Wednesday, July 20, 2005

3 Strikes and you're OUT...

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.

9 comments:

  1. Oh dear. It really does start the day off on the wrong foot, doesn't it.

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  2. You should 'out' them so that nobody else suffers.

    I'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.

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  3. alan: did you notice a slight gruffness today? And you thought it was my new fitness drive...

    martha: 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.

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  4. 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.

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  5. Compensation in coffee is a good idea. I think all wars could be settled over a good cup.

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  6. Yeah, good point Brena.

    And 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...

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  7. Keep shouting, Welly coffee is still right up there....and welcome back!

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  8. Heh... and where is this place I should avoid? I suspect I pass it regularly too.

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  9. Opposite the Hotel Intercontinental. Pleased to report that said barista has now left (of his own choice?) and so the status quo returns.

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