The search for the not-so-obvious perfect long black
Let’s be honest here, Wellington is a coffee and café city. We like our brews, we like our food and we have high standards for both. In light of these fundamental truths, I decided to spend a few days sampling long blacks from different random cafes around town. I wanted to get a feel for what was out there, especially the things out there that we maybe don’t pay a lot of attention to. As a result, I avoided a lot of the obvious options (Olive, Fidels, Mojo, Fuel, Midnight, Plum, etc) and went to the back streets and the side alleys. I definitely came to some conclusions along the way, but first of all, let’s look at a quick overview of some of the spots I visited.
Customs Brew Bar: I have to keep it one-hundred here. This was the perfect long black. Not too long, not too short, not too hot, not too cold and perfectly extracted. Customs Brew Bar always comes through with the caffeinated goods. Plus, for bonus points, the friendly, attentive staff will give you some serious banter if you’re up for it, tolerate the most ridiculous of jokes and always soundtrack proceedings with an impeccable selection of jazz, funk, classic rock, soul and modern beats. Don’t even get me started on the décor either. Can you say 1950s designer heaven?
Ciocco: Being friends with baristas can be a double-edged sword. Sometimes you get the best of service, sometimes you get treated like a guinea pig. This time around at Ciocco, I got option two and was treated to a reasonably well extracted long black with some form of spice-based secret ingredient I couldn’t quite identify. In all fairness though, my long black was gratis and as well as coffee, Ciocco sell an impressive range of boutique chocolates (which I had to purchase) and even house a nifty boutique record shop called Samurai at the back of the store. Coffee, chocolate and music, magic!
Cubita: When the barista brings your long black out to you in a latte cup, things are getting off to a worrying start – especially if you’re at a café in Wellington. And no, I’m not imagining some elaborate scenario – this is exactly what happened in Cubita. In their defense though, the coffee was reasonably well extracted. Truth be told, it could have tasted better, but it could have tasted a lot worse also. Definitely not one of the history books, but at the same time, if it was your only option, you wouldn’t kick yourself in the teeth either.
Scopa: Extraction is one of the best phrases you can use to describe whether the base aspect of your coffee has come out properly or well, but after three or four review segments, it gets pretty tired. Thankfully though, at Scopa, one of the better modern Italian café/restaurants in Wellington, the Caffe L’affare coffee always comes through correctly built (and with one hell of a kick added). Even better, Scopa has some of the most friendly and attentive staff in the city (especially if you make the effort to get to know them) and with those $8 pizza Tuesdays and $10 pasta specials, a quick coffee can easily turn into a long leisurely lunch.
Estadio: If there is one style of breakfast food I really like; it’s Latin American style. And if there is one culture in the world outside of New Zealand that really cares about a strong cup of black, it’s Brazil. So, given these factors, I was pretty excited about checking out Estadio, located in the same location as the old Temperance bar (on Blair Street) – especially when I found out they used Havana Coffee, which makes for a hard cup if I’ve ever had one. Thankfully, Estadio delivered on the long black front, offering up a tasty, hard hitting cup. Even better, I was able to have one of those fantastic breakfast burrito style configurations with scrambled eggs and mushrooms and the like inside the burrito as well as some great hot sauce and guacamole. To be fair though the staff were inattentive, service was slow and the café in general didn’t quite feel right. Still, Estadio delivered in terms of coffee and actual food – they just need to pick their game up in other areas.
Everything considered, I came to a simple conclusion. For a long black, which believe it or not, is one of the hardest coffees to make properly, Wellington consistently comes through with the goods. We have some great roasteries, exceptional foundation cafes and as a result the culture is still strong here. Equally important as this thankful fact though, whatever mood you’re in, whatever else you’re craving as a snack or full meal, we probably have a spot more than suitable for you. Take your eyes off what you already know and focus on that which you haven’t quite paid attention to, there really is a world of possibilities out there people.
If you really want to know though, my favourite café for a long black is Customs Brew Bar, but hey, that’s just me. Now it’s your turn, what is your favourite, and why?
- By Martyn, 17 comments
- Posted 6 September 2010
17 comments
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Customs Brew Bar, no doubt about it. Never had better coffee in my life. Just wish it was open more often, can't get there very much. And yeah, the decor and staff are super nice too.
I agree about Ciocco, went in there for chocolates and absentmindedly grabbed a long black, it was fantastic. Meow does a nice long black too. Good to know about Estadio, will have to have a look in there at some stage...
By hungryandfrozen, 6 September 2010
Good post. Long Blacks are important. They are the elixir of the espresso machine. If you get them right you are truly a coffee god. Too often I get them and the barista hasn't let the water sit long enough so they burn my mouth and I have no glorious crema to sip because it has all burnt off from the heat of the water. Gipsy Kitchen is another Long Black must see.
By Erin, 6 September 2010
Is it rude and wrong of me to put my hand up *polite cough*
I've been making coffee for fourteen years now, that's a fair bit of practice. You must come and have one at Ambeli one evening, I promise you'll be truly satisfied.
By Shae from Ambeli, 7 September 2010
Nice post. Deluxe is my daily local. Consistently good Long Blacks any time of the day or week and regardless who makes them. People's Coffee Newtown is my weekend craw-out-of-bed local hangout. Again, excellent FT Long Blacks and great staff.
By coffeenow, 7 September 2010
Oh yeah - I should really also mention that Estadio serve Acai with Museli, which is pretty much one of the more amazing breakfast foods you'll ever eat. Still, things feel unfocused there though...
By Martyn, 7 September 2010
#3 Shae - perhaps I need to come and do a whole blog about Ambeli sometime soon!
By Martyn, 7 September 2010
Shae does make a great coffee, and is deserving of an entire blog post.
By Erin, 7 September 2010
Milkcrate. Consistently wonderful long blacks, good staff banter and excellent seating - perfect for watching the world go by. They certainly don't muck around with coffee!
By Nico von Molenfrei, 7 September 2010
Erin #7 - You're an entire blog post! Someone send me to Ambeli!
By Martyn, 7 September 2010
Read my review of Ambeli on this website in 5 minutes' time... (I had ESP, obviously...)
By Sarah, 8 September 2010
Synchronicity! ZING!
By Martyn, 8 September 2010
if you really want to find the best long black in this city , first you'll have to catch me as i train at random spots. Keep an eye out for my monster truck deck screaming past and try grab my dirty mullet and hang on tight.,,,,, sounds like too much hard work ? ,,, no long black for you
By danimal the long black animal, 9 September 2010
I have to agree with Shae on this one. He really does make the best coffee I've ever tasted. Everything that man touches turns to gold. Ambeli restaurant and their team are all amazing :) Definitely worth trying.
By Ness, 16 September 2010
memphis belle :)
By Ash, 18 September 2010
There is only one place in Wgtn where I drink my long blacks, and that is Ernesto. Although its one of the most popular cafe's, everytime the great staff brings my coffee, it is nothing but perfection.
By Sam, 4 October 2010
I would have to say Nikau Cafe consistently make, in my opinion, the best coffee in the city. And the staff are fantastic! And I remember reading that Shae from Ambeli used to make coffee there many years ago, so perhaps he passed on the skills :)
By James, 14 October 2010
People, try the 'ernesto long black'.
By Lily, 11 November 2010