Jamaica Blue, Rundle Mall, Adelaide

If the name sounds familiar, it probably is.



You might’ve heard of its hype or even been to the Malaysian franchise (in Mid Valley) to taste a cup or two of their drinks, but have you had the opportunity to experience the coffee in its Australian franchise?

We chanced upon Jamaica Blue when we explored Adelaide Myer Centre a couple of weeks ago in search for a particular ice cream brand (that’s another story not worth elaborating now), but it didn’t take us until one fine Sunday to enter the cafe. My impression was that it radiated a place of privacy and serenity - with only the background music and chatters filling the area. As I walked in further, there was even a partial view of Rundle Mall towards the end where there was more seating space.



It's part of the seating space



A variety of savory and sacchariferous desserts.....



.... as well as sweet muffins.





The various types of coffee that Jamaica Blue offers and its definition....







We've always been wondering if there was anyone selling organic coffee and since Jamaica Blue offered it as a choice, we gladly settled for a medium-sized Flat White (AUD $4.70).





I found it peculiar that the inorganic and organic blend were of the same price because as we all know, organically-produced items have a higher production cost.

I loved how fragrant it was when it arrived on our table and felt it awakening the tired soul. I gaped at the drink when I realized that the coffee art did not dissipate into the coffee until you’re about to drain the last bits of it. It’s in awe that the barista is capable of producing this; some artwork will melt away the moment you sink your face in it - or at least in my previous experiences.

Due to the absence of milk foam and chocolate, I’m starting to love this more than cappuccino.



Chicken and Mushroom Crepe (AUD $ 14.90) is a thin slice of crepe wrapped with pieces of bite-sized chicken and mushroom in a milky sauce.

It is served with a splash of salad on the side, providing a wholesome and healthy kick (with a slight drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil as dressing).

A freshly-made dish, it is exceptionally delicious with the mild addition of herbs and slight whiff of cheese blended into the filling. It warmed my throat and atcually whetted my appetite for a second serving, but I resisted the temptation. There was a perfect balance of taste; although it hinted slightly towards the savory side, it was still within the acceptable limit.



Scones (AUD $ 4.50) with ‘Sweetened’ Jam and Cream

The cream was omitted in this picture, partly because I don’t fancy it but more towards the fact that I’ll leave it untouched.

The scone unfortunately was disappointing; it unfortunately did not penetrate the taste buds with its buttery identity. I’m not sure if it’s because the folks here dislike to have the aroma of strong butter or not, but it clearly lacked in comparison to the English raisin and cranberry ones.

On the solacing side, it is not as piquant as feared; the sweet jam evens out the piquancy of the scone with its saccharine ingredient.



Pumpkin, Feta and Olive Tart, as the name suggests, consisted of mashed pumpkin, feta cheese and olives in the dish.

Visually, it bore the resemblance of a tart.

Taste wise, it was pretty good - especially with the melted feta cheese oozing out and the faint acidity from the olives. What I admire about this dish is that the filling tasted exactly like a pizza’s when I took my first bite. It was reminiscent of my visits to Shakey’s some years ago.

The pastry was a tad bit salty, which might have been the result of salted butter or a tremendous amount of salt being thrown into the dough. The consoling part was that the filling had a neutral aftertaste (neither sweet nor salty), drawing the aroma from the dough.





I’ll have to admit that the service here is exceptional and impressive. I’ve never seen anyone placing their orders through the waiters in the other cafes here or in Malaysia and picking up the tab after finishing the meal.

To reduce the queue, the diner is actually encouraged to take a seat and approach any one of the two waiters (when they are ready) with their order. The waiter will then gladly deliver it to you once it’s been prepared Even if you wait in the line, you’ll be gently escorted to the seating space instead.

You are free to make the payment at any time - either when the dish arrives or after you’ve polished the plate; the choice is yours. Just remember to quote the table number when you’re at the counter.



My return is a definite thing, be it for another round of meal with friends or when I just want to momentarily evade the academic stress and relax to a cup of coffee. To me, it feels like a place where I can gather my thoughts and be away from everyone for a while.

It just depends on my university schedule and whether it permits for a quick getaway.





Name: Jamaica Blue
Myer Center
22 Rundle Mall, Adelaide SA 5000,
Australia

Tel: (08) 8410 3678