Friday, October 22, 2010

T5, Joondalup

On my quest to treat myself to lunch everyday and find that perfect cup of coffee I decided to head North. After walking around for a while I found what I was looking for, T5.

T5, is a small little cafe with a very simple and plain set up. I get the feeling they had all the ideas in their head but never quite found how to express it. Messy black strings of mesh hanging from the door way (of which I got caught in) and tables and chairs that to be honest, looked like a dining hall at a University.

So as you may have guessed by now, this wasn't a very good visit for me. But alas I will tell you all about it.

I was greeted by a friendly young lady who took my order of a long black and a veggie burger. I didn't have to wait too long which was a good thing as I started to notice all the things that just upset me about this cafe. The long black was a watery dull coffee that was something I would have made when I was first making coffee.

The problem with Perth is there was such a rush and explosion of coffee lovers which lead to coffee shops and cafes springing up, that a lot of people were just thrown in and given the quick way to make a coffee. And in such missed all the real techniques on how to produce a great if not perfect cup of coffee.

The food came and sadly I couldn't finish it. When I get a veggie burger I get quite excited as most of the patty's are home made with all the spices and little extras to make it a taste journey for your mouth. However this patty was bought from Coles in a air tight 2 pack, something I have in the back of my fridge for one of those days when I don't want to cook.

I rushed out of T5, and my advice to you is if you are going to make the journey to Joondalup or you live close and want a good cup of coffee. Head up to the Shopping Centre and get yourself a Gloria Jeans, I hate to say it, but they produce a better cup of coffee.

One good thing out of all this, was apart from the great friendly staff, there is a bar next door. My next passion... Beer.

T5 Espresso on Urbanspoon

The Lounge Room, Guildford

Its not easy to stick to a healthy eating plan when the food is so good. That is why I over indulged at The Lounge Room in Guildford.

I have been working a lot of late and when I had a week off I decided I would treat myself to lunch every day. And turned that into a quest to find that perfect cup of coffee along the way. As I had already done a lot of sampling of the delights of the West of Perth I decided I would stick to the East this time which brought me to Guildford.

Guildford is a 'cute' little area full of nick naks and wicked old houses. But right smack bang in the middle of the high street is a gem. The Lounge Room, I actually wasn't paying attention and walked right past it.
It has a nice outside area shaded from the heat of the summer to come and a very simple yet stylish interior that gives a really modern homely feel.

I placed my usual order of the long black (AMAZING) and I also ordered my lunch, stuffed mushrooms and palenta salad. The staff there were super kind and nice, I couldn't fault their service or general friendliness. I decided to sit outside and people watch, a pass time I have mastered. The wait for the coffee was not long at all, and as soon as it hit my lips, I was in.

The coffee The Lounge Room use 5 Senses coffee, which is a great brand I have to admit. But I also think it comes down to the Barista. It was sweet and full of flavour, and HELLO, he knew how to make a proper Long Black. Something not a lot of people for such a simple drink can master in Perth. You could almost pinpoint the flavours with each sip, it's fresh and sweet flavours overwhelmed my taste buds.

Now this is a BIG UP'S for the coffee, I can't say I have had that many cups of coffee in Perth that have made me so happy to drink it. But wait there's more. The food that came not long after was perfect. It was simple, stuffed mushrooms perfectly placed around the plate of a basic mixed salad with a slice of palenta in the middle. I had to stop myself from eating so fast.

I was so happy with my coffee that after I had taken in all I could take from the Lounge Room I got a take away Long Black.

If you live far far away from Guildford, it is worth the trip to The Lounge Room. Everything about it was perfect, even the muffins I bought as I left as well.

The Lounge Room on Urbanspoon