Tre Gusi Cafe
August 2nd 2007 11:05
Tre Gusti Café
237 Whitehorse Road
Balwyn, Melbourne.
Attendants: The Hatter (Writer) The Dormouse
Overview:
Having not long ago moved house, over to the eastern suburbs, I've had some time to scout around for some new places to go to get me fix of sweet vitamin Caffeine, and this was the first of such places. Located on the ever long and jammed whitehorse road, It is one of many café's in the area, but being closest to home, stop number one.
In tow this time not only did I have my very best friend Dormouse with me in case I missed something he might see, and a second opinion to bounce my thoughts off while I jot in my little book, but also his other half. Seeing as they were coming to view my new abode, a café lunch seemed appropriate.
Tre Gusti, even from the outside, looks like it cost a fortune to decorate. Once inside and in a little (deserted, unlike the full to the brim front area near the coffee machine) room with low tables and just as low soft cushy stools, was all doubt removed. Some of that furniture, especially the mirrors, looked like antiques. It was certainly a converted house, possibly with a house still upstairs and out back out of customer view, tastefully decorated and comfortable. It looked like a worthwhile lunch would soon be upon us.
Points of interest
Ambient Italian (Also possibly Greek, I'm not a language expert) Music
Hop step and not quite a jump from Balwyn Cinema
All food we could see was home made
Service
To be honest the service was a tad generic, a smile at the door, then you were turned away from in favor of whoever was paying up there bill. Even though we tried to strike up some banter with out waiter It didn't quite seem to work Firstly I thought he just wasn't the chatting type, but after hearing a little of his think European accent when he seated us, I began to ponder weather he even knew what we were going on about!
It carried over to the Waitress that served us later on, She engaged in some pleasantry just long enough to tell us what we wanted wasn't in stock, then it was button lipped again until pay time.
Yes I know it sounds a bit rude, that not everybody is a people person or an avid talker, but it can only take that tiniest bit of effort, I've worked in the exact same industry for a while now and I always took time to strike up a conversation with customers, no matter how small, I just always thought it was good customer relations.
Food and Beverage
We were not particularly hungry that day, having had a normal lunch not to long ago, so we chose small desert items to satisfy that never ending craving for sugar and sweetness!
First up was a Chocolate Mousse, The tiny portion was quite disappointing, until we tasted it. The mousse was extremely rich which explained the tiny portion. Not much chance to sample it further though I'm afraid, between three people it wasn't around long!
Apparently the crumble was also almost unbearably sweet, with moist fresh pastry. None of us were complaining but not everybody has a sweet tooth the size of a small hippo. Toning down the sugar content may not hurt, for those wanting a more subtle desert.
The Hot Chocolate though, was something else entirely! For one thing it had its own little menu, listing all these weird and wonderful flavors. Soon I realized that only the ones with a tick next to them were in stock, Which left four, so thats what we ordered. I ordered a mint chocolate, Dormouse a white chocolate, and his other half a hazelnut. The waitress had to politely explain they were out of that flavor, and after much pouting it was settled that the order would be changed to a traditional hot chocolate.
It was anything but traditional. Firstly it was served to us in the most curious mugs, they looked like any other cappuccino mug, if a little deeper, bar one difference. From lip to saucer they were crafted completely from glass. It was a lovely affect and the smell from the mugs was intoxicating. So we all raised a glass and went to drink, only problem was, it was as thick as any mousse. I kid you not! As delicious and flavorful as this hot chocolate was, it was almost solid, as if I was having a small single serve of desert, not a beverage. Interesting to say the least!
Pricing and Overall
Various Hot chocolate flavors - $4.00 Each
Mouse - $4.50
Rhubarb and Apple Crumble - $4.20
Overall? It was a calm atmosphere, and a nice place for me and my closest friends to catch up and chat. The prices obviously matched the quality and not the quantity, and though the service laked a tiny bit there was nothing specifically wrong with them. All in all it was a pleasant experience, but pleasant is as far as I could really go. Nothing really wowed me. The furniture was very lovely, but nothing with that wow factor that made you really go back for a second look.
