The cafe: Although I'm a non-meat eater, I generally prefer to go to 'normal' cafe's and restaurants and order vegetarian meals rather than visit the many vegie haunts popping up around Melbourne. Monk is an exception. The vegan food prepared here is fantastic. Hidden off the main road, Monk is a haven for those looking for something slightly off the beaten path. As with most of the best cafe's in Melbourne, it is fairly cramped with only a few individual tables, a communal table that seats a dozen or so people and a small counter. The wooden stools weigh a tonne and can double up as a workout! And if it's too busy inside, you can sit on milk crate out the front too... The crowd is interesting. It can be full-on hippie, SOY's doing NOY, locals, students, business people and family. But by and large, Monk is frequented by 'clippies'... What's a clippie? It's a 'clean hippie'. Usually pretty, well dressed girls in their 20's and early 30's who dress a little hippie but are gainfully employed, wear shoes, wash their hair and have one additional piercing at the very most... Warning: The area on Carlisle Street near Monk is somewhat 'derelic' these days...so just be aware.
The coffee: Heading from Westbury St towards Chapel St, Carlisle St would have to be one of the most densely populated coffee areas in Melbourne. Fortunately they've saved the best for last. The aroma is very creamy with hints of nuttiness. The colour is dark and brooding and so is the flavour. Rich, high quality dark chocolate bitterness with amazing length and good acidity. The bitterness is insanely well balaned and not at all sharp. Perfect temperature and liquid to milk ratio. This is not a short mac for the faint hearted. Some may find it a little intimidating and/or confronting. But for my palate, this is what coffee is all about. $3.80. Score 9/10.
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