Store Bought Coffee

"er, that could be the double"

This week I thought I'd pop by the old store (The Store) in North Adelaide to see how it was shaping up after the recent renovations. First impressions were great, (forgiving the hideous plastic doilies on the tables) it looked VERY nice, as did the hordes of beautiful people who were finishing their long lunches. I'd admired the rustic charm of the store for some time, but had thought it could do with a quick little tidy up. Previously, as a cafe / lunch / breakfast spot, it had always had a perfect level of charm and some very appealing quirks, and brilliant cibatta bread. The coffee was always good and the staff were very easy to get along with. The new staff were suitably nouveau-minimalistic and aloof (fulfilling their European mandate). They were quick and attentive to us, the new arrivals, and equally quick to usher us away from the counter / bar area, which under the new regime seems to be the domain of the staff only, and not for customers to hang around - I wondered if they were harbouring some deep secret behind the counter which they did not wish to share - perhaps a secret, patented techniques to making the perfect coffee ...
The solid based outdoor chairs (white, steel - think cross between french provincial and detroit industrial) were ice cold and uninviting, the solid concrete table top was likewise, and the cheap plastic doily did nothing to humanise the experience. When the harsh summer sun hits they may like to think of some cushions and tablecloths, perhaps? Still, the sun was shining and my coffee partner and I were looking forward to enjoying our respective orders. Two lattes, one with a double shot (yep, that was mine). We waiting for quite some time in anticipation (minutes, not hours), while the coffee was created. I noticed they had a decent machine, a fairly new grinder and coffee from Rio, which happens to be one of my favourites, so despite the wait, things looked like they were off to a good start.
I was a little concerned when the coffee arrived and the waiter couldn't tell the difference between the double and the single shot coffee - not to worry, he remembered what he'd been told by the Barista and worked out which was which - I might add he had his work cut out as there was no visible difference between the double and single shot (a minor concern, the proof is in the tasting). The appearance of the coffee was nice, there was a fine featured pattern on top, but the milk had separated slightly, with a sharp dividing line between the froth and the good bit. The milk had been a little burnt, or had been reheated too often, but despite being on the sour side, was of a suitable drinking temperature by the time it reached our table.
Taste wise, the coffee was OK, not great, not awful, just OK - in fact there's not much I can comment on the flavour as there was not a lot there. I think the grind was a little too course (french press not espresso flavour), and there was more caffeine than guts in the cup. I would also suggest the coffee maker decided it was busy enough that instead of a double shot they could get away with a long shot (it was a long shot that didn't pay off this time). For next time, Mr Store, a double shot, means double strength, not double length.
Looking around at the wispy soy and insipid chai lattes on the other tables I don't think people are flocking to the newly renovated 'The Store' to sample the coffee, I think it's more to be seen in the scene. If you go to The Store and feel like a coffee after your meal, avoid the grounds I found in the bottom of mine and maybe pop across the road to Cibo, or wait till you get home.
Although the coffee wasn't as bad as some I have had, I'm truly sorry to say to The Store, I can only giving you 2 stars this time. Hopefully when I return (after the renovation dust settles, and you realise you never know when you may be serving a coffee critic) it will be a completely different 'storey'.

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