When three business partners of varying professional hospitality backgrounds get together in the same mind space, the result is Hobba. A great barista, a famous chef and a CEO from a major beverage franchise have created this caffeinated business that ticks all the boxes with atmosphere, great food and coffee backed up by real customer service.
The formula is working well, and after three months from opening, this 120 seater is still full for breakfast and lunch.
New Zealand born Gerrick Numan had great success with his first project ‘Willim Espresso’ and took to the Hobba project with high energy in this much larger space (previously used as a tyre service).
The fit out is very Melbourne, with lots of raw bricks, exposed timber beams, lots of plywood and not forgetting the Synesso, the Mazza E and an Uber Boiler for the range of filter coffee choices.
The food is amazing, and my son Charlie will be disappointed that I experienced Chef Josh Powell’s 65 degrees celsius Sous Vide eggs directly from the kitchen. Powell has spent time in the UK at Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck restaurant. The food backs up what I see as the new success formula for the cool Aussie café concept, which is high end quality food with excellent service, but still with the relaxed casual, café feel.
I also had a second breakfast dish of bubble and squeak with thick cut bacon and burnt butter Hollandaise. Yum! Look out fine dining restaurants, Melbourne cafés like Hobba are coming at you with their quality concepts and affordable prices.
The coffee service is excellent, and all the baristas under Gerrick’s reign are both passionate and skilled. The baristas have been well supported by a great range of espresso and brewing equipment, which seems the norm for most of Five Senses coffee accounts. The coffee black board offers daily estate coffees and seasonal blends through pour over and the Synesso espresso machine.
If you want to experience the ‘Hobba’ concept, my tip is to get up early for weekend breakfast service. If you leave it to brunch, you will have to wait for a seat. And thank you Hobba for putting some friendly staff in place that make you feel welcome; yes, you can be cool and friendly.
Love your stuff.
Hobba
428 Malvern Rd, Prahran
(03) 9510 8336
