Thursday, June 11, 2009

Tropicana @ Kings Cross

Consistently Above Average!

Tropicana is a great open and friendly establishment. Tropicana attracts all sorts of interesting, bizarre and famous people, it has a great location, great food, great coffee, efficient service and is responsive to the world around it.

The coffee is reliably above average. It's not the best cup in town, but you are never left disappointed.

Open till late, it is always a great option if you are up for a chat with friends or a quiet takeaway.

Reasonably priced coffee and food.

227B Victoria St
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
(02) 9360 9809
Open Daily 5am-10:30pm
www.tropicanacaffe.com

Tigerbakers @ Kings Cross

Black Listed...

Wow. If I would like a slap on the face, with a coffee that's poorly made, I will definitely go to Tigerbakers. While sipping my coffee wondering why I didn't go across the road to Tropicana, I overheard the all time worst customer service in Oz.

Tigerbakers have switched the role of consumer and service provider, reporting they will accept people into their cafe granted they meet the cafes standards. Such standards exclude locals of Kings Cross from frequenting, or pausing out the front of this establishment.

Surly this is not correct? I highly doubt that! I asked the owner directly about what I had heard. She openly informed me that Tigerbakers will not accommodate people who look (insert owner's derogatory comment here...) as though they may engage in activities such as intravenous drug use.

I asked her "How do you determine whether or not a person is engaging in such activities?" The owner replied they will have a look at a person entering the cafe and decide on the spot. I see.

Tut Tut.
This is against Equal Opportunities and it is blatant Discrimination. Understanding that people have views on drug usage as a separate matter, in NSW and Australia a person cannot be refused services based on their looks.

Great place to order a glass of tap water.

Tigerbakers‎
292 Victoria Street
Darlinghurst NSW 2010‎
(02) 9360 4890‎


The Bunker @ Darlinghurst

Wonderful!

This is a great cosy cafe close to everything. Just off the corner of Victoria St, The Bunker is between Talyor Square and the drag of Kings Cross.

Campos Coffee is served here, maintaining it's well deserved reputation. Friendly staff, quick service - it's great to pop in and grab a takeaway, or even to have a quick bite. I recommend trying the Banana Bread with 'Ian's Mum's Lemon Butter'.

No Loyalty cards here, which is a shame as it's a great takeaway coffee spot.

Reasonable prices coffees. The food is a little on the overpriced side, although given the location and local competition it's about average.

Overall, consistently great coffee.

The Bunker
399 Liverpool St
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
0404 407 349‎

Bean There @ Sydney City

Wonderful!

Oh I love this place. They serve Campos coffee and know how to make a great cup. There is always a crowd, which means a bit of a wait - but it is worth it.

Happy Hour is between 2 - 3pm - $1.50 for a regular coffee and $2.00 for a large (soy and chai extra $0.50). They wait can be long here too - but again - worth it.

Other times it is $3.00 for regular and $3.50 for a large. They offer a loyalty card, 8 = 1 free.

Friendly staff, great coffee!

It can be a little tricky to find if you haven't visited this establishment before. It is in the Telstra Arcade between Pitt and Castlereagh Streets, (between Liverpool and Bathurst).

Bean There
320 Pitt St
Sydney Nsw, 2000
02 9267 4430

Gallery Cafe @ Surry Hills

Wonderful!

Come One Come All!!

This is a fantastic set up. I can't decide which is better - the coffee or the circus tricks staff perform while you wait? Have a look up at the roof when you enter...

Gallery Cafe is relatively new and establishing a great reputation. Service is always positive, and entertaining. The cafe has a great layout with local artists works displayed. And the coffee is a good brew every time.

Loyalty Cards are available - 7 = 1 free, with three rows to a card.

$3.00 for a regular coffee

74 Devonshire Street
Surry Hills
NSW 2010
p: (02) 9281 5931 f


Hoochie Mamma @ Newtown

Consistently Above Average.

Hoochie Mamma attract a lot of students and visiting parents, and some crowds from the near by hospital as well as other people who find themselves on Missenden Road.

It's a fairy trendy set up with reasonably priced snacks and drinks. They also have great opening hours - early till late. As the local Campos closes in the afternoon, Hoochie Mamma are a prime target for late night coffee sippers.

Hoochie Mamma's serve a consistently a pretty good cup of coffee.

There is a loyalty card for 9 = 1 free, and this is double sided so bonus points for recycling, and all staff seem to make a good brew.

$3.00 for a regular coffee.

Hoochie Mamma Cafe
156 Missenden Road
Newtown NSW 2042
Ph: +61 2 9557 9444

Coco Cubano @ Kings Cross

Black Listed

Hmmmm
......

Promising!! An exciting new cafe on the strip. "Viva the Revolution" "Be the change you want to see in the world". Che Guevara enthusiasts are encouraged to come and sip in the warehouse style revolutionary cafe.

Getting caught up in the metaphorical Bling of the revolution may be an excuse for not noticing the pricey coffee you have purchased is very below average and the cup has residue from several coffee's prior.

Granted they have a loyalty card with a personal inspiring message from your favourite revolutionary - if you do not follow their computers strict policy of presenting before paying you forfeit your reward points. Way to fight the machine.

Disappointing. How is one to overcome the oppressive forces that be with a below average coffee?

I have given Coco Cubano three strikes... failing each time.

Coco Cubano
Darlinghurst Rd
Kings Cross
Website coming soon.
www.cococubano.com



I say skip on past this Gloria Guevara Cafe and head to Bella Vita. They know how to brew a good coffee. And for $3.00 a regular, also with a user friendly loyalty card (9 = 1 free), Bella Vita is definitely worth the 20 metre walk.

Bella Vita
Darlinghurst Rd
Kings Cross
20 meters from Coco Cubano
away from the station.