Engine Room Espresso, 450C Fitzgerald St, North Perth WA 6006, Phone 0420 703 419.
Delightful … Engine Room is a small and cosy café opposite the Rosemount Hotel on Fitzgerald Street. The décor is part industrial, part trashy chic. Decor includes distressed cement floors, exposed ceilings and eclectic furniture.There is a tiny but swish outdoor courtyard.
The food display boasts bagels and raw desserts. I noticed there was a filtered water tap and glasses stacked underneath it. Complimentary filtered water is a nice touch.
The waitperson was very friendly and nothing was a bother. She chatted with us for a few minutes before heading off to make the coffee. Having read the reviews I really wanted to try the coffee and opted for a double espresso. While Xena decided on green tea.
The coffee was very strong, as espressos go, but the caramelly crema softened the blow. As did the complimentary glass of sparkling water. The aroma of the coffee was the first to reach my senses, then the sight of the crema and then the taste. And, no bitter back taste at all. Memorable.
It always surprises me just how difficult it is for a lot of Perth establishments to make a decent espresso. Worse, a double espresso. You’re usually presented with a teaspoon of thick, burnt black liquid. But the crema is always thick. How is that possible. An enigma.
The building has been beautifully refurbished. And, so has the back yard. There is a long walk, on a pleasant path, to the bathroom. A little added greenery and shade.
Where does the Engine Room tag come from? It seems the cafe was the brainchild of three professional fire fighters, Leon Berthelsen, Ben Borrett and Lee Draman. Their job requires them to be alert 100% of the time. So, it’s no surprise really that they all like coffee. They have just take it to a whole new level by opening their own Espresso Cafe.
