It was a sad day when I said goodbye to coffee in Melbourne. I loved the cafes, the lattes and the flat whites. The creaminess of a good cup of coffee is something I’ve been trying to achieve at home with my Breville espresso maker, french press and milk frother.
While in Australia, I heard of an Australian coffee influence taking hold in New York City. We lived in NYC from 2000-2005 blind to any cafe other than those adorned with bright green letters S-T-A-R-B-U-C-K-S. Things change quickly though and look what I found (excuse the phone pics):
Woo-hoo, a flat white. And it was good, very good.
Cafes with Australian influence are popping up all over Manhattan and beyond. See this article for more. We found Cafe Grumpy, in Chelsea.
It was a bit of St. Kilda in New York City… minus the accents. Unfortunately, we live in the Jersey ‘burbs but it’s only a matter of time until Starbucks offers a flat white. Let’s hope it’s not offered in a venti size.
I also live in the Jersey burb’s. I must say I love the accessibility of being under an hour from 4 international airports, the greatest city in the world (IMHO), beaches, mountains etc. However I may need to move to St Kilda in 2 years. Ive been there a few times but was wondering what you would say about NJ vs St Kilda
St Kilda was great – laid back, beachy but still urban vibe. Because of melbourne’s size you are also close to everything in the city and outer suburbs without the bridge, tunnel, turnpike, and parkway traffic. Jersey and Melbourne are very different. I’d have to think about the differences a bit more to best articulate my thoughts. I hear a blog post forming…(about time that happened).
Best of luck in your Aussie travels! It’s not to be missed.
Did you know that Starbucks in the UK offers a flat white? It’s because the drink became popularised by Australian-run cafes there. It’s about the only decent coffee they do, because it’s not too big/weak like all their other “coffee”.
I did not know that. Thanks for sharing! Just between you and me, recently (as in today) I might have enjoyed a one-pump, pumpkin spiced latte. :)