Definitely a cool vibe. So close to Melbourne Uni. People coming in with Foo-Go’s re-fillable cups — the cafe is quite serious about their environmental impact, and would prefer you have coffee in, or use a re-fillable cup — but the option is yours, they do have disposable.

Large brown stylish booths and a house type beat playing. Clearly marked and specially fitted help-yourself water station.

Can see people, Uni students, walking past. Conversation behind me begins, “So you’ve been overseas recently?” Can hear a girl requesting a water-melon, apple and pineapple juice.

At 3.00 p.m. on this warm summery day, a chilled beat playing, this place definitely has the ‘hang-in’ factor going. Could easily stay an hour or two. The door is wide open and a breeze comes in as well as ambient sounds in the street. A tram rattles past.

Good sign: every 5 minutes or so somebody enters. Sense of action, things happening.

Ah- yes. Ordered a large iced-coffee. Good sharp coffee taste and some whole coffee beans on top. Solid scoop of ice-cream.

Some things on the menu: Frittata, side salad, soup, English muffins, slices, cookies and cakes. Fresh juices 4.50 or 5.50 (small/large). Coffee, 2.80, 3.40, 4.00 (normal to large). Short Black, Ristretto, Short Macchiato all 2.50.

Over years of frequenting this cafe I have never received a coffee short of excellent.

Riding through the grounds of Melbourne Uni today, I came across this neat little coffee stop. Two wide brown umbrellas up, students laughing and ordering coffee. I had to get off my bike then and have a closer look.
 
Cafe latte in a cardboard take-away cup = $3.00. I’m given a large playing card: 4 of Diamonds in this case. You wait until your card is announced, then, you pick up your coffee and place your card in one of three holders: Environment, Charity, Owner. This will designate where 100% of the profit made on your coffee goes.

The coffee quality itself? It could’ve been hotter, but the blend was smooth and the latte well made.

I like the sense of fun in the idea, and that people were enjoying themselves as well as helping an important cause of their choosing. The location, in the grounds of Melbourne Uni, was well chosen — a sort of enclosed area, by the trees, shrubs and paving.

Public Transport: Catch any tram with “Melbourne Uni” on its Front (from City or South of) and get off at Melbourne Uni, the last stop. Walk East and you’ll come across Lygon St. If you’re in the North, easiest to explain is: go into the city and catch a Melb Uni tram back up, from Swanston St. Otherwise, lucky ones can catch a handy Toorak No. 8 which comes from the North, from Coburg, and it’ll take you within a stones throw: get off corner Elgin and Lygon Sts.

I’ve been to this cafe three times now, each time I like it more. The first time it was by chance. I noticed Cicalata had taken the place of an average cafe.

It’s a smart cafe, new tables seats and a pull-out awning. Just inside the front window there’s four white bar stools. Most noticeable to me first up were the friendly waiter staff. Then the fair pricing. And considering this is in a great location, near Readings, the Nova, and the rest that Carlton has to offer, this cafe is a good find.

Today I couldn’t sit outside, but there’s seats available inside. Which reminds me of another plus: each time I’ve come to this cafe there was no problem getting a seat. The first two times I sat outside. This morning I take a bar stool. The door is open and a gentle breeze comes in. I’m served promptly, offered a menu and asked what I’d like to drink. Long black straight up, and later I order pancakes.

Outside two old guys sit at a table. One smokes a pipe and the other has a crisp glass of white in front of him. At least two people have books. Bottles of water are at tables.

When the long black comes it has a dark-golden crema. It’s hot and the flavour is a smooth blend not a strong one. Pancakes are not my normal order at a cafe. The pancakes I got today will be a cafe meal I remember. Two pancakes, one on top of the other, blackberries, maple syrup and a dollop of vanilla ice-creme. Not being a great food connoisseur, I won’t try to describe the flavours etc., but it was elegantly presented the whole lot sat together well and it wasn’t over the top. It tasted great.

Total price came to $11.30