Not really in the most visible of spots, Pourboy is the entrance level cafe to some apartment blocks on the more northern end of Wharf Street. This is one place that might get a bit of passing trade, but that passing trade has turned into people constantly going out of their way to find it. Run of the mill in appearance, to the point bypassing it is easy if you weren't aware it was there or were not looking for it, but definitely seek it out.
My brother-in-law was up from down south again, and both of us had business one morning in the CBD. This has been one of those places which has sort of being a blip on the radar for quite some time, due to a number of factors - general popularity (sort of on the radar for people), without any doubts coffee, location right in the city, and the sort of reception it gets. Much like many of the places in the CBD, it is all case for how to get there, and when able to be getting there - in one of the more fringe parts of the area is also another factor. As a long time coming, it was finally its turn to shine in the spot light - and it is competently handled.
This is a low-key sort of place in design. It is simple, and homely plus has some good seating on the balcony. Design might not be its strong point, let's just leave it at that.
Service was a bit of a hit or miss affair. Starting off, it was good and they did show the skills. However, when it is in the latter part of the meal - to check on how the meal is going, maybe if there is anything else they can get; part way through they have to be alerted. There were some good staff here, other's a tad uninterested. The service really needs a bit of a rework to compete with other places around town that are more accessible, and newer. What I can say is that it is fast.
The menu at Pourboy changes during the time of day. At breakfast, it is a range of usual fare: think of some pastries, a few healthy options, and a number of dishes made around toast. If you're the sort of person who likes to go out and order the big breakfast at breakfast time, either prepare to be disappointed or pay a bit of a premium. At lunch time, salads, and sandwiches, and burgers. Going into the evening, it is like choosing from a charcuterie board. The food is all really simple here.
They do make up a bit for the drinks. In terms of variety, this is one of the key places to go for coffee. They not only have the usual espresso beverages, but also Aeropress, cold drip and others when available. Other beverages include a lot of loose-leaf teas, dessert-style frappes and smoothies among usual choices of soda, juice et al. Later on in the day there is a range of wines, beers and spirits.
The coffee that they use is one that I don't see much around, Mecca Espresso Beans. Starting off with the usual drinks, as it was breakfast, the good old doppio. I have not tried Mecca beans before, at least not knowingly, but with this Sydney-based blend it is one that I feel I am going to have to try it at numerous more places before I can give a distinct critique on it. As for this espresso, everything that was needed was done right - it had a good body and texture, and the taste was one of berries. A short, somewhat sweet, shot - so far, so food.
For breakfast, I ordered a classic French snack - "Croque Madame". Just think of your classic ham and cheese toasted sandwich, and top it off with a poached egg. That is essentially what it is. In defense, it was not just any ham or cheese; respectively they used Swiss cheese and Berkshire ham, plus a squeeze of dijonaise. As always, I managed to ask for the egg to have the yolk runny. There was definitely not much wrong with it, but can I ask how you can critique something as straight-forward as a cheese and ham sandwich? The egg was soft and plump, and quite a bit of yolk oozed out from the fork prick.
My brother in law decided to go for the mushrooms, which came with spinach, smoke tomatoes, goats curd and a poached egg on sourdough toast. Dusted on top was a black sesame and sumac dukka. I definitely know that I preferred this one, hands down. Goat's cheese is one of those items that can make a world of difference to a dish; its bite and creaminess transformed the whole meal. Everything else on it was good quality. Perhaps a bit on the healthy and light side for my tastes, but I am one to commend an effort where it is deserved.
During the course of the meal, I was contemplating getting another cup of coffee. One of the aspects which did attract me to Pourboy for so long was the range of coffees that they do outside of espresso. Both of us did, with one ordering an Aeropress and the other going for a cold drip.
Aeropress is a kind of coffee where the grounds are steep, before water is forced through the coffee by air. This makes it a bit more heavy, and slightly more acidic and a tad more strong - though it is not obvious immediately. I have had aeropress a few times before, and definitely notice a difference in... something about it when I have espresso as the reference point. Without guidance, I still can't put my finger on it. Whatever it is though, this is one I like to have a bit when available. Certainly worth trying if you have not yet, and that goes double if you love coffee.
Cold drip has been making something of an impression and a craze within many of the major coffee shops recently. This is brewed with cold water as opposed to hot water, and done over the period of many hours. This makes it a bit more sweet, and less acidic. On a hot day, there is few drinks that do better than a chilled coffee. Something about the temperature makes it have a completely different flavour and mouth feel, plus the texture. Mileage may vary with the ice - I reckon it merely prolongs drinking the drink, and you mileage may vary there. Also worth trying, it kind of feels like you are drinking a scotch (not that I would know).
I'll be honest with this place, as honest as I can be. When thinking about a coffee house, I do well appreciate if somewhere is not only offering different types of beans in their coffee (e.g. single origin, house blend etc) but also offering all kind of modes for coffee as they did here. Variety is something that is always welcome in my book. And the coffee for the most part is pretty good; for something different this needs to be on the list for coffee lovers.
It just didn't grab me completely, mostly because it seemed a little mis-matched. Maybe it is that the food is a little on the stock standard side, maybe it is due to the atmosphere being more like a cafe and less like a coffee house or something. The atmosphere could have suited a relaxing one where customers, especially coffee aficionados, could want to spend a fair while there to try the different kinds. They have a good idea, but it seems to be in two minds at once. Regardless, what can be said in the least is that Pourboy does not suck.
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