finally!

a good cup of coffee.

it's been a challenge to find a really good cuppa'. even when the manfriend visited, we went to many lovely little cafes but he found the coffee offerings sorely lacking. i didn't even bother ordering coffee because i knew i'd be disappointed. and i don't deal with disappointment very well :p 

but took a train out of the city on a whim and stumbled upon this cafe smack in the station i hopped off at. to be honest, i was hankering after a panini (more about that later!) but the barrista sweet-talked me into a meal deal complete with crisps and coffee. as he saw me waver, he added, "i win barrista competition!" of course, this crucial information had me hook, line and sinker, achievement-oriented singaporean that i am. turns out, chap's from malta and has been competing seriously in the regional barrista competition, even planning to take on the nationals next year. and the coffee? let's just say i wasn't disappointed. definitely worth the hike! better yet, he told me about the one good coffee in the city - run by his friend who also competes (and wins!) these barrista competitions. while i'm taking their winning streak with a pinch of salt, they are definitely serious competitors.

the panini i was originally craving? superb. home-made mozzarella (i saw the cheese cloth!!!), home-made pesto, basil leaves plucked from the pot and fresh sliced tomato. he even comp-ed a serving of (also) home-made secret maltese (?) recipe coleslaw. beyond amazing! to think there was such a surprise in a humble hole in the wall...

now to visit his friend's cafe in the city to see if the coffee is as good!