Besides food, I have this great love for
DC and Marvel comic books. I'm most fascinated by anything that has to do with
the Batman universe. Then there's also my love for specialty coffee. I've
always thought to myself, wouldn't it be cool if a comic book themed cafe would
open in Sydney?
Last November 2013, my friend Jet (one
of the best baristas I know) told me that he will be working in a cafe in Surry
hills called Reformatory Caffeine Lab. So I visited them on their second week
of opening. Reformatory Caffeine Lab's owner and head roaster, Simone Jaramillo
is a comic book fan and coffee lover just like I am. His coffee joint oozes
comic book and laboratory hipster themed walls and fixtures. It's a
"standing only" room with metal tables fixed to the walls where you
can enjoy your coffee and pastries. They also play "The Super
Friends" (old school Justice League) on their flat screen all day. There
are also a lot of references to "the Joker" who as we all know is a
big part of the Batman universe. They even got their La Marzocco coffee machine
customised mat black with a mad scientist ressembling The Joker.
Putting all of that aside, this cafe
serves amazing coffee. Simone's passion and love for coffee goes way back to
his roots in Columbia where his family owns a coffee farm. I sampled some of
their caffeine beverages and my mind was blown away.
 |
| Ethiopia Sidamo single origin double ristretto |
Simone made me try a double ristretto of their Ethiopia Sidamo
single origin. It had fruity and nutty notes without any trace of bitterness.
I also had a Panama Gesha for pour over at one of my visits. The floral aroma
followed by sweet, lemon and honeysuckle notes with each sip was absolute
bliss.
 |
| Flat white |
They call their house blend the
"Joker blend". I had it in a flat
white ($3.50) and a piccolo ($3.50). It was between medium and full body
with sweet and nutty notes. As always, Jet's textured steamed milk on both
drinks had the perfect temperature.
 |
| Chorizo empanada |
There's also some cakes, savoury and
sweet pastries on offer. I had a chorizo
empanada ($5.50) which had a nice spiced relish and chorizo filling.
The brioche
with sour cream ($5) was all kinds of awesome. The brioche itself was
buttery and fluffy. It was drizzled with brown sugar that worked well with the
brioche and sour cream filling.
It's like Simone heard my prayer and
opened a coffee joint that's fun to visit but also offers superb coffee.
Whether you're a comic book geek, coffee connoisieur, or just someone who loves
an excellent cuppa, Reformatory Caffeine Lab should be on your list of cafés to
visit.
Reformatory
Caffeine Lab
Shop 7B, 17-51 Foveaux Street
Surry Hills NSW
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 6:30am to 4pm
Saturday 8:00am to 2pm
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