The Coffee Concierge arranged to meet a friend at Novena Square a couple of days ago and decided it was a good time to also sample the Spinelli coffee there. It was certainly a crowded zone with a lot of people around. Despite there being several outlets almost cheek to jowl including an organic cafe, Cedele, Spinelli's was quite full up with a fair amount of turn over of people coming and going.
The outlet had three staff kept on the run by the constant flow of customers: two men and a lady The Coffee Concierge was served by one of the young men. Service was polite enough but certainly didn't beat the attention the coffee concierge was getting at the admittedly quieter T1 location. The clientale was mixed but the coffee concierge did notice one man in his 30s or so in a black polo shirt reading, taking his time, and definitely watching the other customers and world go by. Most of the other customers were definitely more engrossed with their own affairs so it did cross the coffee concierge's mind if that was a Spinelli staff member on his coffee break keeping an eye on what the customers behaviour was like.
Sadly however the more hurried pace of life at Novena Square has certainly taken its toll on the quality of expresso turned out. The Coffee Concierge ordered the usual expresso while his friend ordered a spin. The expresso despite being made with presumably their usual Rancilio machines and with the same original blend, turned out poorer than the T1 barista's effort. Definitely more sour, less flavourful in general and much less aftertaste. The aftertaste did improve upon cooling for quite a while but still could not match the nice slightly bitter and dry aftertaste that I liked so much in T1.
The biscotti though is great. I have to say I actually really like Spinelli biscuits and food in general. Oh and for those looking for price, I think it was about S$3.00 for an expresso.
Overall rating:
Taste: 1 1/2 beans
Service: 2 1/2 beans
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