On my way to work this morning I walked past the cafe where I had a bad coffee last week and felt guilty for having avoided them and for making a snap judgement of the new barista. Bit harsh I thought, so in I go and order my Latte.
Looks promising. He's acting confident. Turning knobs. Concentrating. Throthing. Pouring. Oh shit. There is an art to the pour. There is a girl at the airport who has a great pour; she makes great shapes in the top which amaze me. I have never mastered that fancy pour and guess they learn it the day prior to graduation from coffee school - a secret passed on from Coffee Master to wannabe barista.
I'm now nervous. I hand over my cash and walk away. Hmmm, cup feels a bit hot, maybe overcooked this one I think but nothing prepares me for the full horror. I delay the first sip until I am at my desk. I don't want this day to start badly.
Bastard. This is one of the worse coffees I have ever had. I contemplate pouring it away and actually having a vending machine substitute. The guy is a butcher I tell you. All that stops me is the fact that this stuff costs more than petrol and I suffer along, a martyr and sad addict, hoping against all odds that the next sip will be better. Bitter disappointment and I shall not return. My patronage is now firmly to a Mojo supplied vendor down the road. Period.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Oh dear. It really does start the day off on the wrong foot, doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteYou should 'out' them so that nobody else suffers.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to out the barista who served me in the level 4 cafe at Te Papa. I was gutted because a) until recently I worked at TP, and b) I love that caff. It has a fab hotel foyer vibe and c) it cost a goddamn fortune.
I actually feel a bit mean. The coffee was the worst I have ever tried though. Perhaps tea is a safer bet.
alan: did you notice a slight gruffness today? And you thought it was my new fitness drive...
ReplyDeletemartha: We go to TP so much - you're bound to have heard me shouting at the kids at sometime and thought "who is that crazed Dad?". Love the cafe too, neat setting. I feel mean outing the cafe as it is only the morning guy (7am as I go by) - all the others are great.....but if you must Arabica.
Thats cool, a qualified outing. I just won't go there in the morning. And similarly the cafe on the ground floor of TP is fab now, and good coffees too.
ReplyDeleteCompensation in coffee is a good idea. I think all wars could be settled over a good cup.
ReplyDeleteYeah, good point Brena.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm sorry to hear about your coffee-hell Mr R. I always shout from the rooftops about the wonderful coffee here, bummer to meet a bad one...
Keep shouting, Welly coffee is still right up there....and welcome back!
ReplyDeleteHeh... and where is this place I should avoid? I suspect I pass it regularly too.
ReplyDeleteOpposite the Hotel Intercontinental. Pleased to report that said barista has now left (of his own choice?) and so the status quo returns.
ReplyDelete