None of that Monday morning feeling for me today … not with the prospect of one of my very favourite coffees at the wonderful Taylor St Baristas to brighten me up and put a nice kick into my start to the week. I’ve written about Taylor St Baristas before and I, along with many other loyal customers, have been waiting for the Richmond branch to reopen since Source closed their doors in September. When Source closed down and they lost their home at the back of that food store, Taylor St Baristas fortunately found new premises nearby – about the same distance, i.e. hardly any distance at all, from Richmond Station, but turn right as you come out of the station instead of left.

I’d seen their intended opening day on their Facebook page but when I passed by last Friday and looked in – finding Alese with paintbrush in hand – it still looked more like a building site than a cafe. I couldn’t believe they’d be ready to open today – but they were. There are still some things to finish off – including a shop sign over the front door! – but in essence, here it was, the new Taylor St Baristas cafe and their coffee as fabulous as ever.

And this new cafe is so much better than the old. It’s all their own and they’ve painted the walls in wonderful deep reds and browns, a richness and warmth that reflects their coffee. Their new red coffee machine is awesome … I’d want one if it wouldn’t take up most of my kitchen!  There’s a toilet (they didn’t have one before), Wifi and … most temptingly, wonderful pastries and sandwiches. There’s a lovely deep brown-red sofa to sit on and the whole ambience is so much cosier and more sophisticated than before. And those excellent baristas, Alese, Magda and Shana are as skilled as ever at serving up one of the best coffees you’ll find anywhere.

April 2014: Please not that Taylor St Baristas Richmond is now fully independent – owned by Alese – and has been renamed Butter Beans. It’s in the same place and serves the same great coffee and food.