Caffè Lungo [topic: review 11]

A new review post, yet with a negative not on my part. This time, my supposed-to-be caffé lungo was ordered at Hard Rock Cafe at Valletta Waterfront.

Firstly, allow me to point out that the time taken for my caffé to be delivered at table was more than it takes to pick up coffee beans in a remote village somewhere in a cuckoo-land! It was a ridiculous surprise to get this low quality supposed-to-be espresso lungo.

simply a NO, NO!

This place serves Lavazza but I'm not sure the brand knows about the lack of quality served here (at least at my table). Apart from serving my coffee piping hot (which is surely a no go for coffee), the espresso was by no means presentable, creamy not delicious. I couldn't actually drink my coffee because of the temperature yet by the looks of it, the coffee was either not fresh or else something was totally wrong in the process.

One surely cannot accept or excuse this quality from a place that includes CAFE in its name. No water is served. No quality is redeemed. No coffee is made. What a let down guys!

Stay tuned! In the mean time, keep spreading the love for the BEAN!

Caffè Lungo [topic: review 10]

'Un caffe ti ristora per la giornata' - 'With coffee you restore your energy for the day'

This may apply all the time except when coffee is served with inferior quality despite being a coffee shop serving a good number of coffees per day. That's when you would expect better all the way! This time I paid a visit to Molly's Cafe in Mosta. At this place they serve Saquella coffee which is very common on the island, yet acceptable quality.

I got this coffee to TRY and restore my day.

Firstly, I wouldn't consider the time taken to serve the coffee (only three tables were being served - with less than 10 metres of distance) to be relative to the quality of what I got. Apart from the presentation which is way too rough (clearly from the picture) the cream had already started to dissolve itself which most probably was left either standing or else did not have the right amount of coffee as well as pressure to brew. The temperature was OK, yet could have been better especially in our warm climate whereby coffee will not lose temperature so quickly indoors.

Serving sugar is only a matter of courtesy and not an issue for a cost-cutting exercise. Also, please note that being a CAFE, you are encouraged to serve coffee as it should -temperature; creamy; sugar; clean and including a glass of water PLEASE!

The place is very sweet and I suggest you upgrade your quality to make this experience even more pleasurable.

Stay tuned! In the mean time, keep spreading the love for the BEAN!

Why and how do I drink water with coffee?

In several review posts I have written in the past weeks and months, I have stressed the importance to serve water with coffee in order to be of service to clients. This is not just a tradition but a necessary feature in drinking coffee. In this post I will be giving reasons for this MUST in the coffee service.

Quality of service is the secret in a proper caffé

One wouldn't dream of going into a bar for coffee and not being served with a glass of water (preferably sparkling). Drinking this water is to be done both before the coffee as well as after, for two different reasons.

Water BEFORE the coffee is done in order to clean and clear the palate from any tastes or excess of saliva, both of which alter the coffee experience. Water AFTER the coffee is to be consumed after a few minutes in order to re-hydrate the palate as well as clear the coffee aftertaste in order to continue with the day's activities without the tedious coffee aftertaste.

Apart from the coffee experience per se, the water re-hydration is also important health-wise due to a well known fact that coffee does in fact dehydrate the body, so it is also healthy to compensate with water the volume of coffee consumed.

So please, dear bar-owners, augment the coffee service by adding a small glass of water (preferably sparkling) not only bec


ause it's polite to do so, but also to show your clientele that you care for them and not only their money!

Stay tuned! In the mean time, keep spreading the love for the BEAN!