Drugstore Espresso

2 Reviews on “Drugstore Espresso”

• Jamie

  Went in with expectations, and none were met. Though most staff were lovely, service seemed to be all over the place. There was no signage, and no one was at the door to seat customers at tables. People were just waiting around and when a staff member finally popped downstairs to the entrance to take up drinks from the barista, we were told to simply head upstairs and sit anywhere… if thered at least been a sign saying so, it wouldve saved us waiting outside for nothing. Throughout our meal we also witnessed staff take drinks and food to the wrong tables multiple times… maybe itd be easier if they actually numbered the tables or wait staff had designated tables instead of rushing around everywhere?
  Tables only had salt and pepper shakers, but once we eventually got given a menu, cups and water, we started off with a batch brew and matcha latte. The coffee was good, these guys are already well-known for their coffee… but the matcha latte… I honestly dont understand why so many cafes offer it when no one seems to know what it is/should be. Out of all the places I have ordered it before, only ONE good matcha latte comes to mind (if anyone knows a place please comment some recommendations). The milk texture was fine, but there was absolutely zero matcha flavour… and why the cinnamon on top? Id understand if it helped complement or bring out the matcha flavour, but when theres none to be seen why bother adding a different flavour?
  Now for food, we ordered the Japanese fried chicken burger and the poke bowl… the burger was surprisingly light despite the double fried chicken stack, which were cooked well. The sauce in the burger was a bit confusing though, not sure it brought everything together… and the wasabi mayo accompanying the fries had no wasabi flavour at all, but the fries were tasty and crunchy.
  Now the poke bowl… lets just say, Id much rather have gone to the next door poke store instead. Especially considering its price too, it was REALLY disappointing. Go to the next door poke store instead, for half the price it looked WAY better. Compared to the amount of rice, there was barely any sauce or topping ingredients… and they didnt go together at all! Couldnt taste the sauce and so it did nothing to complement, add flavour or balance out the dish. Sounds amazing on the menu but saw (and tasted) barely half the listed ingredients! Does one strand of cucumber warrant it even being listed as cucumber ribbonS? Didnt even see or taste any lotus root or wakame seaweed. Also, the white puffed-rice-like strands… they felt and tasted stale, and did nothing to add to the dish… why have it? If its to add texture, Im sure they could find a much better alternative. Really. Really. Disappointing experience. Ambience and the vibe of the place isnt even worth talking about.
  Would only ever stop by so my partner can get coffee.

  October 29, 2020, 12:37 pm

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• Dr S

  I went here as it was on the list of Melbourne’s top brunch places of 2018 and being a bit behind in my brunch game, I paid it a visit. It’s easy to find with ample seating inside and some seating outside. Menu is extensive and has lots of vegetarian options which was a plus as the individual I was brunching with a vegetarian.

  There’s a variety of dishes ranging from bircher muesli to baked eggs, to grain bowls to scrambled eggs to fritters and to big brekkies.

  We got the mushroom hash which was a large hash brown topped with sauteed mushroom and two poached eggs. It could have done with some dressing or sauce as it was quite bland on its own but I liked the hash and the mushrooms and the crispy fried enoki.

  The zucchini and corn fritters were three large fritters with lots of kale and edamame salad, two poached eggs, and some deliciously fried haloumi. I loved the combination of haloumi with the kale salad which was refreshing. The eggs were beautifully poached and complemented the fritters. Once again, some sort of sauce would have been useful such as an aioli dip or guacamole as the meal felt very dry.
  My mocha was delicious.
  Attentive staff.
  split billing accepted.

  didn’t need to queue on a 10am sunday morning.

  April 20, 2019, 7:50 am

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