KOFEMANIA

               Type: Cafe
               Address: Trubnaya Pl., 2 / Komsomolsky Pr., 21/2
               Phone: 299-8459 / 8499 246-1721
               Web: www.coffeemania.ru

               Trubnaya / Frunzenskaya

                Price: 250-1000 rub p/p

                Shit-o-meter: -0.5 stars

“Kofemania”… Sounds like a mental illness of some kind… In general, Russians really know how to name things (see here, here, here and especially here). They have a certain talent for picking the most tasteless, idiotic and in many cases, ironic name you can think of.

After leafing through the menu, I almost had an attack of Kofemania myself! Cappucino will set you back here 235 rubles!!!!!! For what??? A cup of milky filth??? That’s around AUD $12! Back in the day, if a Melbourne restaurant was selling coffee for more than AUD $3, they were either making coffee out of gold bullion or they just wanted to go out of business…(Right: Kofemania - that's what Moscow prices will do to you)

Having already been seated, I decided to stick with the place and try the coffee, and order a meal.

Coffee came with good creamy froth and a pattern drawn on top (an old trick using a toothpick or a straw). Quality looked great, and the size of the cup was correct (or what Russians would consider “mini”). In any case, I gathered that I would be able to appreciate the coffee rather than drinking a huge cup of scolding milk a-la Starbuck or Coffee House.

I added one sugar and noticed that they use fine brown sugar—perfect! The coffee was fantastic! Temperature was perfect (i.e. not scolding). The blend of coffee is heavily on the sweet side, but in general the taste reminded me of home (could almost imagine kangaroos jumping past the window down the main street).

Next up was the pesto taglitelle. On the small side (what can you expect really), but generally very delicious! The mixture of pesto and cream cheese was great! Not so great if you’re wearing a white shirt though…

To sum up, I’ve been back here many times as it’s close to where I work, and each time I’ve been wholly satisfied—despite the ludicrous prices. Even leave a tip! I also tried the one at Frunzenskaya, and was pleasantly surprised to see that the quality was consistent—that’s important.

On the whole, I’d say it’s a great place, but better if you want to treat yourself, rather than making it a regular occasion, as the prices are beyond human conception. I’d stick with Costa Coffee if you want a decent coffee.

W

 What I was expecting to be served