alas, after one week in gordon's bay, i found a cafe -- albeit in a department store -- with a very respectable machine ( la marzocco linea three group) and a very sound pair of mazzer grinders. i was ready to take a chance on the miscela (third m) but as i sat and observed the barista's techniques my expectations slowly sank with my energy and enthusiasm levels.

why? why does it have to be that something has to fall short of pulling a good cup of espresso? the ignorance is almost… Continue

i've been in cape town one week and i've yet to find a good espresso!!!!!! aaarrrrrggghhhhh.

specifically, i'm in gordon's bay/strand area, which is east of cape town (about 40 minutes). most of the cafes don't know a thing about proper espresso. they leave the portafilter sitting on the counter, for crying out loud! i can understand why a starbucks would do well in places like this. for the love of pete! it doesn't take much to give care in making good coffee! pleeeease! can somebody help… Continue

We are one day away from our trip to Cape Town, South Africa.

Unfortunately, my wife was deported back to South Africa in January of this year. She has our two year old boy while our six year old remained behind. I have been "minding the store" ever since. I feel like I have been amputated! She was the well oiled machine that ran the inner workings of our business. She was meticulous in her bookkeeping, inventory control and all that stuff for which I have very little patience nor talent.… Continue