Milk and Honey, Aungier Street

This relatively new (apparently) cafe on Aungier Street is not overwhelming, but it's nice. The highlight of the visit was probably the wise-cracking Asian barista guy, who displayed endearing levels of bonhomie. The caffeine offering isn't bad; in fact, my latte was quite creamy and delicious, although the coffee was a little insipid. My mater had an americano, which she insisted wasn't hot enough, so I asked endearing Asian guy for another, less temperate version. He very obligingly scalded the hell out of the cup, before carefully bearing the beverage aloft to our table with a saucer clamped firmly on top to prevent any wayward thermal energy from escaping. However, I wouldn't really hold the purported coolness of my mother's coffee against the establishment -she does like a coffee that's 'good and hot'. I suspect this is because, when drinking coffee, she's really looking for the sort of gratification she ordinarily gets from a cup of tea. It's the Irishness in her - she really wants a good, soothing, boiling hot cup of tea, which is what she'd have at home. But she orders a coffee, because that's what coffee shops are for. We had breakfast also, which was a pretty standard scrambled eggs and bacon on bagel affair. I don't think I'd go back for the food. But if I'm ever marooned on Aungier street and in desperate need of a latte fix.....then I'd probably consider this joint. Extra points for the lovely staff.

Love Lattes score-card:

Temperature – Just right, despite Phil's protests

Coffee flavour – Lacking

Foam consistency – Silken, like tofu

Food accompaniments on offer – Underwhelming (although the sandwiches described on the menu did sound quite tasty)

Rachel

Lattes on different laaatitudes: Germany special

Mühlbach's Backstube, a shopping centre, somewhere in Delmenhorst.

Delmenhorst is a strange place. It is populated almost entirely by freaks. Admittedly I haven't been there that many times, or for very long, but everyone I have seen has been decidedly weird. However, secreted away in one of supermarket complexes is a unprepossessing bakery who do an eminently drinkable latte. I don't know how they do it, because their coffee machine appears to be one that you just press one button on, and everything comes out all mixed up and scalding. But this was layered like a proper latte and had a fine covering of velvety foam.

Should you ever find yourself here and in need of a latte, make for this place. Of course, I don't know exactly where it is, but I'm sure any of the reliable purple haired middle-aged bikers will be able to direct you there.

Love Lattes score-card:

Temperature – Perfect

Coffee flavour – Good

Foam consistency – Good enough

Food accompaniments on offer – Lovely fresh brötchen with cheese and numerous delicious pastries and baked deliciousness.

Alex

Lunch! Calzone Cafe, South William Street, Dublin

This is a lovely place for lunch or dinner, it’s not too expensive, it’s very informal, and the food is delicious. But do not go there for a latte. I believe they use a blowtorch to heat the milk. And quite possibly set fire to the coffee beans. Not what I love at all, no.

Love Lattes score-card:

Temperature – Broiled

Coffee flavour – Burnt and bitter

Foam consistency – None really to speak of

Food accompaniments on offer – Excellent! I highly recommend it for food. But just stay away from the lattes. They also claim to do a flat white. I would avoid that too.


Alex