Cinque: Java Lava Cafe

Pennant Hills doesn't really change very much. Not usually. Franklins is still there, despite ongoing process of changing to an IGA... bakery has been there for years, same with the burger cafe next to it. Subway established itself not long ago, and there's Harris Farm's butcher and fruit shop. On the whole, Pennant Hills look like a rundown place that hasn't been renovated in decades, and that is true as to what it is really. 

Outside, the Corner Cafe remains a favourite for getting quality coffee (Toby's Estate beans!) though for a short while when it was changing hands, the quality dropped drastically, but it's slowly establishing itself back as a place for good coffee. The owner guilt trips me when I don't visit, since she sees me at Franklins, and will ask where I have been.

From 120___07

Then this giant of a cafe opened up, just a few hundred metres away. Chain cafe/restaurant Java Lava.

From 120___07

Went there one Sunday, pre badminton, just to check out the coffee. And some food. They use a Java bean blend... I don't know if I like it or not ._. Doesn't really taste like anything special that I can remember.

From 120___07

Despite not having the wow factor when it comes to coffee, their food is ok.

From 120___07

I do like their pepper grinders. At least they don't cut cost when it comes to little things like that. No powdered cheap pepper! And I like to put pepper on everything, it makes things taste so much better.

From 120___07

Saturating breakfast with freshly ground pepper :D  #And that's the way (aha, aha) I like it~

From 120___07

Brownie points given for letting us order poached eggs with the breakfast, though the menu specified "fried or scrambled"... I didn't read the menu, and the girl who took the order hesitated only slightly, but the kitchen did it for us. How nice =)

From 120___07

Undergoing the "Poached egg" litmus test. First, examine the egg, and cut away the white surrounding the yolk. Eat. Then, pierce the yolk to check consistency.

From 120___07

Should be runny, like that. If it's not runny, it's an automatic fail. Guess which cafe failed instantly *rolls eyes, macchiato*, but Java Lava did pretty well. Next step is just cutting up your toast into small pieces and dipping it into the runny egg yolk. Consume, and feel free to express enjoyment vocally. Or snap lots of pictures. Or fine, be all silent and pretend to brood over the meaning of life. Whichever sort of person you are.

From 120___07

Very nice. Good job, Java chef.

From 120___07

I forgot what this is. From the looks of it, a caramel cheese tart/pie.

From 120___07

And breakfast is complete.

Overall, coffee is nothing special, but the girl who works there (also works at Franklins) told me that the barista is quite experienced... as for the beans, because it's a chain cafe, it can't be helped that it's not as fresh as say, the stores which roast their own beans. Understandable. Thought it might be just me. However, after looking at a few reviews online, this place really doesn't live up to standard when it comes to coffee. "Over-extracted and horrible", they say. On a brand new fancy machine, no less. Shame! (I, on the other hand, didn't notice, though I did find myself paying extra attention when I went there a second time for a takeaway coffee... think I might have made the barista nervous, he apologised profusely when handing me the coffee, saying it's not the best he's made...)

I'm not sure if I'll go back, even though it's so convenient for me... I do tend to get my coffee from Corner Cafe (loyalty!) or if I'm getting food, from the burger cafe, which does pretty good coffee too actually. Still, take note that this place closes late every day and open early too, so it's good to know it's there.