Category Archives: Griffiths Coffee
Port Elliot Bakery – Port Elliot, SA
31 North Terrace, Port Elliot, SA, 5212
The Port Elliot Bakery is one of those South Australian iconic locations when it comes to baked goods – for me, it is like the Marysville Bakery – it is just that good. Being that good is probably why the customer service is just so BAD – because of their excellent chocolate donuts, whenever we have visitors staying with us, the Pt Elliot Bakery (like Ballast Stone Winery, and the Alexandrina Cheese Factory) is one those places you just have to stop – and so after dozens of visits, we are yet to strike a person who is pleased to be working there or pleased to see a customer….but this is not a customer service blog, now is it (now that is an idea that will fester…)?
Latte Quality – Excellent – which surprised everyone, because the girl making it hardly even looked at the machine – seemingly focussed upon the clock which was ticking down to knock off time (or so we mused).
Cost – $3.80 for a regular take away, which was on the small side of things
Coffee Supplier – Griffiths Coffee
Fair Trade – No indication in store – in actual fact we had to ask the girl what the coffee was – and at a great inconvenience to her, she says over her shoulder as she dismisses us “Griffiths”
Customer Service - 
- would have been less painful and awkward to make it myself
Venue Suitable for:
- Quiet Chat, Deep and Meaningful, and/or Study and Reflection – No – one of these – just way to busy (the baked goods as that great – it is not unusual to see a line up of people out the door and the down the street, despite there being about 15 staff working inside – they are efficient, just not friendly).
The Essence – Stirling, SA
Shop 7, 49 Mt Barker Road, Stirling, SA, 5152
Unless you are a regular or occasional parker of cars in the carpark behind the Stirling shops, then the chances are you have never seen The Essence. Nestled quietly behind a dry cleaners, with unrivalled views of the car park, The Essence is a café and gourmet deli, all in one.
Nicely decorated, with plenty of inside seating – The Essence also has a series of tables that line a fairly narrow verandah on two sides, and a few tables under a glory vine lined pergola – which would be very nice in the warmer months. However, be warned - if you sit on the verandah - be prepared to have to constantly move your legs so as not to trip up the general public, and possibly be accosted by the carbon monoxide of delivery vehicles.
According to the ‘Yourrestaurant Guide’ - Hidden in the main shopping centre is a deli and a cafe in one, so you can buy a tasty lunch and special ingredients for dinner at the same time. While the deli favours Italian food, there are also some Asian items that any home gourmand cannot do without.
Latte Quality – Good – a touch hot as my tongue still attests – but generally ok.
Cost – $3.50 – which is the average price, but the glass was on the small side of things.
Coffee Supplier – Griffiths Coffee
Fair Trade – Yes and No. Their information board indicated that they served ‘Fairtrade Organic Coffee’ – but upon investigation via the Griffiths Coffee website, it appears as though Griffiths do not do a Fair Trade or an Organic Blend – they do however have a Rainforest Alliance from Panama. So….
Special Notes - Kid friendly venue – as long as you stay inside – where they provide story books and crayons.
Venue Suitable for:
- Quiet Chat, Deep and Meaningful, Study – Absolutely – as long as you take into consideration the thing I said about the legs and the CO above – or you could go inside…..
