The Imp — Restaurant in Western Australia

I walked into this cafe looking specifically for a latte and a ham and cheese croissant. The first thing I noticed is that these two things cost me $18, including a 50c surcharge for using a MUG. I sat down and thought to myself "this place must be employee owned to justify that price"...

I started noticing signs that quite the opposite was happening here. A sign behind the counter stating "our staff are fired with enthusiasm, or they will be" and "stop mosin around" expressed an employee-exploitation-core aesthetic which I did not find cute or quirky.

The service was fast however regardless of the constant demoralising threat of the signs. I started my coffee, perfectly prepared and I could tell the machine was well calibrated for perfect balance. But the coffee wasn't good, I would have chosen the same balance when provided with bad beans. The beans provide the outdated flavours of a lawn-bowls club/bar, which I can appreciate, but not for that price.

I asked the staff if this place is employee owned, hoping to god that all this form over function was the expression of a collection of people's eccentricities. Unfortunately it's not employee owned. And all the signs point to an owner (who I didn't even need to see) who views employees like minions for an aesthetic power fantasy, the price, the bean choices, the form over function. Professionally prepared food and drink inherently mid, excusable at an IGA deli, but not at a place like this. I've seen this before, usually in a high turnover rate situation, it's an entitlement to thinking you deserve to be a boss above people. Its not quirky, it's not cute and I hope I'm wrong, hence the 3 stars not 1.

Coffee doesn't taste good when it's born out of...

If you are not regular customer , you are not welcome in this coffee shop . I waited and waited but all the regular customers came after me got their coffee first . My morning was ruined due to bad service in this coffee shop , I waited 30 min for a coffee when all the ‘ regular’ customer arrived after me got their coffee . The worst is the owner and barista did not feel apology at all but keep making excuse saying that ‘ coffee machine was not working before ‘ BUT mate ,I did understand your machine not working and I did said I am happy to wait . When machine is fixed I should be the first to be served not the others who came after me ! I am a businessman too don’t teach me how to make business . Learn to treat customers as humans not...

I really like how brown this place is, not just from the generous wooden decor that gives the place that classic vibes - how you imagine coffee shops are supposed to look like, but also how dark my espresso is and how much flavour is in it. It's not your milked down flat white that makes Perth an embarrassing place to visit these days. I kid you not this is some of the best coffee in Perth.

Aside from that, the team is always friendly and chirpy, so it's always great to visit. The food, though simple, still packs a good one and I'll always be happy to get the sandwiches or cakes here. I do wish it opens later as it used to.

Edit: came back here a year later for my annual Perth visit. Coffee still banging, place...