If you would like to book them to perform at your next event, then email
Mike or Michele at info@sfsdp.com or call them on (772) 334-2112...
Octane Espresso
If you're lookin' for the very best cup of coffee in Melbourne,
then there's only one place to go - Octane Espresso
This is what "The Age" Newspaper had to say in their "Epicure" insert:
Top of the coffee chain
By Leanne Tolra
February 28, 2006
IN THE short time this column has been running, readers have shared the names of myriad people and places across Victoria that they frequent out of loyalty, admiration, interest and habit. Emails have been witty, clever, opinionated, self-promoting, humble and inspiring.
One place that stood out in the first batch was Octane, a coffee kiosk in McKillop Street in the city.
Octane is a refuelling stop, and it doesn't pretend to be any more, with signature colours of orange and silver-grey, fresh, fast food and consistent, well-made coffee. On my first visit, I was impressed with the clean appearance and simple philosophy of the place. Partners Gabe Davidson and Kahlia Pyle are smart business people with a commitment to quality coffee, efficient service and a sharp eye for appealing, approachable staff.
On a second visit, without having any idea who we were, Davidson began discussing water-quality problems with another companion of mine - someone who knew plenty about the importance of perfect water in the search for perfect coffee. His passion for what he was doing, his knowledge and his commitment were notable.
The coffees, on both occasions, were very good and made me want to know more about the place.
A few weeks later, I spotted Davidson striding down Carlisle Street, Balaclava, with a toolbox in his hand. He walked purposefully into a cafe and began to work with its barista at the coffee machine.
Now I was really curious.
So I made my way to Octane's more secret location on the top floor of the Baker Heart Research Institute and ordered a coffee and a snack: same slick appearance to the store, consistently good coffee and extremely pleasant service.
Finally, I contacted Davidson and Pyle to get their story. They are New Zealanders who moved to Melbourne just over five years ago and they were willing to share the NZ secret to good coffee.
"It's because of geography and population size," says Pyle. "If you are going to open up a cafe, you just have to be better than the people down the road. There is not the population to support average cafes."
Davidson says he and Pyle began working together for NZ company Fuel Espresso. Davidson was promoted to head barista and Pyle took on a managerial role. "When we came to Melbourne we always had the goal of setting up our own espresso bar," he says. "We spent our first three years trying to get the coffee flavour that people in Melbourne were after."
They opened in McKillop Street in 2003. A year later, while in Fawkner Park, they saw the opportunity to set up a coffee cart in the courtyard of the Baker Institute across the road. The institute encouraged them to set up a cafe on its top floor instead. Their third outlet, a custom-designed coffee cart in the forecourt of the Victorian County Court building, was set up eight months ago. Because of the "pit-stop" nature of Octane, paper cups are used for larger coffees, although espressos are served in china cups.
"Octane is not a cafe," says Pyle. "Our main focus is to provide excellent take-away coffee."
But Davidson says they are so conscious of the environmental impact of what they are doing that each Octane outlet sponsors a child in a coffee-growing region. The company measures its carbon emissions and plans to plant trees each year to offset the effect. There are also plans for thermal travel mugs for regulars.
One of the points made in the letters about Octane was the pair's commitment to perfection: they time their espresso shots to ensure the ultimate extraction (30-35 millilitres in 25-30 seconds is considered the standard).
"Timing eliminates one variable in perfect coffee," says Pyle. "We like our baristas to time their shots, but we also have precision grinders, hand tampers and our baristas are taught to apply the same pressure every time."
Octane has eight baristas - including Davidson and Pyle - and the pair says it chooses perfectionists, with the right attitude, passion for people and coffee, rather than those with formal qualifications.
"We always use double shots and all of our staff are trained to recognise a perfect extraction. If it's not perfect, they throw it out. For us it is all about consistent quality," says Davidson.
They also work as consultants for Amanti Coffee, training baristas and as coffee-machine technicians - which explains my toolbox experience.
They also claim their hot chocolate is extraordinary. "We have developed a blend of two West African cocoas, with the help of Craig McKenzie of Grounded Pleasures, which are high in cocoa butters and contain no sugar or milk. The taste is amazing," Davidson says.
So to complete my research, I headed to the cart - a stainless-steel pod staffed by two charming and efficient baristas. The hot chocolate was amazing - deep, dark, sweet and mysterious - and the coffee was a pleasant, reliably good brew.
Octane wanted to create a "retro" look which included
their signature colours of orange & silver-gray
So we worked with Kahlia & Gabe to especially design the
bowling shirts now worn by all the Octane staff
If you'd like to know where the current & planned
Octane Expresso cafe kiosks are located
Or you'd like some info on becoming an expert "barista",
We bought some Billy shoes from you early this year for our wedding and they went off! So now I am looking for maybe a pair of Lindy Hopper straps or saddle shoes for myself.
Would it also be possible for a copy of your catalogues? Do these have prices included? I am interested in the Bleyer, Alexi and Jitterbug ranges as well as clothing.
Attached is a pic from the wedding featuring the much-commented upon shoes (including a public announcement from the priest who was quite jealous!)
Regards
Rachelle Burgoyne
Lorraine & David
"Stepping Out" Dance School
41 pairs of gorgeousshoes !!!
Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you...
Lorraine & David are the gorgeous "record holders"...
Lorraine has so far purchased 16 pairs of gorgeous shoes,
& David has purchased 25 pairs of gorgeous shoes...
We jokingly (& fondly) refer to them as "Mr & Mrs Imelda"...
As well as having "incredibly good taste" in shoes, they're also
extremely delightful people, & just FABULOUS dancers - they're
the current Rock 'n' Roll "Dance Masters of Australia" Champions...
Lorraine & David run the very successful "Stepping Out" dance school,
teaching most forms of partner dancing - rock 'n' roll, rockabilly
swing, ballroom & latin dancing - as well as line-dancing...
David is also a carer for people with brain aquired disabilities, & plays
base guitar in a rock 'n' roll band with a number of his patients...
In grand tradition we have nominated another Legend of the Year for 2006. This year we broke away from tradition and for the first time, unusually, awarded the status to one of the teaching team.
The legend of the year for 2006 is Jake Meadley.
Jake is a foundation rock in the swing scene across all of Victoria having taught weekly classes in Melbourne, Albury- Woodonga, Wangaratta, Shepparton and two courses as well in Bendigo too in 2006. His contribution to the swing scene goes way beyond fulfilling his teaching duties; he lives and breathes swing, builds communities around him and brings people together to dance at classes, festivals, picnics, local and larger events.
How he has the energy to do all of that in amongst all the travel we will never know and will always be astounded by. It is testament to his conviction and devotion to getting people to dance and enjoy their time together. Your contribution is amazing Jake.
Congrats on being a legend.
(Swing Patrol Is the largest swing dance school anywhere in the world,
& they're located "down under" in our home city of Melbourne,
so check out their websites below)
Glamour Puss
Having fun while you're learning to dance is "quite an understatement" if
your lessons are at Miss Jane's Glamour Puss Tap Dancing Academy
Glamour Puss Studios are based in Melbourne, Australia - & put
the T&A back into TAP, with their unique brand of retro &
hip tap dancing, known as "glamourtap".
Although tap is their "thing", Glamour Puss also dip their character shoe
encrusted toes into other styles of dance - with Swing Cat Fridays (swing
dance with Swing Central) & Tina Sparkle Saturdays (ballroom).
And they just "hate" to dress up & put on a show:
Check out those "Flame" shoes - wonder where they came from ??? :o)
If you want to have as much fun as Miss Jane's other students,
