Friends Mitch and Nathan wanted to ‘create a space, which was warm and intimate, where customers would be engaged with the barista and the coffee making process,’ and fortunately for us they’ve done just that in their recent endeavour Felix & Co. Situated on Hampton Road in Nedlands, here you’ll find carefully selected coffee from small batch and boutique roasters. We could tell you all about it, but we thought we’d let the boys introduce themselves – they are the coffee experts after all!
How did you both come to opening your specialty coffee bar?
We have known each other for a long time, from various cafes in Perth – Mitch making coffee and Nathan drinking it! Coincidentally we both moved to Melbourne around the same time, where Mitch became the manager of Proud Mary Coffee in Collingwood.
Melbourne really opened our eyes to the coffee industry – it is really progressive in Melbourne, which is now a world leader in terms of sourcing green beans, roasting and brewing techniques, and the way in which it is served and presented to the consumer.
From our experiences in Melbourne it was plainly evident that Perth was missing out on a different coffee experience. For so long Perth has been dominated by a handful of coffee roasters and chain cafes. Although the coffee landscape in Perth has changed a lot over the past few years, it still has a long way to go in terms of being able to explore the range of experiences coffee has to offer.
We both returned to Perth around the same time, and around a year ago a casual conversation about how we would love to open a unique coffee bar in Perth transpired into Felix & Co. Specialty Coffee. Our partnership draws on Mitch’s skill and experience with coffee, Nathan’s background in business and banking, and a mutual passion and love for coffee!
We had a clear vision from the beginning of opening a coffee bar with the aim of showcasing excellent coffee and different brewing techniques. Our goal is to provide an exciting and new coffee experience, and to demonstrate just how amazing coffee can be!
We wanted to create a space, which was warm and intimate, where customers would be engaged with the barista and the coffee making process. Coffee making and coffee drinking is a sensory experience – taste, smell and sight – and we felt that it was really important that all these elements be incorporated in our coffee bar, to enhance the overall experience.
Where does the name come from?
The name Felix & Co. Specialty Coffee represents our desire to go back to ‘grass roots’ with coffee.
As far as we know, coffee was first cultivated in Yemen in the 15th century – Yemen at the time was known as Arabia Felix. As coffee came to be known throughout the world, coffees houses were established in major cities, particularly London, during the 17th century. These coffee houses become a central part of everyday life. They were often referred to as Schools of the Wise, and in fact many business were established in London coffee houses, such as Lloyd’s of London, the London Stock Exchange, Sotherby’s and Christie’s.
So it seemed fitting, being so close to UWA and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, that we should refer to these the coffee houses of yesterday, which were known for being places of learning, discovery and innovation.
Tell us about your coffee. Where does it come from and how do you select what to serve?
We specifically chose to be independent, to enable us to source coffee from a range of small batch and boutique roasters from around Australia, and in time, from around the world.
At the moment we are buying coffee from Proud Mary Coffee, Single Origin Roasters, Market Lane Coffee, and Dukes Coffee. These roasters have an excellent reputation and roast fantastic coffee.
Quality roasters these days source green beans directly from coffee farms. They see how the coffee is grown and processed. They engage with the farmer and work with them, to ensure the best quality coffee and a fair outcome for the farmer. Of course, the roaster also needs the skill to bring out the best in the coffee.
In terms of what we offer – on any given day we have three espresso coffees to choose from. These can be single origin coffees or blends. We select them based on what’s in season and what we think demonstrates a range of coffee flavours. That is, dark chocolate and caramel, to lighter, more citrus and berry flavours.
All of our coffees are great served black, however we always ensure that we have at least two espresso options that are also great with milk.
Filter coffees are certainly gaining popularity in Perth. Can you shed some light on what this is all about, for those of us who are yet to sample them?
Filter coffees are really interesting. They have grown a lot in popularity, and while it appears this is a new way of experiencing coffee, the opposite is true. Filter coffee is going back to the beginning. Before espresso machines, ‘filter coffee’ was how coffee was enjoyed. Coffee farmers drink coffee this way, and this is how coffee buyers and roasters assess the quality of coffee – also known as cupping.
Filter coffees are generally roasted lighter compared with espresso coffees, which mean they have a higher acid content and a different flavour profile. And because there is no pressure used during the brewing process, the coffee is handled very gently, which brings out more subtle flavours. Filter coffees are very refined and have a wonderful clarity.
Similar to wine, brewing coffee this way enables you to taste the terrior of the coffee – where it was grown, the climate, the soil, the altitude and how it was processed.
At Felix & Co. Specialty Coffee we have a growing list of filter coffees. At the moment we offer six coffees, from different regions and from different roasters. Many of our customers have taken to taking a ‘coffee flight’, trying a new coffee every day.
Recently we had on two very special coffees – the Panama ‘Auromar’ Geisha from Proud Mary, which one 2013 Best of Panama and the Panama ‘Mama Cata’ Geisha from Duke’s Coffee. They were both amazing coffees, with beautiful and complex flavours.
We love your branding! Who did it? What was the process like, did you have a clear idea of what you wanted?
Thanks – we love it too!
Tim Waters and Aron Marchant assisted with our design work (Tim Waters Design). They understood what were trying to achieve, and we are really happy with the final design – we think it fits with the look and feel of the coffee bar and what we are trying to do with coffee.
What nibbles are on offer?
As mentioned, our focus is on quality, which is why we have carefully selected the food which we serve. Our suppliers are well known for the quality of their ingredients and products.
We have a range of beautiful pastries from Swiss and French patissiers (croissants, muffins and friands), as well as banana bread which is very popular – it is delicious!
Recently we started serving toasties – ham & cheese (with a touch of Dijon mustard) and double cheese. We make these ourselves using lovely vintage cheddar, triple smoked ham and smooth gruyere cheese. We serve these with kasundi. Nathan & Mitch.
Find Felix & Co. at Shop 8, 160 Hampden Road, Nedlands. View their full listing over here.