Like fast food and bungee jumping, coffee from a standalone dispensing bar often seems like a good idea at the time…… I was in that situation after battling Coles at lunchtime, where the thought of a coffee chased off all reasonable doubts about location and production values. I spied a coffee bar in the middle of Raine Square mall that looked as inviting to me as a cold frosty beer does to a ’70s fast bowler, Maven Espresso. With hardly a second thought and cavalier attitude worthy of D’Artagnon, a regular flat white was ordered. “What beans were they?” you cry with monotonous droning. “No idea” comes the predictable response. But you know what? It was a very acceptable cup o’ joe.

If I were picky, I’d say it was a touch hot, but rather that than like warm. Full flavour, nothing outstanding, but then again, nothing really missing either.
All in all, a welcome oasis in the desert of stand alone coffee bars that so often clog up a shaping mall. 69%