Member Review by Stuart Roberts

If anyone ever needed evidence of Melbourne's thriving caf?/coffee culture ? the new Home Barista Institute in West Melbourne provides it all ? and more! Read On!

Ricky and Rita are the friendly new owners of West Melbourne's favourite caf? - 'Aioli' ? and are already familiar faces around the Melbourne caf? scene. They have built a loyal following of coffee-loving 'suits' at their Little Bourke Street caf? Knock Box, but having outgrown the premises, they now bring their Home Barista Institute concept to the top end of the city.

They have a fresh and tasty menu and drinks range. Try their Deluxe hot chocolate, their vegan low-cal Freezoccino, and of course their house roasted and blended coffees, made to your very particular preference ? If you like it strong and hot, you'll get your two shots delivered with a smile! For gastronomic pleasures, try gourmet Phillippa's baguettes with Gypsy ham, prosciutto, roast chicken or veggie, or their home made sausage rolls that have the lightest pastry and tastiest fillings in town! The salads are fresh and imaginative.

Now, Home Barista Institute has introduced a new hands-on course, and the Home Barista Club, to reveal all the secrets of coffee-drinking pleasure. Their half-day Coffee Appreciation Course includes tutoring on the history of coffee, how a good coffee should look, smell and taste, and most importantly ? you have a go on the coffee machines to learn the barista art!

Join the Home Barista Club to receive email newsletters with helpful coffee tips, coffee classes info and special deals on home espresso machines. Receive invitations to special events and be included in a regular prize draw for coffee beans, tampers, coffee classes and more!

Ricky and Rita are making substantial changes to the old Aioli premises to accommodate their Home Barista concept, and to present their own distinctive style. But they have not lost that cosy Mediterranean atmosphere ? the mosaic tables, expansive streetscape windows and leafy outdoor courtyard ? that Aioli's weekend regulars came to love.

Visit Ricky, Rita and their friendly team at 229 Victoria Street West Melbourne (just a block away from Vic Market and Flagstaff Gardens), and log onto their informative website at www.homebarista.com.au.

Home Barista Institute is destined for the pages of Epicure and beyond ? but remember ? you heard it first on Foodgod.com.au!