Ok,in the last 6 months I have gone from being an appreciator of good coffee, (while still being a regular instant drinker) to now being somewhat obsessive about the stuff.

I owe that largely to my caffeine freak friend Grendel who has ‘converted’ me to a life of ‘only the best’.

I have entered the ranks of those who reject instant coffee in favour of water or tea. I can even pick the difference between good and very good these days and sadly most days I would rather drink at home than risk someone else’s brew.

Anyway here’s a quick run-down of some places I’ve visited lately and the quality of their coffee… (in my humble opinion…) I tried some of these places because following our tour of the 5 Senses ‘lab’ we were given a bunch of vouchers to use.

Velvet Espresso – King Steet in the city – Hmmm…. bloody good coffee! (5 Senses) I had some muesli and fruit as well as two flat whites and they were brilliant. The place was humming and the staff seemed to know what they were doing, which is probably why they have such a good rep around the place. A real winner! 9/10

Stimulatte – in Hay St Subiaco, just near Nandos. We stopped in here to get a coffee on the way down south, so it was always going to be take away. I don’t like paper cups, but you gotta do what you gotta do… Its a small cafe, but was busy enough when we were there. I could tell the barista was going to stuff my order up because he was engrossed in conversation with a mate, so the request for 1 sugar in my flat white was forgotten in the hubbub. We only discovered the absence of sugar after we had started driving… But in my mind its a measure of good coffee if you can drink it without sugar. These guys are right up there for quality coffee (5 Senses) because it was still very very good. A little attention to customer needs and they’d be a real winner. 8.5/10

Prevelly Cafe – Margaret River – The views from this cafe mean you could drink cat wee and not complain! With a large swell running out at the bombie and a beautiful sunny winter’s day I was in heaven. The coffee was average and the staff were ok. 6/10 for the coffee experience 11/10 for the location

The Urban Bean – ok you have you go to Margaret River to get this stuff, but these guys do a great brew! Its at the top of the street (south end) and well worth the effort. The food is the organic salad kind of stuff and it has that ‘we grew it ourselves’ type of feel. Personally I like a bit more meat… but the staff are good, the vibe is nice and the coffee is sensational. 9.5/10

MacDonalds Busselton – come on… laugh with me! Actually it was better than I expected but still not something you’d go back for! The kids loved it and Danelle enjoyed the sleep in. 5/10

Yallingup Coffee – Dunsborough – These guys do their own brew and are getting fairly well known. I have been there twice now and had a large flat white both times. I’d have to say it was ok but tasted a bit harsh and wasn’t up there with some of the better stuff I have come across. The place was busy and quite impersonal. Not a cafe I’d hang out to get back to. 710

Bridgetown Pottery & Tea Rooms – Bridgetown – This place has become a regular stop off on my south west travels! The coffee is ok – pretty average really – but the scones, homemade jam and double cream are just sensational!!! The vibe is much like a lounge room and the owner is friendly. If you’re in the vicinity then stop in and have some scones… you won’t remember the coffee once you sink your teeth into them. 10/10 for scones, jam and cream 5/10 for coffee.

The Merchant – Mandurah – these guys have a very good reputation for good coffee and being right on the shore of the estuary it was a nice place to spend a Sunday morning. Unfortunately this is where I am reminded that factors other than coffee come into play when it comes to assessing a cafe. The manageress (I assume this was who it was) was one of those obnoxious, belligerent people who abused her staff any time they did anything wrong. As we sat right next to the till we heard everything! The coffee was good but the way she treated her staff made me want to walk out. 6/10

Long Mach – South Terrace Fremantle – another example of people who know what they are doing with coffee. My Five Senses voucher got me another freebie for Danelle and I as we came home from holidays and it was verrry nice. Good vibe, nice people and an interesting food menu. Would have liked to stay and eat… 9/10

The coffee at Long Mach was a great way to end the holiday…

More random coffee commentary to come…