Domestic Qantas Terminal, Sydney m: 0407 911 546
Ten years ago, I worked in the centre of the city, and my morning brew was always at ‘Crema’ café near Martin Place, presented by barista Spiro Mylonas. Ten years on, Spiro, with a string of successful cafés behind him like Il Cintro and the City Espresso chains, has now completed a new project called ‘Black’ at the Qantas Domestic terminal in Sydney.
Qantas headhunted Spiro to run this new concept store, which was the first retail store to be placed in the slick looking domestic departure lounge at Mascot terminal. The idea was to create a lounge before the lounge, offering excellent café products like great coffee and quick but high quality food offerings.
Spiro sought the services of Gina Di Brita from Numero Uno to design a blend that would give the fast moving commuters a morning palate pleaser before their daily flights. They worked for a few months to design a blend with enough after taste, so the commuter would be appeased for their flight duration.
The fitout is slick, with lots of smooth black finishes. No plywood and rustic edges in this co-operative designed fitout between Qantas and City Espresso’s creative team.
The café boasts two three group La Marzoccos and a number of grinders offering a designer Numero Uno Blend and a weekly single origin.
The cabinet food is very sexy, with lush treats like extra crunchy muesli in fresh yogurt to a selection of colourful tasty designer macaroons and single serve cakes.
Spiro has concentrated his effort in recruiting great competition baristas, who are all very career focused on coffee. This has paid off, with a fast growing regular clientele from around the airport precinct.
‘Black’ is a great example of clever design, ergonomic layout, and fantastic coffee offerings, topped with friendly customer service. Yes finally, a positive move for Qantas in a year of negativity around this iconic brand.
