Courier: Tastes of Melbourne
Rosso Brews Up Excitement in Melbourne's Coffee Scene
Caffeine connoisseurs will froth for Rosso in North Melbourne. Owned by bean guru Ramez Abdulnour, who has been in the industry for about two decades, and Jordan Iovenitti, who owns Brisbane’s Deli Dakota, the sexy, industrial shed serves four distinct house roasts plus a changing array of single origins. Patrons can choose between batch brew, pour over, milk, black or iced, as well as their new range of ultra clean, easy drinking cold brews in a can.
Whichever your preference, enjoy it with one of the all-day eats from the sophisticated cafe menu by chef Michael Berneger, who used to work in fine dining for the likes of French culinary legend Alain Ducasse and Neil Perry. The offering moves through the likes of brioche oat milk French toast with rhubarb custard, orange blossom, poached peaches, berries and lime gelato to a huevos Benny featuring slow-cooked brisket on a toasted crumpet. My pick, though, is the hot buttered lobster roll.
But the most important reason to visit Rosso is for the coffee education classes and the chance to work the venue’s $30,000 coffee machine. While most of us can’t afford it in our own kitchens, the experienced staff will teach you how to tame your own home machine with the same level of precision, as well as provide tutelage on everything from the perfect roast to the ideal grind.
