Conveniently located across the road from Hoggies and adjoining Ducks Nuts, Bar Espresso is a popular coffee stop for those in that part of the Darwin CBD. After dinner at the aforementioned steak fest one night, we decided to head on over for a late night caffeine hit and a chin wag with some friends.

Inside you'll find the usual array of coffee shop food as well as plenty of patisserie goodies from the legendary Kurt, (not sure if this is still the case after he moved to Cavenagh Street), but in any case, I understand most go to Bar Espresso for a coffee fix. On this occasion I went a cappuccino, technically a mugaccino since I got a mugs worth.I've only ever been in here once for a ham and cheese croissant so this was a virgin Bar Espresso caffeine experience. After downing it I was left thinking what all the fuss is about. It was alright but not awesome and certainly not as good what the grape vine would suggest. 'Twas a bit too milky and pretty weak in coffee flavour, even for someone who doesn't like it too strong. As I have confessed in previous posts I am no coffee expert, but my taste buds know enough.

Perhaps it was a bad day, or maybe if the barista spent less time trying to chat up every chick that walked through the door he would have done a better job. I'll give him points for being friendly and quick though. I'll be back for a second opinion, but on first impressions it's not even close to Xtreme Caffeine or Four birds.