237 Whitehorse Road
Balwyn, Melbourne.
Attendants: The Hatter (Writer) The Dormouse
Overview:
Having not long ago moved house, over to the eastern suburbs, I've had some time to scout around for some new places to go to get me fix of sweet vitamin Caffeine, and this was the first of such places. Located on the ever long and jammed whitehorse road, It is one of many café's in the area, but being closest to home, stop number one.
In tow this time not only did I have my very best friend Dormouse with me in case I missed something he might see, and a second opinion to bounce my thoughts off while I jot in my little book, but also his other half. Seeing as they were coming to view my new abode, a café lunch seemed appropriate.
Tre Gusti, even from the outside, looks like it cost a fortune to decorate. Once inside and in a little (deserted, unlike the full to the brim front area near the coffee machine) room with low tables and just as low soft cushy stools, was all doubt removed. Some of that furniture, especially the mirrors, looked like antiques. It was certainly a converted house, possibly with a house still upstairs and out back out of customer view, tastefully decorated and comfortable. It looked like a worthwhile lunch would soon be upon us.
Points of interest
Ambient Italian (Also possibly Greek, I'm not a language expert) Music
Hop step and not quite a jump from Balwyn Cinema
All food we could see was home made
Service
To be honest the service was a tad generic, a smile at the door, then you were turned away from in favor of whoever was paying up there bill. Even though we tried to strike up some banter with out waiter It didn't quite seem to work Firstly I thought he just wasn't the chatting type, but after hearing a little of his think European accent when he seated us, I began to ponder weather he even knew what we were going on about!
It carried over to the Waitress that served us later on, She engaged in some pleasantry just long enough to tell us what we wanted wasn't in stock, then it was button lipped again until pay time.
Yes I know it sounds a bit rude, that not everybody is a people person or an avid talker, but it can only take that tiniest bit of effort, I've worked in the exact same industry for a while now and I always took time to strike up a conversation with customers, no matter how small, I just always thought it was good customer relations.
Food and Beverage
We were not particularly hungry that day, having had a normal lunch not to long ago, so we chose small desert items to satisfy that never ending craving for sugar and sweetness!
First up was a Chocolate Mousse, The tiny portion was quite disappointing, until we tasted it. The mousse was extremely rich which explained the tiny portion. Not much chance to sample it further though I'm afraid, between three people it wasn't around long!
Apparently the crumble was also almost unbearably sweet, with moist fresh pastry. None of us were complaining but not everybody has a sweet tooth the size of a small hippo. Toning down the sugar content may not hurt, for those wanting a more subtle desert.
The Hot Chocolate though, was something else entirely! For one thing it had its own little menu, listing all these weird and wonderful flavors. Soon I realized that only the ones with a tick next to them were in stock, Which left four, so thats what we ordered. I ordered a mint chocolate, Dormouse a white chocolate, and his other half a hazelnut. The waitress had to politely explain they were out of that flavor, and after much pouting it was settled that the order would be changed to a traditional hot chocolate.
It was anything but traditional. Firstly it was served to us in the most curious mugs, they looked like any other cappuccino mug, if a little deeper, bar one difference. From lip to saucer they were crafted completely from glass. It was a lovely affect and the smell from the mugs was intoxicating. So we all raised a glass and went to drink, only problem was, it was as thick as any mousse. I kid you not! As delicious and flavorful as this hot chocolate was, it was almost solid, as if I was having a small single serve of desert, not a beverage. Interesting to say the least!
Pricing and Overall
Various Hot chocolate flavors - $4.00 Each
Mouse - $4.50
Rhubarb and Apple Crumble - $4.20
Overall? It was a calm atmosphere, and a nice place for me and my closest friends to catch up and chat. The prices obviously matched the quality and not the quantity, and though the service laked a tiny bit there was nothing specifically wrong with them. All in all it was a pleasant experience, but pleasant is as far as I could really go. Nothing really wowed me. The furniture was very lovely, but nothing with that wow factor that made you really go back for a second look.
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Comment by The Hatter
on Cafe Classico
Caffeine Madness