Shop 13/163 Commercial Road, Prahran Market, South Yarra. 9804 7434
The first thing that I noticed whilst walking into Market Lane Coffee was that it had this special feel about it, the only way to describe it is like a euphoric effect, and you just know that you are about to get some mind-altering coffee.
Well, that could be just because once you drink as much coffee as I do you end up feeling like a crack addict, looking for their next hit.
The only problem was that Market Lane was closed for the day for the Tim Wendelboe "put your prices up and roast light experience" that I was attending. And even though the Tim Wendelboe talk was incredibly inspiring and we cupped some pretty amazing coffees, there was still that part of me that wanted this cafe to just open already and start pouring me some shots! However I had to wait approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes (but who's counting?) before I could see this place in operation. So I came back the next morning at the crack of dawn. Apparently I wasn't the only person who had heard about this cafe, there was a line at the bar before it had even opened.
Before I get to talking about the coffee, let me tell you a little bit about my second favourite thing in this world: design. Market Lane Coffee is one of the best designed cafes in Melbourne, hands down. This is because there is so little design to it. It is effortlessly elegant. Beautifully crafted wooden benches, sophisticated use of green metals, timber and white tiles. It is cosy and warm whilst being very spacious as well.
And if you don't know what the hell they all are, just look up to the big chalkboard diagram explaining everything.
I bought a bag of Acatenango beans and requested some info about pour overs, although they didn't go into as much detail as to show me how to make one on the spot (as did Shane at the League of Honest Coffee with the Chemex) but they were super friendly and did give me a card explaining the process with a full in depth how-to as well. To put it simply: You won't be disappointed, you will be rather impressed.
So i pulled out my long list of things to try and fIrst up was a ristretto, I believe that it was a single origin but I'm not 100% sure.
I have a funny feeling that Tim Wendelboe's light roast philosophy extends all the way here as I was sensing some light roasting flavours all over my underdeveloped palate.
Item number 3 a 'alternate' brew. From what I could see Market Lane is really pushing pour overs, so that was next. Well I'm definitely sure that the beans were the Acatenango, because I bought a bag of them as soon as I was finished.
I've been stuffing syphons, chemexes and pour overs down her throat all week and she hasn't been impressed to say the least. So for her to actually want more, means that Market Lane have really mastered the roasting of beans specifically for pour overs. And this is where I believe they differ from many of the other places: They roast according to brewing methods, rather than just implementing alternate brewing methods to existing roasts. Maybe this is why they only focus on pour overs and espresso. And if focusing on two methods means coffee is always this good,
A note: If you are looking for drugs and you are in the Prahran area call 9804 7434 and tell them Aron sent you. Trust me, they will give you a dose of the very best product in the area. And if your nice they will even pour a rosetta on it as well :)
The first thing that I noticed whilst walking into Market Lane Coffee was that it had this special feel about it, the only way to describe it is like a euphoric effect, and you just know that you are about to get some mind-altering coffee.
Well, that could be just because once you drink as much coffee as I do you end up feeling like a crack addict, looking for their next hit.
And I was desperate because on this side of town it's much easier to get good coke than it is to get good coffee.
The only problem was that Market Lane was closed for the day for the Tim Wendelboe "put your prices up and roast light experience" that I was attending. And even though the Tim Wendelboe talk was incredibly inspiring and we cupped some pretty amazing coffees, there was still that part of me that wanted this cafe to just open already and start pouring me some shots! However I had to wait approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes (but who's counting?) before I could see this place in operation. So I came back the next morning at the crack of dawn. Apparently I wasn't the only person who had heard about this cafe, there was a line at the bar before it had even opened.
Before I get to talking about the coffee, let me tell you a little bit about my second favourite thing in this world: design. Market Lane Coffee is one of the best designed cafes in Melbourne, hands down. This is because there is so little design to it. It is effortlessly elegant. Beautifully crafted wooden benches, sophisticated use of green metals, timber and white tiles. It is cosy and warm whilst being very spacious as well.
And although the cafe is very generous to us customers, it also has a pretty kick-arse setup for the baristas as well. A massive bench with all types of coffee contraptions to keep you busy every morning.
And if you don't know what the hell they all are, just look up to the big chalkboard diagram explaining everything.
They also have a mighty mighty fine retail section, with beans, cups, books, tools, you name it, probably one of the nicest I've seen to date.
I bought a bag of Acatenango beans and requested some info about pour overs, although they didn't go into as much detail as to show me how to make one on the spot (as did Shane at the League of Honest Coffee with the Chemex) but they were super friendly and did give me a card explaining the process with a full in depth how-to as well. To put it simply: You won't be disappointed, you will be rather impressed.
So i pulled out my long list of things to try and fIrst up was a ristretto, I believe that it was a single origin but I'm not 100% sure.
What I am sure of was how incredible it tasted.
I have a funny feeling that Tim Wendelboe's light roast philosophy extends all the way here as I was sensing some light roasting flavours all over my underdeveloped palate.
Item number 2: Piccolo. Immaculately poured, and a very different taste to what I have been having at some other places. The flavours were very light and fruity and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Item number 3 a 'alternate' brew. From what I could see Market Lane is really pushing pour overs, so that was next. Well I'm definitely sure that the beans were the Acatenango, because I bought a bag of them as soon as I was finished.
The pour over really floored me. The flavours were just as they described: brown sugar, nectarine and light floral tones. By far the best I have had. The really amazing part of all this was that my girlfriend absolutely loved it too.
I've been stuffing syphons, chemexes and pour overs down her throat all week and she hasn't been impressed to say the least. So for her to actually want more, means that Market Lane have really mastered the roasting of beans specifically for pour overs. And this is where I believe they differ from many of the other places: They roast according to brewing methods, rather than just implementing alternate brewing methods to existing roasts. Maybe this is why they only focus on pour overs and espresso. And if focusing on two methods means coffee is always this good,
I think that many more cafes should take Market Lane's approach: Be yourself, that's whats really cool.
A note: If you are looking for drugs and you are in the Prahran area call 9804 7434 and tell them Aron sent you. Trust me, they will give you a dose of the very best product in the area. And if your nice they will even pour a rosetta on it as well :)