Jamie's Cafe

Thursday 9 January 2014

Jamie’s Café

Pakuranga Plaza

Medium Flat White: $4.50.

This café has a pride of place at one end of the Pakuranga Plaza and is critically located right outside the Farmers.

Coffee: There is some coffee taste in here. At first I thought there was something special but it has quickly faded down to being above average.  (3.5/5)

The cardboard ring - bit silly because it covers the cafe name?

Milk: Not a great deal of flavour, and there is some foam, but it is more aerated than velvety. It doesn’t detract from the taste of the coffee though which is a plus. (4/5).

Presentation: A bright red cup that stands out and is of solid construction. One funny thing I’ve never seen before – a cardboard ring around the cup, presumably to save your hands form being too hot. Seems a bit of a waste though. I wonder how much of the café’s bottom line is spent on these? (3/3)

Verdict: It’s not a bad coffee, but it’s not great either. A stronger tasting coffee would help out a lot, as there isn’t much else wrong with it. I’m used to better from Coffee Supreme. The similarities between this cup and the one I had from Muffin Break yesterday are striking – I wonder if they are just the same café and I didn’t notice?

Overall rating: 10.5/13. It’s not too bad actually. Just nudges out the Sierra flat white for best in the Plaza.

Muffin Break, Pakuranga Plaza

Tuesday January 7 2014

Muffin Break

Pakuranga Plaza

I remember having many a coffee from Muffin break at the Pakuranga Plaza when I was in Year 13 (or Form 7 for those of us before the year 2000). It was a daily thing and I always enjoyed them, being nice and wired for the after-lunch class. But is Muffin Break any better now I'm an adult?

Medium Flat White: $5 (the most expensive to date. It better be good).

Coffee: A bit of a let down. There is a hint of it peeking out of the cup but overall it tastes like a fluffy. (2/5)

Milk: The milk, incomplete contrast, is perfect. Looks nice (is there a pattern on top there?) and has velvet to burn. Just a shame there is no coffee to try and compete. (4/5)

Presentation: Nothing wrong with the cup. Interestingly, it seems to be a bit plasticy, which didn’t take away from the experience and wasn’t too hot to hold, etc. (3/3)

Verdict:  Locals rave about this place for when they’re down at the mall. I think they’re welcome to. It’s okay coffee but not great. Also very expensive for what you get. No change out of a fiver!

Overall rating: 9/13. Decent coffee but try a muffin instead.

Sierra Cafe, Pakuranga Plaza

Saturday January 4 2014
Sierra Cafe
Pakuranga Plaza

Sierra cafe, like Columbus, has a bit of a sleeper reputation as a fancy hipster cafe that then became franchised. Means their coffee should be good, right?

Large Flat White: $4.80.

Coffee: There’s a strong coffee poking its head out here. It doesn’t, however, send a shiver down my spine. (3.5/5)

Milk: The milk is nicely done, but has a few too many bubbles in it for my taste. (3.5/5)

Presentation: Solid Sierra cup, nothing wrong with it. (3/3)

Verdict:  I could see myself drinking one of these per day if I worked in the Pakuranga Plaza. it’s not great but it’s certainly not bad.

Overall rating: 10/13. Decent coffee. Non-offensive.