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Shakespeare for Breakfast at Edinburgh Fringe 2010

nic — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:10:53 +0000

Terrible. I was expecting some nice courtyard cafe with a set of modern-twist shakespeare skits. Instead, I there was a really rather boring game-show interpretation of King Lear. The actors looked quite bored too, and the performances were over-exaggerated. Felt like something you’d put on for school-kids to try to impress them with how hip Shakespeare can be. The game-show set-up and ‘modern’ one-dimensional characters (stuck up greedy rich girls on one hand, bogan ‘urban’ idiots on the other) were just grotesque and incredibly boring.

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

Dead Poets at Edinburgh Fringe 2010

nic — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:08:50 +0000

A really good show by two guys from Peterborough – a poet and a hiphop DJ. Lots of fun, they recount their story over the last two years as they met and attempted to collaborate. A bit of a coming of age story in two genres and 45 minutes as the two realise that they each have something to learn from the other. Quality of the lyrics was pretty good and the political commentary above average but not the primary focus of the work. A tad self-indulgent at times, but overall, a really good vibe and a really entertaining show. The last story culminates in a hiphop competition finals battle between the two – hilarious at times, vulgar at times, and breaks Godwin’s law at least once.

Their website is http://www.deadpoetry.co.uk/

Rating: ★★★★☆

Kilimanjaro Coffee, Edinburgh

nic — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:04:19 +0000

I went here four times over the weekend. Coffee varied from excellent on the Thursday to about average over the weekend. Quality was evidently very dependent on the barista. Quality of service was equally varied; most staff were really nice, except for one who was a bit grumpy. Otherwise, a nice little cafe in Edinburgh; good crowd, nice, comfortable seating; good atmosphere too.

If I’d just been there once, I’d rate it 5 / 5; the espresso I had was excellent, light, with a slight citrus flavour. The other espressos I had were somewhat bitter and sometimes longer than they needed to be.

Rating: ★★★★☆

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2008 Castle Rock California Cuvee Pinot Noir

nic — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 01:31:58 +0000

Rating: ★★★☆☆

A relatively dark pinot. Strong plum flavour, moderately heavy wood presence. Pepper finish. Quite smooth. $13

Merlo PNG AA Coffee Bean

nic — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:05:49 +0000

Smooth, medium body. Rich chocolate taste. Nice golden crema.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Caffeine Culture, Maroochydore

nic — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:07:20 +0000

Best coffee on the sunshine coast, hands down. They use Veneziano beans, and the baristas accept nothing other than perfection. No food available, only fantastic coffee.

Caffeeine Culture, 43 Duporth Avenue, Maroochydore

Rating: ★★★★★

(more reviews at BeanHunter)

Merlo Kenyan AA

nic — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:13:07 +0000

Full, slightly earthy mouth-feel. Quite strong. Thin, dark crema.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

$9 / 200g; $31.50 / kg (Merlo wholesale)