Nespresso Boutique Perth launch party

The first Nespresso Boutique in Perth has opened on Murray St Mall next to Target, opposite the Perth Underground train station. I attended the launch event recently, along with other food bloggers, media and numerous Perthonalities. Alas, no George Clooney!

The boutique is breathtakingly beautiful, so lavishly styled and elegant I feel like I’ve unwittingly stumbled into a scene from a movie.

The Coffee Room

The Coffee Room, tonight used as The Bar

Veuve Cliquot champagne is the celebratory drink of choice.

Pouring champagne

Pouring Veuve Cliquot champagne

Champagne glasses on the bar

Champagne glasses on the bar

All along the walls are Nespresso coffee machines and capsules. They gleam under dramatic lighting like pictures in a glossy magazine.

The Discovery Wall

The Discovery Wall

Nespresso machines

Nespresso machines

Nespresso coffee machine

Nespresso coffee machine – red

Nespresso machine and espresso cup

Nespresso machine and espresso cup

The wall of Nespresso capsule boxes resembles the futuristic architecture out of a science fiction movie.

Wall of Nespresso capsules

Wall of Nespresso capsules

The Nespresso capsules come in vibrant colours. They look like cosmetics, like art supplies, like chocolates… objects we desire and crave to touch or smell or taste.

Nespresso capsules

Nespresso capsules

Nespresso capsules

Nespresso capsules

Nespresso capsules

Nespresso capsules

There is a recycling station in the boutique where you can bring your used capsules. The aluminium capsules are melted down and reused to make other products, while the used coffee grounds become fertiliser.

Right at the back of the boutique is The Club Room, presumably where you sign on the dotted line to purchase your shiny new toy and become a member of the Nespresso Club.

I know a number of coffee purists who are quite cynical, even disparaging, about Nespresso and the coffee that comes in capsules. But not everyone has barista aspirations at home and the convenience of the no-mess capsules is especially appealing to busy people. And if many gain pleasure and enjoyment from easy-to-use machines that make coffee they enjoy, why the need to judge?

Sit down and sign your life away

Sit down and sign your life away

While we check out the boutique, DJs are pumping out tunes. It’s a party, after all.

DJs

DJs

We food bloggers commandeer one of the tables where we hang out together and chat. The first of the canapés are delivered by smiling catering staff who soon discover that we’ll want to photograph everything before we taste it.

Roasted butternut pumpkin disc with aubergine caviar and date chutney

Roasted butternut pumpkin disc with aubergine caviar and date chutney

Red capsicum sofrito tart garnished with shaved prosciutto

Red capsicum sofrito tart garnished with shaved prosciutto

Ground lamb and pistachio saffron in pastry

Ground lamb and pistachio saffron in pastry

Herb encrusted medallion of rock lobster on toasted rye

Herb encrusted medallion of rock lobster on toasted rye

I didn’t manage to get a photo of the seared breast of duck with a blueberry compote and a dusting of Nespresso Dulsao, served in spoons as perfect meaty mouthfuls. I also (sadly) managed to miss the Belgian chocolate cups with coffee truffle that oozed salted caramel when you bit into them.

Meringue, star anise creme, mango and a dusting of Nespresso Cosi

Meringue, star anise creme, mango and a dusting of Nespresso Cosi

Years ago when I worked in hospitality, I drank many a short macchiato. These days, I mostly drink tea, and near bedtime, caffeine-free Nature’s Cuppa. I rarely drink coffee. I enjoy it when I have it, but it’s not something I need daily.

But while I’m here I know I must try a Nespresso coffee. I have a Nespresso Livanto, a medium-intensity blend with roasted caramel notes. As I don’t drink coffee regularly I find it quite strong and rich. It’s good. I’m nearly seduced into taking up coffee drinking again… I’m still thinking about it.

Making a Nespresso coffee

Making a Nespresso coffee

General Manager of Nespresso Oceania Renaud Tinel addresses the guests. The Perth boutique is Nespresso’s ninth in Australia. Nespresso Coffee Specialists will provide personalised service to customers, whether they need help selecting a machine or advice on Nespresso coffee blends or simply want to purchase more capsules.

Renaud Tinel, General Manager, Nespresso Oceania addresses the guests

Renaud Tinel, General Manager, Nespresso Oceania addresses the guests

Renaud draws our attention to the artwork on the wall near the entrance of the boutique. This piece was created by the Jumbana Group, a leading Australian Indigenous Strategy and Design Company and is composed entirely out of Nespresso capsules. It is the first of a series of artworks that will appear in other Nespresso boutiques across Australia.

Ocean

Ocean

Ocean - close-up

Ocean – close-up

In further tribute to the ocean theme, the WA Aboriginal Dance Company performs a dance symbolising water. It begins with the low drone of the didgeridoo which fades into smoke effects and modern dance moves.

Dance performance

Dance performance

The celebration continues with “lusch” cocktails made with Absolut vodka, morello cherry puree and Chinotto, topped with everyone’s favourite, a cherry coffee wafer.

Cocktails, anyone?

Cocktails, anyone?

Cherry cocktails

“Lusch” cherry cocktails

The espresso martinis made with tequila and Nespresso Arpeggio are very popular and deceptively strong.

Coffee cocktails

Coffee cocktails

I’m having a great time and enjoying catching up with the food bloggers. Jac was planning to come along but on the night wasn’t feeling well. It’s a shame, as I’m sure she’d have enjoyed the party and she could’ve met the Perth Food Engineers, who are chuffed when I tell them Jac regularly checks their blog for restaurant recommendations.

Even after all the canapés, Perth Food Journal and I still feel peckish and decide to grab a bite in town afterwards. What can I say, we’re typical food bloggers with voracious appetites!

The party is still going when we leave

The party is still going when we leave

Map of Nespresso Boutique, Murray St Mall, Perth - click for larger map
Click for larger map

Nespresso Boutique
2/200 Murray Street (Murray Street Mall, next to Target, opposite Perth Underground train station)
Perth WA 6000
Telephone: 1800 623 033 ‎

Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday 9am to 5.30pm
Friday 9am to 9pm
Saturday 9am to 5pm
Sunday 11am to 5pm

The original Nespresso kiosk is at Myer Perth, Level 2, 200 Murray Street, Perth WA 6000

The other food bloggers’ accounts of the event:

In other news
Some of you guys may be interested: I did an interview recently with Influencing, a website for Australian PR and marketing professionals. I discuss how 2011 has been and what 2012 may bring: End of year review: The Food Pornographer.

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