cafes. The food has been excellent, but the coffee has a way to go. Rather than name and shame, I'll wait until they have had time to settle in before passing judgement.

For the month of February 2012 this writer's outright favourite coffee was enjoyed  at Ampersand Cafe Bookstore, 78 Oxford Street (Darlinghurst end) Sydney.

                                              Jones the Grocer

Always reliable, Jones the Grocer, 68 Moncur Street, Woollahra sits just around the corner from Queen Street. Although there is no pavement seating the indoor area is of Warehouse proportions giving it a spacious, relaxed feel. The cup size is undergenerous but the coffee is good.
Score: 4 Bouquets

Sugar Cafe, 2b Nelson Street, Bondi Junction

Tucked just around the corner from Oxford Street, adjacent to Bondi Bikes this little side walk cafe doesn't ooze the wow factor but it doesn't have "attitude" either - the staff are very welcoming. It's not somewhere that you would diary as having to visit, but it's perfect if you're looking for a cup of coffee after you've cycled  around and around nearby Centenial Park and called into the bike shop to pick up yet more accessories. Coffee is well priced. Score: 3 bouquets


SAVTA , Waverley Street, Bondi Junction. An oasis in the midst of a concrete jungle.

Savta sits in a sylvan setting diagonally across from the back entrance of Myer, Bondi Junction. Pavement tables beckon passers by and the cafe doors are wide open to the courtyard, giving the appearance from the inside of being on the outside. It's an ideal place for an inexpensive lunch ($10 -$15) and perfect for a casual coffee. I pay $3.50 for an excellent tasting generous sized cup of Soy Cap. A long black is $3. As the name implies, the menu has a predominately Israeli theme. Mine host is most agreeable, easy on the eye, and very customer orientated, hence the noticeable repeat business. Try Savta's Beef Burger ($10) stuffed full with beef, spinach, tomato, chutney, melted cheese, caramelised onion and mayonnaise..you won't leave feeling hungry. Score: 4 Bouquets

Diagonally across from Savta also in Waverley Street is Central Baking Depot. Not great for coffee as the cups are too small and the coffee pretty standard but a great place to buy a loaf of Sourdough or Soy and Linseed bread. They also sell the most irresistible pastries. I inevitably end up taking one home for later! Score: 3 Bouquets

Coffee Cantata hits Woollahra (my local neighbourhood)

At 107 Queen Street, Zigolinis (Italian), is a Woollahra institution and a perennial favourite of mine. They always have a divine floral display centre stage to compliment the indoor outdoor experience. If you're in the area pop in and enjoy an always consistent coffee, and a decadent slice of calorie laden cake .Score: 4 Bouquets

Cafe Creme, 101 Queen Street, Woollahra

With a florist shop for a backdrop Cafe Creme occupies an elevated vantage point right in the heart of  Queen Street. So perfect for people gazing and celebrity spotting. At $4.30 for a Soy Cap on weekends it needs to be good, and it is. Shaded outside seating makes it easy to linger longer, and if you're peckisk the menu is very palate pleasing. Judged on my bouquets awarded scale  (1-5) this scores 5 Bouquets

Moving south east to Waverley for a relaxing coffee on a Sunday, post lunch, I dropped in on Stock Cafe & Foodstore, 29 Albion Street

 When last I visited here I enjoyed their wholesome and simply presented food. This visit coffee was the only thing on my agenda. As I keep stressing "it's all in the beans". Don't know what happened to these beans, but the resulting coffee (Campo) was bitter and watery.
Score: 1.5 Bouquets (very close to a brick bat)