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.
Veuve Cliquot champagne is the celebratory drink of choice.
All along the walls are Nespresso coffee machines and capsules. They gleam under dramatic lighting like pictures in a glossy magazine.
The wall of Nespresso capsule boxes resembles the futuristic architecture out of a science fiction movie.
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.
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?
While we check out the boutique, DJs are pumping out tunes. It’s a party, after all.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
The celebration continues with “lusch” cocktails made with Absolut vodka, morello cherry puree and Chinotto, topped with everyone’s favourite, a cherry coffee wafer.
The espresso martinis made with tequila and Nespresso Arpeggio are very popular and deceptively strong.
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!
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.