RECENT REVIEWS

The Coffee Guide Melbourne

4 Beans out of 5

"As we wandered the streets of South Melbourne we couldn't help but pick up on the vibe of Qeleven. It sprang up, beckoning us to sample its treats.Our instincts were right: Qeleven has that special something, which ranks it among Melbourne's grooviest coffee bars.

Apart from the fine grade of coffee that I've become very attracted to, Qeleven has a homely feel to it. Sitting in this cafe made my mind drift, with a slight sense of melancholy, to a time when locals were locals and the town centre was the meeting place for all people: young and old, shy and bold. The walls at Qeleven are covered with old bottles, giving a sense of cosiness. The service was impeccable, your drink poured in a five star manner unexpected for a cute little cafe.

The Genovese coffee was well presented with a reddish crema; it had strong, intense flavour with a sweet and slightly bitter taste. The body was creamy and has a great texture that'll make you want to come back for more."

Cheap Eats 2009 **

"What the heck is a quinoa and potato roesti? The good folk at Qeleven have kindly provided a glossary on their organic-influenced menu so you'll know exactly what your ordering. In this case, nicola potatoes are combined with the Andean grain quinoa and pan fried into an awesome hash to have with free-range kassler ham and a poached egg. Other dishes need no explanation, like creamed sago pudding with lime and coconut, Swiss cheese toasties, and pan-fried calamari with ginger, garlic and chilli. Diners pack the footpath tables day-long at weekends, and a mini reno (restained timber and a olive-green paint job) has kept this cafe sparkling."