The stars have aligned – I’ve found Maeda and I feel enlightened. Their coffee was simply perfection in a cup, with a rich flavour and gorgeous velvety texture. Achieving the ideal temperature, ratio and texture of the milk, let alone balancing the complex factors that contribute to a good espresso shot, is both a science and an art and Maeda has nailed them both. It was refreshing to find they baked their banana bread in house and it had a delicious, fresh-baked quality. I generally prefer my banana breads dark, molassesey and heavily spiced. This was the complete opposite of that, and it was fantastic. Thick cut but not heavy, moist but not greasy, with an almost fluffy spring to it. It was like a rustic, homestyle banana bread crossed seamlessly with a delicate cupcake.
With beautiful vintage blues playing and simple minimalist decor made of timber and polished concrete, Maeda was like a tranquil little bubble that let you see out onto King Street without the letting the chaos in. It delivered the whole experience. And what’s more, the babies were both asleep in the pram. I might linger here a while longer.
Coffee: 1
BB: 1