The Rag Land

The first time to go to The Rag Land was a good one.  The café is situated in a street which I pass by few times a week.  Yet, I never knew this hidden gem.

 

The decoration here was special.  The customer area was decorated in an approachable and friendly way.  Rocking chair, iron board and shelves with books all created a harmonious home-like feel.  In contrast, the staff’s work area was a totally different domain in which all things are neatly put and presented.  The way they put the espresso bar gave you a clear view about how the coffees were made from the portafilter to your cup.  No secret at all!

How’s the coffee?  Excellent!  A considerable number of cafés in Sydney tend to make espresso-based coffee to an unnecessary high temperature.  It’s true that high temperature can make sugar dissolve easily.  Yet, this ruins the overall cup and brings out a lot of unpleasant bitter flavor (no wonder sugar is needed!)  The way The Rag Land made coffee tells you that they are professional.  I believe that they want us to enjoy the coffee, not to burn our lips!

Food was a surprise!  Baked beans were more than suitable to warm you in a chilly morning.  The Brekkie set has a generous portion size and is good.  I was satisfied with all stuff, including the muesli and yoghurt.  Everything was well prepared and presented.

My visit ended by a chat with Dave, the Café Manager, who had good knowledge about the cafés in Sydney.  I believe that when people know how others’ standards are, they know the industry benchmark and how well they have to improve.  This is called professionalism!  And The Rag Land has been put on my favorite list!

第一次到這咖啡店是一次愉快的經歷，它位處的街，是我每星期也途經數次的，然而，我從不知它是這小區的瑰寶。

它的裝潢很特別，食客的角落擺設得很友善可親。安樂椅、熨衣板及書架令這地方有種和諧的家庭氣氛。對比之下，職員的工作間卻是另一不同的天地，所有東西都是放置得整齊與雅觀。它們放置意式咖啡機的地方，讓你知道你的咖啡從咖啡濾器把手到杯上的過程，一目了然，沒有秘密!

咖啡水準如何？一絕！在悉尼，為數不少的咖啡店把意式咖啡為基礎的咖啡做得不必要的高溫，當然，這樣有助糖溶化，然而，這亦破壞了整杯咖啡的味道，帶出很多令人不舒服的苦澀(難怪要加糖!)　這咖啡店沖煮咖啡的方法該你知道他們的專業。我相信他們想我們享受咖啡，而不是燙傷我們的咀巴！

食物讓人驚喜！焗豆在冬日的早晨讓你暖暖胃。早餐定食的分量慷慨，味道又好，我十分滿意它的食物，包括是堅果穀物加乳酪。所有東西都預備與賣相都相當好。

臨行前跟咖啡店的經理Dave閒聊幾句，他對悉尼的咖啡店都相當的認識。我相信當人們了解別人的水準時，才懂得業內的標準及他們要做多少才能跟別人並列。這才叫做「專業精神」！而我，也把The Rag Land放在我喜愛之列！

Tue-Fri: 0700-1600

Sat: 0800-1500

Sun: 0900-1500

129 Ragland Street, Waterloo NSW 2017

www.theragland.tumblr.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theragland/